Thomas Kent facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Kent
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Memorial postcard of Thomas Kent
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| Born | 29 August 1865 Castlelyons, County Cork, Ireland |
| Died | 9 May 1916 (aged 50) Collins Barracks, Cork, Ireland |
| Allegiance | Irish Volunteers |
| Years of service | 1913–1916 |
| Battles/wars | Easter Rising |
Thomas Kent (Irish: Tomás Ceannt; 29 August 1865 – 9 May 1916) was an Irish nationalist. This means he strongly believed Ireland should be an independent country. He was put on trial by a military court and executed. This happened after a gunfight with the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC), which was the police force in Ireland at the time. The event took place on May 9, 1916, right after the Easter Rising.
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Thomas Kent and the Easter Rising
Thomas Kent came from a well-known family of nationalists. They lived in Bawnard House in Castlelyons, County Cork. The family was ready to join the Easter Rising. This was a rebellion that happened in Dublin in April 1916. However, the order to start the rebellion was changed at the last minute for those outside Dublin. So, the Kent family stayed at home.
Even though the order was changed, the Rising still happened in Dublin. After the rebellion, the RIC began arresting people across the country. They targeted those known to support Irish independence. When the police came to the Kent family home, Thomas and his brothers Richard, David, and William fought back.
A gunfight started and lasted for four hours. During this time, a police officer named Head Constable William Rowe was killed. David Kent was also badly hurt. Eventually, the Kent brothers had to surrender. Richard tried to escape at the last moment but was fatally wounded.
His Trial and Execution
Thomas and William Kent were put on trial by a military court. They were accused of armed rebellion. William was found not guilty and set free. However, Thomas was sentenced to death.
David Kent was taken to Dublin. He was also charged with the same crime. He was found guilty and sentenced to death, but his sentence was changed. Instead, he was given five years in prison.
Thomas Kent was executed by a firing squad in Cork on May 9, 1916. He was the only person outside of Dublin to be shot for his part in the events around Easter Week. (Another person, Roger Casement, was hanged in London for treason.) Thomas Kent was buried in the grounds of Cork Prison. This place used to be a military prison behind Collins Barracks in Cork.
A Special Funeral
In 2015, the Taoiseach (Ireland's Prime Minister), Enda Kenny, offered a state funeral to the Kent family. They accepted this offer. Thomas Kent's remains were dug up from Cork prison in June 2015. He had been buried there for 99 years.
Scientists carefully studied Kent's remains. They had been found in a shallow grave. The State Pathologist's Office and other scientific groups helped with this work.
The state funeral took place on September 18, 2015. It was held at St Nicholas' Church in Castlelyons. The day before, Kent's coffin was placed at Collins Barracks in Cork so people could pay their respects. The President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, attended the funeral mass. Enda Kenny gave a speech at the graveside.
Remembering Thomas Kent
Many places in Ireland are named after Thomas Kent. In 1966, the main railway station in Cork was named Kent Station in his honor.
In 2016, a bridge over the River Blackwater in Fermoy, County Cork, was also named after him and his brothers. This was the bridge where Thomas Kent was held after his arrest.
