THE VOICE OF FREE EUROPE: Michael Walsh: The ruling elite often uses worn-out phrases. One such phrase is, ‘he gave his life for his country.’

FACT: He was a young farm worker, coal miner, fisherman, transport worker, or an unemployed father. He was also a brother and son. Against his wishes, he was press-ganged into the armed forces. He was forced to fight and die in imperialist wars.

Not so the Irish. They volunteered and willingly gave their lives for their country. They sought the real freedom to be their own country.

A Volunteer Named Jack

Sean Heuston was executed by firing squad on 8th May 1916 for his role on the Easter Rising. He was 25 years old.

Heuston, often called Jack, was born in Dublin. He spent much of his working life as a railway clerk in Limerick. He joined Na Fianna Eireann in 1910. Three years later, he became one of the founding members of the Irish Volunteers.

Captain of Dublin’s D Company by 1916, Heuston was a trusted member of the Volunteers. He was chosen to command the rebels in the Mendicity Institute. It was situated near Kingsbridge Railway Station (Named Heuston Station in his honour since 1966). This junction provided an important route for British soldiers from the station to the city centre.

Heuston’s troops performed well and were involved in several firefights with Crown forces. After the surrender of the rebels, Heuston was amongst the large number sentenced to death.

Many would have their sentences commuted, but not Sean Heuston.

Sean’s sister, Mary, was a Dominican nun in Galway in 1916. She later became the principal of the Dominican College in Taylor’s Hill. She was well known in the city.

Assignment:

On Easter Monday, 1916, Heuston was ordered to hold the Mendicity Institution on the River Liffey. His mission was to delay British troops advancing from the Royal Barracks. This was to prevent them from reaching the General Post Office (GPO), the Rising’s headquarters.

•       Defense: With about 20 Volunteers, he held the building for over two days. This was far longer than the intended 3–4 hours.

•       Outcome: Eventually forced to surrender due to overwhelming British forces and lack of supplies.

It was to her that Sean Heuston’s final letter was sent from a cell in Kilmainham Gaol.

The Last Letter of a Condemned Man

My Dearest M. Before this note reaches you, I shall have fallen as a soldier in the cause of Irish freedom.

I write to bid you a last farewell in this world. I rely on you to pray fervently. Please get the prayers of the whole community for the repose of my soul.

I am quite prepared for the journey. The priest was with me, and I received Holy Communion this morning. It was only this evening that the finding of the court-martial was conveyed to me.

Poor Mother will miss me, but I feel that with God’s help she will manage.

You know the Irish proverb: ‘God’s help is nearer than the door.’ The agony of the past few days has been intense, but I now feel reconciled to God’s Holy Will.

I might have fallen in action as many have done, and been less well prepared for the journey before me. Do not blame me for the part I have taken.

As a soldier, I merely followed the orders of my superiors. They should have known what was the best in Ireland’s interest. Let there be no talk of foolish enterprises.

I have no vain regrets.

Think of the thousands of Irishmen who fell fighting under another flag at the Dardanelles. They were attempting to do what English experts now admit was an absolute impossibility.

QUOTE: World War I: ‘A lengthy period of general insanity.’   ~ Field-Marshall Lord Allenby.’

If you really love me, teach the children the history of their own land. Show them that the cause of Caitlín Ni hUallacháin never dies.

Ireland shall be free from the center to the sea. This will happen as soon as the people of Ireland believe in the necessity for Ireland’s freedom. They must also be prepared to make the necessary sacrifices to obtain it.

Pray for me. Your loving brother, Jack.’

Seán Heuston was a young Irish revolutionary. He played a key role in the 1916 Easter Rising. He commanded a small garrison at the Mendicity Institution in Dublin. He was executed at Kilmainham Gaol on May 8, 1916, at just 25 years old.

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