Tom Clarke (Irish Republican) The Irish Volunteers

When the Irish VolunteersThe Irish Volunteers were a paramilitary organization established by Irish Nationalists in 1913 "to secure and maintain the rights and liberties common to the whole people of Ireland", and to enforce the imminent Home Rule Act. The Volunteers were formed were formed in 1913, Clarke took a keen interest, but took no part in the organization, knowing that as a felon and well-known Irish nationalist he would lend discredit to the Volunteers. Nevertheless, with MacDermott, Hobson, and other IRB members such as Eamonn CeanntEamonn Ceannt ( September 21, 1881 May 8, 1916) was an Irish nationalist and rebel. He was born Edward Kent in Galway on September 21, 1881. When he was young his family moved to Dublin where he became interested in the Irish Ireland movement. He joined t taking important roles in the Volunteers, it was clear that the IRB would have substantial, if not total, control, (particularly after the co-option of Patrick PearsePatrick Henry Pearse (known as Padraig Pearse or, in the Irish language, as Padraig Anrai Mac Piarais ( November 10, 1879 May 3, 1916) was a teacher, poet, writer and political activist who led the Irish Easter Rising in 1916. Following the collapse of th, already a leading member of the Volunteers, into the IRB at the end of 1913). This proved largely to be the case, until John RedmondJohn Edward Redmond ( 1856- 1918) was the leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party from 1900 to 1918. John Redmond was born in County Wexford in Ireland in 1856. A nationalist by birth, whose father had been a nationalist Irish MP he was educated by the Je, the leader of the Irish Parliamentary PartyThe Irish Parliamentary Party (IPP) was an political party formed in 1882 under the leadership of Charles Stewart Parnell and others, replacing the Home Rule League. It was instrumental in laying the groundwork for Irish self-government. Following Parnell, demanded equal control of the Volunteers. Though most of the hard-liners stood against this, Redmond's decree was accepted, partially due to the support given by Hobson. Clarke never forgave him for what he considered a treasonous act.

2 Planning the Rising

Following Clarke's falling out with Hobson, MacDermott and Clarke became almost inseparable. The two of them, as secretary and treasurer, respectively, de facto ran the IRB, although it was still under the nominal head of other men, James Deakin, and later McCullough. In 1915 Clarke and MacDermott established the Military Committee of the IRB to plan what later became the Easter Rising. The members were Pearse, Ceannt, and Joseph Plunkett, with Clarke and MacDermott adding themselves shortly thereafter. When an agreement was reached with James Connolly and the Irish Citizen Army in January, 1916, Connolly was also included on the committee, with Thomas MacDonagh added at the last minute in April. These seven men were the signers of the Easter Proclamation, with Clarke as the first signatory. It has been said that Clarke indeed would have been the declared President and Commander-in-chief, but he refused any military rank and such honours, which were given to Pearse, who was more well-known and respected on a national level.

3 The Easter Rising

Clarke was stationed in the headquarters at the General Post Office at Dublin during the events of Easter Week, where command of the rebel forces was largely under Connolly. Following the surrender on April 29, Clarke was held in Kilmainham Jail until his execution by firing squad on May 3. He had the honor of being the second person executed, following Pearse.

Clarke, Tom Clarke, Tom

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Home > Tom Clarke (Irish republican)

1 The Irish Volunteers

2 Planning the Rising

3 The Easter Rising

Topics: Tom Clarke (Irish Republican), The Irish Volunteers...