Éamonn Ceannt
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| Éamonn Ceannt | |
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| 21 September 1881 – 8 May 1916 (aged 34) | |
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| Place of birth | Ballymoe, County Galway, Ireland |
| Place of death | Kilmainham Jail, Dublin City, Ireland |
| Allegiance | Irish Volunteers |
| Years of service | 1913 – 1916 |
| Rank | Commandant |
| Commands held | 4th Battalion |
| Campaigns | Easter Rising |
Éamonn Ceannt (21 September 1881 – 8 May 1916), born Edward Thomas Kent, was an Irish republican, mostly known for his role in the Easter Rising of 1916.
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[edit] Background
Ceannt was born in Ballymoe, County Galway, one of seven children. His father was a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary. When he retired in 1892, he moved his family to Dublin.
It was there that young Edward became interested in the Irish Ireland movement. He joined the Gaelic League, adopting the Irish version of his name (Éamonn), and becoming a master of the uilleann pipes, even putting on a performance for Pope Pius X, who was on that occasion accompanied by a group of elderly Irish priests that had been long living in exile. He was employed as an accountant for the Dublin Corporation.
[edit] The Easter Rising
Sometime around 1913 he joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood, and later was one of the founding members of the Irish Volunteers. As such he was important in the planning of the Easter Rising of 1916, being one of the original members of the Military Committee and thus one of the seven signatories of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic. He was made commandant of the 4th Battalion of the Volunteers, and during the Rising was stationed at the South Dublin Union and the Marrowbone Lane Distillery , with more than 100 men under his command, notably his second-in-command Cathal Brugha, and W. T. Cosgrave. His unit saw intense fighting at times during the week, but surrendered when ordered to do so by his superior officer Padraig Pearse. Ceannt's position was one of only two that was not taken in the rising, along with Éamon de Valera's at Boland's Mill.
Ceannt was held in Kilmainham Jail until his execution by firing squad on 8 May 1916, aged 34.
[edit] Legacy
Galway City's Ceannt Station, the main bus and rail station in his native county of Galway, is named in his honour, as well as Éamonn Ceannt Park in Dublin. Eamonn Ceannt Tower in Ballymun, which was demolished in 2005, was also named after him. Although contrary to popular belief Kent railway station in Cork City is not named after him, but after another 1916 revolutionary, Thomas Kent.
[edit] References
- William Henry, Supreme Sacrifice: The Story of Eamonn Ceannt, Mercier Press, 2005
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