Willie Pearse
Encyclopedia
William "Willie" Pearse (November 15, 1881 – May 4, 1916) was an Irish
republican executed for his part in the Easter Rising
. He was a younger brother of Patrick Pearse
, a leader of the rising.
Willie inherited his father's artistic abilities and became a sculptor. He was educated at the Christian Brothers School. He studied at the Metropolitan School of Art in Dublin under Oliver Sheppard
. He also studied art in Paris. While attending the Kensington School of Art he gained notice for several of his artworks. Some of his sculptures are to be found in Limerick Cathedral
, the Cathedral of St. Eunan and St Columba, Letterkenny
and several Dublin churches. He was trained to take over his father's stonemason business, but gave it up to help Patrick run St. Enda's School
which he founded in 1908. He was involved in the arts and theatre at St. Enda's and aided the overall running of the school.
and the Republican movement. He took part in the Easter Rising
in 1916, constantly staying by his brother's side at the General Post Office
. Following the surrender he was court-martialled and sentenced to be shot. It has been said that as he was only a minor player in the struggle it was his surname that condemned him. However, at his court martial he rather trumpeted his involvement, exaggerating it even, and perhaps condemned himself.
On May 3, Willie Pearse was granted permission to visit his brother in Kilmainham Gaol
, to see him for the final time. However, while Willie was en route, Patrick Pearse was executed. Willie was executed the following day.
In 1966, Dublin's Westland Row railway station was renamed Pearse Station to honour Willie and his brother.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
republican executed for his part in the Easter Rising
Easter Rising
The Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland during Easter Week, 1916. The Rising was mounted by Irish republicans with the aims of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing the Irish Republic at a time when the British Empire was heavily engaged in the First World War...
. He was a younger brother of Patrick Pearse
Patrick Pearse
Patrick Henry Pearse was an Irish teacher, barrister, poet, writer, nationalist and political activist who was one of the leaders of the Easter Rising in 1916...
, a leader of the rising.
Background
Willie Pearse was born in Dublin and throughout his life lived in the shadow of his brother to whom he was devoted and with whom he formed a particularly close relationship.Willie inherited his father's artistic abilities and became a sculptor. He was educated at the Christian Brothers School. He studied at the Metropolitan School of Art in Dublin under Oliver Sheppard
Oliver Sheppard
Oliver Sheppard RHA was an Irish sculptor, most famous for his 1911 bronze statue of the mythical Cuchullain dying in battle.-Family:...
. He also studied art in Paris. While attending the Kensington School of Art he gained notice for several of his artworks. Some of his sculptures are to be found in Limerick Cathedral
Limerick Cathedral
Limerick Cathedral may refer to:* St Mary's Cathedral, Limerick, Church of Ireland* St John's Cathedral, Limerick, Roman Catholic...
, the Cathedral of St. Eunan and St Columba, Letterkenny
Letterkenny
Letterkenny , with a population of 17,568, is the largest town in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland. The town is located on the River Swilly...
and several Dublin churches. He was trained to take over his father's stonemason business, but gave it up to help Patrick run St. Enda's School
St. Enda's School
St. Enda's School, or Scoil Éanna, was a Secondary school for boys set up by Irish nationalist Patrick Pearse in 1908.-Background:Pearse, generally known as a leader of the Easter Rising in 1916, had long been critical of the educational system in Ireland, which he believed taught Irish children to...
which he founded in 1908. He was involved in the arts and theatre at St. Enda's and aided the overall running of the school.
The Easter Rising
He followed his brother into the Irish VolunteersIrish Volunteers
The Irish Volunteers was a military organisation established in 1913 by Irish nationalists. It was ostensibly formed in response to the formation of the Ulster Volunteers in 1912, and its declared primary aim was "to secure and maintain the rights and liberties common to the whole people of Ireland"...
and the Republican movement. He took part in the Easter Rising
Easter Rising
The Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland during Easter Week, 1916. The Rising was mounted by Irish republicans with the aims of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing the Irish Republic at a time when the British Empire was heavily engaged in the First World War...
in 1916, constantly staying by his brother's side at the General Post Office
General Post Office (Dublin)
The General Post Office ' in Dublin is the headquarters of the Irish postal service, An Post, and Dublin's principal post office...
. Following the surrender he was court-martialled and sentenced to be shot. It has been said that as he was only a minor player in the struggle it was his surname that condemned him. However, at his court martial he rather trumpeted his involvement, exaggerating it even, and perhaps condemned himself.
On May 3, Willie Pearse was granted permission to visit his brother in Kilmainham Gaol
Kilmainham Gaol
Kilmainham Gaol is a former prison, located in Kilmainham in Dublin, which is now a museum. It has been run since the mid-1980s by the Office of Public Works , an Irish Government agency...
, to see him for the final time. However, while Willie was en route, Patrick Pearse was executed. Willie was executed the following day.
In 1966, Dublin's Westland Row railway station was renamed Pearse Station to honour Willie and his brother.