Pádraig Pearse
Pádraig Pearse (born 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. He was declared "President of the Provisional Government" of the Irish Republic in one of the bulletins issued by the Rising's leaders, a status that was however disputed by others associated with the rebellion both then and subsequently. Following the collapse of the Rising and the execution of Pearse, along with his brother (Willie Pearse) and fourteen other leaders, Pearse came to be seen by many as the embodiment of the rebellion.
“The wise have pitied the fool that hath striven to give a life In the world of time and space among the bulks of actual things,To dream that was dreamed in the heart, and that only the heart could hold.Oh wise men, riddle me this: What if the dream come true?”
Pádraig Pearse
“The words of the bards come down the centuries to us, warm with living breath.”
Pádraig Pearse
“Blood is a cleansing and sanctifying thing, and the nation that regards it as the final horror has lost its manhood... there are many things more horrible than bloodshed, and slavery is one of them!”
Pádraig Pearse
“If you strike us down now we shall rise again and renew the fight. You cannot conquer Ireland; you cannot extinguish the Irish passion for freedom. If our deed has not been sufficient to win freedom then our children will win it by a better deed.”
Pádraig Pearse
“Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam. A country without a language is a country without a soul.”
Pádraig Pearse