Letter from William Pearse to The O'Rahilly, 21 April 1916 Letters 1916-1923 William Pearse

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 Austrian Centre for Digital Humanities Vienna, AT 2026

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A mobilisation order from William Pearse (1881-1916) to Michael Joseph O'Rahilly ('The O'Rahilly') (1875-1916). Attached is an account of the O'Rahilly's last moments, detailing his charge down Moore street and the writing of his last note. William Pearse was the brother of Patrick Pearse and fought under him in the GPO during the Easter Rising. He held the rank of captain and served on occasion as acting chief of staff but in reality had no power. Despite this, he pleaded guilty at his court martial and was executed on 4 May. Michael Joseph O'Rahilly was involved in the procurement of arms in the lead-up to the Rising and was involved in the Howth gun-running incident. He fought in the G.P.O. During the Rising and was shot in Parnell/Moore Street on 28 April 1916 and died some time later.

 National Library of Ireland Ms. 13,019, Ms. 13,019 https://letters1916.ie/item/1277 English William Pearse 1916-04-21 2 Dawson Street, Dublin Michael Joseph O'Rahilly 40 Herbert Park, Ballsbridge Male Easter Rising Ireland 1916

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 Staff No. 3 IRISH VOLUNTEERS Headquarters:- 2, Dawson Street, Dublin. 21 st April, 1916. To:- Comdt. The O'Rahilly 40 Herbert Park Ballsbridge Sent at 5p.m DUBLIN BRIGADE : EASTER MANOEUVRES, 1916 You will report yourself to me at temporary Headquarters, Beresford Place, at the hour of 4 p.m. on Sunday next, 23 rd inst., (Easter Sunday) and hold yourself in readiness to act on the Staff of Commandant P.H.Pearse, Acting G.O.C. Dublin Brigade, during the Easter Manoeuvres. You will provide yourself with a bicycle, a Street map of Dublin City, a road map of Dublin District, and a field message book. You will carry full arms and ammunition, full service equipment (including overcoat) and rations for eight hours. You will acknowledge receipt of this order by returning, by hand, to me at St. Enda's College, Rathfarnham, the annexed form duly filled in and signed. William Pearse Captain Acting Chief of Staff (The above interesting orders which were typewritten, were found on the body of the O'Rahilly, one of the rebel Commandants who was shot by the 2/6 Sherwood Foresters as he was leading a charge on one of their barricades in Moor Street near the Post Officer. Upon homalso was a letter written to his wife after he was wounded in which he said he was shot leading a charge. He got into an entry on the side of the street and later endeavoured to crawl to an opening on the other side. He was wounded again and before he died he wrote in a firm hand a pencilled note to his wife and children.) 40 Herbert Park, Ballsbridge Letter from William Pearse to The O'Rahilly, 21 April 1916 2 Dawson Street, Dublin Letter from William Pearse to The O'Rahilly, 21 April 1916 Michael Joseph O'Rahilly Letter from The O'Rahilly to Hely's Limited, 1915/1916Letter from Michael O'Rahilly to Seán T. O'Kelly, 18 December 1915Letter from The O'Rahilly to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 19 February 1916Letter from The O'Rahilly to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 2 March 1916Letter from William Pearse to The O'Rahilly, 21 April 1916Letter from James Connolly to The O'Rahilly, 24 April 1916 William Pearse Letter from William Pearse to Éamonn Bulfin, 21 April 1916Letter from William Pearse to Éamonn Bulfin, 24 April 1916Letter from William Pearse to Seán T. O'Kelly, 21 April 1916Counterfoil addressed to William Pearse, April 1916Postcard from William Pearse to Douglas ffrench Mullen, 14 December 1915Letter from William Pearse to The O'Rahilly, 21 April 1916Letter from William Pearse to Éamonn Bulfin, 21 April 1916