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Kilmainham Gaol, May 1916 I leave for the guidance of the other revolutionaries who may tread the
path which I have trod this advice: never to treat with the enemy, never
to surrender to his mercy but to fight to a finish. I see nothing
gained but grave disaster caused by the surrender which has marked the
end of the Irish Insurrection of 1916 - so far at least as Dublin is
concerned. The enemy has not cherished one generous thought for
those who, with little hope, with poor equipment & weak in members
withstood his forces for one glorious week. Ireland has shown that
she is a nation. This generation can claim to have raised sons as
brave as any that went before and in the years to come Ireland will
honour those who risked all for her honour at Easter 1916. I bear
no ill-will towards those against whom I fought. I have found the
common soldiers and the higher officers humane and companionable,
even the English who were actually in the fight against us. Thank God
soldiering for Ireland has opened my heart and helped me to see pure
humanity where I expect to find only scorn and reproach. I have
met the man who escaped from me by a ruse under the red cross but I
do not regret having withheld my fire. He gave me cakes. I wish
to record the magnificent gallantry and fearless calm determination
of the men who fought with me. All were simply splendid. Even I knew
no fear or panic and shrunk from no risk even as I shrink not now
from the death that faces me at day-break. I hope to see the face of
God even for a moment in the morning. His will be done. All here
are very kind. My poor wife saw me yesterday and bore up; so the warder told me, even
she left my presence. Poor Aine, poor Ronan, God is their only
shield now that I am removed and God is a better shield than I.
I have seen Aine Nell Richard and Mick and bid th bid them conditional
goodbye. Even now they have hope. Eamonn Ceannt. Received this copy of Eamonn Ceannt's last
letter from his wife before her death.
Eithne Ni Dómnaill 2 IRISH REBELLION. MAY 1916
EAMONN CEANNT
(Commandant of the South Dublin Area),
EXECUTED MAY 8TH, 1916. One of the signatories of the "Irish Republic Proclamation."