A Millstreet Miscellany (3) - Aubane Historical Society

14. Patrick Pearse
Pearse became the Irish Volunteers' Director of Military Organisation in 1914 and by 1915
he was on the IRB's Supreme Council, and its secret Military Council, the core group that began
planning for a Rising. In that role he visited Millstreet on 22 August 1915 to meet local IRB
members and Volunteers. The following are brief accounts of the visit.
"A Unit of the Irish Volunteers had been formed locally in 1914 after the disintegration of
the National Volunteers. It was so painstakingly organised that it was considered by the Volunteer
Executive in Dublin to be a suitable nucleus for organising the Duhallow and Muskerry districts.
Accordingly they, sent Padraig Pearse to Millstreet to address a meeting of the public and a
convention of Volunteers. Pearse's visit on August 22 nd
was ostensibly for the local Feis and sports.
The advertised programme read:
'Gaelic and Athletic events - - Tug-o'-war, pony race, championship dancing, address on the
Resurrection of Erin by P. H. Pearse, B.A, B.L.'
The organisers were: Tom Griffin and Seamus (Jimmy) Hickey. As the visit took place only
a fortnight after his famous oration at the grave of O'Donovan Rossa it attracted a lot of attention,
not least from the R.I.C.
However, Pearse slipped through them and made his way to the football field. There he
addressed several thousand people who had assembled to enjoy a real Gaelic day and to listen to the
gospel of Irish patriotism as preached by its greatest exponent of the time. His address reawakened
in many the dormant spirit of Irish patriotism inherited from an unyielding and freedom loving
ancestry. More than a few resolved that to give their lives if necessary that Ireland might be free.
Amongst those present were Jeremiah O'Reardon and Jim Buckley, who had been active
with the Fenians in 1867, and many veterans of the Land War of the 1880s. Other were mere boys
who had learned well the history of their native land.
Following a conference with Pearse, these men and others set to work to expand the
organisation of the Volunteers. When the R.I.C. realised that Pearse had evaded them their chagrin
was of a high order. However, they had the 'privilege' of standing guard outside the Railway Hotel
whilst Pearse had an evening meal inside. It is a significant fact that all those known to be
associated with his visit were either interned or had to go on the run the following year."
("Millstreet's Green and Gold' by Jim Cronin, 1984)
A small group of Volunteers came down from Cork city to accompany him back to Cork
where he was due to speak the following night. Among them were Liam Ruiseal (of the bookshop)
who has left a brief account:
"We were accompanied by two Cork Volunteer pipers. We went by train to Macroom and
then by waggonette to Millstreet. On the return journey, as we reached a rise of ground near
Carriganimma, all got down except Pearse and myself. We spoke in Irish only, and I remember he
was under the impression that he had met me before. The following night, Monday, he addressed a
big gathering in the Hall in Sheares Street. There was great fire in his speech, and he was
tremendously inspiring."
("The position in Cork' by Liam Ruiseal).
Another Volunteer who was part of the group was Liam de Roiste who has left an account in
his diary:
"23/8/15, Monday, 6.15.pm. Had a glorious day yesterday. Went with Vice-Commandant
Sean O'Sullivan, Pipers Band and some Oglaig to Sraid a Mhuilinn Feis via Macroom to
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