Sean Connolly

Sean Connolly (Irish: Seán Ó Congaile) was an Irish republican, socialist and Abbey Theatre actor who took part in the Easter Rising. He was a captain in the Irish Citizen Army and was the first rebel to be killed during the Rising.

For the historian (born 1951), see Sean Connolly (academic).

Sean Connolly
Born(1882-04-12)12 April 1882
Sandymount, Dublin, Ireland
Died(1916-04-24)24 April 1916
City Hall, Dublin, Ireland
AllegianceIrish Citizen Army
Years of service1913–16
RankCaptain
Battles/warsEaster Rising

Early life and family

Connolly was born in Sandymount, Dublin in 1882.[1] His father Michael led the Fenians to the battleground at Tallaght during the Fenian Rising in 1867, at the age of 11. He was also involved in the ITGWU.[2] He attended St. Joseph's Secondary C.B.S. in Fairview.

Easter Rising

On Easter Monday morning when the ICA was about to march towards their positions from Liberty Hall and start the Rising James Connolly approached Connolly, told him how much time he had to get to Dublin Castle, shook his hand and said "Good luck Sean! We won't meet again".[3] At 11:45 am that same day he led a group of ICA members towards Dublin Castle. At the main gate of the castle DMP officer James O'Brien, who was attempting to close the gate, was shot dead. Accounts vary as to whether Sean Connolly or another fighter shot him.[4][5][6][7] They then tied up six sentries in the castle guard room. British Army major AJ Price, who had heard shots fired, ran out to the castle courtyard and fired at Connolly and the other ICA members before retreating. Connolly and those under his command retreated to City Hall. Within an hour of the retreat he was shot dead on the roof of City Hall by a British sniper.[8][9] Dr Kathleen Lynn describes the event:

We noticed Sean Connolly coming towards us, walking upright, although we had been advised to crouch and take cover as much as possible. We suddenly saw him fall mortally wounded by a sniper's bullet from the castle. First aid was useless. He died almost immediately.[10]

Helena Molony, who also witnessed his death, recalled that his younger brother Matt, who was fifteen at the time, was on the City Hall roof and "cried bitterly" over his death.[11] According to his own witness statement, it was not until 6:00 the next morning that Kathleen Lynn told him of his brother's death.[12] After he was shot, Molony said a prayer into his ear.[13]

Personal life

As well as a revolutionary, Connolly was an actor in the Abbey Theatre. His last part was the lead in Under Which Flag by James Connolly.[14]

He and his wife, Christina, had three children, Margaret, Kevin and Aidan. Christine Connolly was active during the War of Independence; during the Civil War she took the Treaty side.

Commemoration

In 2016 a commemoration for Constable James O'Brien took place at Dublin Castle. Freya Connolly, great-granddaughter of Sean Connolly, placed flowers on behalf of the Connolly family.[15]

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising, An Post, the Irish postal service, released stamps of figures associated with the Rising. Sean Connolly and Constable James O'Brien appeared on a stamp together.[16]

Connolly was 32 when he died. He was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.[1]

The Longford Senior Football Championship trophy is named after Sean Connolly.

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References
  1. Maume, Patrick; Rooney, David (2015). "1916 Portraits and Lives". Royal Irish Academy. JSTOR j.ctt17kmw8q. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. "Actors of 1916: Sean Connolly". storiesfrom1916.com.
  3. "Witness Statement of William Oman made to the Military Bureau of History" (PDF).
  4. "Some Interesting Revelations About Sean Connolly".
  5. "Recognising contribution of police who fell in the 1916 fighting". Irish Examiner. 10 April 2016.
  6. "Was an unarmed policeman really shot dead at Dublin Castle during the Easter Rising". Journal.ie.
  7. "Helena Molony: a revolutionary life". historyireland.com. 28 June 2013.
  8. 16 Lives: Michael Mallin. p. 125.
  9. Michael T. Foy (1 October 2014). Tom Clarke: The True Leader of the Easter Rising. ISBN 9780752499352.
  10. "1916: Diary of rebel doctor Kathleen Lynn". The Irish Times.
  11. Annie Ryan (30 June 2014). Witnesses: Inside the Easter Rising. ISBN 9781909718838.
  12. http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS1746.pdf
  13. "The First Shot Should Be Fired at Dublin Castle". Raidió Teilifís Éireann.
  14. Dworkin, Dennis L. (9 March 2012). Ireland and Britain 1798–1922. ISBN 9781603848213.
  15. "Tribute to 1916 British soldiers removed in Dublin". The Irish Times.
  16. http://www.anpostmedia.com/Media/1916_Stamps/1916_SOAR_STAMP5_OBrien_Connolly.jpg
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