Thomas MacDonagh: 16Lives by Dr. Shane Kenna

16 Lives

by Shane Kenna

Born in Cloughjordan in Co. Tipperary, MacDonagh was a poet and playwright, an educator and political activist. Appointed to the IRB Military Council he became a member of the Provisional Government of the Irish Republic and was a signatory of the 1916 Easter proclamation. During the Rising MacDonagh was commandant of the 2nd Battalion of the Dublin Brigade of the Irish Volunteers and occupied the Jacobs Biscuit factory garrison. Following an inspiring speech at his Court Marshal he was executed on 3 May 1916 at Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin. In this meticulously researched biography Shane Kenna places this remarkable man within the great pantheon of Irish Republican heroes. He provides a riveting reconstruction of the life of a man whose death played such a key part in the shaping of modern Ireland.

Genres: History, Irish Literature

Paperback

First published October 6, 2014

Reviews

[Bill Kerwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas MacDonagh may not be a typical Irish martyr, but he is certainly—if you favor the tragic, romantic variety—an archetypal one: half poet and half mystic, a dreamer and a dabbler, too loquacious to be a close-mouthed conspirator and too nervous to be an able commander, but a good comrade nonetheless, passionate in devotion, and noble and admirable at the end.

From his birth in Tipperary in 1878, MacDonagh always seemed to have been looking for some great truth. At Rockwell College, he studied for the priesthood, and considered becoming a missionary, but left (because of theological reservations) before his ordination.

In the first years of the century, he became a teacher—just like his parents—teaching French, English and Latin in both Kilkenny and Cork. He was an intelligent, friendly and charismatic teacher, popular with his charges, but he still had his truths to pursue: the muse of poetry (he self-published a first book), the cause of social justice (he helped organize a union for secondary teachers), and—most important—the promotion of Irish language and culture (he joined the local chapter of the Gaelic League).

By the summer of 1908, when he arrived in Dublin, his third book of poems had been issued—with some success--by O'Donoghue and Co., his play When the Dawn is Come was scheduled for debut at the Abbey, and Thomas himself—now a respected teacher of Irish—was ready to begin teaching at St. Enda's, Patrick Pearse's new experimental school of Irish culture.

MacDonagh was a valued teacher and promoter who possessed the outgoing manner the shy Pearse lacked. They become close friends and comrades, and MacDonagh—to whom friendship came easily—soon made friends with Joseph Plunkett as well. It was his friendship with these two—both leaders of the secret society, the Irish Republican Brotherhood—that led him by degrees to the full revolutionary commitment that would terminate in the Easter Rising.

Author Sean Kenna does a good job giving you the necessary background you will need to understand MacDonagh's brief, heroic life without ever burying you in what I know from experience can be a wealth of bewildering political details. The MacDonagh he reveals to us is a good man, and it is absorbing to watch him mature as a husband, a father, a writer, and a political organizer. But the most exciting and moving passages come near its end: the vivid narrative of the military occupation of Jacob's Biscuit Factory and the moving account of McDonagh's exemplary conduct as a prisoner and his death before the firing squad. In the words of a British officer who witnessed his end: “They all died well, but MacDonagh died like a prince.”

[Betty Strohecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

They were poets and playwrights. They were teachers and laborers. One was a lawyer and one was a carpenter. They came from well-to-do families; they came from poverty. The one thing that banded these 16 men together to lead the Easter Rising of 1916 was their ideal that Ireland should be free to rule itself, an ideal that had been fought for through the ages. There were many brave men who rose up Easter Monday, April 24, 1916, to take up major positions in Dublin, and many brave women who supported them. But the 16 leaders were the ones executed, after hasty court martials, within days of their surrender to prevent more civilian casualties.

I read my first book in The 16 Lives series two years ago - the story of Joseph Plunkett. After that, I ordered more of the series, and was determined to read several books during this 100th year anniversary of their ill-fated struggle. Thomas MacDonagh was a teacher, a poet, a playwright, and also the brother-in-law of Plunkett. This is a well-told story of his life and his beliefs, his friendships and ideals that led him to take the path he chose. He had no regrets, just concern for the family he would leave behind - a wife, three-year-old son, and one-year-old daughter. After surrendering April 30th, MacDonagh was tried May 2nd, and in the first group executed in the early morning of May 3rd. A British officer who witnessed the executions was quoted as saying, "They all died well, but MacDonagh died like a Prince."

Although I already knew this story and the dire outcome, its telling still brought tears to my eyes on many occasions. A meaningful addition to these books are sections of photographs that bring these brave men to life. Since I have Irish heritage, perhaps I was drawn more to this event in history and these stories of amazing men who were willing to give the ultimate sacrifice in a fight for the freedom that so many cherish. One day I will read all 16 of their biographies. I feel I owe it to them and their families.

[Differengenera · Rating 5 out of 5]

really meticulous, well-written and thoroughly researched biography. very sad that we're denied the body of historical research the author would have produced had he not died so young