Last words: Letters and statements of the leaders executed after the rising at Easter 1916

by Piaras F. Mac Lochlainn

English

Genres: Nonfiction, Ireland, History

227 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1996

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone with a decade-plus long love of studying the Easter Rising, I thoroughly enjoyed this collection. It is concise, not over-narrated, and allows the writings of the convicted to speak for themselves. It is, as such, not meant to act a narrative history of the Rising. This collection of primary sources, written by the men of the Easter Rising in the time frame between when it began and when they were executed, is separated into chapters by author and peppered with statements and recollections of those who loved and visited them, including the priests who attended to their spiritual needs. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to read the personal experiences and opinions of these men because I found them fascinating and compelling.

The only reason I had to dock a star from this excellent collection is because there are several scattered sections that are not translated into English. While it makes sense that these men would be writing in Irish/Gaelic, it is a peeve of mine in any primarily English text when the editor or author does not take the time to at least provide a footnoted translation.

It is also my hope that at some point as more documents become unsealed/found (especially since the original version was compiled in the late 1960s) someone will undertake to create a second or expanded edition.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A souvenir of the Kilmainham Gaol, as heartbreaking as these letters are, it’s a pretty uplifting. read I’m amazed at how forthright and full of courage these men were, knowing they were going to die. Interesting enough, the last surviving child of one of those executed just died in April 2018 – at 104! The dying wish of his father was for he to become a priest (and his sister a nun) – and they did. The only frustrating part for me is that some of the letters were in Gaelic, and while I understand the statement of not translating those words, people may have learned something from them.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking. Strong and brave men communicating with their loved ones knowing that they were about to die! My only criticism is that the Irish language sections should have been translated and maybe added as an addendum. So much is missed by not knowing is said and too many to retype into a translation website.
An excellent record of a very difficult time in Ireland.

[Keith Mckenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very poignant book, i was tearful reading it, it may be out of print now though worth the effort to try and get it. think it was printed by the kilmainham gaol historical society. I gave my copy to a friend from, it was his birthday, he gave it away, git!

[Viviane Cordeiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I receive this book as a gift from a very lovely friend after our visit to Kilmainham Gaol - such an emotional book. Let's just say that now I'm hunting some documentaries/movies from that period, it really got me hooked!