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Notes About The Poem

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In Easter 1916 a rebellion took place in Ireland to shake off the shackles of British rule.

A proclamation was signed by seven men one of those being Oliver Plunkett and various buildings were occupied to start the rebellion.

England responded with an iron fist determined to crush the rebellion at any cost.

Oliver Plunkett had intended to marry his fiancée Grace Gifford, a Dublin artist on Easter Sunday of that year but because the uprising was brought forward their wedding plans were put on hold.

They finally married on 3rd may 1916 in Kilmainham jail in Dublin and hours later he was executed for his part in the uprising.

Throughout his life Oliver had suffered from TB and was quite ill and frail for most of his life.

All those who had signed the proclamation were charged with treason and sentenced to death by firing squad

One of the men James Connolly was so badly injured he had to be tied to a chair so that he could be executed, England had hoped executing the ringleaders would kill any support for the uprising but it had the opposite effect and even people from all over the world were horrified by the actions of the British and support for the republican movement grew.

Ireland finally became a republic on april 18th 1949, ( easter Monday).

The story of Grace Gifford and Oliver Plunkett has often been told and even a song has been written of their tragic love story and has been performed by various artists.

Grace

Oliver and Grace were planning to wed
At a church in Dublin on Easter day
They put on hold and chose to fight instead
For the fight for freedom was under way .

Oliver had signed a proclamation
He was charged with treason against the state
His dream crushed of a free Irish nation
Death by a firing squad would be his fate.

On the third of may in Kilmainham jail
Grace wed Oliver and became his wife
The man she married now ill and quite frail
Dawn next day the British ended his life.

A marriage together they never knew
Tragedy cut short a love that was true.






Written 20th September 2019.

Writing Challenge 2, November - A Poem Meaningful.

Sponsor, Dear Heart - Wisshkobi Ode.

Copyright © Tom Cunningham | Year Posted 2019

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February 28, 2021 at 12:40 PM

Tom, Fine Sunday, fine poem, fine song. -Richard

April 22, 2021 at 11:29 AM

Thank you very much Richard, its without a doubt a very haunting song. Tom PS, sorry for late response.

March 20, 2021 at 4:34 PM

"Now, as the dawn is breaking, my heart is breaking, too ~~ On this May morn, as I walk out, my thoughts will be of you ~~ And I'll write some words upon the wall so everyone will know I love so much that I could see his blood upon the rose ~~ There won't be time to share our love for we must say good-bye." Lovely verse in that one. -Richard

Andrea Dietrich

November 23, 2019 at 6:22 PM

I remember this one from the past. Congrats on another win with this meaningful poem, Tom

November 24, 2019 at 10:26 AM

Thank you very much for your return visit Andrea. Tom

November 20, 2019 at 10:05 PM

Wow! Congrats! Thanks for this poetic poem, along its historical anchorage. God bless you.

November 21, 2019 at 2:08 AM

Thank you very much Beata, I'm happy you liked it. Tom.

November 20, 2019 at 5:57 PM

Congrats on your win Tom

November 21, 2019 at 2:07 AM

Thank you very much Gregory. Tom

Constance La France

November 20, 2019 at 3:36 PM

Tom congratulations on your win in my writing challenge with this beautifully sad write. I love the music and the background story, wondeful!

November 21, 2019 at 2:02 AM

Thank you very much Constance, I'm happy you liked it. Thanks too for hosting. Tom.

October 19, 2019 at 1:45 PM

"A marriage together they never knew Tragedy cut short a love that was true." Surely a love story can be written here...Congratulations Tom

October 20, 2019 at 12:25 AM

Thanks very much Arturo, glad you liked it. Tom

October 12, 2019 at 7:15 PM

Tom, I had to come back to the story of Oliver & Grace and the wedding at Dublin's Kilmainham Gaol. If I ever get by that way I will visit his grave at Arbour Hill. -Richard

October 13, 2019 at 3:34 AM

Thanks very much Richard, It's a place I'd like to visit too, but Dublin is a beautiful city, have been many times, went once just for a day, my daughter had a job interview at the children's hospital. Tom.

October 9, 2019 at 10:12 PM

I always enjoy learning history from your poems! I see below that one of your poems will be featured in a textbook, congratulations!

October 10, 2019 at 2:10 AM

Thank you very much P.S., I do love history and also to write poems about it. I must admit it was a shock to get an email from the publisher. Tom

October 2, 2019 at 9:53 AM

Tom, Very well written tragic tale here. I've never heard of this piece of Irish history. Very prophetic Sonnet of the lives of two endearing people. I enjoyed every word. -Richard

October 2, 2019 at 9:59 AM

Thank you very much Richard, another dark period in Ireland's history. Happy you enjoyed it. Tom.

Timothy Mcguire

September 23, 2019 at 12:59 PM

Great story. I love it being an Irish American.

September 24, 2019 at 2:00 AM

Thanks Timothy, another bleak chapter in Irish history, how that nation has suffered. Tom

Timothy Mcguire

September 23, 2019 at 1:00 PM

Being true this poem is ever so special.

Connie Marcum Wong

September 22, 2019 at 5:24 PM

Congratulations on having one of your poems put in an English book for students. Your work is truly worthy of the honor. To contribute to youth is indeed rewarding. This magnificent piece is gorgeous and going into my Faves. xxoo

September 22, 2019 at 11:38 PM

Thank you very much for the fave and good wishes, I asked could I purchase a copy of the book as a momento and the publisher emailed to say they'd send me a copy as a gift. Tom

Connie Marcum Wong

September 22, 2019 at 5:24 PM

This sad story is so beautifully written it brought tears to my eyes Tom. That contention between Britain and Ireland that still exists is so sad. I have visited Ireland a few times but never explored the north past Donegal. I hope Grace and Oliver are united again after death. Thank for the history in this special tribute to honor them Tom. Contd.

September 22, 2019 at 11:46 PM

Thanks Connie, to protect its empire England used an iron fist, it has a shameful past for sure, It used to be England's way or no way, Ghandi had the right idea in opposing them, peaceful protests that worked in the end, not before many had lost their lives though. Tom

September 22, 2019 at 2:21 AM

I never knew this Tom, so thanks for informing me. You really are a font of knowledge and clearly you have such a passion for history. Such a very sad tale and your sonnet, so full of emotion brought tears to my eyes. With kindest thoughts Ann xx

September 22, 2019 at 3:10 AM

Thanks very much Ann, another dark time in Irish history, first they had the famine then the fight for independence. Enjoy the weekend, just off to the front, My daughters said you have rain, hope it clears up. Tom

September 21, 2019 at 10:34 PM

Tom, you are a wellspring of history, regaling me (and other Soupers) with fascinating looks at history that we otherwise would not know of. Thank you so much. May your talented pen continue to flow! Best wishes, Gershon

September 21, 2019 at 10:43 PM

Thank you so much Gershon, I must admit this is what I love doing best. I was gobsmacked when a publisher contacted me and asked could they use one of my historical poems about Shackleton in one of their books to be used in schools. Tom

Andrea Dietrich

September 21, 2019 at 7:03 PM

commenting to your reply to me below: Do you remember that Beatles song Give Ireland Back to the Irish? Or it was Paul McArtney's group wings maybe. The govt. needs to be like Paul and just "get with the program!" Aren't they still having problems with Ireland even to this day?

September 21, 2019 at 9:39 PM

Yes, I remember the song , the BBC banned it. It was wings, Paul McCartney wrote it after what became known as bloody Sunday when the army shot dead peaceful protesters. Dispite what you read and hear about there is still a divide in the north of the country although not as bad as it was in the seventies. But still holding the six counties has come back to bite the UK on the ass, its a stumbling block for Brexit. Tom

September 21, 2019 at 3:50 PM

Great sonnet written on a historic and sad but true love story. I have Irish ancestry on my father's side. Always wanted to visit Ireland and hope to do so some day my friend. A fav.. very fine sonnet....

September 21, 2019 at 9:34 PM

Thank you very much Robert, I hope you get the chance to, a beautiful country . Tom

Andrea Dietrich

September 20, 2019 at 7:53 PM

this is so informative. How sad for those two love birds. They were very brave souls. I don't think I could have done what they did

September 20, 2019 at 11:15 PM

Thanks Andrea, England was determined to cling on to it's dwindling empire at any cost and hanging on to six northern counties has not helped. The British empire is dead but it just doesn't see it. Tom

September 20, 2019 at 1:54 PM

It was a very sad time in Ireland's history and regrettably not the end of the country's violence that has always broken my heart. Your sonnet is well written to thoroughly encompass the facts and feel of real life tragedy. I can't say I enjoyed this page but I can say this page delivers exactly as you intended and that's saying a lot. PEACE ... CayCay

September 20, 2019 at 11:11 PM

Thanks CayCay, you're right even today trouble remains especially in the north. Some want to live in the troubled past and cannot let go.Yet many do want to live in peace and are held back by a minority. Tom

Jennifer Proxenos

September 20, 2019 at 12:32 PM

What a sad story, what torture did these two people go through not been able to live a happy, free and fruitful life - married but dead within hours - how tragic for Grace who loved Oliver so. A powerful historical write. Blessings, Jennifer.

September 20, 2019 at 12:40 PM

Thank you Jennifer, all they wanted was self rule in their own country, can't see how they were charged with treason. Tom

September 20, 2019 at 11:33 AM

wow...powerful poem, tragedy in the wake of true love...so sad, if that were today the marriage would have lived on, they even allow conjugal visits now! Great sonnet :) hugs

September 20, 2019 at 12:04 PM

Thanks very much Sandra, time have certainly improved conditions, maybe not in certain countries where they still rule with an iron fist. Tom

September 20, 2019 at 10:35 AM

Nicely done, Tom, I enjoyed reading the tribute poem you wrote for both Grace and Oliver. Hugs Eve

September 20, 2019 at 11:46 AM

Thanks very much Eve, love writing historical verse. Tom.

September 20, 2019 at 7:15 AM

What would have been a beautiful story of love..ended so sadly in a tragedy as you so expertly illustrated in your poem, Tom. Learned a lot from your poem (thank you for the introductory note)..oppression never works for long.

September 20, 2019 at 9:07 AM

Thanks Vijay, England insisted on keeping six counties in the north and there will never be peace there. Tom.

September 20, 2019 at 6:17 AM

aww what a tragic tale I have never heard of before, thanks for bringing it to the fore in your super sonnet:-) hugs jan xx

September 20, 2019 at 9:06 AM

Thanks very much Jan, the gpo on O'Connell st is where it all started. Just back from the market. Tom

Regina Mcintosh

September 20, 2019 at 4:01 AM

This is a tale I'd never heard of before. I loved history in high school, but don't remember it all that well. Your poem, especially with the story to help understand, is wonderfully written. The rhyme is perfect :) May God bless you.

September 20, 2019 at 9:04 AM

Thanks Regina, happy you liked it. Still in some parts of Ireland the English are not welcome because of the brutal behaviour of a few. Tom

Anne-Lise Andresen

September 20, 2019 at 2:09 AM

- A sad story, Tom - Excellent written :) - Enjoy your holiday in Turkey ... I miss "my Turkey" in Mamutlar :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

September 20, 2019 at 9:00 AM

Thank you Anne, temps about 30c, suits me. Tom

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