Research carried out by the Past Pupils Union revealed that an extraordinary number of past pupils of Westland Row CBS took part in the 1916 Rising. We have been able to establish the names of 36 past pupils who were involved and a specially commissioned bronze plaque bearing their names was unveiled in a ceremony in the school on May 4th. 2016. This date also marked the centenary of the execution of Willie Pearse and after the unveiling ceremony the group attended a special Mass in St. Andrews church. Mass was celebrated by past pupil Monsignor Dan O’Connor and PPU chaplain, Fr. Eugene McCarthy. The Mass was well attended by past pupils, present pupils and teachers. Music and song were provided by Kathryn Smith and Carole O’Connor. The 36 names on the plaque are as follows –
Executed – Patrick and Willie Pearse
Killed in Action – Peadar Macken, Michael Malone, Daniel Murray, John O’Reilly
Civilian Casualties – Christopher Andrews and John Kirwan
Participated – Christopher Byrne, William Byrne, John Dunne, Theobald Fitzgerald, George A Lyons, Charles Murphy, Colm O’Murchada, James Walsh, John Byrne, Christopher Carbury, James Fitzgerald, Thomas Fitzgerald, William Fitzgerald, William McCabe, James O’Brien, James Purfield, Thomas Walsh, Thomas Byrne, Patrick J Daly, Leo Fitzgerald, Thomas Fullam, John Kinsella, Michael Merriman, Joseph O’Connor, John Joseph Quinn, Desmond Ryan, Patrick Ward and Henry Williams.
Here are some photographs (with thanks to Patrick Dowling, Rock Photography).
Des Byrne, author of The Revolutionary Years introduces the audience to some of the past pupils who took part in The Rising
Some of the audience at the unveiling ceremony. Una Malone and her two children represented William (direct connection) and Michael Malone. John and Paddy Sheridan represented their grandfather Patrick Ward. Dave Quinn represented James Purfield and the McGurrell brothers represented their great uncle, John Joseph Quinn.
The plaque bearing the 36 names as above.
PPU President, Brian Duncan, Des Byrne and Principal Kate Byrne perform the unveiling ceremony.
