Joseph Mary Plunkett

21 Nov 1887: Joseph Mary Plunkett born on this date at 27 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin to William Noble Plunkett and Josephine Mary Plunkett née Cranny. Interestingly, the Plunkett family tree included St. Oliver Plunkett executed in connection to the concocted "Popish Plot" in 1681. 

Stricken with tuberculosis early in life Joseph Mary Plunkett would spend a good deal of his life outside of Ireland in Africa and the Mediterranean in the hope that a warmer climate might alleviate his symptoms. A writer and poet he studied Arabic while abroad as well as Irish history and language during his time at Catholic University School for boys, Dublin, Belvedere College S.J., Dublin and Stonyhurst College in Lancashire, England where he studied with the University Officers' Training Corps.. 

Ever a nationalist, Plunkett joined the Gaelic League and later the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) in 1915. He worked alongside Roger Casement in negotiations with Germany for support and arms in the lead up to the Easter Rising and is considered the architect of what unfolded that Easter Monday. Plunkett would be posted with the likes of Connolly, Pearse, Clarke and Collins at the GPO during the rising, then Court Martialled and executed for his role therein. 

Perhaps his the most enduring and endearing part of his legacy was his marriage to Grace Gifford as he awaited the firing squad at Kilmainham Gaol, immortalised in the touching 1985 ballad by Frank and Séan O'Meara. Covered by many, it was the Wolfe Tones version that brought the tune to the world stage:

"Oh Grace just hold me in your arms and let this moment linger
They'll take me out at dawn and I will die
With all my love I place this wedding ring upon your finger
There won't be time to share our love for we must say goodbye."