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A brief biography
Joseph
Mary Plunkett (1879-1916) was born in Dublin. He was educated at
Catholic University School, Belvedere College and Stonyhurst College.
His study of the mystics John of the Cross, Theresa of Avila, and Francis
de Sales is discernable in his poetry.
He
was a close friend of Thomas MacDonagh and Padraic Pearse, noted Irish
poets. He was for a short while editor of the literary publication, the
Irish Review. Along with MacDonagh and Edward Martyn, he co-founded
the Irish Theatre.
During
the 1916 Rising he was one of the signers of the Proclamation of the Irish
Republic. He was imprisoned by the English army in the Richmond Barracks.
Shortly before his execution in the courtyard of Kilmainham jail, on the
morning of May 4th, he married his fiance, Grace Gifford, in the jail's
chapel. He died at the age of 28.
His
friend, Thomas MacDonagh was executed the day before. Joseph's father
and brother John, who were also involved in 1916 uprising, served ten years
penal servitude. Joseph's wife, Grace, was also later imprisoned in the
Kilmainham jail.
Two
volumes of Plunkett's poetry were published. "The Circle and the Sword"
was published in 1911 and the Occulta" was published posthumously.
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Joseph
was executed at Kilmainham jail
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