The End of All Things Earthly: Faith Profiles of the 1916 Leaders

Featuring contributions from a selection of Irish academics and historians, The End of All Things Earthly comprises seventeen concise, yet richly detailed vignettes that provide a fascinating insight into the faith profiles of the leaders of the Easter Rising.

The essays trace pivotal moments: from the horrors witnessed by Roger Casement in colonial Africa and South America; to the radicalisation of Patrick Pearse, whose writing reflected his Catholic upbringing; to the quiet prison cells in the sober aftermath of the Rising, where the likes of Con Colbert and Joseph Plunkett found consolation in their faith. Moreover, the personal letters and testimonies of the leaders contained herein provide a window into the minds of these revolutionaries as they faced their deaths.

Including rarely seen photographs and transcripts, The End of All Things Earthly offers a poignant perspective on the events of 1916, and explores the spirituality that shaped those who gave their lives to Ireland’s independence.


List of Contributors:
Gearóid Barry is Lecturer (above the bar) in History at the National University of Ireland, Galway.

Damien Burke is Assistant Archivist at the Irish Jesuit Archives.

Catriona Crowe is a genealogist and Manager of Limerick Genealogy, a professional genealogical research service for Limerick, established in 2006.

Bernie Deasy is Archivist at the Delany Archive, which cares for the archival collections of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, the Patrician Brothers, Brigidine Sisters and Carlow College.

Noelle Dowling is Archivist at Dublin Diocesan Archives.

Roddy Hegarty is Director of the Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich Memorial Library and Archive.

Liam Irwin is Retired Head of the Department of History, Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick.

Brian Kirby is Archivist at the Irish Capuchin Provincial Archives.

Barbara Mccormack is Special Collections Librarian at Maynooth University and St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.

Caroline Mcgee is Project Creative Lead for Inspiring Ireland 1916 at the Digital Repository of Ireland.

Joseph Macmahon OFM is Secretary of the Franciscan Province of Ireland.

Gerard Mcnamee is Archivist and Teacher of History and Classics (recently retired), St Malachy’s College, Belfast.

Daithi Ó Corráin is Lecturer in History at St Patrick’s College, Dublin City University.

Conn Ó Maoldhomhnaigh is a priest of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin and President of St Patrick’s College, Carlow.

Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh is Emeritus Professor of History at National University of Ireland, Galway.

Oliver Rafferty SJ is Professor of History and Director of Irish Programs, Boston College.

Salvador Ryan is Professor of Ecclesiastical History at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.

Clodagh Tait is Lecturer in History at Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick.