by Claire Ingraham

Created on: May 10, 2009

The date was June 29, 1915. Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa was dead.

Ireland had been under English reign since 1166. However, it was not until the 19th century that great discontent emerged. Roman Catholics wished to be emancipated from Britain, but Protestants, Presbyterians, and Episcopalians were apprehensive. The Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) was founded due to a yearning to break the bonds felt in Ireland from British rule, and to establish an Irish Republic. The Great Potato Famine caused many people to emigrate from Ireland to England and America. Nevertheless, the Irish in America still felt a call to free Ireland, hence, the Fenian Brotherhood was formed. They worked jointly with the Irish Republican Brotherhood to organize manpower and collect finances. Such funds helped to promote Fenian ideals. The Irish People was a Fenian newspaper published by Charles Kickham, John O'Leary, Thomas Clarke, and Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa. In 1865, these four IRB leaders were accused of publishing treasonable documents and sentenced to prison. O'Donovan Rossa was released as an exile and sent to the United States where he continued to work with the Fenian Brotherhood, until June 29, 1915. On the aforementioned date, O'Donovan Rossa succumbed to a two year illness, his old friends, John Devoy and Richard O'Sullivan Burke by his side.

Upon being notified of O' Donovan Rossa's passing, Thomas Clarke told John Devoy to "Send his body home at once." A huge funeral was planned for this renowned leader. Pdraig (Patrick) Pearse was chosen to give the oration. The fear of imprisonment kept republican leaders from making aggressive speeches, so Pearse asked Clarke what he should discuss in his speech. Clarke replied, "Make it hot as hell, throw discretion to the winds". And so, Pearse set out to write a panegyric to not only honor O'Donovan Rossa, but also to ignite the spirits of the weary Irish people.

On August 1, 1915, thousands of people followed the hearse to Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin to lay O'Donovan Rossa to rest. After the burial, Pearse began the oration.

This is a speech designed to call the listener to action as well as move them, and Pearse begins right away. He commences to connect with the audience immediately using the phrases "one among us", "in the name of all", and "the thought and hope that are in us". This compels the addressees to listen closely to hear the thoughts they all share being publicly spoken

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