William Shakespeare

English Poet and Dramatist

William Shakespeare (1564 — 1616), born 452 years ago on this day was the world's supreme creative literary genius. Little is known of his life. While his birth date is conjectural, he was baptised in the parish church of Stratford-upon-Avon on April 26, 1564. His father, John Shakespeare, was a dealer in agricultural produce in that town; his mother, Mary Arden, was a farmer's daughter. William, their third, but eldest surviving child, is thought to have been educated at Stratford Grammar School, to have left in his fourteenth year, and (traditionally) to have been apprenticed to a butcher. In 1852, in his 19th year, he married Ann Hathaway, daughter of a farmer of Shottery whose cottage, still preserved, is now called Ann Hathaway's cottage. She was Shakespeare's senior by eight years. A daughter, Susanna, was born within six months of the marriage, and twins (Hamnet and Judith) in 1585. Hamnet died in his 12th year, but the daughters both survived their father. Shakespeare moved to London in 1887 and found employment in the theatre at Shoreditch, the only playhouse then existing. He was soon admitted as a member of a company of players to which he remained faithful for the rest of his career.

Turning playwright, Shakespeare revealed unique powers of characterisation and mastery of dramatic speech in both verse and prose, with 37 plays assigned to him in his lifetime. In 1597, he purchased New Place, the second largest house in Stratford, and retired there in 1611. He died at New Place and was buried in the Chancel of Stratford church.

Thousands of books have been written about Shakespeare and his works. His plays are acted and studied more than any other dramatist in history

Formation of Government

The present impasse in the forming of a government is almost totally as a result of electors voting for 'Independents' in such large numbers. The reasons why people vote for Independents varies — some because they think it will benefit their own locality if that independent is in a bargaining position to lever something from those hoping to form a government  — the 'Healy-Rae syndrone'; some more because of a personal attachment to a particular candidate; while others do it to be anti-establishment.

There cannot be a stable government when a large number of Independents are elected, all with personal agendas. Independent T.D.'s interest in government formation goes no further than what is best for them personally. They oppose everything that is unpopular, even if such a measure is best for society as a whole. They bleat the populace rant knowing that they are never going to bear the responsibility for their actions. The people who vote for them are complicit in this masquerade.

The Surrender

The following is taken from the Evening Herald dated April 26 to May 4 1916, and reproduced in The Evening Herald of Tuesday April 12, 1966:

To Avoid Further Slaughter

We are asked officially to give the utmost publicity to the following document, signed by P.H. Pearse, who was described as being "The leader of the rebels"and bearing date 29th:- 

 "In order to prevent further slaughter of unarmed people, and in the hope of saving the lives of our followers, now surrounded and hopelessly outnumbered, members of the Provisional Government present at Headquarters have agreed to an unconditional surrender, and the commander of all units of the Republican Force will order their followers to lay down their arms." 

The Co. Inspector also published on April 30th an announcement that "James Connolly and other Sinn Fein leaders have unconditionally surrendered to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief in Ireland" 

Germany's "Assistance"

In a communication posted at Ballymun R.I.C. station on the evening of the 29th.April intimating, on behalf of the Irish command, the progress of military operations in the city, it was stated that "Roger Casement has declared that Germany has sent all the assistance she is going to send, which assistance is now at the bottom of the sea".

Creditable Draw by Tipp Footballers

National Football League, Division 3:

Sligo 0-18; Tipperary 3-09

Tipperary footballers showed commendable heart and spirit to finish strongly and earn a 3-09 to 0-18 draw with Sligo at Markievicz Park yesterday. Sligo led by 0-18 to 2-08 with two minutes remaining but a late Alan Moloney goal, and a later point, ensured a share of the spoils. Following a tight first half, Sligo held a 0-10 to 2-03 interval lead, with Michael Quinlivan and Peter Acheson netting Tipperary goals and Acheson giving the visitors their second goal after converting a 22nd minute penalty. The sides were tied on four occasions after the restart and although Sligo kicked on with Niall Murphy and Kyle Cawley, impressive,Tipperary fought hard to carve out a draw.

Football in Tipperary is striving against the tide down the years. The county has had, and still has, great people who work hard to promote the game and try to produce teams of the best possible standard to compete in all grades of inter-county competitions. The county continues to produce players capable of holding their own with the best in the land. Many GAA clubs in the county contain individuals who attend divisional and county board meetings and their attitudes to Tipperary football are at best disinterest and cynicism and, in some cases, even hostility. I cannot understand how anyone with those attitudes could call themselves GAA or Tipperary people.

This year, the manager of the Tipperary minor hurling team has ruled that no player will be allowed to play minor football for Tipperary if the want to be included in the minor hurling panel — a new kind of ban — even if playing all grades of hurling and football with their clubs. Two leading members of the Tipperary senior football team were included in a hurling panel of 40 at the beginning of the National League thus denying the footballers the use of their services even though neither player was even listed among the subs on the hurling panel until yesterday when one of them was introduced four minutes from the final whistle of the defeat to Clare.

Doomed Leader's Wedding

The following news item is taken from the Nationalist Newspaper, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, published on 10th May 1916 (Easter Week) and reproduced in the 'Nationalist' dated March 31st 2016:

 

A pathetic incident has to be recorded in connection with the execution of Mr. Joseph Plunkett, one of the insurgent leaders, who was shot Thursday morning in accordance with the sentence of the Court Martial. 

On Wednesday evening an attractive looking young lady entered Mr. Stoker's jewellery establishment, 22 Grafton Street, and said she wished to purchase a wedding ring. Mr. Stoker, observing that she seemed to be labouring under strong emotion, expressed the hope that she was not in any trouble. The young lady, who made a gallant attempt to preserve her composure, replied that she was the fiancée of Mr. Plunkett, who was to be shot the following morning, and her marriage to him was to take place the day before his death. 

Mr. Stoker, who was thunderstruck by such a startling statement, expressed his deep sympathy, and the young lady, having quietly thanked him, selected a ring and departed. 

The 'Irish Times' of Thursday contained the following announcement:
PLUNKETT and GIFFORD — May 3rd.,1916, at Dublin, Joseph Plunkett to Grace Gifford.

Redmond View of 1916 Rising

The following is taken from The Evening Herald Newspaper of Tuesday, April 12, 1966 in recasting the events surrounding Easter Week, 1916, in particular the views of John Redmond M.P., leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party and champion of Home Rule:

WICKED AND INSANE

Mr. Redmond on Revolt 

John Redmond (1856 — 1918)

In a statement with regard to the Dublin events, Mr. J. Redmond M.P. says his first feeling on hearing of the insane movement was one of horror, discouragement, and almost despair. He asked himself was the insanity of a small section once again to turn all of Ireland's recent marvellous victories into irreparable defeat, sending her back into another long night of slavery, suffering, and struggle.

After a reference to Ireland's choice when the war came, and the sufferings of small nationalities at the hands of Germany, he asked: "is there a sane man in Ireland who does not see this (hostility to the cause of the Allies) meant the drowning of the newly-won liberties of Ireland in Irish blood? Be these views right or wrong, this was the view of the overwhelming majority of the Irish people; it was the opinion which thousands of Irish soldiers have sealed with their blood by dying in the cause of the liberty of Ireland and of the world.

"Surely I need not argue the principle, especially with anybody who professes himself to be a Home Ruler, that the policy of Ireland must be decided by Ireland herself. That doctrine has been contested only by the very same men who today have tried to make Ireland the cat's paw of Germany. In all our long and successful struggle to obtain Home Rule we have been thwarted and opposed by the same section. We have won Home Rule not through them, but in spite of them. This wicked move of theirs was their last blow at Home Rule".

He says that this blow was plotted, organised, and paid for by Germany, and was a German invasion of Ireland as brutal and cynical as that of Belgium. Misguided and insane young Irishmen rushed and lost their lives, while those who sent them into that insane anti-patriotic movement remained safely in America.

The Pascal Fire of Patrick

On Tara's hill the daylight dies,
On Tara's plain 'tis dead.
"Till Baal's unkindled fires shall rise
No fire must flame instead".

'Tis thus the king, commanding, speaks,
Commands and speaks in vain;
For lo! a fire defiant breaks
From out the woods of Slane.

For there, in prayer, is Patrick bent,
With Christ his soul is knit;
And there, before his simple tent,
The Pascal fire is lit.

"What means this flame that through the night
illumines all the vale?
What rebel hand a fire dare light
Before the fires of Baal?"

"O King! when Baal's dark reign is o'er,
When thou thyself art gone,
This fire will light the Irish shore
And lead its people on;

Will lead them on full many a night
Through which they're doomed to go,
Like that which led the Israelite
From bondage and from woe.

This fire, this sacred fire of God,
Young hearts shall bear afar
To lands no human foot hath trod,
Beneath the Western Star;

To lands where Faith's bright flag unfurled
By those who here have knelt
Shall give unto a newer world
The sceptre of the Celt".

— D.F. McCarthy