Myles delivers lecture on executions

‘HOW to lose a country in 16 executions’ was the title of broadcaster and historian Dr Myles Dungan’s lecture delivered at the Muckross School House on Friday evening. Hosted by the Muckross House Research Library, Dungan’s discourse teased out various perspectives to emerge from the 1916 Courts Martial - of which there is little written documentation in circulation – and the subsequent executions of the proclamation’s signatories.

Dungan also expressed his personal admiration for Thomas McDonogh, both as a person and a poet, who he claims did not want to die as he had two young children. Dungan was also critical of Prime Minister Asquith and the indifference shown in the aftermath of the Rising claiming had he intervened, fewer executions might have taken place.

Cllr Michael Gleeson was also in attendance on the night and he said the lecture confirmed his long held belief that Padraig Pearse had a wish to shed his blood for the country.

“It was also clear to me that the people involved in the Rising were idealists who were not intent on mayhem.

“They had a dream of a free Ireland but deep down did not wish in any way to compromise the lives of other people,” Cllr Gleeson said.

Myles Dungan is the author of publications, ‘Irish Voices from the Great War and ‘How the Irish Won the West’. He also presents ‘The History Show’ on RTÉ Radio One.

Photograph by Sally MacMonagle. Historian, author and broadcaster Myles Dungan delivered a talk ‘How to loose a country in sixteen executions’ at Muckross School House on Friday evening. Left to right is Kathleen Gleeson, Myles Dungan, Michael Gleeson, John O’Toole, Frances O’Toole...