The Love story of Grace Gifford & Joseph Plunkett

The love story of Joseph Plunkett and Grace Gifford is one of the most moving and memorable in Irish history, which has captured imaginations the world over.

It tells a tale of two star-crossed lovers who married just hours before Plunkett was executed for his part in the 1916 Easter Rising.

Grace Gifford was born to a Catholic father and a fiercely Protestant mother in 1888, and was raised Church of Ireland. A talented artist and cartoonist, she contributed to various republication publications and was passionate about Ireland’s independence from the United Kingdom.

She met and fell in love with Joseph Plunkett, who was the editor of the Irish Review, in September 1915. He too was born into wealth; his father, Count Plunkett, was the director of the National Museum. Joseph himself was a poet, nationalist and was committed to armed revolution. He was one of the military strategists of the 1916, Easter Rising.

Though Grace’s parents did not approve of the union, the pair became engaged in December 1915 and intended to marry, however, history would intervene in their plans.

By the end of Easter week 1916, the Irish rebels had surrendered and were placed in Kilmainham jail, the fate of its leaders decided. The fifteen men, including Joseph Plunkett, were to be executed by firing squad.

When he discovered that he would die, Joseph requested permission to be married to his sweetheart, Grace. On the night of May 3rd 1916, just hours before he was to be executed, she was brought to the jail. In 1949 she recalled that evening, saying: “When I saw him… he was so unselfish, he never thought of himself. He was not frightened, not in the slightest.”

The couple were married before a priest and two witnesses in the jail’s chapel. The following day, Joseph Plunkett was executed. Before facing the firing squad, he said: “I am very happy I am dying for the glory of God and the honour of Ireland.”

In his will, Joseph left everything to his widow, but his parents refused to honour it. She remained resolutely nationalist after her husband’s death and was imprisoned in Kilmainham jail for three months in 1923. She never remarried and outlived her husband by 39 years. Grace Gifford died on December 13, 1955, and was buried with full military honours in Glasnevin Cemetry.

The tragic tale of their love was immortalised in song in 1985 by Frank and Sean O’meara. It tells the sad story of their doomed relationship. The lyrics include poignant lines that reference the couple’s last

moments together.

“Oh, Grace, just hold me in your arms and let this moment linger,

They’ll take me out at dawn and I will die.

With all my love, I place this wedding ring upon your finger,

There won’t be time to share our love for we must say good-bye.”

The song has been recorded by many musicians including The Wolfe Tones and The Dubliners and has proved to be very popular across the world. Most recently it left global superstar Rod Stewart bewitched, describing the ballad as “one of the greatest love songs ever written.” He recorded a version of the track for his latest album ‘Blood Red Roses’.

The legendary singer first came across the song when supporters of Celtic Football Club gave a rendition of it at a match and he became interested in discovering more about its origins.

Speaking to Ryan Tubridy, host of RTE’S Late Late Show, in March of this year, he said: “I first heard the song when I went to the Scottish cup final four years ago, the fans were singing it and I couldn’t get it out of my mind.”

So captivated was he by the song and story that he decided to visit the chapel in the Kilmainham where Grace and Joseph wed. Talking about the experience, he explained: “I visited the jail and went into the chapel where it all happened. So, it means a lot to me, that one, it really does. There was no furniture in the jail apart from the jail bed, no table, no bed, no chair, nothing.” Rod revealed that he also visited Grace

Gifford’s grave in Glasnevin Cemetery in March of this year (pictured).

Rod’s appearance on the Late Late Show became a celebration of the legendary love of Grace and Joseph and the beautiful, poignant ballad that was inspired by their story.

Ryan Tubridy presented the singer with a first edition collection of poetry by Joseph Plunkett which included a signature by Grace. Rod was moved to tears by the gesture and was taken aback by the generous gift. On the night Rod was also introduced to Frank and Sean O’meara, the songsmiths who penned Grace.

One hundred years later, the love story of Grace Gifford and Joseph Plunkett continues to captivate the hearts and minds of both superstars and civilians alike.