22 Facts About Margaret Pearse

Margaret Pearse was the mother of Patrick Pearse and Willie Pearse, who were both executed after the 1916 Easter Rising.

Margaret Pearse's father was Patrick Brady, a coal merchant, whose family were from County Meath and her mother was Brigid Brady of Oldtown, County Dublin.

Margaret Pearse had three known siblings, and was educated by the Sisters of St Vincent de Paul.

Margaret Pearse was employed as a stationery shop assistant where she met her future husband, James Pearse.

Margaret Pearse came to Ireland to work as a sculptor in the late 1850s with his first wife, Emily Susanna Fox, who later died in 1876.

The first three children are Margaret Pearse Mary born 4 August 1878, Patrick born 10 November 1879 and William born 15 November 1881.

Margaret Pearse's aunt, Margaret Pearse Brady, an Irish speaker, was a frequent visitor to the family home and encouraged the children's interest in the Irish language and culture.

Margaret Pearse did not permit her children to play with other children she supported her children in all their aspirations.

Margaret Pearse had a very strong relationship and consequent effect on her eldest son, Patrick.

Margaret Pearse took over the responsibility of Housekeeper at the school at St Enda's.

Margaret Pearse joined Sinn Fein after the Rising and gave support and endorsement to candidates during the 1918 Westminster election.

Margaret Pearse was elected to Dail Eireann as a Sinn Fein Teachta Dala for the Dublin County constituency at the 1921 elections.

Margaret Pearse strongly opposed the Anglo-Irish Treaty, as did all the female TDs.

Margaret Pearse supported those who opposed the Treaty during the Irish Civil War and continued to be a member of Sinn Fein until 1926.

At the launch of The Irish Press newspaper Margaret Pearse was asked to press the button to start the printers rolling.

Accordingly, Patrick Margaret Pearse is recognised as the spiritual figurehead of the party to this day.

Patrick Margaret Pearse founded St Enda's in 1908 and was the headmaster up until the time of his execution.

In May 1924, when Margaret Pearse was aged 70, she undertook a trip to America to raise funds for the school, alongside showing support for Eamon de Valera and the Irish Republic.

At an event in Brooklyn on 19 May 1924, when referencing the execution of her two sons, Margaret Pearse declared herself the "proudest mother in Ireland".

Margaret Pearse stated that Michael Collins had attempted to "bribe" her with an offer to subsidise the school, which she refused.

Margaret Pearse raised over $10,000 in donations for the school during the trip.

Margaret Pearse was honoured with a large state funeral and a motion was passed at the meeting of Dublin City Council expressing sympathy with the Pearse family.