Minister Simon Harris, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works today (Sunday 2 August 2015) welcomed the official launch of the exhibition 'from the graves of Patriot men and women spring living nations': P.H. Pearse and the O'Donovan Rossa Funeral Oration in Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.

The Office of Public Works has marked the centenary of Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa’s funeral on August 1st with this exhibition which commemorates both the funeral and Patrick Pearse’s now-iconic graveside oration.

Speaking at the exhibition’s launch, Minister Simon Harris noted the significance of the funeral: "O’Donovan Rossa’s funeral was used to create a large and very public demonstration of popular support for Irish independence. Its success gave great encouragement to those who went on to plan the 1916 Rising. Pearse played a key role in this success - he was a skilled and inspiring speaker who was tasked by Thomas Clarke to 'make it as hot as hell' and to inspire the crowd to devote themselves to the cause of Irish freedom. He certainly didn’t disappoint."

The exhibition features the original manuscript of Pearse’s eulogy, alongside rare news reel footage of the funeral. The exhibition also gathers together a collection of objects and documents related to the event, including original posters and handbills, and a signed copy of O’Donovan Rossa’s book, Irish Rebels in English Prisons.

Guest speaker at the launch was Gabriel Doherty, Department of History, University College Cork who has written extensively on modern Irish history and has played a leading role in organising the commemorative programme for the O'Donovan Rossa centenary.

"Yesterday, noted Minister Harris, the State commemoration of the funeral of O'Donovan Rossa in Glasnevin Cemetery was first of the State ceremonial events in the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme. This exhibition, offers us all a unique window into this event which remains one of the most famous and significant political speeches in modern Irish history.”

The exhibition runs until January 5th, 2016, and admission is free. The museum is open seven days a week, from 9.30am to 5.30pm.

-ENDS-

For further information or if you wish to interview Minister Harris please contact Colette Davis, OPW Press Officer – mobile 087 947 5552 or email colette.davis@opw.ie

Photography from the official launch is available from www.maxwellphotography.ie

Notes for Editors:

1. The Pearse Museum is operated by the Office of Public Works and is situated in St Enda’s Park, Rathfarnham. Originally run as a school, the building now houses a museum looking at the life and work of Patrick Pearse. The museum is open seven days a week, from 9.30am to 5.30pm.
2. Patrick Pearse was the leader of the Easter Rising and one of the principal authors of the 1916 Proclamation. He was also a leading campaigner for the Irish language, a writer and inspiring educator. He moved Scoil Éanna, his experimental school, to Rathfarnham in 1910 to the building which now houses the Pearse Museum.
3. Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa (1831-1915) was an Irish republican revolutionary and a leading member of the Fenian movement. He was arrested in 1865 for high treason and served six years in various British prisons. Following his release he lived the rest of his life in New York where he continued to agitate for Irish independence.