Thomas MacDonagh (1878–1916), born in Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary, where his parents were both teachers, was a teacher, journalist and university lecturer, who wrote poetry, plays and literary criticism. Commandant of the Irish Volunteers’ Dublin Brigade, during Easter week he commanded the insurgents who occupied Jacob’s biscuit factory. Reluctant to surrender because of the impregnability of the position, he was among the first three rebel leaders to be executed, on 3 May 1916.
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Thomas MacDonagh's biography is taken from the book 1916 Portraits and Lives published by the Royal Irish Academy. 100 prints of the 42 portraits and 3 scenes from the book, signed and numbered by the artist David Rooney, are available to order while quantities last. The original portraits from the book have been acquired for the State Collection by the OPW and will be on exhibit in 2016 at Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin. Read more 1916 biographies.
