Come Here To Me!

Previous ‘Plaques of Dublin’:
The Eagle Tavern, Lord Edward Carson.

With the weekend that is upon us, the latest in the ‘Plaques of Dublin’ series is a plaque related to the 1916 rebellion.

Sean Healy is one of the most remarkable characters in the story of the Easter rising, being the youngest casualty on the republican side. Born in Phibsboro in 1901, he was to lose his life in the same corner of the city he hailed from. He had been educated at Saint Peter’s National School in the area, and as early as thirteen was working as an apprentice to his father in the pluming trade.

Today, one finds the Volunteer hat of Sean Healy in the Soldiers and Chiefs exhibition in Collins Barracks. At fifteen, it is difficult to picture any youngster as a ‘soldier’ of course.

There is great detail of Sean’s experiences in the rebellion on the website of the National Graves Association where it is noted:

All day on Monday he waited expectantly for his mobilisation order. But he waited in vain, as the Fianna executive had decided that the younger boys were not to be called upon. On Tuesday morning he decided to go out and fight without orders. So he made his way across town and reported for duty to Commandant Thomas MacDonagh in Jacob’s Factory, near Aungier Street.

Some hours later he was given an urgent dispatch to carry to the officer commanding at Phibsboro Bridge. On his way he stopped at his home to let his mother know that he was safe and well. He left home within a few minutes and he had travelled only a short distance when he was shot at Byrne’s Corner, Phibsboro.

In Ben Novik’s excellent Conceiving Revolution, a study of Irish nationalist propaganda during the first World War, it is noted that early in 1917 a work entitled The Fianna heroes of 1916 was published by Cumann na mBan. This work featured an image of Sean on its back cover, and it was noted:

Young boys, little more than children, cheerfully offered their services and their lives in the sacred cause.

Image of Sean Healy from Ben Novik's Conceiving Revolution

Today, young Sean is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery, not far from his home.