Thomas MacDonagh
1878 - 1916
Thomas MacDonagh was a nationalist, poet, playwright and a leader of the 1916 Easter Rising.
Born in Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary MacDonagh followed his parents into teaching. Interested in the Irish language, he joined the Gaelic League and while staying on the Aran Islands he first encountered Pádraic Pearse.
He joined the teaching staff of St. Enda's and later he became a professor of English at the National University.
He edited the Irish review and was also a poet. He was co-opted to the Military Council weeks before the Easter Rebellion in 1916. He was executed by firing squad on 3 May 1916, aged thirty-eight.