The Seven Signatories: Thomas Clarke

Summary

The Easter Rising can be viewed as a conspiracy led by a small group, with Tom Clarke and Sean McDermott at its core. Clarke, the oldest of the conspirators, was born in the Isle of Wight, raised in Donagannon, and had a history of resistance, including involvement in the dynamiting campaign in America. After serving a long prison sentence for his actions, he returned to Ireland in 1908 and revived the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB), determined to spark a rebellion. With the outbreak of the First World War and the formation of the Volunteers, the opportunity to act arose, culminating in the 1916 Rising.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Easter Rising is described as a conspiracy planned by a small group of individuals in secrecy over a long period of time.
• 😀 Key figures in the Easter Rising conspiracy include Tom Clark and Shawn McDermott, with Tom Clark being the oldest and a prominent leader.
• 😀 Tom Clark was born in the Isle of Wight, his father was a British Army sergeant, and he grew up in Don Gannon before fleeing Tyrone due to conflicts with the police.
• 😀 Clark moved to America, where he became involved in a bombing campaign led by Donovan Ross targeting high-profile sites in London.
• 😀 The 1880s bombing campaign, in which Tom Clark participated, was part of a larger Fenian movement focused on rebellion against British rule.
• 😀 Clark was arrested for his involvement in the bombing campaign and sentenced to 15 years in prison, which was considered a life sentence at the time.
• 😀 After his release from prison, Tom Clark returned to America, where he continued his efforts for Irish independence.
• 😀 Clark returned to Ireland in 1908, where he worked to revive the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) with the goal of sparking rebellion.
• 😀 One of Clark’s main regrets was that the previous generation, in the 1890s, failed to take advantage of the opportunity for rebellion, particularly during wartime.
• 😀 With the formation of the Irish Volunteers and the outbreak of World War I in 1913, Clark saw a renewed opportunity to bring about the rebellion he had longed for.

Q & A

Who were the key figures at the heart of the Easter Rising conspiracy?

Tom Clarke and Sean McDermott were the central figures in the Easter Rising conspiracy. They were part of the small group that made the decision to carry out the uprising in complete secrecy.

What was Tom Clarke's background before becoming involved in the Irish revolutionary movement?

Tom Clarke was born on the Isle of Wight to a British Army sergeant. He grew up in Don Gannon, Ireland, and had to flee Tyrone due to conflicts with the local police. He then moved to America, where he became involved in the Irish revolutionary movement.

What was the significance of Tom Clarke's involvement in the dynamiting campaign in America?

In America, Tom Clarke became involved in the dynamiting campaign organized by Denis F. Donovan and others. His target was London Bridge, and the campaign was part of the Fenian movement's activities in the 1880s, aimed at attacking British targets.

What led to Tom Clarke's imprisonment, and how long was he sentenced to prison?

Tom Clarke was arrested for his involvement in the dynamiting campaign and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, which was effectively considered a life sentence at the time.

How did Tom Clarke's prison sentence impact his later life and involvement in the Irish independence movement?

After serving 15 years in prison, Tom Clarke was released and returned to America. His long imprisonment deepened his resolve to continue the fight for Irish independence. He later returned to Ireland in 1908, where he began reviving the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB).

What was Tom Clarke's main goal after his return to Ireland in 1908?

Tom Clarke's main goal upon returning to Ireland in 1908 was to revive the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) and ensure that a rebellion would eventually take place, particularly aiming for an uprising when the right moment came.

Why did Tom Clarke regret the actions of his generation during the 1890s?

Tom Clarke regretted that his generation, specifically those active in the 1890s, had failed to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the war (likely referring to the Boer War or other conflicts of that period). He was determined that the next generation would not make the same mistake.

How did the formation of the Irish Volunteers in 1913 influence the timing of the rebellion?

The formation of the Irish Volunteers in 1913, along with the outbreak of World War I, presented an opportunity for the IRB and its supporters to push forward with their plans for rebellion. This gave them a chance to strike at a time when Irish nationalism was gaining momentum.

What was Tom Clarke's relationship with the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) in the years leading up to the Easter Rising?

Tom Clarke played a central role in reviving the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) after his return to Ireland in 1908. He worked to prepare the organization for the eventual rebellion, believing it was critical for Irish independence.

How did Tom Clarke's life experiences shape his actions during the planning of the Easter Rising?

Tom Clarke's experiences, including his involvement in the dynamiting campaign, his lengthy prison sentence, and his time in America, deeply shaped his commitment to Irish independence. His time in prison gave him the resolve to ensure that the next rebellion would not fail, and he worked tirelessly to lay the groundwork for the Easter Rising.