Robert Emmet and the Dublin Uprising

The Beginning

Robert Emmet, leader of the 1803 Rising, immortalised as 'The Patriot', is probably best remembered for his famous speech from the dock on the eve of his execution.

He was born in 1878 in Dublin. Ironically, like many of his fellow revolutionaries of the era he came from the somewhat privileged Protestant class.

The Situation at the turn of the Century

In 1803 the time seemed right for a revolution in Ireland. Emmet’s plans were a direct result of the 1798 rebellion

Britain was focussed on the French situation, and pledges were made from Irish men in high society.

Robert Emmet was busy setting about preparing for the Rising.

What happened Next?

Circumstances forced Emmet to bring his plans for the Rising forward to Saturday July 23rd, before French help was due to arrive.

Emmet was under the false belief that once Dublin rose the rest of the country would follow suit.

But on the day of the Rising only a small group of men turned up to support Emmet. The Rising was something of a farce……

The Rising

300 men took to the streets, their military preparation was flawed and their resolve hesitant.

In the rising, the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Kilwarden was killed.

At this point, realising the failures of the situation, Emmet decided to abandon the Rising and wait for the promised French force.

Emmet’s Last Move?

After the failings of the Rising, it had been speculated that he was planning to make his way to America.

In order to avoid capture he went underground in Dublin.

He was captured by the authorities at Harold’s Cross.

The Trial

On September 19th 1903 Emmet was tried for high treason, by jury, at the Sessions House Dublin.

That evening the verdict was returned. Emmet was found guilty and sentenced to death by execution.

Emmet gave a spontaneous speech from the dock which is universally regarded as one the greatest patriotic speeches.

"When my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then, and not till then, let my epitaph be written" Robert Emmet's 'Speech from the Dock', on the eve of his execution.

The Execution

On September 20th Emmet was publicly beheaded on Thomas Street in Dublin. He was just 25 years of age.

Despite the fiasco that was the uprising, Robert Emmet's reputation and legend grew over time.

His was a symbolic failure, heroic and ideological. Like Pearse after Easter 1916, failure itself became a

triumph.

Oh, Breathe Not His Name But the night dew that falls,

Tho' in silence it weeps,Shall brighten with verdureThe grave where he sleeps;And the tears that we shed,Tho' in secret it rolls,Shall long keep his memoryGreen in our souls.

Oh, breathe not his name, Let it sleep in the shade,Where cold and unhonoured,His relics are laid;Sad, silent and darkBe the tears that we shed,As night dew that weepsOn the grave o'er his head.