James Connolly's exact last words are often recounted with slight variations, reflecting the solemnity and intensity of his final moments. While there isn't one single universally agreed-upon phrase, historians often cite his brief, defiant exchanges with his daughter and the firing squad.
The Final Moments and Spoken Words
James Connolly, a key leader of the Easter Rising, was executed by firing squad on May 12, 1916, at Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin. Severely wounded during the Rising, he was unable to stand and had to be tied to a chair for his execution.
- To his daughter, Nora: Moments before he was taken to the execution yard, his daughter Nora was allowed to see him one last time. She pleaded with him to pray for his executioners, to which he reportedly replied, "Don't cry, Nora, it's nothing to cry about."
- To the firing squad/chaplain: As he faced the firing squad, accounts vary slightly. Some state that when asked by the chaplain if he had anything to say, he responded, "I will say a prayer for all brave men who do their duty." Other accounts suggest he may have defiantly said, "Dismiss the ambulance. I'll make my own way to the grave," though this particular quote is often attributed to him in a more symbolic sense given his physical state.
His Enduring Message: A Written Testament
Beyond his final spoken words, Connolly left behind a powerful written legacy, including a profound statement penned shortly before his execution. This statement articulates his deepest convictions and serves as a testament to his unwavering belief in the cause of Irish freedom.
In this powerful declaration, Connolly expressed immense gratitude, stating his personal thankfulness to God for having lived to witness a day when thousands of Irish men and boys, and hundreds of Irish women and girls, were prepared to affirm the truth of their nation's right to freedom and to attest to it with their lives if necessary. This sentiment captures his profound pride in the readiness of the Irish people to sacrifice for their ideals, seeing their actions as a validation of his life's work.
A Glimpse into Connolly's Final Outlook
Connolly's final words, both spoken and written, underscore his unyielding commitment to Irish independence and his stoic acceptance of his fate. They reflect not only his personal courage but also his conviction that the sacrifice of the Rising would ignite the spirit of a nation.
Here's a summary of his final moments:
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Date of Execution | May 12, 1916 |
| Location | Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin |
| Circumstance | Severely injured, tied to a chair due to a shattered ankle. |
| Notable Spoken Words | To his daughter Nora: "Don't cry, Nora, it's nothing to cry about." To the chaplain/firing squad: "I will say a prayer for all brave men who do their duty." |
| Key Written Message | Expressed thanks for living to see thousands of Irish men and women ready to affirm truth and attest to it with their lives, embodying his belief in the readiness of the Irish people for self-determination. |
His legacy remains a powerful symbol of revolutionary socialism and Irish nationalism.
