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Edward Bruce played a pivotal role in the Scottish struggle for independence and ventured into Ireland to assert his own claims to power. As the younger brother of Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, Edward’s life was ultimately defined by a failed military campaign that would seal his fate.


Born into the noble Bruce family, Edward grew up alongside his renowned elder brother Robert. While the exact order of birth among their siblings remains uncertain, Edward’s upbringing was undoubtedly influenced by his family’s noble status and their ambitions for Scotland’s sovereignty.


Edward’s military prowess emerged early as he joined Robert in the fight for the Scottish crown against English rule. Despite the capture and execution of his younger brothers, Edward survived the period, demonstrating resilience and strategic acumen on the battlefield.


In 1315, Edward set his sights on Ireland, embarking on a mission to establish himself as the High King. Backed by Irish allies and motivated by the desire to create a Celtic alliance against English domination, Edward’s invasion heralded a new chapter in his quest for power.


The invasion of Ireland presented both opportunities and obstacles for Edward. While he garnered support from Irish kings and lords, including Domhnall mac Briain Ó Néill, he faced staunch resistance from Anglo-Irish forces and English loyalists. Nevertheless, Edward’s forces made significant gains, capturing strategic locations and rallying some local support.


However, the tide turned against Edward as famine ravaged the land, undermining his ability to sustain his troops. Despite promises of reinforcements from Scotland, Edward found himself increasingly isolated, facing mounting opposition from both Anglo-Irish and Gaelic factions.


In 1318, Edward met his downfall at the Battle of Faughart, where he was defeated and killed by the forces of Sir John de Bermingham. His demise marked the end of his ambitions in Ireland, as his body was quartered, his head sent to King Edward II, and his legacy tarnished by the devastation wrought during his campaign.


Edward Bruce’s foray into Ireland, while ultimately unsuccessful, underscores the complex interplay of politics, warfare, and identity in medieval Europe. His legacy endures as a testament to the enduring quest for independence and the perils of ambition in the political landscape of medieval Europe.


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Jane Wilde was an Irish poet known by the pen name Speranza and a fervent supporter of the nationalist movement. Lady Wilde’s life was a tapestry of literary achievement, social activism, and personal trials, woven against the backdrop of Ireland’s tumultuous history.


Born into a family touched by tragedy, Jane was the youngest of four children. Her father’s untimely death when she was just three left her largely self-educated, yet she displayed a remarkable intellect, reportedly mastering ten languages by the age of eighteen. Despite her father’s passing, her upbringing was not devoid of privilege, with family connections and her marriage to Sir William Wilde providing entry into Dublin’s intellectual circles.


Lady Wilde’s poetry, published under the pseudonym Speranza, was imbued with nationalist fervour, earning her recognition as a prominent voice in the Young Ireland movement of the 1840s. Her contributions to hugely influential 'The Nation' newspaper, advocating for Irish independence and decrying British rule, stirred controversy and earned her the moniker “Speranza of the Nation.” Despite facing censorship and legal challenges, she remained steadfast in her convictions. In a failed attempt to save her editor, Charles Gavan Duffy from jail, she once claimed authorship of an incendiary article in court. In July 1848 she and Margaret Callan assumed editorial control of The Nation during Gavan Duffy’s imprisonment in Newgate.


Beyond her literary pursuits, Lady Wilde was a staunch advocate for women’s rights, campaigning for better education and legal protections for women. She welcomed suffragist Millicent Fawcett into her home and celebrated legislative victories, such as the Married Women’s Property Act of 1883, which granted women greater autonomy in marriage.


Her marriage to Sir William Wilde in 1851 marked the beginning of a life entwined with both scholarly pursuits and personal challenges. The couple bore three children: William, Oscar, and Isola. While Sir William’s work as an eye and ear surgeon gained him prominence, it also led to scandal, tarnishing the family’s reputation and leaving them financially strained. A sensational court case involving allegations of rape brought against Sir William cast a shadow over the family, resulting in financial and reputational damage. The emotional toll was significant, compounded by the loss of their daughter Isola and Sir William’s subsequent death.


Facing hardship, Lady Wilde joined her sons in London, where they lived in reduced circumstances. Yet, she remained undaunted, turning to her literary talents to support her family. Her keen interest in Irish folklore led her to compile and publish works based on her late husband’s research, cementing her reputation as a formidable literary figure in her own right.


In her final years, Lady Wilde’s health declined, culminating in her death from bronchitis in 1896. On her deathbed, she was denied the opportunity to bid farewell to her imprisoned son Oscar.


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Rosanna “Rosie” Hackett was a pioneering figure in Ireland’s labour movement and a key participant in the struggle for workers’ rights. Born into a working-class family in Dublin, Hackett’s early life was marked by her involvement in trade unionism, joining the Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union (ITGWU) at its inception in 1909.


Her career as a labour activist began in earnest when, at just eighteen, she co-founded the Irish Women Workers’ Union (IWWU) with Delia Larkin. During the tumultuous 1913 Dublin Lockout, Hackett played a crucial role, mobilising workers and organising support for striking colleagues at Jacobs’ factory. Despite facing dismissal from her job at Jacobs, she remained steadfast in her commitment to workers’ rights.


Hackett’s involvement in the Irish Citizen Army further solidified her dedication to the cause of Irish independence and workers’ empowerment. In the lead-up to the 1916 Easter Rising, she contributed to preparations by providing logistical support, aiding in the printing of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, and participating in drills and first aid training.


During the Rising itself, Hackett fought alongside her comrades in the Irish Citizen Army, notably in the area of St. Stephen’s Green and the Royal College of Surgeons. Despite facing heavy gunfire and dire conditions, she remained resolute in her commitment to the cause.


Following the Rising, Hackett continued her advocacy for workers’ rights, returning to the IWWU and remaining an active participant in the labour movement. Over the ensuing decades, she played a pivotal role in organising strikes and negotiating better conditions for workers. Her contributions were recognised in 1970 when she was awarded a gold medal for fifty years of service to the ITGWU.


Hackett’s legacy extends beyond her lifetime, with her name immortalised in the Rosie Hackett Bridge, which was opened in Dublin in 2014. This bridge stands as a testament to her tireless efforts in the pursuit of social justice and workers’ rights. Additionally, a plaque unveiled on Foley Street commemorates her role in the Irish Citizen Army during the Easter Rising, ensuring that her contributions to Irish history are never forgotten.


Throughout her life, Hackett remained dedicated to the cause of workers’ empowerment and social change. Her commitment to justice and equality serves as an inspiration to future generations, highlighting the power of grassroots activism in effecting meaningful societal change.


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  • more of a ‘force for good’

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