Silken Thomas

Thomas Fitzgerald, born in London in 1513, hailed from noble lineage as the son of Gerald FitzGerald, 9th Earl of Kildare, and Elizabeth Zouche, a distant cousin of Henry VII. Following his mother’s passing, Thomas was raised under the care of Janet Eustace, the wife of his father’s steward. Despite scant details about his early years, historical records shed light on significant events that shaped his life. Thomas spent a considerable period at the English court and eventually entered into matrimony with Frances, the youngest daughter of Sir Adrian Fortescue. The timing of their marriage remains unclear, whether preceding or succeeding his father’s return to Ireland in August 1530.

The turning point in Thomas’s life came in February 1534 when his father was summoned to London, leaving him as the deputy governor of Ireland. However, distressing rumours soon reached Thomas, suggesting his father’s execution at the Tower of London and hinting at similar peril for himself and his uncles at the hands of the English government.

In defiance, Thomas took a bold stand against English authority. Gathering 140 armoured gallowglasses, adorned with silk fringes on their helmets (from which Thomas derived his nickname), he marched to St. Mary’s Abbey in Dublin on 11 June 1534. There, he publicly renounced his allegiance to his cousin, King Henry VIII of Ireland.

Despite counsel from Chancellor Archbishop John Alen to reconsider his actions, Thomas remained resolute. His harper, communicating solely in Irish and sensing wavering resolve in Thomas, recited verses extolling the valour of his ancestors, urging him to act decisively. Stirred by this reminder of his lineage, Thomas cast down the sword of state and departed the hall, followed by his loyal supporters.

The rebellion escalated as Thomas seized control of strategic fortresses within the Pale and declared goods belonging to the English crown forfeited. He sought alliances, even extending a proposition to Lord Butler to share rulership of the kingdom. However, his attempt to capture Dublin Castle met with defeat, eroding support, particularly from the clergy, after his suspected involvement in the death of Archbishop Alen.

Retreating to Maynooth Castle, Thomas found himself besieged by English forces led by Sir William Skeffington in March 1535. Despite his expectation of widespread support, his cause faltered, and he eventually surrendered to Lord Leonard Grey in July of the same year. Legend has it that Thomas played a haunting melody under the boughs of the Silken Thomas Yew, Ireland’s oldest planted tree, before submitting to Grey.

Subsequently, Thomas was imprisoned in the Tower of London in October 1535. Despite earlier assurances of safety, he and his uncles were executed in 1537. The Attainder of the Earl of Kildare Act 1536 facilitated their execution and the confiscation of their property.

The repercussions of Thomas’s revolt reverberated beyond his demise. Henry VIII, compelled to address the unrest in Ireland, eventually established the Kingdom of Ireland in 1542. This marked a significant shift in governance, with measures such as curbing the powers of lords deputy and introducing policies like surrender and regrant. Additionally, the Royal Irish Army was instituted to ensure greater stability in the region.

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Gay Byrne

Gay Byrne was an iconic figure in Irish broadcasting. Born in 1934, Byrne became a household name as the host of The Late Late Show, which he helmed for an impressive 37-year tenure from 1962 to 1999. Affectionately known as “Uncle Gay” or “Gaybo,” he became a fixture in Irish homes, providing a platform for discussions of controversial topics like contraception, homosexuality, and divorce, thus shaping the evolving social landscape of Ireland.

Indeed, it was famously said by politician, Oliver J. Flanagan that, “there was no sex in Ireland until Teilifís Éireann went on the air”. In the 1960’s, Bishop of Galway Michael Browne called Byrne “a purveyor of filth” after he asked a woman what colour nightie she wore on her wedding night and she had replied that she believed she’d worn nothing.

Byrne is remembered for conducting a career-ending interview with politician Pádraig Flynn and a notoriously antagonistic interview with then Bishop of Galway Eamon Casey’s lover Annie Murphy.

Byrne’s career extended beyond The Late Late Show. He also hosted The Gay Byrne Hour, later expanded to The Gay Byrne Show, on RTÉ Radio 1 from 1973 to 1998. Even after retiring from his long-running radio and television roles, Byrne continued to captivate audiences with programmes like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, The Meaning of Life, and For One Night Only.

Despite his immense popularity, Byrne declined to run in the 2011 Irish presidential election, opting to remain in the realm of entertainment rather than politics. His decision was met with both disappointment and respect from the public. In his later years, Byrne continued to make his mark through programmes like The Meaning of Life, delving into existential questions with public figures. He also faced health challenges, including hearing loss and a battle with prostate cancer, but remained a beloved figure until his passing in 2019.

His influence was profound, earning him the title of “the most influential radio and television man in the history of the Irish State” by The Irish Times in 2010. His ability to engage with guests and tackle taboo subjects endeared him to audiences, making him a household name across Ireland.

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John Redmond

John Redmond, born in 1856, was a prominent figure in Irish nationalist politics. As leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party (IPP) from 1900 until his death in 1918, he played a pivotal role in advocating for Irish self-government within the United Kingdom.

He entered politics as a Member of Parliament, succeeding his father in representing various constituencies. Redmond’s tenure saw him navigate internal party divisions, particularly during the Parnell split, where he emerged as leader of the pro-Parnell faction.

The pivotal moment came in 1912 when, leveraging his party’s influence in Westminster, Redmond secured the introduction of the Third Home Rule Bill, promising national self-government for Ireland. This marked the zenith of his political influence and the culmination of years of advocacy.

Redmond’s opposition to votes for women drew significant criticism, leading to the defacement of his statue by suffragist protestors in 1913. Despite this, Redmond saw the Home Rule Bill as the realisation of a lifelong ambition, expressing gratitude for its passage in the House of Commons. However, the bill lacked significant concessions to Ulster Unionists, who vehemently opposed it. The implementation of Home Rule was met with staunch opposition from Irish Protestants, the Unionist Party, and Ulster’s Orange Order. Concerns over economic repercussions and fears of Catholic dominance fueled resistance, with threats of force to prevent Home Rule.

Efforts to appease Ulster Unionists with concessions, including temporary exclusion, ultimately failed. The Curragh Mutiny and the formation of the Ulster Volunteers signalled escalating tensions, prompting Redmond to take control of the Irish Volunteers to enforce Home Rule.

In 1914, with the outbreak of World War I, the implementation of Home Rule was suspended. Redmond, believing in the promise of self-government post-war, urged Irishmen to support the British war effort. His call led to the formation of the National Volunteers, with many Irishmen enlisting in the British Army.

The Easter Rising of 1916, staged by Irish republicans, shattered Redmond’s vision of constitutional change. The subsequent events, including the execution of Rising leaders, which he applauded, further polarized Irish politics.

Efforts to reintroduce Home Rule in 1916 failed, with Lloyd George’s partition proposal causing Redmond’s power to wane. His health declined, and he faced criticism for his handling of negotiations and for encouraging Irish participation in the war. His health deteriorated, and he passed away in March 1918, just before the Convention concluded. Despite his efforts, the failure of Home Rule and the rise of Sinn Féin marked the end of Redmond’s political influence. He was laid to rest in Wexford, mourned by many, but already irrelevant to a changed political landscape.

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