Eamonn Ceannt - Definition and Overview

Eamonn Ceannt (September 21, 1881 - May 8, 1916) was an Irish nationalist and rebel.

He was born Edward Kent in Galway on September 21, 1881. When he was young his family moved to Dublin where he became interested in the Irish Ireland movement. He joined the Gaelic League, adopting the Gaelic version of his name, and becoming a master of the uilleann pipes, even putting on a performance for Pope Pius X. He was employed as an accountant for the Dublin Corporation.

Sometime around 1913 he joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood, and later was one of the founding members of the Irish Volunteers. As such he was important in the planning of the Easter Rising of 1916, being one of the original members of the Military Committee and thus one of the seven signatories of the Easter Proclamation. He was made commandant of the 4th Battalion of the Volunteers, and during the Rising was stationed at the South Dublin Union, with more than a hundred men under his command, notably his second-in-command Cathal Brugha, and W.T. Cosgrave. His unit saw intense fighting at times during the week, but surrendered when ordered to do so by his superior officer Patrick Pearse. Ceannt was held in Kilmainham Jail until his execution by firing squad on May 8.