Event: Lecture on the life of Emily Weddall by Maria Gillen
Where: Pearse Museum,
St Enda’s Park, Grange Road, Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
D16 Y7Y5
Cost: Free admission
Further information: Pearse Museum: pearsemuseum@opw.ie or +353 1 4934208
Maria Gillen will be giving a lecture on the fascinating life of Emily Weddall in the Pearse Museum on Tuesday, 1 November at 7pm.
Emily Weddall, nee Burke 1867-1952 was born in Edenderry, Co. Offaly to a Church of Ireland Minister and his wife. She trained as a nurse in Sir Patrick Dun’s Hospital, on qualifying she traveled to France Germany and Russia with her career. In the early 1900’s she married retired sea captain Edward Weddall, the couple settled on Achill in 1906. Around that time she co-founded the Lower Achill Branch of the Gaelic League, and became a regular correspondent, with An Claidheamh Soluis, of which Patrick Pearse was editor. It is through these circles that Emily first met the Pearse family.
Strongly influenced by the cultural revolution of the time, of which Patrick Pearse played a pivotal role in, she co-founded Scoil Acla, an Irish language and cultural school in 1910. Their paths would cross on many occasions, socially, culturally and politically, frequently causing controversy! After 1916 she remained friends with the family and during the struggle for Ireland’s independence, living at their former home at Cullenswood. She took the side of Mrs Pearse in rejecting the Treaty.
Emily remained a lifelong Republican, her final resting place is in Glasnevin Cemetery in close proximity to the Republican Plot.
Admission is free – no booking required.
Brian Crowley Curator Pearse Museum
Tinteán 