Ireland Unfree Shall Never Be at Peace - Significance of The Oration

Significance of The Oration

Rossa's funeral, and Pearse's oration, had the desired effect of mobilising Republicans and creating the conditions for a rising. Eight months later, on 24 April 1916, Pearse stood in the portico of the General Post Office in Dublin and read the Proclamation of the Republic. Although the Easter Rising was short-lived, it set in train the events that led to the formation of the Irish Republic in 1919.

Today, Pearse's funeral oration is considered one of the most important speeches in 20th century Irish history. The manuscript of this speech is now held in the Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham, Dublin.