“Grace” was written by Frank and Seán O'Meara in 1985. It has been covered by several Celtic musicians, including the High Kings and Celtic Thunder. The song captures a sense of tragedy, deep love, and Irish patriotism.
The song tells the love story of Joseph Mary Plunkett and
Grace Gifford. Grace was born in 1888 in Dublin to a Protestant mother and a
Catholic father. She was an artist who focused on creating cartoons and was
active in the Republican movement.
Grace and Joseph met through Thomas MacDonagh, who was
married to Grace’s sister, Muriel. Thomas was also involved in the cause of
Irish freedom and was martyred for the cause. Grace and Joseph were engaged in
1915 but postponed their wedding plans due to the Easter Rising.
Joseph, who was a poet and a scholar, was deeply involved in
the Easter Rising, despite having health issues. When the Rising failed, the leaders,
including Joseph, of the Rising were court-martialed and sentenced to death.
Before he was executed, Joseph was married to Grace in a
ceremony at Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin. Grace bought a ring from jewelers in Dublin and pleaded with the guards to let them be married. The ceremony
took place on May 3, 1916. Grace was allowed to spend 10 minutes in his cell
after the ceremony, but was under the heavy watch of guards.
On the morning of May 4th, 1916, Joseph was executed by firing squad. Grace was left a wi
dow just hours after she was
married. She was 28 on the date of her husband’s execution and she did not
remarry.
After her husband’s death, Grace struggled financially since
she only had a small income from her cartoons. Her husband left his money to
her in his will, but since there was only one witness signature, the money was withheld
by her in-laws. After years of fighting, she received a sum of money from Joseph’s
parents and also got a Civil Pension from Éamon DeValera's government in 1932.
Grace died in Dublin at the age of 67 in 1955. Grace and Joseph are buried near each
other in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin.
Related Articlies:
-Beyond the Song: "Chasing Rainbows" by The High Kings: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2025/04/beyond-song-chasing-rainbows-high-kings.html