William "Willie" Pearse Irish: Liam Mac Piarais was an Irish republican executed for his part in the.
Background
Willie Pearse was born in Dublin and throughout his life lived in the shadow of his brother to whom he was devoted and with whom he formed a particularly close relationship. Willie inherited his father"s artistic abilities and became a sculptor.
Education
He studied at the Metropolitan School of Art in Dublin under Oliver Sheppard. He also studied art in Paris.
Career
He was a younger brother of Patrick Pearse, a leader of the rising. He was educated at the Christian Brothers School. While attending the Kensington School of Art he gained notice for several of his artworks.
Some of his sculptures are to be found in Limerick Cathedral, the Cathedral of Saint Eunan and Street Columba, Letterkenny and several Dublin churches.
He was trained to take over his father"s stonemason business, but gave it up to help Patrick run Saint Enda"s School which he founded in 1908. He was involved in the arts and theatre at Saint Enda"s and aided the overall running of the school.
He took part in the in 1916, constantly staying by his brother"s side at the General Post Office. Following the surrender he was court-martialled and sentenced to be shot.
lieutenant has been said that as he was only a minor player in the struggle it was his surname that condemned him.
However, at his court martial he rather trumpeted his involvement, exaggerating it even, and perhaps condemned himself. However, while Willie was en route, Patrick Pearse was executed. Willie was executed the following day.
There are many more public commemorations of Patrick Pearse than of Willie.
Pearse Square and Pearse Street, in Dublin, were renamed in honour of both, Pearse Street (then Great Brunswick Street) having been their birthplace. Many streets and roads in Ireland bear the name Pearse.
Few name Willie, but there is a Pearse Brothers Park in Rathfarnham. The bridge over the Dodder river on the Rathfarnham Road, between Terenure and Rathfarnham is named after them and carries a plaque depicting the brothers in profile.
Brothers Pearse Athletic Club, originally founded in Rathfarnham, is named after the two brothers.
A number of Gaelic Athletic Association clubs and playing fields are named after both Pearses, and at least one after Willie:
Armagh: Annaghmore Pearses Global Assembly Cache. Pearse Óg Global Assembly Cache and its grounds, Pearse Óg Park, Armagh
Cork: CLG Na Piarsaigh, Cork
Dublin: Willie Pearse Park, the grounds of Crumlin Gaelic Athletic Association
Kerry: Dromid Pearses Global Assembly Cache. Kilflynn Pearses The Human Context (defunct)
Limerick: CLG Na Piarsaigh, Limerick
Louth: Consumer Packaged Goods Na Piarsaigh, Dundalk
Monaghan: Pearse Brothers Global Assembly Cache, Ballybay, and its grounds, Pearse Park
Tyrone: Pearse Óg Global Assembly Cache, Dregish.
Fintona Pearses Global Assembly Cache. And Galbally Pearses Global Assembly Cache
Wicklow: Pearses" Park, Arklow
London: Brother Pearse"s Global Assembly Cache, London
Yorkshire: Brothers Pearse Global Assembly Cache, Huddersfield
Galway Clg Na piarsaigh.