Éamonn Ceannt - 1916 Poster

Rare Éamonn Ceannt 1916 commemorative poster.
Éamonn Ceannt (21 September 1881 – 8 May 1916), born Edward Thomas Kent, was an Irish republican, mostly known for his role in the Easter Rising of 1916. Ceannt was born in the village of Ballymoe in County Galway. He took part in the 1798 commemoration which stoked his interest in Irish Nationalism. In 1899, Ceannt joined the central branch of the Gaelic League. It was here where he first met many of the men who would play a major role in the Rising, including Patrick Pearse and Eoin MacNeill. He became increasingly involved in Nationalist movements and had a strong interest in the Irish language. The main purposes of the league were to educate people on the Irish culture and revive the Irish language along with Irish music, dancing, poetry, literature and history. Ceannt , an extremely committed member of the league, was an elected member of the governing body and by 1905 he was teaching Irish language classes in branch offices of the league. In February 1900 Ceannt, along with Edward Martyn founded Cumann na bPíobairí (The Pipers Club).Ceannt's musical talents earned him a gold medal at the 1906 Oireachtas.

In 1907 Ceannt joined the Dublin central branch of Sinn Féin, and over the following years he became increasingly determined to see an Independent Ireland. In 1912 he was sworn into the Irish Republican Brotherhood by Seán Mac Diarmada.In May 1915, the IRB Military Council, consisting of Joseph Plunkett and Seán Mac Diarmada as well as Ceannt, began plans for a rebellion. Ceannt was one of the seven men to sign the Proclamation of the Irish Republic and had been appointed Director of Communications. He was made commandant of the 4th Battalion of the Volunteers, and during the Rising was stationed at the South Dublin Union. Ceannt's unit repelled many strong assaults by British troops during heavy fighting but ultimately surrendered following Pearse's order to do so. He was sentenced to death and transferred to Kilmainham Gaol where he was executed on 8 May 1916, aged 34. He is buried at Arbour Hill.

A few hours before his execution he wrote the following extract from a handwritten note:
" I leave for the guidance of other Irish Revolutionaries who may tread the path which I have trod this advice, never to treat with the enemy, never to surrender at his mercy, but to fight to a finish...Ireland has shown she is a nation. This generation can claim to have raised sons as brave as any that went before. And in the years to come Ireland will honour those who risked all for her honour at Easter 1916".

Originally printed and published by O'Loughlin, Murphy and Boland, using a photo by Keogh Bros., the text below the photograph simply states: "EAMONN CEANNT , Executed, May 8th, , 1916". This is a stunning reproduction on 210 gsm satin art paper , beautifully mounted on a mottled green suede background and set behind glass in a handmade, aged dark mahogany finish frame with a gold gilt sightline.