I see his blood upon the rose

Joseph Mary Plunkett (1887–1916) was an Irish nationalist, poet, and revolutionary, best known for his role in the 1916 Easter Rising. Born into a wealthy and well-connected Catholic family in Dublin, Plunkett was deeply influenced by both his faith and his commitment to Irish independence. Despite suffering from severe health issues, including tuberculosis, he became a key figure in the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) and played a crucial role in planning the Easter Rising.

Plunkett's contributions were not limited to his organizational skills; he also used his literary talents to inspire the nationalist cause. He was a close associate of figures like Thomas MacDonagh and Patrick Pearse, with whom he shared a vision of a free Ireland. His poetic works reflect his deep spirituality and nationalist fervor.

In the weeks leading up to the Rising, Plunkett traveled to Germany in an attempt to secure support for the rebellion, but his efforts were largely unsuccessful. Despite this, he returned to Ireland and took part in the uprising, serving as one of the signatories of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic.

After the failure of the Rising, Plunkett was arrested, and, like many of his comrades, he was sentenced to death. In a poignant moment just hours before his execution, he married his fiancée, Grace Gifford, in Kilmainham Gaol. on the night before his execution hours before been shot to death he wrote this poem "I see his blood upon the rose". Joseph Mary Plunkett was executed by firing squad on May 4, 1916, becoming one of the martyrs of Irish independence. His legacy endures as a symbol of sacrifice and the struggle for Irish freedom.