Saint Catherine's Church images, Robert Emmett Irish patriot


Saint Catherine's Church on Thomas Street Dublin was originally constructed in 1185. The front is built of granite stone, with 4 Doric-columns supporting a pediment. In 1670 five bells were hung in the orignial belfry. St. Catherine's church was rebuilt in its present form during the 18th century between 1760 & 1769, when the local parish had approximately 10,000 inhabitants. Originally a spire & steeple were also planned, but not completed. In 1803 Saint Catherine's church was the site of Robert Emmett's execution.
Saint Catherines church, Thomas Street Dublin
Saint Catherines church, Thomas Street, Dublin, Ireland.

Robert Emmett Irish patriot history.

Robert Emmett was born 4 March 1778 at 109 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin.  The youngest of his family he had 18 siblings, his father held the position of State physician. While studying at Trinity College Dublin he joined the College Historical Society - a debating society. Later he became involved with the United Irish society and as a result was expelled from Trinity. Following the 1798 rising he became involved with re-organising the society & British Authorities subsequently issued a warrant for his arrest.  Emmett escaped & travelled abroad seeking military aid for a rebellion & returned to Ireland in October 1802. On July 23rd 1803 Robert Emmett launched a minor rising in Dublin which was quashed within a short time by British military forces with a loss of fifty rebels & 20 Crown forces.

Following the ill-fated rising, on 19 September Emmet was found guilty of high treason and sentenced to death. During his brief trial Emmett made a memorable speech from the dock which includes the immortal lines - "Let no man write my epitaph: for as no man who knows my motives dare now vindicate them. let not prejudice or ignorance asperse them. Let them and me repose in obscurity and peace, and my tomb remain uninscribed, until other times, and other men, can do justice to my character; when my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then, and not till then, let my epitaph be written."
Emmett was hung & beheaded outside Saint Catherine's Church on September 20th 1803 aged 25.

Robert Emmett Irish patriot execution scene 1803, St Catherine's Church
Antique print depicting Robert Emmett's execution outside St. Catherine's Church, 1803.
View Dublin 1916 images & Michael Collins film location photos.

Dublin memorial bust of Michael Collins, Irish War of Independence leader & politician.

Dublin 1930's Ireland images - O'Connell Bridge & Guinness barge on River Liffey - vintage Dublin photos.

O'Connell street Dublin image - statue of Irish labour leader James Larkin, known as Big Jim Larkin.

View site map for complete category listings.

Ireland posters & Irish photo gallery - main contents.

Photos of historic Irish buildings & Dublin Ireland landmarks.

Antique 19th century Ireland town & countryside scenery images - vintage Irish prints.

Privacy info.

  
Bunratty Castle & Ireland picture postcards.
Greetings from Bunratty Castle & Irish postcards
Irish postcards