The mothers, daughters, sisters, wives of those who defended Ireland.
Joseph Mary Plunkett and Grace Gifford were introduced by mutual friends in 1913. By 1915, Joseph proposed to Grace.
Grace and her sister Muriel (McDonagh) converted to Catholicism. Wedding plans were put on hold when Easter week was chosen for the Rising.
Plunkett was one of seven who signed the Proclamation.
He knew it would most likely lead to his execution if the rebellion failed. Sentenced to death by military court, authorities agreed to let Joseph marry Grace. Grace wasn’t informed of this until late afternoon 3rd May.
About 5:00pm on 3 May, she stopped at a jeweler’s shop just as the shop was closing to buy a wedding ring.
At 1:30am, Joseph & Grace were married in Kilmainham Jail Chapel with soldiers as their witnesses. The wedding ceremony was conducted by light of a single candle.
Twenty British soldiers stood with bayonets fixed and the couple were given 10 minutes together. Plunkett was returned to his cell.
Hours later, he was taken out to the Stonebreaker’s yard and executed by firing squad.


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