Remembering Grace Gifford

Grace married Joseph Plunkett shortly before his execution

Born this past week in 1888, Grace was an Irish Republican who married her fiancé Joseph Plunkett in Kilmainham Gaol only a few hours before he was executed for his part in the 1916 Easter Rising. She met Joseph through her brother-in-law Thomas MacDonagh who would also be executed by the British for his actions during the Rising. After the Rising and the executions Grace committed herself to the Republican cause and joined Sinn Féin and was elected to the executive in 1917.

Giffords later in life

Grace was arrested by pro treaty forces during the Irish Civil War and was imprisoned in Kilmainham, where she painted her cell. After her release Grace travelled, painted and lived a mostly quiet life. Suffering ill health Grace Gifford died in 1955 and was buried at the Glasnevin Cemetery Republican Plot with full military honors. For those interested here is a great song called 'Grace' was written about Giffords that is embedded below.