2
« on: Thursday 07 June 12 16:27 BST (UK) »
As far as I can ascertain, the list shown on the Irish Medals site is only of those who signed the 1916 Roll of Honour and not the complete garrison. For example, at least a quarter of those who were in the G.P.O. do not appear on the list. There were many reasons why certain insurgents didn't sign the list. Notable absentees are Irish Citizen Army men, women from Cumann na mBan and those who had emigrated. Others refused to sign out of protest at the way new State had developed and of course some had died by then.
Michael Whelan was a carpenter by trade, and resided at 31 Ballybough Rd. Initially, he was deported to Knutsford Prison on May 1st and was later transferred to Frongoch.
Not only was Micheal O'Ruaidhrai with Pearse in the G.P.O., he was standing beside him when Pearse read the Proclaimation outside on Easter Monday. He was in E Company, 4th Battalion, Dublin Brigade, which was also known as the Rathfarnham Brigade. He was deported to Stafford Jail, before arriving at Frongoch. While there, he thought Irish to his fellow prisoners. He was 54 when he fought in Easter Week and passed away on 1/06/36.