Major John MacBride was born on May 7th in Westport County Mayo.. He studied medicine, but gave it up and began working with a chemist firm instead. He joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood and became friends with Michael Cusack, who founded the Gaelic Athletic association. Beginning in 1893, MacBride was termed a "dangerous nationalist" by the British government. In 1896 he went to the USA on behalf of the IRB and on his return he emigrated to South africa.
He took part in the Boer War, where he raised the Irish Transvaal Brigade. He was commissioned with the rank of major in the Boer army and given Boer citizenship. After the war he travelled to Paris. In 1903 he married the Irish nationalist Maud Gonne, who he had met in 1900 and through whom he had met the poet W.B Yeats.
MacBride, unlike the other Rising leaders, was not a member of the Irish Volunteers. Instead he offered his services to Thomas Mc Donagh and was appointed second-in-command at the Jacob's factory. MacBride, after a court martial under the Defence of the Realm Act, was shot by British Firing squad on May 5th in Kilmainham Gaol.
He took part in the Boer War, where he raised the Irish Transvaal Brigade. He was commissioned with the rank of major in the Boer army and given Boer citizenship. After the war he travelled to Paris. In 1903 he married the Irish nationalist Maud Gonne, who he had met in 1900 and through whom he had met the poet W.B Yeats.
MacBride, unlike the other Rising leaders, was not a member of the Irish Volunteers. Instead he offered his services to Thomas Mc Donagh and was appointed second-in-command at the Jacob's factory. MacBride, after a court martial under the Defence of the Realm Act, was shot by British Firing squad on May 5th in Kilmainham Gaol.
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