merrion street

Mr. Brian Hayes, TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) today (2 March 2014) officially opened an exhibition entitled ‘From A Hermitage to Harlem: Pearse in America, 1914’ which marks the centenary of Patrick Pearse’s visit to the United States. Patrick Pearse travelled to the USA in 1914 with the intention of promoting his educational philosophy, but chiefly as a fund-raising trip for the school. One of his biggest speaking engagements was a talk entitled ‘Robert Emmet and the Ireland of To-day’ in the Academy of Music, Brooklyn on 2nd March 1914 as part of their annual commemoration of Robert Emmet’s birth (8th March).

Among the items and images on display in the exhibition is a silhouette of Pearse which was made when he was standing at the top of the Woolworth Building, the tallest building in the world when he visited in April 1914. Other noteworthy items include letters written by Eugene Cronin, a young American boy who returned with Pearse to become a pupil in St. Enda’s. In an early letter to his aunt he wrote of his homesickness saying "if Ma don't come right away and take me back I'll die". However, his later letters show that he settled in well, and came to love the school.

Minister Hayes also unveiled the Restoration of the St. Enda's Follies. The OPW has undertaken the restoration of seven of the follies in the grounds of St. Enda's. These late 18th/early 19th century follies are of immense architectural and historical importance and form an essential part of the character of the park. They also played a major role in Patrick Pearse’s decision to base his school here in 1910. Of particular interest is the restoration work on Emmet’s Fort; this is now complete and its story encompasses the story of two great Irish patriots. It was built as miniature version of a 17th century five-pointed star-shaped military fort. Its name derives from a story that the revolutionary, Robert Emmet, would secretly meet his sweetheart Sarah Curran in the grounds of St. Enda’s, which was then called The Hermitage.

Six other follies were also restored in 2013 as part of Phase 1 of the 1916 commemoration plans for the Park. The restored follies include three rustic arches, a faux-ruined niche, a faux-cromlech and an enclosed compound which is sometimes referred to as the “Druids Glen”. Pearse often used these structures as a backdrop to the open air plays and pageants which his pupils performed in the grounds.

Minister Hayes said, "I'm always delighted to visit St. Enda's to walk in these wonderful grounds and visit the Pearse Museum. This new exhibition that my colleagues in the OPW have installed , ‘From A Hermitage to Harlem’ forms part of a programme of exhibitions which we will be mounting to mark the centenaries of key events in Pearse’s life leading up to the 1916 Rising. The next exhibition in the series will concentrate on Pearse’s iconic oration at the funeral of Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa in August 1915. I'm also very impressed with the restoration of the Follies here in the Park, particularly of Emmet's Fort with its superb views across Dublin Bay."

‘From A Hermitage to Harlem: Pearse in America, 1914’ will be on view in the Pearse Museum from Sunday 2nd March. Admission Free.

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For further information on the Pearse Museum/St. Enda's Park please contact 01 4934208 or see www.heritageireland.ie

High quality Images of the exhibition available on request.

If you wish to interview Minister Hayes please contact Colette Davis, OPW Press Officer at 046 942 6128, 087 947 5552 or colette.davis@opw.ie

Note to Editors:

Address: St. Enda's Park, Grange Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.

Telephone No: +353 1 493 4208

Email: brian.crowley@opw.ie

Opening Hours:

Pearse Museum:

Nov - Jan: Mon & Wed - Sat 09.30 - 16.00

Feb Mon & Wed - Sat 09.30 - 17.00

Mar - Oct: Mon & Wed - Sat 09.30 - 17.30

Sundays & Bank Holidays - opens 10.00am

Please note: The Pearse Museum is closed on Tuesdays.

The Museum closes over the Christmas Period.

St. Enda's Park:

Nov – Jan 9.00am - 4.30pm

February 9.00am - 5.30pm

March 9.00am - 6.00pm

April 9.00am - 8.00pm

May – Aug 9.00am - 9.00pm

September 9.00am - 8.00pm

October 9.00am - 6.00pm

Weekends/ Bank Holidays - Park opens 10am

Park closed Christmas Day