(March 17, 1877 – May 4, 1916) was an Irish rebel who was executed for his active role in the 1916 Easter Rising.
Born in New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland, he was the son of Richard O’Hanrahan and Mary Williams.
The family moved to Carlow where Michael was educated at Carlow Christian Brothers’ School and Carlow College Academy. In 1898 he joined the Gaelic League and in 1899 founded the League’s first Carlow branch and became its secretary. By 1903 he was in Dublin where he was working as a proof-reader for the Gaelic League printer Cló Cumann. He published journalism under the by-lines ‘Art’ and ‘Irish Reader’ in several nationalist newspapers, including Sinn Féin and the Irish Volunteer. He was the author of two novels A Swordsman of the Brigade(1914) and When the Norman Came (published posthumously in 1918).
Politically aware from his early youth, O’Hanrahan became involved in some of the more radical nationalist campaigns of the day: for instance, in 1903 he joined Maud Gonne and Arthur Griffith in opposing the visit of King Edward VII to Ireland. Impressed with Griffith’s ideas on economic self-sufficiency and his proposal for the withdrawal of nationalist MPs from Westminster, O’Hanrahan joined Sinn Féin. He was also sworn into the Irish Republican Brotherhood.
He joined the Irish Volunteers on their formation in November 1913, later being employed as an administrator on the headquarters staff at 2 Dawson Street. He became quartermastergeneral of the 2nd Battalion of which Thomas MacDonagh was commandant. He and MacDonagh enjoyed a
close friendship arising from their shared interest in writing and literature.
In the Rising, O’Hanrahan served in Jacob’s biscuit factory where he was third in command under MacDonagh and Major John MacBride. He was taken into custody following the surrender of the Jacob’s garrison on Sunday, 30 April. He was tried by court-martial and executed on 4 May.
His brother Henry, who was with him in Jacob’s, was likewise sentenced to death, but his sentence was commuted to penal servitude for life.
Wexford Railway Station is named in commemoration of O’Hanrahan, as is the bridge over the River Barrow at New Ross.
Michael and Henry O Hanrahan were my Gran Uncles on my mother’s side.
They had no children so as a grand niece I am very proud of their contribution
to the Republic. I attend all the ceremonies at Arbour Hill and would very
much like to be involved in preparations for the 50th Anniversary of Kennedys
visit to New Ross. Please let me know if there is something I could get involved
in. My professional background is in the PR.