Dying letter of The O'Rahilly set in bronze

The memorial is a reproduction of the letter O’Rahilly wrote to his wife as he lay dying.

The memorial is a reproduction of the letter O’Rahilly wrote to his wife as he lay dying.

A limestone and bronze memorial was unveiled today to The O'Rahilly, the first of the 1916 Easter Rising leaders to be killed and the only one to die in action.

Sculpted by Shane Cullen, it is a an accurate reproduction of O'Rahilly's own handwriting - the note he wrote to his wife as he lay dying in a doorway off Moore Street.

The text reads: "Written after I was shot - Darling Nancy I was shot leading a rush up Moore Street and took refuge in a doorway. While I was there I heard the men pointing out where I was and made a bolt for the laneway I am in now.

"I got more than one bullet I think. Tons and tons of love dearie to you and the boys and to Nell and Anna. It was a good fight anyhow.

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"Please deliver this to Nannie O'Rahilly, 40 Herbert Park, Dublin. Goodbye Darling."