O Donovan Rossa:
Jeremiah O’Donovan was born on 10 th September 1831 at Chapel St (now
Rossa Ave) Rosscarbery. The name Rossa comes from Rossmore, where the
O’Donovan family had lived for generations. They were evicted, moving first to
Reenascreena, and then to Rosscarbery.
Jeremiah spent the first years of his life with his maternal grandparents in
Reenascreena, where Irish was the spoken language.
An Gorta Mor (The Great Hunger) of the 1840’s had a major effect on his life.
His father died in 1847, and he recalls the death and burial of his neighbour
Jillen Andy, in one of his poems. His mother and siblings emigrated to America
about 1848
In 1848 he went to Skibbereen for work. He was involved with the setting up of
“The Phoenix National and Literary Society” there in 1856. Following James
Stephens visit to Skibbereen in 1858, this became “The Fenian Society”.
In 1853 he married Nanno Eagar, from Milltown, Co Kerry. They set up their
own business, selling seeds and hardware. Jeremiah was arrested in 1858, and
spent 8 months in Cork Gaol. Nanno died in 1859, leaving Jeremiah with four
sons. In 1861, Jeremiah married Eileen Buckley, from Castlehaven, they had
one son. Sadly, Eileen died in 1863. In 1864, Rossa married again, to Mary Jane
Irwin, from Clonakilty.
In 1865 he was arrested, found guilty of treason felony and sentenced to penal
servitude for life. In 1869 he was elected MP for Tipperary, but as a convicted
felon he could not sit in parliament. In 1871 he was released and exiled to
America.
He spent the rest of his life in America with his wife Mary Jane, with whom he
had 13 children.
Jeremiah died in Staten Island, New York on 29 th June 1915. His funeral to
Glasnevin Cemetery, gave great inspiration for the struggle that followed.