Born in 1879 in Cork, Terence MacSwiney was one of 8 children. In his early life, McSwiney studied Mental and Moral Science at the Royal University, graduating in 1907.

In 1901 he was one of the founding members of the Celtic Literary Society and in 1908 he founded the Cork Dramatic Society. It was in 1910 that his first play was produced - "The Last Warriors of Coole". His plays often focused on political issues, something which interested him for most of his life.

It was his writings in the newspaper "Irish Freedom" that brought him to the attention of the Irish Republican Brotherhood. It was from this point onwards that MacSwiney's life would take a major focus on politics.

In 1913 he was one of the founding members of the Cork Brigade of Irish Volunteers, and in 1916 he was intended to be second in command of the Easter Rising in Cork and Kerry but stood down his forces under the orders of Eoin MacNeill.

In the 1918 general elections, MacSwiney was part of the first Dáil Éireann as Sinn Féin representitive for Mid Cork. Following the murder of Lord Mayor Tomás Mac Curtain, the Lord Mayor of Cork in March 1920, MacSwiney was elected as his replacement.

It was during his term as Lord Mayor that MacSwiney was arrested for possesion of seditious articles and documents and after trial by court martial he was sentenced to two years' imprisonment in Brixton Prison.

MacSwiney immediately began a hunger strike in protest at his internment and the fact that he was tried by a military court. This hunger strike would last 74 days, causing international outrage.

On the 20th of October 1920, having fallen into a coma 5 days previously, Terence MacSwiney died.

This is his incredible story of his life and the legacy left after his death, with accounts from those who knew MacSwiney best.

Copiled and Presented by Aindreas O'Gallchobhair

First Broadcast November 11th 1960

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