Collected works of Padraic H. Pearse: plays, stories, poems

"Collected works of Padraic H. Pearse" by Padraic Pearse is a collection of plays, stories, and poems written in the early 20th century. The volume gathers Pearse’s dramatic and lyrical vision of Ireland, steeped in Gaelic culture, Christian symbolism, and a fervent call to national awakening. Across these pieces he meditates on sacrifice, leadership, innocence, and the soul of the people, often through rural voices and the tongues of children.

The opening of the collection presents a publisher’s note (on lost manuscripts and translations) and an introduction that frames Pearse’s writing as a lived passion for Ireland’s language, people, and destiny, culminating in martyrdom as artistic and national fulfillment. It then launches into three plays: in The Singer, a Connemara household awaits “trouble” as Maire and Sighle recall MacDara, the exiled singer who returns, confesses a hard-won faith in the suffering of the poor, and, after his brother Colm rushes to fight, reveals himself as the awaited leader and goes unarmed to meet the enemy in Christ-like sacrifice. The King shows monastery boys and monks witnessing a defeated monarch seek absolution; a pure child, Giolla na Naomh, is armed and leads the counterattack to victory, dying as the nation is saved. The Master opens in a woodland cloister where Ciaran, gentle and steadfast, prays while horsemen close in; amid light play and devotional talk, a royal invitation arrives, the pupils go to the feast, and little Iollann stays—leaving the master resolute at his post.