Connolly was born in Sandymount, Dublin in 1882. His father Michael led the Fenians to the battleground at Tallaght during the Fenian Rising in 1867, at the age of 11. He was also involved in the ITGWU. He attended St. Joseph's Secondary C.B.S. in Fairview.
Easter Rising
On Easter Monday morning when the ICA was about to march towards their positions from Liberty Hall and start the Rising James Connolly approached Connolly, told him how much time he had to get to Dublin Castle, shook his hand and said "Good luck Sean! We won't meet again". At 11:45 am that same day he led a group of ICA members towards Dublin Castle. At the main gate of the castleDMP officer James O'Brien, who was attempting to close the gate, was shot dead. Accounts vary as to whether Sean Connolly or another fighter shot him. They then tied up six sentries in the castle guard room. British Army major AJ Price, who had heard shots fired, ran out to the castle courtyard and fired at Connolly and the other ICA members before retreating. Connolly and those under his command retreated to City Hall. Within an hour of the retreat he was shot dead on the roof of City Hall by a British sniper. Dr Kathleen Lynn describes the event:
We noticed Sean Connolly coming towards us, walking upright, although we had been advised to crouch and take cover as much as possible. We suddenly saw him fall mortally wounded by a sniper's bullet from the castle. First aid was useless. He died almost immediately.
Helena Molony, who also witnessed his death, recalled that his younger brother Matt, who was fifteen at the time, was on the City Hall roof and "cried bitterly" over his death. According to his own witness statement, it was not until 6:00 the next morning that Kathleen Lynn told him of his brother's death. After he was shot, Molony said a prayer into his ear.
Personal life
As well as a revolutionary, Connolly was an actor in the Abbey Theatre. His last part was the lead inUnder Which Flag by James Connolly. He and his wife, Christina, had three children, Margaret, Kevin and Aidan. Christine Connolly was active during the War of Independence; during the Civil War she took the Treaty side.
Commemoration
In 2016 a commemoration for Constable James O'Brien took place at Dublin Castle. Freya Connolly, great-granddaughter of Sean Connolly, placed flowers on behalf of the Connolly family. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising, An Post, the Irish postal service, released stamps of figures associated with the Rising. Sean Connolly and Constable James O'Brien appeared on a stamp together. Connolly was 32 when he died. He was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery. The Longford Senior Football Championship trophy is named after Sean Connolly.
