From 3 May to 14 May 1916 fourteen leaders of the Easter Rising were executed in Kilmainham Gaol. All were given succour by priests in their cells prior to execution, with the exception of James Connolly who was imprisoned in Dublin Castle until he was taken to the Stonebreaker’s Yard in Kilmainham Gaol to be shot. He was seen by his priest in Dublin Castle.

The first three to be executed, Patrick Pearse, Thomas Clarke and Thomas MacDonagh, did not receive the Last Rights of the Catholic Church after their executions because of the orders of the Gaol Commandant – but all the others did with the exception of James Connolly who was visited by a priest in DUblin Castle.

Most of the Friars who attended those to be executed came from the Capuchin Franciscan Friary of the Church of St Mary of the Angels, located at 138–142 Church Street.

Adjacent to the Priory, at 131–137 Church Street, was Fr Mathew Hall, also known as Capuchin Hall.