Gerard Whelan was born in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, and has lived and worked in several European countries. After some time living in Dublin, he has returned to live in his native Wexford. He is the author of many books for children and a multiple award-winner. His first novel, The Guns of Easter, won the
Eilís Dillon Memorial Award for first-time writers. |
The Guns of Easter
This novel can be used as the basis for a TAP teaching approach. This site will not focus on the novel itself, rather on other lessons you could do in conjunction with this novel on the theme of The 1916 Rising.
This novel is suitable for 5th or 6th class. it tells the tale of
twelve-year-old Jimmy Conway, who lives with his family in the Dublin slums during the 1916 Easter Rising. In an attempt to find food for his family, Jimmy crosses the city, avoiding the shooting, weaving through the army patrols, hoping to help his family survive. But his quest is not easy and danger threatens at every corner.