Campaign for Freedom
When the Irish Volunteers were founded in Dublin in 1914, McCan set about organising a branch in Cashel. He set up a training camp for local members and, during this period, taught Irish with the Gaelic League in Dualla.
The 1916 Rising was a big disappointment for McCan, as he was unable to organise enough support for a rising in the Tipperary, Cork and Limerick areas. He was arrested on 3 May 1916, but was released the following July.
Pierce McCan's Election Poster
Image courtesy of Tipperary Joint Libraries.
Image courtesy of Tipperary Joint Libraries.
After his release, McCan continued to campaign for Irish freedom. He was arrested again in May 1918. During his imprisonment in Gloucester, he became friendly with Arthur Griffith. They both stood for Sinn Féin in the 1918 election while still prisoners. McCan was elected in East Tipperary with a majority of over 3,000 votes.