Willie Pearse was born in Dublin and throughout his life lived in the shadow of his brother to whom he was devoted and with whom he formed a particularly close relationship.

[4] He was trained to take over his father's stonemason business, but gave it up to help run St. Enda's School which Patrick had founded in 1908.

He took part in the Easter Rising in 1916, always staying by his brother's side at the General Post Office.

[citation needed] On 3 May, Pearse was granted permission to visit his brother in Kilmainham Gaol, to see him for the final time.

[5] A number of Gaelic Athletic Association clubs and playing fields are named after both Pearses, and at least one after Willie: