"1916" THE HISTORY
‘England’s difficulty is Ireland’s opportunity’, said Sir Roger Casement, and as World War 1 began in 1914, this was seen as being the perfect occasion for Irish rebellion.
Patrick Pearse, Joseph Plunkett, Sean MacDiarmada, Eamonn Ceannt and Tom Clarke formed the Military Council of The Irish Republican Brotherhood in 1915 and when James Connolly joined forces, bringing with him the might of The Irish Citizen Army, events were seemingly falling into place.
The Rising was confirmed for Easter Sunday, 1916 and all appeared well as The Aud sailed from Germany, carrying a precious cargo of 20,000 rifles for the rebels. Sir Roger Casement boarded the U-19 submarine at Wilmshaven, Germany for a rendezvous with The Aud at Tralee: this was never to be. Casement was discovered and arrested and The Aud was captured. The crew skuttled the cargo and the weapons were lost to the sea.
Eoin MacNeill, Chief of Staff of The Irish Volunteers, issued countermanding orders in the press to try and stop the rebellion. This reduced the number of men who would turn out. The Military Council held an emergency meeting and put The Rising off for 24 hours.
At noon on Easter Monday, The Rising began...
Outside the General Post Office, Pearse read out the proclamation, announcing the establishment of The Irish Republic, to eager rebels and a bemused public. The G.P.O. then became the Headquarters and stronghold of The Rising, as a new green, white and orange flag fluttered above.
Other groups were deployed elsewhere in the city and many battles took place, including St. Stephen’s Green and the bloodiest on Wednesday in Northumberland Road. In The G.P.O. they could only sit and wait to be attacked. British reinforcements arrived as Dublin city was in flames; Sackville Street was pounded with artillery shells and incendiary devices; looters also caused many fires.
By Friday, The G.P.O. was destroyed and on Saturday Pearse surrendered. 64 rebels lost their lives, as well as over 200 civilians. It was the heroic last stand of the rebels and the execution of the 16 leaders, including that of the already dying Connolly in his chair that turned public opinion and galvanised mass support.
As such, The Rising became a catalyst for independence and future glory and for millions of hopes, aspirations and dreams.