Irish 1916 Uprising

Undoubtedly, one of the most important events to happen in Irish history was the 1916 Easter rising which seen men and woman of Ireland rebelling against British rule in Ireland in hope to create an independent Irish republic of all 32 counties.

The Irish rebels used World War 1 to their advantage as Britain was concentrating its military efforts in central Europe. Germany was to assist with the Irish rebellion by sending a ship of German arms to the Irish shores, but the ship was captured by British forces before reaching the rebels. The plan for the Irish rebellion was drawn up by the Military Council of the Irish Republican Brotherhood who had also approved and signed the Proclamation of the Irish Republic on 17th April 1916, the day before the Easter Rising in Dublin.

On Easter Monday 24th April 1,000 Irish men and women from the Irish Citizen Army and Irish Volunteers marched into Dublin to attempt to overthrow the British from Dublin and announce the Proclamation of the Irish Republic. They knew there chances of beating the British was slim and if caught their punishment would be brutal but still their determination for an Ireland for the Irish was strongly held.

Proclamation of the Irish Republic

Irish men and woman of the rebellion marched through the streets of Dublin taking command of specific buildings across the city. They took over the GPO in O'Connell Street, which became their Head Quarters and flew the new flag of the republic at full mast with the United Irishman flag replacing the British Union Jack. At 12:45, Patrick Pearse stood outside the GPO in Dublin city centre with a single armed guard and read the Irish Proclamation of Independence. The Irish rebels had also attempted raiding the British arsenal in Phoenix Park and also Dublin castle and failed, but they did manage to cut British communications for sometime. However, Dublin castle did get word to other forts and London for the need of reinforcements against the rebellion.

Many street battles were taking place with the Irish rebels being successful in their attacks but British presence was growing fast as troops had been drafted in from all surrounding areas. Casualties were high with over 200 British forces being killed in outposts manned by determined rebels.

By Tuesday over 4,000 British forces had moved into a strategic format around Dublin attacking the rebel strongholds and secured Dublin Castle among other buildings. The British numbers grew and by Friday, approximately 20,000 men were fighting against the 1,600 Irish rebels.
Dublin GPO falls

On Saturday, a large artillery bombardment was started by the British destroying many of the public buildings in and around O'Connell Street where the GPO was located, it too being destroyed but was later repaired and today still stands in O' Connell Street in Dublin City Centre.

James Connolly had already ordered the evacuation of the General Post Office building into another building that was adjacent but that too near collapsing. Not long after during that day Patrick Pearse and Connolly surrendered unconditionally.

London quickly set about punishing the Irish Leaders with a court martial deciding their fate, "execution" at Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin . The trials and executions were kept secret from the Irish public and it was not long until all of the Irish Leaders were dead. James Connolly had to be seated for his execution as he was badly injured and could not stand.

As news of the deaths traveled through Ireland, a wave of disgust with the British grew dramatically. Not long after the tragic events of such great Irish rebels being executed the IRA was established but this time with the general support of the Irish public.

The 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland is probably the most important reason on why the Republic of Ireland exists today for it if had not have happened it is possible that all of Ireland would be still powered by Britain as Northern Ireland is.

Video footage of 1916 to 1922