What was the 1916 Rising?
The 1916 Rising is one of the most important events in the history of Ireland. At the time it seemed to be a complete failure but its aim to encourage a spirit of revolution in the people of Ireland against British Rule was extremely successful.
The IRB (Irish Republican Brotherhood) was the most determined organisation to try free Ireland from British Rule. The IRB believed in physical force. Many people did not agree with this and as a result it was a secret society. A school teacher Padraig Pearse was one of their key members.
Other organisations at the time that wanted to achieve some form of Independence were the Irish Party and Sinn Fein.
Finally in 1913 Ireland was granted Home Rule but Ireland had to wait another year before it could come into law. The Ulster Unionists who were firmly against Home Rule wished to remain a part of Britain formed a new group called the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
When people in the South of Ireland heard about the UVF they were alarmed and set up the Irish Volunteers in repsonse.
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The Dublin Lockout had an important impact in the lead up the Rising. Why so?
The Irish Citizen Army was formed by James Connolly to protect workers in riots against the Dublin Metropolitan Police.
In 1914 World war I began and Britain had to withdraw many troops from Ireland. The IRB believed this was the perfect chance to stage a Rising.
Britain’s difficulty is Ireland’s opportunity.
The IRB decided to have a rising that Easter, John Redmond the Irish Party leader believed it was wrong to take advantage of Britain at this time. They were fighting a war. Redmond encouraged Irish Volunteers to fight in the war.
The IRB had been receiving money from American supporters who wished to assist Ireland in to secure its Independence. The IRB used this money to buy guns. The Germans agreed to send a shipload of guns
The IRB needed the help of the Volunteers in order for the Rising to be successful. The Volunteers leader Eoin McNeill would not allow this as he did not agree with violence. But McNeill was shown the Castle Document and and he was furious with the British government. He ordered the Volunteers to join the Rebellion.
Disaster – The Aud carrying 20000 guns was captured by the British and sunk. There was now a serious shortage of guns. Eoin McNeill also found out that the Castle Document was forged and ordered the Volunteers not to take part. There was now a serious shortage of soldiers also. However they continued to go ahead with the Rising on Easter Monday.
At noon on Easter Sunday 250 members of the Irish Citizen Army and 100 Volunteers (many Volunteers joined against the wishes of Eoin McNeill) marched to Dublin Castle, Bolands Mills, Jacobs Biscuit Factory, the Four Courts and the GPO
Many important members of the IRB were stationed in the GPO. Padraig Pearse read out the famous Proclamation of the Irish Republic on the steps of the GPO. The rebels had little difficulty in capturing these buildings as the British were not expecting a Rising. On Easter Monday there was a 1000 British Soldiers in Dublin, by Thursday there was 10000 British soldiers.
On the Wednesday of Easter Week a British gun boat came up the Liffey and shelled Liberty Hall.
The British had superior weapons and many more soldiers. By the end of the week ,any rebels were dead or injured. The GPO was in flames and O’Connell street was destroyed. Padraig Pearse who had 5 days earlier read the Proclamation from the steps of the GPO was horrified by the death and destruction. He decided to surrender.
Initially people were shocked and angered by the Rising. They blamed rebels for the destruction of the city. After the rebels were led away to prison, a number of people threw stones and rotten vegetables at them.
However, people changed their minds over the next few days when fifteen of the rebels were executed. They now felt sorry for the rebels and people became angry with the British. People began to think more about securing Irish Independence, Home Rule was no longer sufficient. Iris People now wanted full freedom from British Rule.
