The Easter Rising refers to an Irish revolt that took place in Dublin in April 1916. Also known as “Bloody Easter”, it was organized by armed republican and nationalist groups wishing to drive the British out of Ireland…
The Irish Republican Army – Public domain
On January 16, 1916, the Supreme Council of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) decided to organize a massive insurrection against the British.
With the First World War raging in Europe, the organization contacted Germany to negotiate a major arms shipment. The deal was quickly concluded, and the German freighter “Aud” was due to arrive by Easter, carrying a cargo of over 20,000 rifles.
However, a British patrol boat stopped the freighter: the captain scuttled his ship and surrendered to the British authorities, leaving the Irish to face the sight of 20,000 rifles lying at the bottom of the sea.
But this did not discourage them: they managed to stock up on weapons, and decided to launch the revolt on April 24, as 120 members of the Irish Citizen Army and 700 of the Irish Volunteers Force marched down O’Connell Street.
The IRB decided to attack, occupying the Central Post Office, Four Courts, Mendicity Institute, Jacobs cookie factory, Bolands mills and Westland Row station. As for the women, their aim is to steal as much food as possible, as well as medicines to treat the future wounded…
This strategy is skilfully orchestrated by several leaders:
Irish people during the Easter Rising – Domaine Public
The uprising was particularly violent, but less consequential than the IRB had hoped: despite the surprise effect, the uprising was not widespread in Dublin, and the Irish provinces were far from multiplying their actions. Most of the battle took place in Dublin: the IRB managed to repel the British onslaught, and attacked several barracks.
Overwhelmed by this surprise revolt, the British decided to telephone units stationed in Curragh, Belfast, Athlone and Templemore, in order to mobilize them towards Dublin.
On Tuesday April 25, Patrick Pearse proclaimed the Republic of Ireland, and broadcast the success of the insurrection. However, the British have not said their last word: their counter-attack is doing a lot of damage and the long-awaited units are jeopardizing the Irish assaults.
The insurrection lasted just 6 days: the Irish were quickly put down by the British, who were outnumbered and much better armed.
On April 29 1916, Patrick Pearse, then President of the Provisional Government of Ireland, was forced to declare a cessation of fighting. The unconditional reissue was signed on the same day.
Inner courtyard where the leaders of the Easter Uprising were executed – © Paulo Nabas
In its entirety, the insurgency claimed over 400 lives, including 318 civilians, compared with 60 to 80 insurgents. 2,614 men and women were also wounded, including 2,217 civilians.
But it doesn’t stop there… At the end of this terrible day, the British decided to make examples to dissuade the Irish from attempting rebellion again. To this end, the British army chose to arrest 3,430 men and 79 women in Dublin, and around 2,000 people in England and Wales.
Courts-martial handed down up to 90 death sentences, and harshly judged the main leaders and officials of the insurrection. Thus, in May 1916, 15 men including 7 members of the government were shot dead in Kilmainham Gaol prison, including :
However, Eamon de Valera was simply imprisoned, his American nationality protecting him from summary execution.
Every year since then, the Irish have commemorated the Easter Rising as a symbol of their country’s eventual (partial) independence…
