The Easter Rising Dublin 1916

You are a journalist for based in Dublin, Ireland. The Graphic, a newspaper based in Dublin, Ireland. You have heard that there will be trouble over Easter. .

You ask your editor if you can follow up the story. You know that the British navy have captured a German ship carrying 20,000 rifles destined for the Irish Volunteers – Irishman who will not fight for Britain in the war. You ask your editor if you can follow up the story.

Easter Monday 1916 The rebels, led by James Connolly of the Irish Citizen’s Army Patrick Pearse of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, have based their headquarters at the General Post Office in Sackville Street. Pearse has just announced the creation of the Republic of Ireland from the Post Office. Also based at the Post Office is Michael Collins. The rebels have carefully chosen the buildings and areas to capture. The South Dublin Union The Four Courts St. Stephen’s Green Boland’s Flour Mill The latter building is especially important as it covers the docks at which any troops sent to Dublin will land.

The rebels have cut telephone lines which have cut off Dublin Castle. The British seem to have got over the initial shock of what the rebels have done and have started to organise themselves. Troops stationed near to Dublin have been brought in. Dublin Castle have informed the most senior British army officer based in London, Lord French, what is going on. French is an Irishman but also a strong Unionist. It is reported that French has ordered four army divisions to be sent to Dublin. French

Loyal Irish Volunteers at the GPO

The rebels are busying themselves with reinforcing their bases. Tuesday April 25th The rebels are busying themselves with reinforcing their bases. The British army have surrounded the affected area of Dublin. They have brought in artillery based in Trinity College. It would seem that the plan is to split the rebels in two by driving a wedge between them. Martial law has been declared by the British. There is looting in the streets of the city and innocent people have been shot by the British army. The rebels based at Boland’s Flour Mill, led by Eamon de Valera, cannot stop British reinforcements landing at Dublin’s docks.

Eamonn de Valera Under Arrest

Wednesday 26th April British army start their attack on the rebels. A gunboat, the ‘Helga’ has been brought in to assist this action. Civilian casualties are high. The British flatten any building in their attempt to destroy the rebels. It is clear that they will stop at nothing to deal with the rebellion.

Thursday 27th April General Sir John Maxwell has arrived. The British Prime Minister, had given him one simple instruction – put down the rebellion as quickly as was possible. No restraints have been put on his methods. British soldiers in Dublin have made the assumption that anyone seen in the city not in a British army uniform is a rebel. The use of artillery has also led to the city burning and the fire service cannot operate properly in such circumstances.

Friday 28th April The General Post Office is in a state of collapse and the rebels based there have escaped to a nearby building. A last stand is being made in King’s Street but up against 5,000 troops, the remaining rebels seem to have little chance. It is reported that it is near King’s Street that attacks against civilians hiding for their own safety are being carried out by members of the army.

Saturday 29th April The rebels have surrendered. Connolly had been seriously wounded and it was Patrick Pearse that formally surrendered to the British. Connolly Pearse

Pearse surrendering to the British Army

Surrender Document

Sunday 30th April The rebels are marched across Dublin to prison. They are jeered by Dubliners who have just seen part of their city wrecked. Damage to central Dublin is estimated at £2.5 million –About 500 British soldiers have been killed and over 1000 civilians.

The leaders of the rebellion were shown no mercy The leaders of the rebellion were shown no mercy. They were tried in secret by a military court and sentenced to death. Their deaths were only publicly announced after their executions. It was now that public opinion in Ireland turned towards the rebels. There was an overwhelming belief that the executions had been unfair and that the men involved, at the very least, deserved a public trial. When it became known that Connolly had been tied to a chair and shot as he was so badly wounded, there was nothing short of public revulsion in parts of Ireland.