1916: Images of the Easter Rising 100 Years Later

by Derek McSwain

As Easter, which fell on April 24th, dawned in 1916, the citizens of Dublin awoke to find their city the site of an open rebellion against the British Government. In 1914, after hundreds of years of British rule, the Irish independence movement had been on the cusp of victory when the British Parliament had passed a bill calling for self-government in Ireland. These hopes were dashed with the outbreak of the First World War, which led to the bill being delayed. Concerns over the possibility of forcible conscription for Irish citizens only caused further political instability in the country. On Easter, 1916 three Irish Republican factions (the Irish Volunteers, Cumann na mBan, which was the women’s auxiliary of the Volunteers, and the Irish Citizen’s Army), launched an attack that was intended to incite rebellion across the country. However, Dublin was the only site of heavy fighting, as the rebellion in other areas fizzled out. Within a week the rebellion was over as the leaders offered an unconditional surrender following intense fighting. Nearly 500 had been killed in the Easter Rising, with close to half of the casualties being civilians. Although the Rising failed to achieve its immediate goals, the British response, particularly the execution of the rebellion’s leaders had a lasting impact. After years of rebellion and open warfare with Britain, Ireland finally gained independence with the Ango-Irish Treaty of 1921.

Patrick Pearse, teacher, activist, and Irish Volunteers Leader. Later executed for his role in the Rising.

James Connolly, socialist and labor activist Citizen’s Army leader, also executed.

Constance Markievicz, aristocrat, labor activist and member of the Cumann na mBan. She would later serve as a member of the Irish Parliament and Minister for Labor of the Irish Republic.

Easter Rising handbill declaring the formation of the Irish Republic.

Dublin’s General Post Office (GPO) several decades before the Rising. Occupied by rebels, the GPO would become the site of fierce battles and, eventually, a symbol of the rebellion. (Image from: British Library Flickr)

Irish Republican fighters at the GPO. (Image from: Defence Forces Archives Flickr)

British soldiers with an improvised armored car made from parts of a train.

Letter to Patrick Pearse agreeing to negotiations. (Image from: Defence Forces Archives Flickr)

The GPO showing damage from shelling after the Rising. (National Library of Ireland Flickr)

British soldiers conducting searches in Dublin after the rebellion. (Image from:National Library of Ireland Flickr)

Irish Republican prisoners. (Defence Forces Archives Flickr)

Card commemorating executed Irish Republican fighter. (Image from: Defence Forces Archives Flickr)

Military parade in front the GPO, 2016. (Image from: Getty Images)

Brief Bio

McSwain is a grad student in Appalachian State's Historic Preservation program and works at the University Writing Center as a writing consultant. A life-long resident of North Carolina, he is particularly interested in early Colonial and Southern history. Once he completes his studies, he hopes to work with a local government or the National Parks Service in preservation. In his spare time he enjoys reading science fiction and drawing. 

George Rye: Discovering Hidden History

by Zach Hottel

Inside the history world there is a growing trend to uncover what is known as “forgotten history.” Often this includes those people outside mainstream society such as minorities, women, political dissidents, and the poor. Until recently many of these individuals were ignored by historians who were content to talk about military heroes, notable citizens, and the wealthy. More recently though, museums, historical societies, and professional historians have realized that everyone, no matter what their economic or social status is, deserves to be studied if we are going to truly understand the past.

Zach during the presentation he gave for the program. It turned out very well!

Recently I had the opportunity to help uncover some of Shenandoah County’s “hidden past” when I did a program on George Rye for the New Market Area Library. Rye, who lived in the 19th century, was an ardent abolitionist and one of the county’s first Republicans. He is a significant figure in Shenandoah County and the nation’s history, yet few people know he even existed. So when some new information emerged, and New Market Area Library’s program chair called asking me to do a program, I chose his life as my topic.

Yet, it appeared there was an obstacle that would have to be overcome. No one could talk about George Rye without talking about slavery in Shenandoah County. Many locals shy away from this topic. In this area, where the direct descendants of slaves and masters still live side by side and where the false image of a population historically adverse to slavery has been fashioned, mentioning how prevalent and powerful slavery was in this county is often considered taboo.

However, the possible issues many seem to fear never materialized. I pushed forward with the program, eventually using the time to talk as much about slavery and racism as I did about George Rye. And the great thing was that people relished the chance to learn about this forgotten history. People responded with inquisitive looks, thoughtful questions, and quite a few ah-ha moments instead of anger or irritation. Attendance was higher than most programs at the library, and the response on social media was outstanding. After the program many attendees remained to talk about the issues, to see what else they could discover, or to simply say how amazed they were that someone had actually discussed this topic.

So what does all of this mean for those of us interested in history? Perhaps it means the time has come for us to explore this forgotten history around us without any reservations. People are ready, now more than ever, to talk about the uncomfortable events they lived through and to hear the unconventional stories around us. Many of us can develop suspicions that limit our ability to do this, but the reality is that the negative reaction we fear is only all powerful in our minds. So go out and discover this hidden history; talk about it with a friend; and if you find yourself bored on the night of February 16th, visit the county library in Edinburg at 7:00PM, as I will be discussing the forgotten history of segregation and integration in Shenandoah County.

Blogger Bio:

Zach graduated from our History MA program with a concentration in public history in May, 2015. He is a proud Virginian from Woodstock and received his BA in History from Roanoke College. Zach currently works as an archivist in Shenandoah County Library in Virginia. His research interests include local history, Civil War memory, and how to help people interact with the past.