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.