Page 8 - Defence Forces Pictorial History
P. 8
1916
Óglaigh na hÉireann Easter Rising
The Defence Forces
he Irish Volunteers had a membership of 180,000 by mid-
1914 but split over whether its members should enlist in
T the British Forces and fght in the European war. About
11,000 strongly opposed this and kept the original name. The
remainder became known as the National Volunteers. The Irish
Republican Brotherhood, a secret revolutionary body, effectively
took over control of the Irish Volunteers and using it, planned
and directed a rebellion in 1916.
The Rising was virtually confned to Dublin. On Easter Monday
the Volunteers occupied a number of strategic buildings within
the city that commanded the main routes into the capital. As the
week progressed fghting became intense and was characterised
by prolonged, fercely contested street battles.
On Saturday the insurgent leaders, based mainly in the General
Post Offce, were forced to agree to a surrender. Their decision
was then made known to and accepted, sometimes reluctantly,
by the garrisons still fghting. The Irish Volunteers had fought
with discipline and skill. Fifteen of the leaders of the Rising
were executed between 3 and 12 May 1916.
A Pictorial History of Óglaigh na hÉireann, the Defence Forces of Ireland
Óglaigh na hÉireann Easter Rising
The Defence Forces
he Irish Volunteers had a membership of 180,000 by mid-
1914 but split over whether its members should enlist in
T the British Forces and fght in the European war. About
11,000 strongly opposed this and kept the original name. The
remainder became known as the National Volunteers. The Irish
Republican Brotherhood, a secret revolutionary body, effectively
took over control of the Irish Volunteers and using it, planned
and directed a rebellion in 1916.
The Rising was virtually confned to Dublin. On Easter Monday
the Volunteers occupied a number of strategic buildings within
the city that commanded the main routes into the capital. As the
week progressed fghting became intense and was characterised
by prolonged, fercely contested street battles.
On Saturday the insurgent leaders, based mainly in the General
Post Offce, were forced to agree to a surrender. Their decision
was then made known to and accepted, sometimes reluctantly,
by the garrisons still fghting. The Irish Volunteers had fought
with discipline and skill. Fifteen of the leaders of the Rising
were executed between 3 and 12 May 1916.
A Pictorial History of Óglaigh na hÉireann, the Defence Forces of Ireland
