https://www.facebook.com/1482826522023178/

Dublin 1916 Rebel Walks, Collins Park, Dublin (2024)

14/10/2022

SHOT DOWN IN TALBOT ST

Seán Treacy came back in to the Republican Outfitters shop about 4:15, not long after Peadar Clancy's departure. He was on foot - he had parked his bicycle a few doors away. McKee’s bicycle was standing at the kerb directly outside the Republican Outfitters store. Inside the Outfitters was Dick McKee, Leo Henderson, Joe Vize and Seán Forde. Seán Treacy was talking to Forde at the counter, he was smiling and in good humour. People earlier had noticed he was somewhat preoccupied with something, most likely Breen’s safety, and was not his usual self. Now, Treacy was relaxed and at ease.

British intelligence officer, Sergeant Christian spotted Treacy entering the premises. He telephoned Dublin Castle requesting reinforcements. Christian waited for the raiding party and travelled with them to Talbot Street. Following Fernside, Seán Treacy was clearly their target and now that he had arrived their plan of action began. At this point there were at least four intelligence agents involved under the direction of Major Carew, accompanied by Lieutenant Price, Captain Le Grand and Sergeant Christian.

An armoured car and two lorries arrived. They overshot the Outfitters Store and stopped at Talbot House Training College, giving valuable seconds to those inside. McKee shouted to get out. Soldiers led by officers dismounted and dashed towards the Globe Hotel and the Republican Outfitters. Treacy ran out and tried to mount the bicycle that was parked outside the Outfitters Store. He initially stumbled; the machine was too big for him. He got his balance and set off. Sergeant Christian had jumped from a lorry and pointed towards Seán Treacy shouting that he was their man.
Only getting a few yards, Seán Treacy was knocked from the bicycle. He was now grappling with Sergeant Christian. Freeing his weapon, Seán Treacy opened fire at two further intelligence officers, driving them back momentarily; he then shot Christian in the stomach.

The two officers opened fire on Treacy. He answered, hitting Price, who fell on the pavement. As Seán Treacy turned to run he was shot in the back of the head at close range by the other officer. Seeing the damage inflicted by Treacy, the military personnel panicked and heedless of the safety of either their own men or civilians opened fire indiscriminately with rifles and machine gun bursts from the armoured car. Absolute chaos reigned. Panic-stricken people were running in all directions; there was screaming and shouting.

Amid all this, Seán Brunswick arrived back on the scene. He said that he was a medical student and offered help. Going straight to Treacy he tried to empty his pockets:

“When I turned into North Earl Street, I saw a lorry of soldiers and an armoured car in front of me and tried to get to the shop in front of them but failed. Just as the soldiers were getting out of the lorry Dick McKee walked out of the shop, while Seán Treacy ran from it and was pounced on by the individual whom I had reported [earlier] to Comdts. McKee and Clancy, and whom I later heard was named Christian, and another man named Price or White. Seán Treacy pulled his gun and shot Christian in the stomach. Just then the armoured car opened fire and the soldiers in the lorry. I was in the line of fire unarmed and took cover. When the firing had ceased, I came out and saw three men lying on the ground. Christian, Price, and huddled up in the corner was Seán Treacy. I went over to him and blood was trickling down his face. I searched his pockets. His gun was gone but anything I found in his pockets I transferred to my own, ammunition, pens, dispatches and a field message book, for which I was thanked by Comdts. McKee and Clancy”

McKee wrote the IRA report into Seán’s death he concludes his report with a telling analysis that, “Seán Treacy in that fight displayed soldierly qualities of the very highest order. He was not for an instant dismayed. Every action of his was deliberate – even to the end”.

Based on the Book: Searching for Seán by Daniel Jack and Niamh Hassett

23/09/2022

“Bankers are looting the world. You're not in the middle of a recession; you're in the middle of a robbery.”

- Frankie Boyle

22/09/2022

21st September 1881 Birth of 1916 leader Éamonn Ceannt, in Glenamaddy, Co. Galway

16/09/2022

13/08/2022

Fr Dominic O'Connor (Fr Dominic Road) coming out of the Four Courts 100 years ago yesterday after the surrender of the four courts by Anti-Treaty IRA. Fr Dominic was an incredible guy who took huge risks at all levels to deliver the Republic, United and free. Eventually, the church would try silence him by exiling him to America. Ballyphehane is blessed to have a street named in his honour. He is an inspiration to all who would fight the good fight at all levels, spiritual and national.

01/08/2022

On this day 100 years ago unarmed Irish Republican Harry Boland was shot by free state agents in Skerries and died the following day.
Harry Boland was born and lived in Phibsborough.
We remember our Republican Heroes.

01/08/2022

Directed and edited by Marcus Howard. Harry Boland emerges from the deep shadows of de Valera and Michael Collins to shine in his own story. Harry Boland was...

09/07/2022

in 1917 – Muriel MacDonagh, wife of executed 1916 leader Thomas MacDonagh, dies of heart failure while swimming on Skerries south beach.

Muriel Gifford was born in Rathmines, Dublin, of a Catholic solicitor father and a fiercely Protestant mother, the children were raised Church of Ireland, an unremarkable phenomenon among the wealthy professional classes of the time. Among the three Gifford sisters, Nellie, Muriel and Grace, Muriel married Thomas MacDonagh and Grace married Joseph Plunkett, who were leaders in the 1916 Rising.

Read more 🔗 https://wp.me/p3XCMr-iFS

19/06/2022

Happy Fathers Day! To mark the occasion here is a little bit about Michael Collins’ father.

Michael John Collins was born in Woodfield in 1815. It was thought that he was seventh son of a seventh son and part of the sixth generation of the Collins family born at Woodfield. He worked most of his life as a tradesman and farmer living on his brother Paddy’s farm. He married a local woman, Mary Anne O’Brien in 1875 and the couple went on to have eight children together. Michael was the youngest and his sisters later stated that he was his father’s favourite and followed the old man everywhere on the farm.

It is quite likely that Michael John had a strong influence on his youngest son. He had received an education in a local hedge school and was said to have been well read and could speak a number of languages. As such he encouraged his children into education as a means to better themselves. In his early years he was likely a Fenian like others in the Collins family with one nephew arrested for marching in formation in Co. Louth. It was said that Collins’ father also journeyed once a week to Cork prison to visit his brothers who served time there after beating up a Land agent who was alleged to have trampled their crops. In his later years and by the time of Michael’s youth his father’s politics seem to have moderated. He read the more moderate nationalist Weekly Freeman and was involved in a local dispute where he seemed to break a boycott to assist a man who had previously assisted him. His reward was a severe beating at the hands of a relative.

Michael John Collins died in 1897, sadly leaving his young Michael at just six years old, without his idol and father. On his death bed he was remembered as having said of Michael; ‘Mind that child, he’ll be a great man yet and will do great things for Ireland.’

Pictured is Michael aged about 11 with his brother Pat, sister Mary, Grandmother and mother.

05/05/2022

🔳 On This Day - 4th May 1916 -

02/05/2022

Robert Hamill, a 25 year old father of two young boys, and a daughter he was destined never to hold, was kicked to death by a gang of loyalists in Market Street, Portadown, Co.Armagh in the early hours of April 27 1997.

Robert Hamill was killed simply for being a Catholic. He was targeted because of the direction in which he was headed. He did not know his attackers, and they didn’t know him. As Robert, and three friends made their way home to the Catholic area of Portadown, crossing Market Street, Robert and his friend, Gregory, were attacked by a loyalist mob numbering thirty. Robert’s attack lasted for some minutes. He sustained fatal injuries. Robert lay in a coma for 12 days before he died. This attack happened in full view of an RUC Land Rover, and about 200 yards from an RUC station.

Four RUC officers, armed with machine guns and dressed in body armour, remained in the Land Rover for the duration of Robert’s attack. These four officers ignored pleas for them to intervene. One of Robert’s friends had actually banged on the side of the Land Rover, pleading for help. They also could have fired in the air to disperse the crowd of loyalists. They didn’t.

Although Robert lay unconscious in the street, as an ambulance arrived, two of the RUC officers eventually approached the scene but made no attempt to administer first Aid (All RUC personnel are trained in First Aid). No statements were taken by these officers, nor was there any forensic evidence collected.

The RUC issued a statement on the Sunday evening around teatime saying that a man had been injured the previous night in a full scale riot in the centre of Portadown involving around 100 rioters on each side Then when challenged a few days later and realising Robert was seriously hurt, they changed their story and dropped the riot angle. So here we have 4 custodians of law and order who cant tell the truth about how it started , so much for the truth about how it ended.

One loyalist suspect was held at the murder scene, but only for a few minutes; in fact it was a further two weeks before any arrests were made. The six people arrested in connection with the murder all requested a transfer to the LVF’s wing in the Maze Prison. Within 6 months, all but one of the suspects had been released. The remaining suspect was convicted in April 1999 of causing an affray, but cleared of murder.

An eye witness who said they saw the accused attacking Robert was not called.
The only evidence presented by the RUC was a statement that said a Constable saw the accused aim a kick at Robert, but couldn’t say it connected. The judge at the trial stated that Robert was probably dying when the accused attacked him.

Since Robert’s murder, The Hamill family have had to put up with constant abuse and intimidation by loyalists. All flowers and wreaths placed at the spot where Robert died are removed. Robert’s sister has had to endure RUC officers pointing fingers at her in imitation of a gun. Everyone will be familiar with the Huns “Bouncy Bouncy” song and accompanying pogo dance. This is a reference to Robert Hamill’s murder, and the jumping up and down on his head.

In March 1999, solicitor Rosemary Nelson, who was representing the Hamill family in bringing private prosecutions against the six suspects and the RUC, was killed in a car bomb. In April of this year the British Government eventually decided to open a public inquiry into Robert’s death and collusion between loyalists and the RUC after a report by Canadian Judge Cory.

‘They never die, those who live on, in the hearts they leave behind’

Justice for the family of Robert Hamill, punishment for his murderers, and sanction against those who stood idly by.

ROBERT HAMILL RIP

05/03/2022

Seán Heuston was the Officer Commanding of the Irish Volunteers at the Mendicity Institute in the Easter Rising of 1916. With about 20 Volunteers, he held the Mendicity Institution on the River Liffey for over two days, though it was originally only intended to be held for 3–4 hours. He was executed for his role in the 1916 Easter Rising by firing squad. He was 25 years old.

24/02/2022

c1917 The Countess in Waterford

Countess Markievicz, Poppet the dog, Thomas McDonald, Theobald Wolfe Tone Fitzgerald. Markievicz was invited to Waterford to give lectures in the City Hall on the 1916 Rising, to the local Fianna Sluagh.

The above photograph shows Countess Markievicz and senior Fianna officers Theo Fitzgerald (Assistant Director of Training and Organisation) and Thomas McDonald (Waterford O/C) in 1917. According to Patrick Hearne, Waterford Vice-Commandant, Markievicz was invited down to Waterford to give lectures to the local Fianna Sluagh. Hearne recalled that Markievicz “lectured in the City Hall on the 1916 [Rising]. She was accompanied by Theo Fitzgerald. Afterwards a banquet was held at the Metropole Hotel”.

Image: National Library of Ireland https://buff.ly/3s3qXHm
Timeless Colours colours

06/02/2022

On this day, one hundred years ago, 482 members of Cumann na mBan gathered at a special convention in the Mansion House to discuss and vote on the 1921 Treaty.

The result was an overwhelming rejection, with 419 women voting against the Treaty and just 63 in favour.

The previous month, on 7th January, all six female TD’s, Mary McSwiney, Constance Markievicz, Kathleen Clarke, Adeline English, Kathleen O’Callaghan and Margaret Pearse voted against the ratification of the Treaty.

Conservative male supporters of the Treaty, including Arthur Griffith, would subsequently deny large numbers of Irish women the vote in the June 1922 general election in the belief that these potential new voters would follow the example of the six female TDs and vote for anti-Treaty candidates.

Kathleen O’Callaghan TD, had put forward a motion in the Dáil to give women the same voting rights as men in line with the text of the 1916 Proclamation which called for a ‘National Government representative of the whole people of Ireland and elected by the suffrages of all her men and women.’

If passed this proposal would have lowered the voting age of women from 30 years-of-age to 21 years-of-age, the age at which men could vote. Griffith, the leader of the pro-Treaty forces blocked the proposal, claiming it was part of plan to 'torpedo' the Treaty.

The counter-revolutionary forces that backed the Treaty feared powerful women that could give voice to the half of Irish society that had been systematically neglected, silenced, marginalised and ignored.

For a brief moment in time it seemed possible that Irish women could take their rightful place at the heart of public life and government.

Those hopes were dashed as the counter-revolutionary Free State smashed the revolutionary republican movement.

The Twenty-Six County state was to be a cold place for Irish girls and women for decades to follow.

Today we remember the women of Cumann na mBan who remained loyal to the Irish Republic and the principle of equality.

30/01/2022

As I sit here and remember, a horrible scene, and no man has paid for that that horrible deed , people shot down like dogs in a herd , for asking for they're civil rights to be heard.
50 long years, and still justice not seen,
No recognition to the families,
Isn't it obscene!!!
Men and boy's shot down in cold blood,
By so called solders who came here in floods.
Poor families have cried for to many year's there is nothing to compare to they're heartache and tears.
I remember them this day , 50 years on, and pray for they're fight that still goes on!

In loving memory of the innocent ,that was shot dead in Derry
That we call
BLOODY SUNDAY

30/01/2022

This day 50 years ago – 30 January 1972 – British paratroopers shot 26 people, 14 of whom would die, in Derry city, after an anti-internment protest march.

All were male, aged between 17 and 59.

SDLP deputy leader John Hume described the soldiers as “uniformed murderers.”

(image source: The Telegraph)

28/01/2022

20/01/2022

One of the founders of modern human rights, the dearly wonderful Roger Casement on his way to be executed as a result of his role in the Irish struggle.
Fair is foul and foul is fair.

03/12/2021

IN 1920 – COUNTESS MARKIEVICZ WAS COURT-MARTIALED BY THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION.

She had been held in Mountjoy since her arrest at Rathmines on 26th September. The proceedings took place at the Royal Barracks (now Collins Barracks).

Her close friends Dr. Kathleen Lynn, Maud Gonne MacBride and Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington were permitted to attend but under strict conditions.

Read more | https://stairnaheireann.net/?p=65068

28/11/2021

17/11/2021

31/10/2021

On Halloween night, 1920, 18-year-old Kevin Barry was alone in his cell in Mountjoy jail awaiting ex*****on. He would face the hangman at 8am. He became the first rebel executed since the 1916 ex*****ons. A sentence for an ambush causing the first British soldier deaths in Dublin since the 1916 Easter Rising.

Kevin Barry’s interest in the nationalist movement began at a young age, by the age of 15, he became a member of the Irish Volunteers. By the age of 16 he was organising raids in British warehouses and his most successful raid seen the kidnapping of 25 British Soldiers, which led him to a major promotion to Section Commander.

Kevin Barry’s path of military success was to be short lived however as in September 1920, he took part in a raid, which went horribly wrong. Whilst attempting to ambush British Soldiers to loot their rifles and ammunition, a street gun battle began and ended in the deaths of three British Soldiers.

During the battle, Kevins gun jammed; he took cover under the military lorry to clear the blockage, stood up and fired again, killing a soldier, before a further jam caused him to duck once more. While Kevin was clearing the second blockage, his comrades had melted away escaping mounting gunfire. Barry hid under a truck as the British searched for him and was discovered when a passer by, concerned for his safety underneath the huge vehicle, inadvertently warned the soldiers of his whereabouts.

Barry found himself in the hands of the aggrieved British party he had attacked. He was driven to a nearby British base in the North Dublin Union, alongside one dead soldier and two mortally wounded.

At the barracks, the British authorities began to interrogate him, determined to discover the names of all of those involved in the ambush. Barry gave them his name, address of South Circular Road and occupation as a medical student. He refused to answer any further questions. The soldiers reverted to torture to glean the information they required. He was beaten up, threatened with a bayonet, and left with a dislocated elbow, but he refused to give any information.

It was ordered that Kevin Barry be tried by court martial. He was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging on 1st November 1920. It is recorded that when being pinioned and blindfolded he objected to both processes, saying that as a soldier he was not afraid to die”

It was said that scores of Barry’s fellow students joined the Irish Volunteers on the day of his ex*****on. His comrade and friend Frank Flood was buried alongside him four months later. They were joined in the plot by Patrick Moran, Thomas Whelan, Thomas Traynor, Patrick Doyle, Thomas Bryan, Bernard Ryan, Edmond Foley and Patrick Maher, all of whom were also hanged in the same prison for their part in the War of Independence. As a group they became known as The Forgotten Ten.

26/10/2021

Martin McGuinness in Dublin charged with IRA membership in 1973, he told the court “We have fought against the killing our people. I am a member of the Derry brigade of the Óglaigh na hÉireann and very, very proud of it.”
☘️ http://EirePrints.com - Check them out ! ☘️

19/10/2021

14/10/2021

01/10/2021

“..while Irish patriots continue to fight for independence, we have a moral duty to support their most righteous cause... the English call them 'criminals', the Yankees call them 'terrorists', we call them freedom fighters!"

- Fidel Castro, 1986

27/08/2021

Seán Moylan commenting on the hypocrisy of news coverage of Poland during WW2 compared to the 1919-21 Irish War of Independence, he argues though different in ideology they were similar in tactics:

“But in considering the evil does and the mistakes he makes one’s judgement is less liable to err when the man is placed against the background of its time and country. The intransigent who, when his country was invaded and overrun during the latest Great War, took up arms against the invader and in secret and in civilian guise, killed, burned and destroyed the forces and equipment of the invader is lauded a hero - in Poland tuigeann tú - but here in Ireland every man who took up a gun, who with the dice completely loaded against him, went out to fight for his country’s liberty in the only fashion possible, was deemed a murderer by those who controlled all the organs of publicity.

This demand for a recognition of their manhood and for their rights as men has been the real source of revolt in a ireland. It is in complete opposition to the dialectics of the Marxist Materialists and even though the demand for economic rights has been interlocked with it, always the driving force has been wrested from the things of the spirit.”

Seán Moylan was a member of the Irish Volunteers from 1913 and O/C of the 2nd Battalion of the 2nd Cork Brigade, O/C of the 4th Cork Brigade from 1921 as well as O/C of the Active Service Units Brigade and Battalion in Cork.