Easter Rising

Rebel leaflet to the citizens of Dublin proclaiming a sovereign Irish state, April 1916.

On 24 April 1916, 1,000 nationalist rebels seized control of various government buildings in Dublin and proclaimed an independent Irish republic. Under-manned and badly organised, the Easter Rising was crushed by British troops in fighting that killed 450 people (including at least 220 civilians). This leaflet gives a predictably optimistic account of the rebellion in progress, contrasting the 'valour, self-sacrifice and discipline' of the Republican forces with the barbarous tactics of the British troops. It is signed by the head of the provisional Irish government, Patrick Pearse - one of 15 rebels executed after the uprising was defeated on 29 April.
Catalogue reference: PRO 30/89/16 (Apr 1916)

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