Ireland recalls 1916 Easter Rising against British rule

[webfact]

Ireland recalls 1916 Easter Rising against British rule
By SHAWN POGATCHNIK

DUBLIN (AP) — Thousands of soldiers marched solemnly through the crowded streets of Dublin on Sunday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising against Britain, a fateful rebellion that reduced parts of the capital to ruins and fired the country's flame of independence.

The Easter parade through Dublin featured military ceremonies at key buildings seized in 1916, when about 1,200 rebels sought to ignite a popular revolt against Ireland's place in the United Kingdom.

The five-hour procession paused at noon outside the colonnaded General Post Office on O'Connell Street, the rebel headquarters a century ago, where commander Padraig Pearse formally launched the revolt by proclaiming to bemused Dubliners the creation of a "provisional" Republic of Ireland.

A soldier in today's Irish Defence Forces, Capt. Peter Kelleher, stood in front of the restored post office Sunday to read the full, florid text of Pearse's 1916 proclamation.

"In the name of God and of the dead generations from which she receives her old tradition of nationhood, Ireland, through us, summons her children to her flag and strikes for her freedom," Kelleher said to an audience that included Ireland's leaders and scores of grandchildren of the rebels.

Many donned their ancestors' Easter Rising bronze service medals, which Ireland issued in 1941 on the rebellion's 25th anniversary.

British forces, among them many Irishmen focused on fighting Germany in World War I, were caught off guard by the seizure of largely unguarded buildings in 1916. Most officers were attending horse races in the Irish countryside. But Britain quickly deployed army reinforcements who were cheered by some locals as they marched into Dublin. Artillery based at Trinity College and a gunboat on the River Liffey which bisects the city shelled the post office and other rebel strongholds, forcing their surrender within six days.

The fighting left nearly 500 dead, most of them civilians caught in the crossfire or shot — by both sides — as suspected looters. Some 126 British soldiers, 82 rebels and 17 police were slain.

Many Dubliners opposed the insurrection as an act of treason in a time of war, but public sentiment swiftly swung in the rebels' favor once a newly arrived British Army commander decided to execute Pearse and 14 other rebel leaders by firing squad in Dublin's Kilmainham Jail.

A 16th figure, Roger Casement, who days before the Easter Rising was caught trying to smuggle German weapons by sea to Ireland, was hanged inside a London prison.

In the rebellion's immediate wake, the poet W.B. Yeats reflected Ireland's conflicted feelings about how violent nationalism appeared to be hastening Ireland's journey to political freedom but at a debatable cost. His "Easter, 1916" poem, among the most quoted works in all of Irish literature, listed the names of executed Rising commanders and concluded that Ireland had "changed, changed utterly: A terrible beauty is born."

Easter Rising veterans led Ireland's 1919-21 war of independence, their ranks swelled by combat veterans returning to Ireland from World War I trenches. As the newly founded Irish Republican Army fought police and soldiers in the predominantly Catholic south, Protestants in northeast Ireland carved out a new U.K.-linked state of Northern Ireland.

A treaty accepted by most southern rebels established an Irish Free State in 1922 that grudgingly accepted the reality of the island's partition. The new Irish state survived a fratricidal 1922-23 civil war between IRA factions. Michael Collins' pro-treaty forces crushed IRA die-hards who, backed by Eamon de Valera, rejected the treaty because the new state was not fully independent of Britain. Both men had fought in the 1916 Rising.

Ireland remained neutral in World War II and declared itself a republic on Easter Monday 1949.

Ireland long has struggled to embrace Easter as its effective independence day, in part because the enemy camps from the Irish civil war forged the country's two dominant political parties: Fine Gael by allies of the slain IRA leader Collins; and de Valera's Fianna Fail party. Both parties claim to be the true defenders of the 1916 rebels' ideals.

Official unease with 1916's disputed legacy grew from the early 1970s as a new Belfast-based IRA launched a ruthless campaign to force Northern Ireland out of the U.K. and into the republic. This outlawed faction called itself the Provisional IRA and killed nearly 1,800 people before calling a 1997 cease-fire to support leaders of its revived Sinn Fein party, who today help govern Northern Ireland alongside British Protestant politicians.

In a sign of changing times, leaders of Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein stood side by side at Sunday's events, including a ceremony inside Kilmainham Jail, where Pearse and other commanders were executed.

Sunday's commemorations are the centerpiece of an estimated 2,500 events nationwide this spring and summer reflecting on the uprising's legacy.

The anniversary date is imprecise, given that Easter falls on different dates each year and the 1916 rebellion actually started on Easter Monday — an official holiday in Ireland — not on the Sunday. The rebellion began April 24 and ended on April 29, 1916. The executions began four days later.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-03-28

[sanukjim]

The Irish hate against is evident even to this day.During WW 11 Ireland harbored a nest of spies for the German Nazis.When one of their fellow Irishmen was honored as a hero fighting for The UK he was shunned and damned in Ireland.

[Finlaco]

The Irish hate against is evident - yes like so many people we hated been subjected to discrimination and rule by a foreign power - strange, right?

[RickBradford]

The BBC has been filling the airwaves with its admiration for the Irish Nationalists in their drive for independence and their desire to run their own affairs.

However, it is much less polite about English nationalists (such as the amiable Nigel Farage) who advocate Britain's independence and their desire to run their own affairs.

That's the PC world of the BBC for you.

[smotherb]

The Irish hate against is evident even to this day.During WW 11 Ireland harbored a nest of spies for the German Nazis.When one of their fellow Irishmen was honored as a hero fighting for The UK he was shunned and damned in Ireland.

And, why should they back their hated former colonial dictator?

[Baerboxer]

The Irish hate against is evident even to this day.During WW 11 Ireland harbored a nest of spies for the German Nazis.When one of their fellow Irishmen was honored as a hero fighting for The UK he was shunned and damned in Ireland.

And, why should they back their hated former colonial dictator?

Maybe because despite all their ills, that former colonizer wasn't anywhere close to the evils of Nazism.

Or are you suggesting that my enemy's enemy is my friend is always acceptable?

Many Irish citizens fought against the fascist and Nazi scum in Europe and regarded any who were fighting that evil doctrine as an ally.

[SgtRock]

The Irish hate against is evident even to this day.During WW 11 Ireland harbored a nest of spies for the German Nazis.When one of their fellow Irishmen was honored as a hero fighting for The UK he was shunned and damned in Ireland.

And, why should they back their hated former colonial dictator?

Maybe because despite all their ills, that former colonizer wasn't anywhere close to the evils of Nazism.

Or are you suggesting that my enemy's enemy is my friend is always acceptable?

Many Irish citizens fought against the fascist and Nazi scum in Europe and regarded any who were fighting that evil doctrine as an ally.

How easily the death Irish death toll from WW2 is forgotten, fighting side by side with the British.

[sanukjim]

The Irish hate against is evident even to this day.During WW 11 Ireland harbored a nest of spies for the German Nazis.When one of their fellow Irishmen was honored as a hero fighting for The UK he was shunned and damned in Ireland.

And, why should they back their hated former colonial dictator?

So in your world if you hate somebody then you would back a power of destruction and even more hatred that wants to eliminate a race of people ? WOW, may be the people you believe in will be joining ISIS in The UK and Europe next .

[Felipesed]

The Irish hate against is evident - yes like so many people we hated been subjected to discrimination and rule by a foreign power - strange, right?

I presume you are aware that more Irish people were killed by their fellow Countrymen, often with appalling atrocities, in the civil war that followed, than were killed by British troops during the Uprising and subsequent War of Independence?

The Uprising was not initially supported by the Irish people; however the subsequent executions of some of their leaders probably hardened opinion. Pity that de Valera was spared though, because of his dual US citizenship!

However the UK was engaged in the war against Germany at the time, and a swift response was thought to be the best way of ending the problem and to return to the more important matter of the defeat of Germany.

[alofthailand]

The English can't remember what the Irish can't forget.

[chilli42]

The Irish hate against is evident even to this day.During WW 11 Ireland harbored a nest of spies for the German Nazis.When one of their fellow Irishmen was honored as a hero fighting for The UK he was shunned and damned in Ireland.

And, why should they back their hated former colonial dictator?

Maybe because despite all their ills, that former colonizer wasn't anywhere close to the evils of Nazism.

Or are you suggesting that my enemy's enemy is my friend is always acceptable?

Many Irish citizens fought against the fascist and Nazi scum in Europe and regarded any who were fighting that evil doctrine as an ally.

The former colonial masters propagated much evil upon the Irish including genocide. So the hate is well founded. Despite this, Irish citizens that fought and died to defeat the Nazi's. To suggest that the Irish supported the Nazi's is absurd beyond belief.

[khunken]

The Irish hate against is evident even to this day.During WW 11 Ireland harbored a nest of spies for the German Nazis.When one of their fellow Irishmen was honored as a hero fighting for The UK he was shunned and damned in Ireland.

And, why should they back their hated former colonial dictator?

Maybe because despite all their ills, that former colonizer wasn't anywhere close to the evils of Nazism.

Or are you suggesting that my enemy's enemy is my friend is always acceptable?

Many Irish citizens fought against the fascist and Nazi scum in Europe and regarded any who were fighting that evil doctrine as an ally.

The former colonial masters propagated much evil upon the Irish including genocide. So the hate is well founded. Despite this, Irish citizens that fought and died to defeat the Nazi's. To suggest that the Irish supported the Nazi's is absurd beyond belief.

Quite correct.

The Easter rising was in 1916 when The UK and others were fighting against Kaiser Bill.

Naziism didn't emerge until much later, before WWII.

[smotherb]

The Irish hate against is evident even to this day.During WW 11 Ireland harbored a nest of spies for the German Nazis.When one of their fellow Irishmen was honored as a hero fighting for The UK he was shunned and damned in Ireland.

And, why should they back their hated former colonial dictator?

Maybe because despite all their ills, that former colonizer wasn't anywhere close to the evils of Nazism.

Or are you suggesting that my enemy's enemy is my friend is always acceptable?

Many Irish citizens fought against the fascist and Nazi scum in Europe and regarded any who were fighting that evil doctrine as an ally.

Oh, you're Irish then and know how they felt about the Brits.

Yes, some Irish backed the allies, but many did not. And many of those who did not probably would have, if the English were not a part of the allies.

And yes, I do subscribe to the notion that the enemy of my enemy can be a friend.

[smotherb]

The Irish hate against is evident even to this day.During WW 11 Ireland harbored a nest of spies for the German Nazis.When one of their fellow Irishmen was honored as a hero fighting for The UK he was shunned and damned in Ireland.

And, why should they back their hated former colonial dictator?

Maybe because despite all their ills, that former colonizer wasn't anywhere close to the evils of Nazism.

Or are you suggesting that my enemy's enemy is my friend is always acceptable?

Many Irish citizens fought against the fascist and Nazi scum in Europe and regarded any who were fighting that evil doctrine as an ally.

The former colonial masters propagated much evil upon the Irish including genocide. So the hate is well founded. Despite this, Irish citizens that fought and died to defeat the Nazi's. To suggest that the Irish supported the Nazi's is absurd beyond belief.

The fact that there was support in Ireland for the Nazis is undeniable. How many Irish felt that way is another question. Additionally, even the hard-liners, SF and IRA, were seeking any aid they could to take back Northern Ireland—a penchant more patriotic than idealistic. If you don’t believe . . . .

Well, just a google away:

· Irish minister admits for first time that Jews fleeing Nazis were denied ... -...

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2092138 แคช

Ireland has admitted for the first time that its 'morally bankrupt' regime of the 1930s denied visas to desperate Jews trying to escape from Nazi persecution.

· Sinn Fein and the IRA's support for tyranny - Mark Humphrys

markhumphrys.com/sfira.tyranny.html แคช

SF-IRA support for tyranny since WW2 The IRA and its supporters disgraced themselves forever in WW2 by supporting and collaborating with Nazi Germany.

· IRA plotted with Nazis to invade Northern Ireland - Telegraph

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1359872/IRA-plotted-with-Nazis-to... แคช

A PLOT by the IRA to link up with the Nazis to invade Northern Ireland during the Second World War was disclosed in secret service files published by the Public Record Office yesterday.

· The IRA supported the Nazis in WW2 - Mark Humphrys

www.markhumphrys.com/sfira.nazis.html แคช

The IRA supported the Nazis in WW2 Sinn Fein / IRA, being hard leftists ... As Frank McGahon says about the IRA's support for the Germans: ... Had they succeeded in their goal of uniting Ireland on the back of a Nazi victory, every man, woman and child would have become vassals...

[geriatrickid]

The Irish hate against is evident - yes like so many people we hated been subjected to discrimination and rule by a foreign power - strange, right?

I direct your attention to Scotland. It has historic grievances and as much right to claim discrimination and abuse etc. However, the Scottish people chose the path of decency, courage and justice when they provided the moral fiiber to Commonwealth forces who fought the scourge of Nazism. .

I also direct your attention to Australia and Canada who had both suffered at the hands of English colonial exploitation. They are the two countries who took in the Irish by the millions. Australia was one of the reasons the Japanese were stopped in the South pacific and it was the 1st Canadian army and its airforce that were the sole military force that stood between the Germans and England after the disaster at Dunkirk. Yet, Australia and Canada did the right thing by taking a stand against Germany and its allies. The Australians and Canadians of Irish origin who proudly and bravely served their nations flying in the RCAF Commonwealth air units were placed at serious risk because of the Irish support of the Nazis. Even when the Irish government was aware of the horrors of the Death camps, it did nothing.

It goes beyond simple examples like WWII. Ireland served as one of the safe havens for nazi war criminals after WWII. Ireland exported its abusive social customs to Newfoundland which suffered the most horrific abuses imaginable at the hands of the Irish sourced clergy. Ireland has never apologized for the abuse it exported to Newfoundland, and worse, the Irish government blocked efforts by the impoverished Newfoundland victims to obtain justice. Pervert priests lived out their lives comfortably in Ireland. The Irish people didn't care. Not a peep. That's why every time I hear some Irishman go on about the big old bad English I say hypocrite. Irish clergy went to the USA and the developing world and shared with the children that special part of Irish culture, that the government of Ireland denied and covered up, and that the Irish people as a nation have never taken responsibility for.

Yes, so please perpetuate the myth of the heroic champions of Irish independence, all the while denying that the Irish are not the poor downtrodden people they claim to be.

[jayboy]

The Irish hate against is evident even to this day.During WW 11 Ireland harbored a nest of spies for the German Nazis.When one of their fellow Irishmen was honored as a hero fighting for The UK he was shunned and damned in Ireland.

And, why should they back their hated former colonial dictator?

Maybe because despite all their ills, that former colonizer wasn't anywhere close to the evils of Nazism.

Or are you suggesting that my enemy's enemy is my friend is always acceptable?

Many Irish citizens fought against the fascist and Nazi scum in Europe and regarded any who were fighting that evil doctrine as an ally.

The former colonial masters propagated much evil upon the Irish including genocide. So the hate is well founded. Despite this, Irish citizens that fought and died to defeat the Nazi's. To suggest that the Irish supported the Nazi's is absurd beyond belief.

Of course the vast majority of Irish people did not support the Nazis and many fought valiantly alongside the British.But the bitterness of centuries of often cruel English domination couldnt be easily overlooked.

Irish servicemen who had joined the British army were often poorly treated on their return to Ireland.Significantly de Valera offered his formal condolences to the German Embassy in Dublin after Hitler blew his brains out.

[The manic]

The flag of the PLO - is still flying in the north of Ireland including Londonderry.

[Andaman Al]

The English can't remember what the Irish can't forget.

And the Aericans can't remember what the North American Indians can't forget

and......The Belgiques cant remember what the Conganese can't forget

and................. the Spanish can't remember what the South American Indiginous people can't forget

and............................ the Portugese cant remember what the Brazilians can't forget

and ..................................the French can't remember what the Algerians can't forget

and......................................The Israeli's won't let the world forget what the world can't forget

and....................

and...........................and the point is? Humans are bad, or is it humans led by political masters are bad. Good job there was no passports required when humanity started traveling out of Africa all across the globe during the berth of human creation. All one people from the same tiny family. Who would have thought it!

[The manic]

The English can't remember what the Irish can't forget.

And the Aericans can't remember what the North American Indians can't forget

and......The Belgiques cant remember what the Conganese can't forget

and................. the Spanish can't remember what the South American Indiginous people can't forget

and............................ the Portugese cant remember what the Brazilians can't forget

and ..................................the French can't remember what the Algerians can't forget

and......................................The Israeli's won't let the world forget what the world can't forget

and....................

and...........................and the point is? Humans are bad, or is it humans led by political masters are bad. Good job there was no passports required when humanity started traveling out of Africa all across the globe during the berth of human creation. All one people from the same tiny family. Who would have thought it!

And the point is? I find the Irish obsession with victim hood and the long dead past a bit of a yawn. I'm bored with their chip on shoulder attitude.

[ballpoint]

The English can't remember what the Irish can't forget.

And the Aericans can't remember what the North American Indians can't forget

and......The Belgiques cant remember what the Conganese can't forget

and................. the Spanish can't remember what the South American Indiginous people can't forget

and............................ the Portugese cant remember what the Brazilians can't forget

and ..................................the French can't remember what the Algerians can't forget

and......................................The Israeli's won't let the world forget what the world can't forget

and....................

and...........................and the point is? Humans are bad, or is it humans led by political masters are bad. Good job there was no passports required when humanity started traveling out of Africa all across the globe during the berth of human creation. All one people from the same tiny family. Who would have thought it!

You don't even need to go back that far. Research and modeling has shown that the most recent common ancestor of all living humans - that is, the last person who everyone now alive is descended from, likely lived just 3,000 - 5,000 years ago. If you go back not too much further, then everyone alive back then is either a direct ancestor of everyone alive now, or their lineage has died out, and they have no descendants left at all. We are all more closely related than many would think, which, after seeing how many families behave, probably goes to explain the violence, fighting and intolerance in the world.

[geriatrickid]

The Irish hate against is evident - yes like so many people we hated been subjected to discrimination and rule by a foreign power - strange, right?

And yet it did not cause the Irish to reflect when they went to colonize other nations. I direct your attention to the horrific abuses perpetuated by the Irish as they spread out across the globe. The biggest offenders were the Irish clergy. They left a legacy of suffering and abuse in canada which has cost that country billions of $CAD in settlements and social costs.They violated the cultures of Africa and South America and the USA. Has Ireland ever apologized or paid compensation?

How about a parade ro remember the victims.

[NumbNut]

The Irish hate against is evident - yes like so many people we hated been subjected to discrimination and rule by a foreign power - strange, right?

And yet it did not cause the Irish to reflect when they went to colonize other nations. I direct your attention to the horrific abuses perpetuated by the Irish as they spread out across the globe. The biggest offenders were the Irish clergy. They left a legacy of suffering and abuse in canada which has cost that country billions of $CAD in settlements and social costs.They violated the cultures of Africa and South America and the USA. Has Ireland ever apologized or paid compensation?

How about a parade ro remember the victims.

You blame an entire nation for the sins of an unelected and unrepresentative 'old boys' club, the catholic church itself. Bit of a stretch don't you think?

As Yoda would say, the hate is strong in this one...

And as far as compensation goes, the catholic church itself can dig into their deep pockets and pay any damages found themselves.

Let the Irish breathe the free air their forebears fought and in some cases died for.