ROINN COSANTA.

BUREAU OF MILITARY HISTORY, 1913-21.

STATEMENT BY WITNESS

DOCUMENT NO. W.S. 651

Witness

Diarmuid Lynch,

Tracton, Ballyfeard, Co. .

Identity.

Member of Supreme Council of I.R.B. 1916.

Subject.

The Countermanding Orders of Holy Week, 1916.

Conditions, if any, Stipulated by Witness.

Nil

File No. S.3o Form B.S.M.2 The Countermanding Orders of Holy Week, 1916.

The attached eight-page printed document entitled:

"The Countermanding Orders of Holy Week 1916" by Diarmuid Lynch is a printer's proof.

The article was written, by Diarmuid Lynch early in 1947 for publication in An Cosantoir. It was, it the first instance, submitted by the Editor of An Cosantoir to Mr. Bulmer Hobson for his comments.

Mr. Hobson, who was intimately connected with the incidents covered by the article, and whose name is frequently mentioned therein, replied to the effect that "statements about myself and about certain other matters just do not happen to be true".

In view of all the cicumstances, the Editor decided to postpone publication of the article and forwarded copies of it together with Mr. Hobson's original letter to the Bureau for inclusion in our archives.

Mr. Hobson's letter is registered under No. W.S.652.

D. Connolly KEEPER OF RECORDS

29 Feb 1952 The Countermanding Orders

Of Holy Week 1916 by DIARMUID LYNCH. THAT part of the articleon Comman whereby they might he "secured." dant TomásMacCurtainpublishedin Somepeopleconstruedthem as meaning the February, is issue of AN defenceof the anticipated"Home Rule" COSANTÓIRwhich dealt with the failure position-to opposewhich the Carsonite of the.Cork Brigadeto participatein the Volunteershad beenorganisedpreviously Easter Week Rising suggests two in the North. The I.R.B., with an eye thoughts: First, that the conflicting not alone to the hostilityof the British ordersissuedfrom to the Irish Governmentto the establishmentin Ire-land Volunteersat Easter-time,1916,whichso of any organisation,national and mystified Commandants outside the military, in character, but also to the Metropolitan area, remain a mystery antagonismof the Irish peoplein general evento-dayto any onewhohasnot made at that time to any policy savouringof an intensivestudy of prior developments "extreme-ism"or opposedto that of the among the men who then controlledor Irish ParliamentaryParty, decidednot to soughtto controlthedestinyof the Volun-teers,opposeopenlysucha construction.For second, that a chronological itself, however,the I.R.B. true to the sketch showingthe sequenceof events Fenian tradition of the sixties,which it would help to elucidatethe situation. had ever fostered, definitely construed In October-November,1913, a Pro-visionalthe termsto mean: maintenanceof the CommitteeWasformed in Dub-lin right of to nationalindependence to bring into existencea Volunteer as a RepublicanState,and to securethat organisation.Eoin MacNeill was elected right throughan Insurrectionin arms. Chairman. The majority of the Com-mitteeThis differencein outlookon the aims weremembersof the Irish Repub-licanand objectsof the Volunteersexistedalso Brotherhood,a fact unknownto the among the membersof the governing minority (which includedthe Chairman) body of the Volunteerorganisation. To the I.R.B. being a. secretbody, the this can be tracedthe seriouscrux which continuedexistenceof which was un-knownarose in Holy Week, 1916. If the to the public. revolutionaryaims of the I.R.B. or its At a publicmeetingheld on November purposeto enlistthe Irish Volunteersas 25th in that year, the "" a fightingforce in an Insurrectionwere organisationwas formally established. to succeed,it necessarilyhad to keep Its objectsweredeclaredto be: them secretfrom men who held different 1. To secureand maintainthe rights views. to all the and libertiescommon In June, 1914, Tom Clarke and Seán peopleof Ireland. MacDiarmada-representingthe "Execu-tivè" 2. To train, discipline, arm and of the I.R.B.*-were definitely equip a body of Irish Volunteers opposedto Redmond'sdemandthat the for the abovepurpose. Provisional Committee should co-opt nomineesof which in 3. To unite for this purposeIrish-mentwenty-five his, of creedand of every every This "Executive" comprisedthe Presi-dent, party and class. TreasurerandSecretaryof the1Supreme mentioned Council,WhentheCouncilwasnotin session. The rightsand liberties" controlof the organisationvestedin the were never defined,nor were the means "Executive,"

1 THE COUNTERMANDING ORDERS OF HOLY WEEK, 1916. 3 2 AN COSANTOIR. Volunteerscomprisedthe firing party at Realm have worked well inin secret the Pearse's oration that effect would him control Of that The Irish VolunteerConvention was graveside. (from and in the open. They think give which wasa clarioncall.to the have and of the Volunteer held on October25th, Its policy wuote) they pacifiedIreland, They body orgnisation. 1914. nation, and to the Irish think that have half Bulmer Hobson, of the Com-mitteewas, a reiteration of particularly they purchased Secretary generallyspeaking, Volunteers: of us the other and a member of the declarations. It elected an and intimidated half. Supreme previous think that have foreseen. Council1.R.B., not alonedecidedto vote "Executive Committee" if. there is anythingthat They, they Capitulation think that have for to Redmond, but induced to to Red-mond, makes it fitting that I, rather than everything, they Subsequent provided everything; but capitulationothermembersof the Committeete sup-port the differencein outlookbetween some'other,I, rather,than oneof the against men who were the fools,the fools,the fools! they his view. Redmondthus won con-trolwhat may be termed the "moderate" grey-haired young with him and sharedin labour have left us our Fenian dead and of the Volunteers. Hobson was element and that of the revolutionary his and in. his should, while Ireland holds these graves, compelledthereuponto resignall offices wing of the VolunteerExecutiveCom-mittee suffering, speak it is that I be Ireland unfree shall never be at held by 'in the I.R.B., but wasper-mitted wasnotemphasisedto any appre-ciable here; perhaps may .hil?1 takenas on behalfof a new peace:" to retain membershipin that appreciableextent until Holy Week, 1916. speaking that has been That the Volunteerswho heard, and organisation. Over this periodHobsondidoccasionally generation re-baptised: in Fenian and that has read, these• words felt them-selves, In the followingSeptember,Redmond stressthe purposeof t-heIrish Volunteers the faith, inspiring of selves"re-baptised in the FenianFaith," attemptedto throw the strengthof the as a defensiveone, and he, dueto accepted responsibility carrying purely and were.confirmed.in the determination Volunteersbehind Britain's war effort. his former in the councilsofthe out the Fenian programme. I pro-pose positions to the Fenian The Split in -the Volunteersensued. I.R.B., had a into the to you then that, here by the "carry out. programme," deeper insight cannot Ninety-five per cent. of those enrolled attitudeof MacDiarmadaand Pearsethan graveof this unrepentantFenian we be doubted. that pearse Redmond under the that his "moderate" col-leagues. renew our baptismal vows; that, Few, however,realised and followed title possessedby his wereatthat moment 'National Volunteers." Approximately Pearseand MacDiarmada did here by the grave of this uncon-conqueredI.R.B. colleagues the achievementof Io;000 "Irish Volunteers" remained not force an issueon this question; it and unconquerableman, perfectingplans askof eachonefor the freedom.of Ireland" as defined loyal to the original Committee; these wot1d not suittheir purposeto do so. we. God, himself, by such such Tone and Mitcheland,Rossa. retained,the originaltitle, But, so well had they guardedthe secret unshakablepurpose, high and unbreak-able Twenty membersof the re-organised of theirinsurrectionarypreparations,that gallant courage,such, in the summer of that year (1915). of soul as to Provisional Committee of the "Irish notuntil Week, 1916(andthenonly strength belonged the then "Executive" of the, Supreme Holy O'DonovanRossa. which I Volunteers" (includingMacNeill-Chair-man,by chance),did Hobson realisethat a Council, I.R.B. (on substituted Hobson-Secretary, Pearse, Rising was actuallyimminent. He then Deliberatelyhere we now avow for MacDiarmada)appointed,a "Military frustrate MacDiarmada,etc.) issueda call for a did his utmostto the planswhich ourselves;as he avowed himselfin Committee." The original membersof Convention,rand proposed(among other/points)they and their colleaguesof the Military the dock, Irishmenof one allegiance the latter were Padraic Pearse, Joseph to Council hadperfectedfor it. only. We of the Irish Volunteers; Plunkett and EamonnCeannt. Later, and others,who are associated Tom Clarkeand SeánMacDiarmada "2. Re-affirm without qualification From the very inception of the Irish you- (the in task and two membersof the I.R.B. "Executive" the manifesto proposed and Volunteers,men prominentin the I.R.B. with to-day's duty, are bound and must stand residentin adopted at the inaugural throughoutthe country,especiallyin the together Dublin) active1 co-operated. henceforth in Henceforth, the be termed meeting. mostpopulous centres,took a leading together: brotherly body may forthe of thefree-dom"THE MILITARY COUNCIL" by diminution of the in andtrainingthe various union achievement "3. Opposeany part organising known measure of Irish and Battalions. What with of Ireland And we know only which title it became in after Companies was now exists as a this and the further factthat thesecret one definition of freedom: it is years. co-opted Tone's it is Mitchel's late and Tomás Statute 0n paper, and which organisationwaswell representedamong definition, in January; 1916; would not now have reached the rank andfile of the Volunteers,the definition, it is. Rossa'sdefinition. MacDonagh early in, April: Thus the Letno manblasphemethecause Council, numbered that stage but for the Irish forceas-a Wholegradually, andperhaps that Military. eventually of Ireland seven to the Easter Volunteers." unconsciously,became imbued with an the dead. generations seven-the signatories other name Proclamation,of the Irish In thisthe I.R.B. leaderswere "offensive" rather than a "defensive" servedby giving it, any, Republic. guidedby and definitionthan their name,and of the sameconsiderationsas at the concept. The date the projected:Rising had incep-tion their definition. been.selectedby the endof 1915; the of the Volunteers in 1913, Pearse'swritingsand speecheswere a Our foes cannotundo method which the effective with the additional purposeof winning powerful influence in that respect; by participa-tion themiraclesof Godwho in the of the whole Volunteerforcecould backfrom Redmondas many as possible O'Donovan Rossa'sfuneralon AugustI, ripens heartsof men the seedssown be without the secret of thosewho followedhim at the Split. 1915, marked a tremendousstep in the young arranged exposing the menofa formergenera-tion. the Council was a While proposalnumberthree colour same direction, The marching conti-ngents by young purposeof Military. gave seedssown the of prime importance. Mindful to the constructionplacedon the term were marshalledby Commandant And the by problem. capitulation men of and are com-ing'of the to Redmond-con-trary "rightsand liberties" by the so-called TomásMacDonaghon behalfof the I.V. young 65 67 1914 to their miraculous to-day to the of the I.R.B. "moderates" on the Committee, the HeadquartersStaff; uniformedVolun-teers ripening judgment of this Executive-the of such: I.R.B. membersof it hadno misconcep-tion headedby their officers,formedthe The Defenders, question partici. on thispoint. most striking featureof the procession; 4 AN COSANTOIR. THE COUNTERMANDING ORDERS OF HOLY WEEK, 1916. took to call off the pation couldnot safely be left to a vote that occasion,in the beliefthat the I V. On Spy Wednesday,April 19th, the further steps Eastermanoeuvresof theIrish Volunteers of the governingbodyof the Irish Volun-teers.Chief-of-Staff had cognizance of all famous"castle document" wasread at To ordered Pearse as Director of A simpleand what at the time ordersissued,casuallyremarkedthat he a meetingof the DublinCorporation. by seemedan effectivesolutionwas decided as Commandantof the Limerick Brigade copewith the allegedplans ofthe Castle Organisation. on: Pearse,besidesbeing a memberof had receivedinstructionsto "hold the authoritiesas detailedtherein, MacNeill, This attitude of MacNeillwith respect the secretrevolutionarygroup,was also line of the Shannonin the eventof actual Chield-of-Staff,issuedan Orderthat day to participationby the Irish Volunteers Director of Organisationon the I. V. hostilities." This seemedrather peculiar to the Irish Volunteers: in an armed insurrectionis understand-able of HeadquartersStaff and in this latter to MacNeill but he did not dwell on the "Your object will be to preserve on the basisof his interpretation It capacityit was one of his functionsto subject,and its real significancedid not thearms and the organisationof the the inauguralpolicyof the Volunteer. occurto for the orderany generalexercisesor manoeuvres then him. Irish Volunteers In, general alsofurnishesjustification Military the the Council in withheld its revolu-tionary by Volunteersthroughout ountry. Thereis no otherevidenceavailableto you will arrangethat your men de-fend having, The issuanceby him of suchan instruct-tionshowthe approximatedateon whichthese themselvesand each other in plansfromMacNeilland fromthe Executiveas a whole. for Easter-time,1916, wascalculated secretinstructionshad been issuedby smallgroupsso placedthatthey may Volunteer not to arousethe least suspicionand to Pearse,norby whomthey had beencon-veyed. bestbe ableto hold out." The fact that Easter-time,1916,was a ensurea generalmobilisationunder arms I happento knowthat the initial The fact that the Volunteerswere thus most "opportune moment" for Irish-men at the to opportunemoment. strategicpositions be occupiedby the keyedup at thisparticularmoment/suited to strike for Ireland's freedom-atime Pearse'sorder in due course Battalionsof the a appeared South and West had the Military Council admirably. But, a at which Britain was engagedin store tem. in the Irish Volunteerof April 8th, 1916. beenenvisagedat theend of 1915: Cork, rude shockwas in for desperatestrugglewith a powerfulenemy, In the of the light subsequentevents, wasto holdthe Countyto the southand BulmerHobson to Le Roux and whenmany small nationssoughtto in and third para-graphswest (according camouflage the first of the Boggeragh Mountains-left in Tom Clarke and the Irish Freedom secureor maintaintheir independenceby is of interest: flank the which in that now be particular contacting Kerry Brigade Movement),at a meetingof the Volun-teerengaging conflict-cannot; was to extend eastwardsfrom the Volunteersnot "1. Followingthe linesoflastyear. ; Executive held that same evening gainsaid. And, had unit of the Irish Volun-teersLimerick was to contact oft the in the Easter this every Kerry (Wednesday),overhearda conversation participated Rising, south, Clare and, to the havearisenin after will hold manoeuvres Galway north; betweenI.R.B. membersof that body questionwould years: Limerick,Clareand wereto hold did Irish Volunteers-a during the Easter Holidays. Galway from whichhe deducedthat a Risingwas Why ,the military The of the the line of 'theShannonto Athlone.These to secure and maintain object manoeuvres contemplated He immediatelyinformed body pledged detailswere to' me Pearse at avail is to test mobilisation with given by MacNeillwho now coupledthis informa-tioncertainundefined"liberties,"iiberties,"-Lnotnot SaintEnda'sin were to for the equipment. January,1916; they with what he had learnedat Lough of that o1iportunity fight to be transmitted me to the impede National 3. Each Brigade, Battalion or orally by Gur; bothdecided theplans. achievementof Independence? Commandants. mission to Company commander,as the respective My Late that The supplementaryordersdraftedHoly was, however, cancelled; I had no night (apparently) they casemay be, will, on or before an Thursdaynight by MacNeilland Hobson furtherassociationwith these drafted orderinstructingCommandant 1st May next, send to the, despatches. O'Connellto to Cork, and weresweepingin character,but as these irrelevanthere, the reasonfor J. J. proceed Director of Organisation a [Though him to "take chiefcommand do not seemto have been promulgated disconnectionwith this be authorising detailedreport of the Manoeu-vresmy phasemay over all Volunteersin Munster" It (for a reasonapparentin the next para-graph) mentionedbecauseof its with carried out by his unit. relationship also that ordersissued it is unnecessaryto quotethem. a matter of historicalinterest. In the stipulated "all by P. H. Pearse,Commandant, CommandantPearse, or by, any other Copy of MacNeill'sorderpertainingto autumn of 1915, on instructionsfrom Director of Organisation." heretofore,are cancelledor, Commandant O'Connell (dated April Pearse,I a specialvisit to Tralee, person hereby paid recalled," and that officersin Munster reachedan officein O'ConnellSt. This was with the approval and other coastalpoints in the 19th) published of Dingle, should to CommandantO'Con-nell on It was read there by the Volunteer Executiveand of Eoin south-westtoto ascertainthe mostsuitable "report early Friday. as required him on the subjectof TomásAghasand myselfaboutnoon. I MacNeill, Chief of Staff,but Pearsedid spot at which a hip-load of arms from by orders which they had immediately reported its contents to not tell them that he had alreadyissued Germanycould,belandedand from which any, special and arrangementsmade or Clarke and Connolly; this wasthe first secretordersto the Battalion Comman they could be most distri-buted received any expeditiously to be made them in intimationthey had of it or of any other dants as to the areas in which their I reportedin favour of by consequence." Fenit, On MacNeill move of MacNeill's to. stop the Rising. "manoeuvres"were to be which was the chosen. Holy 'Thursday night, respective point eventually called on BeforeI MacDongh arrivedat the held. Nor did he inform them of the Another resultof this visit was that the (accompaniedby Hobson) p.m. Pearseat St. Enda'sand to him the O'Connell St. address: I showed the ultimate which thosemanoeu-vresBritishGovernment I had on put purposes "protaimed" not, direct as to 'whetheran Insur-rectionMacNeill order to him, and he asserted wereintendedto serve. a area," fulfilled.the question entering was Pearseanswered that "the matteris alright." Questioned MacNeill when reviewinga musterof pertainingto planned. regulations registrationby in the affirmative.MacNeillthensaidthat furtheras to what he meant,MacDonagh Volunteersat Gur Co. Limerick, aliens," and in Lough "friendly January, 1916, he woulddo hisutmostshortof stated that MacDiarmada and himself about the end of March, 1916, inadver-tentlyservedme with an Order under which I informing the Bntisn Government, to stop it. (and Pearse,as I learnedlater)had inter-viewed got an inkling that Commandant was classifiedas an "enemy alien" and Accordingly,MacNeill and Hobsendur-ing MacNeill that morning at his Pearsehad issuedcertainordersof which confinedto a five mile radius from my the smallhoursof Good morn-ingresidence,that they"put all their cards he had not been aware, 'The 0/C. on temporaryresidencein Dublin.] Friday 6 AN COSANTOIR. THE COUNTERMANDING ORDERS OF HOLY WEEK, 1916. on the table," and that MacNeill. on showedthatthe Military Councilhad the 7 for the firsttime.thata shipload Cork situation well in hand. Saturday learning Abo midnight(Saturday)MacDongah about I of, armswas due to arrive "abdicated morning,April 22nd But sequent p.m. In addition to the two-fold arrive at Hardwicke Street his positionasChief-of-Staff" thereby orders and event confusedthe whole 27 purpose mentioned in preceding the take MacDiarmada's headquarters for the paragraph, it is Obviousfromthe fallow-ing permitting Military Council to position. news .1 MacNeill's latest note written Pearse at control.of the Volunteersas they had The Military CouncilReceivedword that night-with by p.m. countermand.The situationwas that the intentionas to planned. Saturdaythat the armsshiphad appal-ling.Sunday, Con-vince Pearseand Pludkett arrived later. MacNeill also the Pearse, after receipt of MacNeill's been. captured by the British;* The that Rising had The four sat in conference-inwhich I, been called off-thus ultimatumon Holy Thursday.night,con-tactedefficientarming.of the Volunteersin, the obviating any by virtue of on the further, untowardaction him: MacDiarmada and MacDonagh; Southand Westhad thusbecomeimpos-sible. my membership Sup-reme by Council, I.R.B. was called on the three of. them,lost no timein. inter-viewing. News of, the capture reached by "ToEcin Woodtown MacDiarmada to Clarke, MacNeill, Park. MacNeill; between 8 and 9 MacNeilllater; he called.several,ad-visers participate. "Commandant and Ceannt, who had not MacDonagh is to o'clock called on into. conferencethat and' Connolly call 'on Friday morning they night at their own homesthat you this afternoon. He him at his WoodtownPark, decidedoncemoreto take mattersout of stayed night, residence, not countermandedthe Dublin parades was bed the were available. It was decidedto Rathfarnham. He in at the controlof Pearse,MacDiarmada,etc; to-day with my authority. I con-firmed call a full meeting of the Military time. and receivedMacDiarmadain his he despatchedmessengersthroughoutthe your countermand as the Councilfor next morningat Liberty Hall, bedroom, MacDiarmada for the first countrywith this countermandingorder: leadingmen wouldnot have To ensure widespreadcirculation of obeyed timerecitedto him factspertaining,to the "volunteers deceived, it without confirmation." completely Saturday night's.cancellationorder,the my Rising; that it was to commenceon All ordersfor actionare here-by special following appeared in the Sunday The Easter Sunday. He also.told.MacNeill cancelledand.on no accountwill seconddecisionof the Military Independent,April 23rd: that a shiploadof arms.and ammunition actionbe Council-THAT THE RISING WOULD taken." "Owing to the critical was expected.from MacNeill very posi-tion,COMMENCE IN DUBLIN NEXT ; About to p.m. he summonedJim.Ryan. all.orders to Irish Volun-teers on. this the firsttime, given DAY, EASTER MONDAY, was the hearing for replied: (who had just returned.from the South) for Easter view of that, the is inevitable to-morrow, Sunday, vital one. Theseindomitablemencould "In. fight and him ofthisorder oneto are and.we are it," MacDiarmadaalso gave copies 'hereby rescinded, and no not be swervedfrom the task to which all,in be deliveredto CommandantMacCurtain, or other told him.that.a Proclamationwas to parades, marches, move-mentsthey had settheir hand. be, Cork. O'Rahilly was to issued on on The despatched of Irish Volunteerswill take Easter Sunday; being. Limerick; otherselsewhere. Thus the Each Couriers were notified to be askedwhat.its termswere MacDiarmada place. individual Volunteer present of the Council were will that at the roomsof the stated that the documentwas not plans Militry again obey this order strictlyin every Sundayevening yet basedon those Branch of the Gaelic MacNeill then dressedand disrupted: The, Rising, particular. Keating League, complete. was scheduledto commence,the North FrederickStreet, Pearsearrived. camedownstairswherehe found Pearse. plans EOIN MacNEILL." afternoon(Easter Sunday)! thereabout 8 He had on and the three following Undismayed,the Military Council in p.m. ready MacDonagh waiting; small a brief in sessionat Liberty Hall, Easter slipsof paper despatch, visitorsjoinedhim to breakfast. (These The Statementin An COSANTOIRof Sunday his own "the Wasundercon-tinuous, forenoonmade two decisions: writing, which read: details were furnishedto me by Eoin February,1945,that Aud important con-firm, observation,from the timeshe left First: To send We start, at to-day, MacNeillon August14, 1936. They port untilshearrivedin TraleeBay,"Givesa despatchesimmediately operations noon substantially,MacDonagh'sremarks wrongimpression:CaptainKarlSpindler's to the. various Commandants Monday. carry out your' of Good afternoon, accountof thevoyage"The Mysteryof the confirmingMacNeill'scancella-tion instructions. Friday 1916). CasementShip." demonstrates.howthe aud Thus the disasterwhichthreatenedthe of that day's manoeuvres; undertheneutralNorweiganflag.successfully. com-mence plans of the Military Council had been bluffedBritishnaval units.whenever.she Second: That the Risingwould passedthem:enroute. The proofof thisis Someof theseleft Dublin that wardedoff temporarily The wayway was in Dublin next day at night; evidencedby the factthat morethantwenty. othersnot until next again clear for action: Lest news or hourselapsedbetweenher arrival (5 p.m. noon-despatchesto this effect day. The "oppor-tune moment" rumoursof thecrux just overcomeshould Thursday)and.thehourofher virtualarrest to be forwardedthat night to had arrived. No human by theBritish,(I p.m. Friday) duringwhich act couldnow the have reachedthe country,MacDiarmada of have been the countryBattalions. stop Rising: The ill-effects time the cargo arms could of at oncesentdespatchesto variouscentres. landedhad.the Volunteersbeenat Fenit to The first was intendedto obviatethe MacNeil's countermandshad receive.them. beendiscountedsofar as the Dublin Bat-talions That for Cork'was taken by Jim Ryan possibilitythat units outsidethe Metro-politan Hearth TheBritishhadbeen.onthelook-outfor the were concerned,and Hobsonwas (now MinisterFor It read: GermansteamerLibau.She,in herNorwegian areamight start operationsbefore fooled She also underarrestsincethe afternoonof Good "Commandants MacCurtain and guiseas the aud, them. the Dublin Battalionscouldoccupytheir fooledthe captainof ShatterII. Twelvehours Friday. Even had the British MacSwiney,are to proceedwith the arrivalin TraleeBay,whenthe latter allotted positions on Easter Monday. military, after machinein Ireland got into action, Rising CommandantO'Connell.is interviewedspindlerat 5 a.m.GoodFriday. Also, that shouldthe British perchance prior But, papersfound:onCasement.onhis arrest to noonEaster Monday, the fight would to go forthwithto as per becomeaware of this follow-up of later.that.morning(Spindlerp. 169)evidently have gone on, thoughthe initial previousadvices." directedsuspicionin a specialmannerto the MacNeill's countermand,any suspicion opera-tions ofthe "wireless wouldtherebyhavetakena different MacCurtain'sreply: Seán we aud, Thechallenge British on their part of impendingactionby the "tell. boat"at oneO'Clockthat afternooncanthus turn. will blaze. whil, the, stuff lasts," Volunteersmay therebybe allayed. away, beaccountedfor. The isopanar of Messageimplementingdecisionnumber When duringthe last few terrible the choller days failure to one were despatchedfrom Liberty Hall the plansof the Councilwere at Contoid aud on affiant Military The thin ives signed either P.H.P. to in focused its is devoid Or P.H. Recollection. Peadse 8 AN COSANTOIR.

times on the verge of irretrievable There is, however,anothernoteworthy disaster,thesevaliant men remainedun-shakenphase: Historians when defang with in their resolve. Oncethe Insur-rectionprevious Irish revolutions belaboured got under way, their heart-rendingthe fact thatthe organisationsresponsible experienceswere for the most for them were cursedand thwarted by part forgotten by them. They had spies and informers. They also in-sinuated "saved Ireland's honour" and were that all Irish revolutionists content. against British dominationwere "easy marks" for such and were fools We who have had to spies, oppurtunity pon-derto think that their could be on in Ireland's for plans kept incidents fight secret from the of the British Freedom the eyes during subsequentyears, Government. These critics well feel that the outcomeOf those side-stepped may the well-known fact that of every great experiences Holy Week, 1916, Powerhas had its distressingwere Providential in more than one spiescontinuallypry-ing into the military;secretsof its rivals respect. often with considerablesuccess. The I wishto stressin conclusionis that The valedictory words of Padraic point Pearse, Commander-in-Chief.of the neither the leadershipof the I.R.B. in nor that the Irish Republicanforces, written in the 1916 of other organisations which in the of burningG.P.O. on Friday, April 28th., participated Rising "Easter Week" was cursed either 1916 (with respectto the failure of most by or Herein of the countrybattalionsto participatein spies traitors. we' have to the extreme in the Rising)will serveas a fitting closeto splendidtestimony care the this review of what proved to be a recruitingexercisedby, men respons-ible for I.R.B. over a bewilderingchapterin the history if the the generation Insurrection: (coupledwith propitiouscircumstances), and in particularto the methodsfollowed "Of the fatal countermanding by the membersof the Military Council order which.preventedthose plan who guarded their secrets so jealously from being carried out. I shall not from the British that the insurrectionary speakfurther. Both Eoin MacNeill forceswere enabledto march unopposed and we have acted in the best into their several strategicpositionson interestsof Ireland." EasterMonday,1916.