Irish Voices from the First World War a blog based on PRONI sources The Easter Rising April 1916 The Easter Rising April 1916 On Easter Monday 24 April 1916 Irish Republicans seized key buildings in Dublin and proclaimed an Irish Republic. During the ensuing fighting more than 450 people were killed and considerable damage was caused to central Dublin. Document 1: Diary of Sir Robert Baird (D3330/B/1/16) Sir Robert Baird (RHHB) was managing director and owner of the Belfast Telegraph and other newspapers. He was in Dublin over the Easter weekend with his wife. Monday, April 24. The Sinn Fein Rising. RHHB accompanied by Mrs Baird and George Canning left the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin, at 8.30 for Tullamore, they motored via Selbridge and Geashill, and arrived at Tullamore at 11.50. It turned out a very wet day. Shortly after arriving at Tullamore, Mr Killender, who is the postmaster, and in whose house RHHB and Mrs Baird were entertained, informed all that the Sinn Feiners had taken possession of the GPO, Dublin. This was at 12.20 pm. RHHB and Mrs Baird left Tullamore at 5.20, and had as passenger a man named Walton, who was the clerk in the Depot of the Royal Irish Rifles, Dublin, and who asked a seat to Dublin as the train service was entirely suspended. George Canning remained at Tullamore, and left on Tuesday by motor car for Mullingar, and reached Belfast by that route. Nothing happened until RHHB’s car reached James Street, when it was sent round by the South Circular Road; it was then stopped every few yards by military, and the car was searched for arms – or rather, RHHB was asked had he any arms. At the corner of Harkness Street a gentleman stopped the car and advised RHHB not to go near the Shelbourne, as the Sinn Feiners had possession of Stephen’s Green, the gentleman volunteered to direct the way the car should be driven, later another man came forward and stated that on no account should they proceed to the Shelbourne, as the Sinn Feiners were in possession of the Hotel, that cars had been commandeered, and had been turned upside down to form a barricade for the Sinn Feiners. Motored to Kingstown via Donnybrook, and was very fortunate in obtaining accommodation in the Royal Marine Hotel. - 2 - Tuesday, April 25. An eventful day. Mrs Baird and RHHB found themselves prisoners at Kingstown, and there were a number of Belfast people also in the same predicament. Met Mr Lawder, Lafayette’s, who kindly lent RHHB £20. Met Mr Johnson of Bovril Ltd, Councillors M’Caughey and Hinds, and the nieces of the latter. There were no trains or trams, or any connection with Dublin; the mail boats did not run. Learned that Mr Meyer crossed the night before via Mail Boat to Holyhead, but he did not reach Belfast till Thursday, and had to travel via Ardrossan. Met Mr and Mrs Weldon, Mr Weldon is a son of Ned Weldon. Met Mr and Mrs Rynski. Made arrangements to leave Kingstown at about noon, but after consultation with Mrs Baird decided not to attempt the journey on Tuesday. It turned out a very wet afternoon. Made many friends in Kingstown, including Mr Coffey, barrister. Learned that Mr Atkinson and Mr M’Daid left for Belfast at 2 pm. Mr Taylor, of the Soho Foundry, called at the Hotel. Wednesday, April 26. Left Kingstown about 11 a.m. Was very angry with Councillor M’Caughey and Hinds. They had promised to return to Belfast with RHHB, and to be at the Hotel at 9 and they went on to Belfast on a car, the property of Mr Kelly, coal merchant, without informing RHHB that they were so doing. Asked Mr and Mrs Weldon and Mr Rinski to accompany RHHB and Mrs Baird to Belfast. Mrs Rinski was left behind. Found things were not so bad as they were stated to be, and was stopped for the first time at Kilmainham, and went round by a circuitous route, there happened to meet Mr John M. Peake, who resides at St. Martha’s SCR. Mr Peake entertained the party to refreshments, and RHHB gave him a letter of authority to call at the Sherbourne Hotel and look after the luggage for Mr and Mrs Baird, which was left behind at the Hotel. Travelled to Belfast via Slane, Ardee, and Dundalk, and arrived in Belfast at 7.30. At Dundalk learned of the serious disturbances at Castlebellingham on Easter Monday, when many Belfast cars were held up, and the chauffeurs made drive the insurgents to near Dublin, and also had a graphic description of the chauffeur of Captain Dunville, who together with three policemen were made stand against a paling and were fired at by a party of about six men, the result being that Constable Magee was killed and Captain Dunville was wounded. - 3 - Contemporary postcard (D2638/F/17) Document 2: Miss Barcroft’s experiences during the Easter Rising (T3519/1) Miss Barcroft and her sister were visiting Malahide, a few miles to the north of Dublin, when the Easter Rising broke out. Monday 24th April. The Easter weather seemed mild and promising, so early on Easter Monday Sarah and I decided to go to Malahide for the day and visit the ruins at Swords. Passing Liberty Hall, we saw volunteers gathering in ones and twos and men cleaning rifles, but not more than as it might be the preparations for a field day. As we walked into Amiens Street Station an enormous crowd of men and boys poured out, coming from a Northern train. It seemed curious that no women were amongst them. We caught the 10.45 train to Malahide and with us were the usual crowd of golfers. ... We lunched on the golf links and then settled ourselves on the sands to read. The glorious sunshine, clouds and sea made a perfect Easter Monday. About 1.30, we heard an explosion not very far off. It had a tinny sound which made it quite distinct from quarry blasting. The idea of something malicious did just enter our minds but we quickly dismissed the ridiculous thought. About 4 o’clock, the rain came on and we went to the station to take shelter. Greatly to our surprise we found the platform crowded, mostly with men from the golf - 4 - links, who in the ordinary course of events would not return to Dublin till a train at 6.10 at the earliest. As we came on to the platform, Sarah was accosted by a bank official with whom she sometimes does business, who said ‘Miss Barcroft, have you heard the dreadful news about Dublin? The Sinn Feiners have seized the General Post Office and cut the lines of communication and blown up the bridge at Donabate.’ We could hardly believe it, though we at once remembered the explosion we had heard whilst we were eating our lunch. The stationmaster soon came up and announced that the Military had taken over the line and that no more trains were to be allowed on the line. Whilst we were on the platform debating what was to be done an engine and one coach containing officials, military and otherwise passed northwards. Fergus Greer and his son were waiting but decided to walk home the nine miles. Everyone was in despair, nine miles was a long way, not knowing what was at the other end though of course the real gravity of the situation not the dangerous state of all the approaches to the city had not by means transpired. We went to the hotel to look for rooms, but were we told they had not a corner as the gentlemen were already occupying all the sofas. Meals seemed to be scarce in the near future and our picnic basket was nearly empty, so we had tea at the Hotel. We saw Mr Knox depart with another man on a car. He was in a terrible state of nervous tension about his bank, the Northern in Sackville Street, about three doors from Henry Street and the Post Office. When we got back to the village the Easter Monday crowd were trying to get rooms at the various lodging houses in Malahide. Where should we go? The police had advised us on no account to attempt to go back to Dublin as all communication with Kingstown was cut off. My thought ran to advice from the local clergy and then we remembered that Canon Lindsay, who had once been at The Glen with the Swanzys, was rector of Malahide. A policeman showed us the way to the Rectory and we determined to ask Canon Lindsay to be so kind as to recommend us to suitable lodgings. A smiling maid reassured us that her master was at home and showed us in. Canon Lindsay received us most kindly and sympathetically. We were refugees, no friends, no home and very little money, strangers in Malahide. What kindness and help meant at that juncture could not be put into words! Canon Lindsay, who has a great reputation as a horticulturalist, remembered the lithospermum at The Glen, inquired after many of our friends and - 5 - mutual acquaintances. In a few minutes Mrs Lindsay came in and they kindly invited us to remain at their house. No words could express our gratitude. We went to the Post Office to send a wire to Mamma but every possible means of communication was cut-off. No posts in or out, no telephones, no telegrams and no trains! The police came out fully armed, we questioned one, who said ‘You won’t get to Kingstown tonight, take my advice and don’t attempt to go to Dublin.’ We returned to the Rectory, thankful and grateful that we were together and that our lines had fallen amongst such kind friends.