The Rising

Since the Queen's visit to the Republic of Ireland is in the news a great deal, it seemed like a good time to look out the plaque of James Connolly.

Connolly was born in Edinburgh to Irish immigrant parents but moved to Dublin in 1895 to become secretary of the Socialist Club. His involvement as one of the main instigators of the 1916 uprising eventually led to Irish independance, even though the uprising was a failure. Seemingly the feelings of the majority of the public were against the rebels, due to casualties sustained by civilians and because of the mess that was made of O'Connell Street. Bullet holes can still be seen in the Post Office building there. It was the manner of his treatment and that of the other leaders that tilted the balance against the British. Most of them were executed. Connolly was so badly injured (and expected to die anyway) that he was carried into the courtyard at Kilmainham Gaol by stretcher and tied to a chair before being shot by a firing squad. Eventually the executions were halted due to public revulsion but by this time the damage had been done.

(Edit-meant to add if ayone wants to know where this is it is in the Cowgate under George IV Bridge - slightly ironic hehe.)