The rebellion of a raggedy band of teachers, nurses and poets sent shock waves around the world and changed Ireland forever. But why does the Easter Rising of 1916 still cause controversy? Naomi and Tim introduce the countess, the grocer’s daughter, the carpenter and the ex-cobbler who all picked up guns on the morning of April 24 1916 and marched out to declare an independent Irish republic. Leading historians give their analysis of how the concept of Ireland was forged, and how the centenary celebrations in 2016 changed how the Easter Rising is remembered. This episode analyses how 1916 remains an intoxicating idea in Irish politics, and explores the cultural movement that created an ‘idea’ of Ireland so powerful, it was to die for.