Stories From 1916 Podcast

Tom Byrne was a member of the Irish Brigade, that fought alongside the Boers against the British Empire in South Africa at the turn of the century. With that episode long behind him, he once again went into action against the British in the Easter Rising. His long and eventful life is examined here, with readings of his statement by Conor O'Leary, Tom's grandson.

Frank Thornton had a long and eventful career in the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Republican Army. Here he describes in his own words the treatment meted out to him after the surrender in Easter week.

John Austin, a postal worker from Ashbourne, gives an incredible eyewitness account of the only battle won by the rebels during the Easter Rising.

The account is read here by Mark Cummins

Seamus O'Kelly, a doctor and close friend of Eoin MacNeill, was in a unique position in the lead up to Easter 1916. He witnessed first hand the attempts to convince MacNeill of the need for a rising, and the chaos caused by the countermanding order.

Seamus O'Kelly's witness statement is read here by Rick Burn.

As a member of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, Patrick J Bermingham was expected to disarm the Irish Volunteers returning from Howth with their consignment of rifles in 1914. However, given the fact that the Ulster Volunteers hadn't been stopped in their gun running attempts, he found this unfair and decided to do something about it.

Kathleen Clarke lost those closest to her in the Easter Rising. From this great loss however, she managed to go on to become one of the most important female figures in Irish political history.

In an original recording, held by the Bureau of Military History, she tells the story of visiting her husband and brother in jail before they were both executed.

Christopher J Brady didn't fight in the Easter Rising. However he was the man behind the printing of the most important document in modern Irish history.

His statement, read here by actor Neill Fleming, transports us to the stressful environment of the machine room in Liberty Hall, 1916.

One of the many Irishmen who enlisted in the British Army during World War One, A.G.Fletcher Desborough found himself fighting his fellow Irishmen during Easter week. His account provides an often overlooked perspective on the events of the week.

A key player in the Socialist movement in the early 20th century in Ireland, William X O'Briens close friendship with James Connolly gave him a unique perspective on the Easter Rising, and the man at the head of the Citizen Army.

This recording is used with the kind permission of the Bureau of Military History, Military Archives, Defence Forces of Ireland

Aine Ceannt tells in her own words the story of her unique perspective on the planning of the Easter Rising, and the confusion surrounding the countermanding order.

This recording is used with the kind permission of the Bureau of Military History, Military Archives, Defence Forces of Ireland