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

In 1950, the BMH recorded the statement of an unnamed nun, a member of the Community of the Sisters of Mercy, who worked as a nurse in the Mater Hospital from 1916-1917. Her name is unknown, but her words bring the often forgotten consequence of the Rising, the pain and destruction of human life, to the forefront.

Margaret Skinnider came from Scotland to join the Easter Rising. A crack shot, she was garrisoned in the Royal College of Surgeons and sniped from that position. She was the only female wounded in the fighting, and continued to fight for Ireland's independence and women's rights for the rest of her life. In this original recording from 1955, she tells a first hand account of the week.

Kathleen Boland was Harry Boland's sister, and participated in the republican movement at a vey high level, working for Michael Collins storing and transporting weapons and messages around Dublin. Her fascinating story is told here by her daughter Eileen, including how she came to be in the possession of the Russian Crown Jewels for a number of years.

Tommy O'Connor was an IRB courier working on transatlantic ships in the years leading up to the Easter Rising. He tells the story of communications between Ireland and America, and the secret code they used. Read by his grandson, Tommy Vogt.

A diary written amongst the chaos of Easter Week, and the writer's subsequent witness statement, read here by an actor, provides us with a fascinating insight into everyday experiences of a Volunteer in the Rising.

Paddy Joe Stephenson was Quartermaster for D Company, 1st Battalion of the Irish Volunteers. In a memoir, read here by his grandson Jimmy Stephenson, he describes his daring efforts to procure arms for the Easter Rising, as well as his experiences fighting in the Mendicity Institution near the Four Courts during Easter week.

Cornelius (Con) O’Donovan, a native of Casheliskey, Co. Cork, took part in the 1916 Rising, during which he was stationed at the Four Courts. He described his experiences leading a group of men during Easter Week in a witness statement, read here by fellow West Cork native, Don Wycherly.

A member of the Irish Volunteers since its inception, John S O'Connor served in the 1st Battalion of the Irish Volunteers during the Easter Rising, fighting in the Jameson Distillery in Smithfield. In this fascinating recording from 1966, the 50th anniversary of the Rising, we hear a first-hand account of his experiences during the week and after.

Jailed in England for his part in the 1916 rising, Jack Shouldice was allowed just one sheet of foolscap paper per month to write letters home. Painstakingly cramming in three or four letters to each page, Jack enquired about his family's wellbeing and the political situation at home. The letters are read here by Jack's son Chris Shouldice.