An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir March 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie 16 | by PAUL O'BRIEN O n April 24th 1916, Patrick Pearse declared an independent Irish republic from the steps of the General Post Office on Sackville Street, Dublin. As this event was taking place, rebel forces occupied a number of strategic positions throughout Dublin city. The rapid deployment of each Volunteer battalion in their designated area of operations ensured a strong defensive pe- rimeter had been established before a british response. The 1st bat- talion, under Comdt Edward Daly, occupied the law courts on Inns Quay and secured the adjacent streets. This defensive line north of the Liffey ran from the Four Courts to Cabra, where it was to link up with Comdt Thomas Ashe's 5th battalion. Daly's position gave a commanding view of the quays and the south side of the river and was of great military significance as it controlled the main approach routes from the west of Dublin to the city centre. It would also provide a line of withdrawal towards north county Dublin. Capt Seán Heuston was ordered to secure the Mendicity Institute situated along the quays at Ushers Island. Holding this position would give Daly's unit time to establish and fortify their posts in the surrounding area. The 3rd Battalion, under Comdt Éamon de Valera, was assigned the defence of the southern approaches to the city centre. However, due to a lack of manpower the unit's area of operation had to be greatly reduced in size, running from Lansdowne Road to Ringsend Road, be- fore moving northwards to an apex at Westland Row railway station. This area consisted of one square kilometre of dense urban terrain. The battalion HQ was established in Boland's Bakery. The Grand Canal ran through the 3rd Battalion's area as it looped from west to east through the southern part of Dublin city. Of the eight bridges crossing the canal between Ringsend and Harold's Cross, the bridges at Ringsend Road, Grand Canal Street and Lower Mount Street were covered by Volunteers. Because of the low turn out, it was not possible to cover the remaining bridges at Lower Baggott Street, Leeson Street, Charlemont Street, Portobello and Harold's Cross. The effect of this would be to allow British troops free movement into the centre of the city. To partially combat this threat, a number of outposts were established on Northumberland Road and at Mount Street. Comdt Éamon Ceannt, commanding the 4th Battalion, occupied the South Dublin Union and a number of outposts in the surround- ing area. Ensconced in a labyrinth of streets, alleyways and hospital buildings, these Volunteers created a killing ground that would wit- ness some of the fiercest fighting of the 1916 Rising. The Headquarters Battalion that occupied the GPO was drawn from the four Dublin City battalions, the Irish Citizen Army, and the Kimmage Volunteers. Men and women from these units also occu- pied a number of outer posts in the immediate area. Elements of the Irish Citizen Army also occupied City Hall and St Stephen's Green and it is perhaps these two positions that raise most questions. Comdt Michael Mallin and his unit were detailed to occupy the Green, as it was to serve as a de- pot for supplies and munitions, while City Hall was to be used to prevent enemy forces in Dublin Castle from moving out into the city. Throughout the rest of the city, small units of Volunteers mustered to hold outer posts like those in 1916 Postcard of a rebel prisoner being marched over O'Connell Bridge, 1916. Photo: National Library of Ireland/ South Dublin Libraries Photo: National Library of Ireland Photo: National Library of Ireland

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