50 Things you didn't know about the 1916 Easter Rising

by Mick O'Farrell

A collection of intriguing and unusual details from one of the biggest events in Irish history. The 1916 Rising was Ireland’s first step on the road to independence, but even those who know a great deal about it may not know that there were temporary ceasefires around St Stephen’s Green to allow the park-keeper to feed the Green’s ducks. Few know that the first shots of the Rising were actually fired near Portlaoise or indeed that both sides issued receipts: the rebels for food, the British for rebels! 50 Things You Didn’t Know About 1916 features excerpts from two previously unpublished diaries – one written by a civilian, and one written under fire by a member of the Jacob’s factory garrison. It also tells the story of how the British Navy shelled the routes into Galway city to disperse rebels under the command of Liam Mellows, and how the officer who took Pearse’s surrender went on to become a Hollywood star.50 Things is a treasure trove of information that will appeal to the avid student of 1916 as well as the casual reader.

Genres: History, Irish Literature, Nonfiction

161 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2009

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

More a bathroom reader- the 50 stories average less than three (small) pages apiece. And while well documented, and still exceedingly thin or incidental for the most part.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

You will need a passing familiarity with the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin to understand the subject matter, and it ends rather abruptly, without any summarizing thoughts. But it's an entertaining look at some of the more interesting, forgotten, and esoteric facts about the rising. Slim, but enjoyable.

[John Somers · Rating 3 out of 5]

11/20.

[Cecelia Hightower]

The 1916 Easter Rising was Ireland's first step on the road to independence. This book features excerpts from two previously unpublished diaries, one written by a civilian and one written by a member of Jacob's factory garrison. It relates how the British Navy shelled the routes into Galway city to disperse rebels, and how Germany shelled England in a half hearted manner to distract the British forces from Ireland, and how the Irish fighting for their independence tried to import arms and ammunition.

There are examples of atrocities on both sides, yet there are examples of temporary cease fires, such as one around St. Stevens Green, by both sides to allow the park-keeper to feed the ducks that lived in the park. Another, excerpt of interest is the issuance of receipts by both sides, the rebels for food and the British for rebels. This rebellion was over in one week, but was a major event in Erie (Ireland) gaining independence for the majority of the Island.

All in all an easy read, but very informative.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so interesting. All the little known facts about the Easter Rising were great. Easy read and yet you still can learn from the history recorded here.

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty slight with a few interesting factoids, entertaining enough