Easter Rising 1916 - The Centenary

Easter Rising 1916 - The Centenary - Things to Do

About the Easter Rising 1916

2016 marks the centenary of the Easter 1916 Rising. An armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter week 1916. It was mounted by Irish republicans to end British rule. Starting with the reading of the Irish Proclamation of Independence by Patrick Pearse outside the General Post Office (GPO). The Rising lasted 6 days, and would result in much destruction, finally concluding with the surrender of the rebels and their subsequent executions.

As the poet W.B. Yeats would write later about the rising in his poem 'Easter 1916' - A terrible beauty is born. This captured the sentiment of the time, as although the Rising was a military failure, it would set into motion the chain of events that would eventually lead to Irish independence in 1922.

easter rising centenary things to do — The GPO on Sackville (O'Connell Street), destroyed after the Easter 1916 Rising.

If youre looking to find out more about this fascinating time in Irish history, we recommend checking out some of the tours and events listed below:

Tours of the Easter 1916 Rising

Google Street View Tour

From the comfort of your home you can visit key sites & explore the events of the 1916 rising. A collaborative effort between Google, the National Library of Ireland, Military Archives, Glasnevin Cemetery Museum, the Abbey Theatre, the Royal Irish Academy and Trinity College. Narrated by actor Colin Farrell, it features rare and previously unpublished material: https://dublinrising.withgoogle.com/tour/

Walking Tours

The 1916 rebellion tour, led by Lorcan Collins and Conor Kostick. Their zeal for Irish history is palpable. As they take you around the relevant sites of the rising, adding their own unique spin:

http://www.1916rising.com/

Bus Tours

1916 Freedom Tour

Travel around in a military style tour bus, complete with a dedicated tour guide dressed in costume. An audio visual of sounds & news footage of the time completes this. This tour is a great way to immerse yourself in the era:

http://www.1916tour.ie/index.html

1916 Easter Rising Coach Tour

The only tour to visit all the places of the Rising. The Easter Rising 1916 Coach Tour gives an audio visual guide as you travel around the key locations.

http://1916easterrisingcoachtour.ie/

easter rising, the centenary, things to do — Glasnevin Cemetery, resting place of many significant figures in Irish history.

Other Tours

Glasnevin Cemetery Tour

The resting place of many significant figures in Irish history, and for many of the participants of the Rising. The Glasnevin Cemetery Tour helps put the Rising into context, by visiting the graves of those who played major roles before, during & after the rising:

http://www.glasnevintrust.ie/visit-glasnevin/events/1916-rising-tours/

Kilmainham Goal

The place where many of the leaders of the 1916 Rising were shot. Kilmainham Goal offers tours daily. A fascinating tour that gives you a great sense of what life was like for those who resided in her walls. Tickets are sold on a first come first served basis. So get their early to avoid disappointment:

http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/dublin/kilmainhamgaol/

Other Events

The Plough and the Stars, the Abbey Theatre, 9^th March April 23^rd.

Written by the famous playwright Sean OCasey. It tells the story of ordinary lives ripped apart by the idealism of the time. Riots ensued when it premiered in the Abbey Theatre in 1926. Now considered a masterpiece, it paints a picture of what life was like during that turbulent time in Irish history.

Easter Sunday Commemoration Ceremony and Parade, Dublin, 27^th March.

An event open to the public. A parade through Dublin will be led by the Irish Defence Forces. The 1916 proclamation will be read at the GPO, by an Irish Defence Forces Officer, followed by the President laying a wreath, a minutes silence, flag raising and concluded with the playing of the National Anthem.