James Connolly was an Irish republican, socialist, and trade union leader, executed for his part in the 1916 Easter Rising against British rule in Ireland. He remains an important figure both for the Irish labour movement and for Irish republicanism.
James Connolly
Connolly addresses a crowd of 8,000, New York City, May Day, 1908
Belfast mill workers early 1900s
Dublin Metropolitan Police break up a union rally
The Easter Rising, also known as the Easter Rebellion, was an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916. The Rising was launched by Irish republicans against British rule in Ireland with the aim of establishing an independent Irish Republic while the United Kingdom was fighting the First World War. It was the most significant uprising in Ireland since the rebellion of 1798 and the first armed conflict of the Irish revolutionary period. Sixteen of the Rising's leaders were executed starting in May 1916. The nature of the executions, and subsequent political developments, ultimately contributed to an increase in popular support for Irish independence.
O'Connell Street, Dublin, after the Rising. The GPO is at left, and Nelson's Pillar at right.
Members of the Irish Citizen Army outside Liberty Hall, under the slogan "We serve neither King nor Kaiser, but Ireland"
The General Post Office in Dublin – the rebel headquarters
Positions of rebel and British forces in central Dublin
