The Easter Rising in Ireland, 1916
PLANS FOR THE RISING
Thomas Clarke
Thomas Clarke was the main instigator of the rising, supported by Pearse, Seán Mac Diarmada, Eamonn Ceant and Seán T. O Ceallaigh who went to America for further assistance. Thomas McDonagh, Joseph Plunket and James Connolly. were later brought on to the Supreme Council.
During all this activity Eoin McNeill was unaware of the secret body that was organising the rising. Few penetrated the IRB as they prepared for the rising. James Connolly used his paper ‘The Workers’ Republic’ to call for an armed revolt. He used the Citizens Army to protect the paper.
The Irish Volunteers were holding recruiting meetings throughout Ireland and training enthusiastically. They awaited the signal to act as the rising had been set for Easter Saturday, 22nd of April, 1916.
Setbacks to the plan included the capture of Casement and the weapons, the capture of Austin Stack, commandant of the Kerry Brigade and the discovery of the plans for an uprising following a raid on German officials in New York.
The Supreme Council decided unanimously decided to proceed with the uprising despite the fact that they knew it had little chance of success. It was decided to strike on Easter Monday. In spite of the order from McNeill not to revolt, over 2,000 soldiers made a strike for freedom.
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