Images Dated 2002 April

Patrick Pearce (seen with his brother Willie) 1879-1916, Irish poet prominent in the Gaelic revival

Patrick Pearce (seen with his brother Willie) 1879-1916, Irish poet prominent in the Gaelic revival, a leader of the Easter Rising 1916. Proclaimed president of the provisional government, he was court-martialled and shot after its suppression. Both were executed in May 1916. Topfoto stills library picture library stock archive vintage Ireland Irish Rebellion 1916

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Irish Easter Rising 1916 - one of the banners up on the GPO by rebels - The Easter Rebellion

Irish Easter Rising 1916 - one of the banners up on the GPO by rebels - The Easter Rebellion, was an armed uprising of Irish nationalists against the rule of Great Britain in Ireland. The uprising occurred on Easter Monday, April 24, 1916, and centred mainly in Dublin. The chief objectives were the attainment of political freedom and the establishment of an Irish republic. Centuries of discontent, marked by numerous rebellions, preceded the uprising. The new crisis began to develop in September 1914, following the outbreak of World War I, when the British government suspended the recently enacted Home Rule Bill, which guaranteed a measure of political autonomy to Ireland. Suspension of the bill stimulated the growth of the Citizen Army, an illegal force of Dublin citizens organised by the labour leader Jim Larkin (died 1948) and the socialist James Connolly (1870-1916); of the Irish Volunteers, a national defence body; and of the extremist Sinn F?in. The uprising was planned by leaders of these organisations, among whom were the British consular agent Sir Roger David Casement, the educator Padhraic Pearse (1879-1916), and the poet Thomas MacDonagh (1878-1916).Hostilities began about noon on April 24, when about 2000 men led by Pearse seized control of the Dublin post office and other strategic points within the city. Shortly after these initial successes, the leaders of the rebellion proclaimed the Independence of Ireland and announced the establishment of a provisional government of the Irish Republic. Additional positions were occupied by the rebels during the night, and by the morning of April 25 they controlled a considerable part of Dublin. The counteroffensive by British forces began on Tuesday with the arrival of reinforcements. Martial law was proclaimed throughout Ireland. Bitter street fighting developed in Dublin, during which the strengthened British forces steadily dislodged the Irish from their positions...... Topfoto stills library picture library sto

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A royal repast (early 14th century) - Pictures of feasts are not uncommon in ancient manuscripts

A royal repast (early 14th century) - Pictures of feasts are not uncommon in ancient manuscripts, and form very interesting illustrations of domestic life in former days. This subject is made up from two drawings in the series of pictures of sacred history taken from MS Reg 2 B VII, the party at table being furnished by one, while the minstrel on one side, and the attendant bringing in the cup on the opposite side, are taken from the other. The figures in the group below are taken from the burlesque series of drawings at the feet of the pages of the Psalter. One of the most important parts of a rich entertainment was the minstrels and jogelours who attened to amuse the guests. Sometimes the minstrel chanted to the harp the ancient romances of chivalry, the national stories, or the exploits of the master of the feast or of his family. The harper beside the table seems to be occupied in this manner. When the guests were merry at their drinking, the minstels sang laughable stories, called fabliaux, which were frequently of the grossest description. The first of the four figures in this engraving is playing on a kind of dulcimer; the second has a trumpet, the third a tambourine; and the fourth an instrument of the lute or gitterne kind.

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