BOB Marshall gave a talk about the Irish Easter rebellion of 1916 starting with a history of invasions from the Vikings to the 18th century Protestant settlers following the Battle of the Boyne.

The later failure of 3 Home Rule Bills led to the Irish Volunteer Force being formed. They sought support from Germany in the provision of £20,000 of armaments :Britain used this to justify a charge of Treason in time of war against the leaders.

A common view is that a small group of Republicans seized the Dublin GPO, in fact over 400 Republicans battled at eight locations around the area, with clear objectives.The British fought as in trenches, taking risks with local inhabitants.

The rising lasted six days and was not supported generally by the Irish.

Some leaders were summarily executed by British military courts, others went to a concentration camp in Wales, which Bob described as a University for revolutionaries.

This British action created outrage among the Irish population and the subsequent introduction of the Black and Tans, no more than mercenary thugs, worsened matters. Within 10 years Britain agreed home rule for Ireland with the King as head of state. In 1949 Ireland achieved independence.

CHRIS SMITH