St Patrick’s Day, 1916: Thousands take to streets in show of force

On St Patrick's Day, 1916, thousands took to Irish streets in a demonstration of force by the Irish Volunteers. Just over a month later, many would be involved in open rebellion against British rule in Ireland.

The following day, The Irish Times noted that: "Yesterday some thousands of able-bodied Irishmen, who refuse to help their country in the present war, paraded the streets of Dublin and Cork. The existence and designs of these people are not negligible; on the contrary, they demand a far closer attention than they are getting from the absentee Chief Secretary for Ireland."

Here are the reports on some of the St Patrick's Day parades printed in The Irish Times on Saturday, March 18th, 1916.

Headlined: “Sinn Féin review in Dublin”

There was a special “review” of the Sinn Féin section of the Irish Volunteers in Dublin yesterday. At nine o’clock there was an assemblage of various companies in College Green and on the southern quays, after which the men attended Mass in SS Michael and John’s Church, Exchange street.

Subsequently there was a short route march, and by noon they had formed into line in College Green and Dame Street for inspection by Mr John MacNeill, president of this section of the Irish Volunteers. These two streets were closed to traffic for about an hour, the stoppage of the trams leading to much congestion and inconvenience in the service to the northern districts of the city.

The inspection itself occupied about half an hour. Mr MacNeill arrived at 12.20 in a motor car which was drawn up in the centre of the hollow square formed opposite the Bank of Ireland. There was no speechmaking, and the entire display was carried out in a peaceable and orderly manner.

The principal interest in the “review” was the appearance and bearing of the men from the military standpoint. It was evident that the participators were exceedingly anxious to be regarded as soldiers. Officially, four battalions, each comprised of six companies, were supposed to take part. This, even at half strength , would have given upwards of 10,000 Volunteers. Actually only about 1,600 took part. Many of the demonstrators were middle-aged men, and others were boys in their teens. About two-thirds of the men were armed , though the weapons were a very miscellaneous collection indeed.

A liberal estimate would give about 800 serviceable rifles and bayonets of a comparatively modern pattern. There were no evidences of any rifle ammunition being carried, but almost all the officers and many of the men carried revolvers.

During the progress of the procession, leaflets were freely distributed. One of these set out the aims and objects of the Irish Volunteers, and appealed for recruits, emphasising the statement that:

– The policy of the Irish people today must remain one of armed vigilance if their country is to be preserved from foreign aggression, and if the mistakes of the past are to be avoided.

A second pamphlet was entitled, "Twenty Plain Facts for Irishmen," amongst which were the following statements: -

– The Irish Volunteers (under the presidency of John MacNeill) are pledged to the cause of the freedom of Ireland.

– In raising, training, arming, and equipping the Irish Volunteers as a military body, the men of Ireland are acquiring the power to obtain the freedom of the Irish Nation.

– Of Irishmen who do not desire for their country the natural right of freedom and for themselves the natural right of a freeman, there is no more to be said.

– It is the duty of every Irishman who desires for his country her natural right of freedom and for himself the natural right of a freeman, to be an Irish Volunteer.

Headlined: “Procession in Cork”

Apart from the presence of representatives of the National and Irish Volunteers, the St Patrick’s Day procession in Cork today was much the same as that which usually takes place in the Southern capital. A great opportunity to celebrate the day in accordance with the conditions of the times was lost when the Demonstration Committee scornfully rejected the offer of the military authorities to allow the troops of the garrison to take part in the celebration.

Had the objection of the Sinn Féiners been overruled, the procession would have been in every sense worthy of the day. The rejection of the proposal meant not alone the absence of the military – men of such regiments as the Munster and Dublin Fusiliers, which, have fully maintained the fighting traditions of Ireland in the war – but also of representatives of the Protestant community, which is a vital element in the civic life of Cork.

Thus, instead of being a united tribute to Ireland’s national saint from all sections of the public, the celebration dwindled into a mere partisan affair.

It was a pity that the usual good sense of Cork did not assert itself, and make the occasion really worthy of the day and the times.

Instead of witnessing a display truly national, the thousands of citizens who lined the streets were treated to a parade of the local Volunteers. The National Volunteers numbered only a few hundred. The reason was explained on bannerettes, stating that 400 of their members had joined the Colours. The space which they would have occupied in the procession was illustrated by ropes, suggesting the area that would have been covered by the absent men. The Irish Volunteers utilised the occasion to make a big demonstration in force.

They were drawn not alone from Cork, but from the surrounding districts, and even then they did not make an imposing display. They were, about 1,100 strong, but their carriage and bearing did not impress the onlookers.

Some of them wore uniform, and most of them carried antiquated rifles, many of which appeared to be the old Italian rifles secured through the gun-running episode at Howth.

The sight of the Irish Volunteers passing through Patrick Street aroused the ire of an old woman, who told them in vehement language that they were Germans, and that real Irishmen were fighting for their country in the trenches, “without bed or Bolster”.

Hers was the only discordant voice in the dense crowds that lined the streets, including many soldiers, who regarded the procession with quizzical interest.

The proceedings were certainly carried out in an orderly manner, and the presence of the Lord Mayor and members of the Corporation in their civic robes gave an added importance to the display.

The best feature of the procession was the creditable turn-out of the pupils of the Christian and Presentation Brothers’ Schools – sturdy, intelligent lads, proudly wearing their shamrock.

Headlined: “Procession in Tipperary”

St Patrick's Day was celebrated in Tipperary by a public procession and a great meeting in the Market Yard, at which Monsignor Ryan presided, and Mr P O'Daly, late General Secretary of the Gaelic League, was the principal speaker.

A feature of the procession was that the Irish (Sinn Féin) and National Volunteers marched together.