A collection of intriguing and unusual details from one of the biggest events in Irish history. The 1916 Rising was Ireland’s first step on the road to independence, but even those who know a great deal about it may not know that there were temporary ceasefires around St Stephen’s Green to allow the park-keeper to feed the Green’s ducks. Few know that the first shots of the Rising were actually fired near Portlaoise or indeed that both sides issued receipts: the rebels for food, the British for rebels! 50 Things You Didn’t Know About 1916 features excerpts from two previously unpublished diaries – one written by a civilian, and one written under fire by a member of the Jacob’s factory garrison. It also tells the story of how the British Navy shelled the routes into Galway city to disperse rebels under the command of Liam Mellows, and how the officer who took Pearse’s surrender went on to become a Hollywood star.50 Things is a treasure trove of information that will appeal to the avid student of 1916 as well as the casual reader.
