1916 - Easter Rising Begins

The Easter Rising began as members of the Irish Volunteers and Irish Citizen Army occupied key locations across Dublin. Patrick Pearse read the Proclamation of the Irish Republic outside the General Post Office, declaring Ireland's independence from British rule. This dramatic action marked the beginning of the most significant challenge to British authority in Ireland since the 1798 rebellion, though the limited nature of the rising and the confusion caused by conflicting orders meant that the action was largely confined to Dublin.

1923 - Civil War Developments

The anti-Treaty IRA Executive met to discuss the deteriorating military situation and the possibility of ending armed resistance. The meeting revealed growing divisions within the republican movement as the futility of continued warfare became increasingly apparent. Despite some leaders' reluctance to admit defeat, the discussions marked a significant step toward the eventual cessation of hostilities.

1957 - Border Campaign

The IRA's Border Campaign suffered a major setback as several key operatives were arrested in coordinated raids across Northern Ireland. The operation demonstrated the effectiveness of cross-border security cooperation between British and Irish authorities, and marked the beginning of the end for this phase of IRA activity.