Disturbances in Dublin after Requiem mass for rebel leader

Dublin, 19 June 1916 - Three policemen were injured and seven people were arrested following a Requiem Mass held in Dublin in honour of the executed rebel leader Thomas Clarke.

At 2pm a procession of 400 people, which was joined by a crowd of 2,000 more, passed through the streets of Dublin from the Franciscan Church on Merchants’ Quay.

The procession included men carrying tricolours as well as green flags with harps in the middle. They passed along Dame Street and College Green into Westmoreland Street, singing songs associated with the Irish Volunteers.

As they passed Dublin Castle, they hissed at the sentries who stood on duty, and also hurled abuse at police and soldiers who they passed en route.

Memorial card for those who were executed in the aftermath of the Dublin rebellion. (Images: National Museum of Ireland)

Police intervention
At Westmoreland Street, a large body of police attempted to intervene to seize the flags and disperse the crowd.

In the fight that ensued, three policemen received minor injuries and seven processionists – four men and three women – were arrested and brought to Great Brunswick Street Police Station.

After the procession broke up, the crowd headed to the General Post Office on Sackville Street and stood there cheering for a long time.

[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]