Liberation of IrelandThe Easter Rising of 1916The Easter Rebellion was an armed revolt by Irish nationalists against the rule of Great Britain in Ireland. The riot took place on Easter Monday, 24 April 1916, and was mainly concentrated in Dublin. The main objectives were the achievement of political freedom and the establishment of an Irish republic. Centuries of discontent, marked by numerous rebellions, preceded the revolt. The new crisis began to develop in September 1914, following the outbreak of the First World War, when the British government suspended the recently enacted Home Rule Bill, which granted a measure of political autonomy to Ireland. The bill's suspension stimulated the growth of the Citizen Army, an illegal force of Dublin citizens organized by trade union leader Jim Larkin (d. 1948) and socialist James Connolly (1870–1916); of the Irish Volunteers, national defense organisation; and the extremist Sinn Féin. The uprising was planned by the leaders of these organisations, including the British consular agent Sir Roger David Casement, the educator Padhraic Pearse (1879-1916) and the poet Thomas MacDonagh (1878-1916). Hostilities began around midday on 24 April. , when around 2000 men led by Pearse took control of the Dublin Post Office and other strategic points in the city. Shortly after these initial successes, the leaders of the rebellion proclaimed the independence of Ireland and announced the establishment of a provisional government of the Irish Republic. Further positions were occupied by the rebels during the night and by the morning of 25 April they controlled a considerable part of Dublin. The counter-offensive by British forces began on Tuesday with the arrival of reinforcements. Martial law was proclaimed throughout Ireland. Fierce street fighting developed in Dublin, during which the strengthened British forces steadily drove the Irish from their positions. On the morning of April 29, the post office building, home to the rebel headquarters, was the subject of a violent attack. Recognizing the futility of further resistance, Pearse surrendered unconditionally on the afternoon of 29 April. The British immediately tried the leaders of the revolt before a field court-martial. Fifteen of the group, including Pearse, Connolly and MacDonagh, were sentenced to death and executed by firing squad. Four more, including... half of the sheet... m. In June, Irish voters ratified a treaty strengthening political and monetary integration within the European Community.PresidentsDOUGLAS HYDE 1938-1945 (+1949)SEAN THOMAS O'KELLY 1945-1959 (+1966) Fianna FáilEAMON DE VALERA 1959-1973 (+1975) Fianna FáilERSKINE HAMILTON CHILDERS 1973-1974 (+) Fianna FáilCEARBHALL O'DALAIGH 1974-1976 (+1978) Fianna FáilPATRICK J. HILLERY 1976-1990 Fianna FáilMARY ROBINSON 1990-1997 LabourMARY MCALEESE 1997- Fianna FáilTao iseachs (Prime Ministers)EAMON DE VALERA 1932 -1948 (+1975) Fianna FáilJOHN A. COSTELLO 1948-1951 (+1976) Late GaelEAMON DE VALERA 1951-1954 (+1975) Fianna FáilJOHN A. COSTELLO 1954-1957 (+1976) Late GaelEAMON DE VALERA 1957-1959 (+ 1975) Fianna FáilSEAN F. LEMASS 1959-1966 (+1971) Fianna FáilJACK M. LYNCH 1966-1973 FIanna FáilLIAM GOSGRAVE 1973-1977 Fine GaelJACK M. LYNCH 1977-1979 Fianna F áilCHARLES HAUGHEY 1979-1981 Fianna FáilGARRET FITZGERALD 1981-1982 Fine GaelCHARLES HAUGHEY 1982 Fianna FáilGARRET FITZGERALD 1982-1987 Fine GaelCHARLES HAUGHEY 1987-1992 Fianna FáilALBERT REYNOLDS 1992-1994 Fianna FáilJOHN BRUTON 1994- 1997 Fine GaelBERTIE AHERN 1997- Fianna Fáil