Irish Volunteers

The Irish Volunteers were a nationalist militia formed in 1913 to advocate for Irish self-determination and protect the rights of Irish people. Their primary aim was to secure more autonomy from British rule. Amid growing tensions, they played a significant role in the 1916 Easter Rising, a pivotal event in Ireland's struggle for independence. The Volunteers, inspired by ideals of nationalism and civil rights, eventually evolved into the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which continued to fight for an independent Irish Republic. Their legacy is central to understanding modern Irish history and the fight for national identity.