The Irish Volunteers

The Irish Volunteers were a paramilitary group founded in 1913 in Ireland, aiming to secure greater autonomy and rights for Irish people under British rule. They initially formed in response to the Ulster Volunteer Force, which opposed Home Rule for Ireland. The Irish Volunteers played a crucial role in the 1916 Easter Rising, a rebellion against British control intended to establish an independent Irish Republic. Their actions galvanized support for Irish nationalism and ultimately contributed to the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922, reflecting a significant moment in Irish history and the struggle for independence.