1916 Rising Postcards


Part of UCD Library's Curran Collection, most of these postcards were published in 1916 in the immediate aftermath of the Insurrection. They provide an excellent contemporary pictorial record of the damage to the city; one showing a “before and after” photograph of Sackville (O'Connell) Street. Some are reproductions of “under fire” photos taken by the Daily Sketch photographer and published by Easons. Other series were produced by Hely's and Coleman's publishers. The collection contains 37 distinct postcards (as well as duplicates) collected by Constantine Curran.

still image

Interior of a building which has been completely gutted by fire


The steel girders have remained largely intact.

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

The Four Courts: view of the west wing from Merchants' Quay


View of the west wing of the Four Courts from Merchants' Quay by W.D. Hogan. End of the building at Morgan Place shows extensive damage from shelling; three floors and the wall have partially collapsed; a truck is blocking the entrance to the rear of the building at Morgan Place.

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

The Four Courts façade: view from Merchants' Quay showing damage to the west wing


View of the façade of the Four Courts from Merchants' Quay by W.D. Hogan. Façade shows extensive damage to the west wing from shelling in which three floors and the wall have partially collapsed; the roof has holes and there is masonry missing from the entrance to the west courtyard; the foreground on Merchants' Quay is strewn with debris and broken tram lines; cupola of the Four Courts is shrouded in smoke.

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

Irish rebellion May 1916: the interior of the ballroom, Imperial Hotel, Dublin, after the siege


Irish rebellion May 1916: the interior of the ballroom, Imperial Hotel, Dublin, after the siege

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

Interior of a completely gutted building


The building possibly is on Sackville Street. A telegraph pole appears to be suspended in mid-air, debris is lying at the front of the building, and the cobbled street is full of puddles.

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

Group of men outside a row of badly damaged and demolished buildings


Possibly on Sackville Street. Some of the men are working but others are scrutinising the damage; the remains of what appears to be a burned out tram are in the foreground.

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

Soldiers outside a restaurant in ruins


The three photographs have some differences in detail. The restaurant interior has been destroyed although its façade, including decorative ironwork, appears to be largely intact; the soldiers are helping to salvage furniture. Further down the street there is even greater devastation of buildings with debris and wrecked vehicles lying around.

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

Badly damaged buildings and people looking among the ruins


The two photographs have some differences in detail. The buildings possibly are on Sackville Street. The foreground contains twisted metal including the remains of a tram and a sign advertising Nestle's.

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

Man viewing the interior of a badly damaged building


The two photographs have some differences in detail. The man is viewing the gutted interior of very badly damaged buildings, possibly in the vicinity of the GPO, the parapet of which may just be visible. The foreground is a mass of twisted girders, and a long ladder is resting on part of the building.

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

Soldiers in defensive position in the doorway and at a window of a building in ruins


The two photographs have some differences in detail.

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

A gentleman standing in the ruins of part of the Four Courts


Photograph by W.D. Hogan of a gentleman standing in the ruins of part of the Four Courts surrounded by debris and broken pillars. He is holding what is possibly the remnant of a document from the explosion in the treasury of the PRO.

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

The Four Courts: ruined interior


Photograph by W.D. Hogan of the ruined interior of the Four Courts. Debris and broken pillars lie around. The imposing statue of a judge has been badly damaged.

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

Interior Coliseum Theatre, Dublin, after bombardment


Interior Coliseum Theatre, Dublin, after bombardment

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

Sackville Street, Dublin, showing ruins of Hotel Metropole and G.P.O. after bombardment


Sackville Street, Dublin, showing ruins of Hotel Metropole and G.P.O. after bombardment

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

Sinn Fein rebellion, 1916: D.B.C. Sackville Street, Dublin


Sinn Fein rebellion, 1916: D.B.C. Sackville Street, Dublin

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

Sinn Fein rebellion, 1916: Liberty Hall, Dublin


Sinn Fein rebellion, 1916: Liberty Hall, Dublin

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

Exterior of G.P.O. after evacuation, showing broken flag-post from which Republican flag was flown


Exterior of G.P.O. after evacuation, showing broken flag-post from which Republican flag was flown

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

Irish rebellion May 1916: Liberty Hall, Dublin, the rebel headquarters, after the storming


Irish rebellion May 1916: Liberty Hall, Dublin, the rebel headquarters, after the storming

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

James Connolly murdered May 12th 1916


Postcard showing Liberty Hall with a banner hanging from the upper story which says 'James Connolly Murdered May 12th 1916'.

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

Sackville Street, Dublin, showing ruins of D.B.C. restaurant after bombardment


Sackville Street, Dublin, showing ruins of D.B.C. restaurant after bombardment

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

Liberty Hall showing extensive structural and artillery damage on one side


The two photographs have some differences in detail. Bricks have spilled out onto the street and workmen are in the process of loading them onto carts.

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

Demolition of part of a building in Middle Abbey Street


The two photographs are taken from different angles. They show dust rising from the ruins and one photograph incorporates a group of people watching the process with curiosity. A building contractor's sign has been hung on the adjacent building.

still image

IIIF drag and drop link

Sinn Fein rebellion: D.B.C. Sackville Street, Dublin. Before and after


Sinn Fein rebellion: D.B.C. Sackville Street, Dublin. Before and after

still image

IIIF drag and drop link