04/24/2026
Today is the 110th anniversary of the Easter Rising. What is this event and how does it relate to Lowell?
On April 24, 1916, Easter Monday in Dublin, the Irish Republican Brotherhood, a secret organization of Irish nationalists led by Patrick Pearse, launched the so-called Easter Rising, an armed uprising against British rule. Assisted by militant Irish socialists under James Connolly, Pearse and his fellow Republicans rioted and attacked British provincial government headquarters across Dublin and seized the Irish capital’s General Post Office.
Shortly after proclaiming Irish independence, the British military retaliated, claiming almost 500 lives and injuring 2,600 over the next five days. Following the uprising, 14 nationalist leaders were executed for their participation and held up as martyrs by many in Ireland. Protests continued through the years when in 1921, 26 out of the 32 Irish counties gained independence.
One of the nationalist leaders, Eamon de Valera (pictured), was not executed due partially to his American citizenship. He traveled back to the United States following his release, touring all over the country and even made a stop in Lowell, meeting with Msgr. William O’Brien at St. Patrick Church.
There will be a commemorative Mass on Sunday, April 26th at St. Patrick Church in Lowell to honor the victims of this event.
