One of the most significant moments in Irish history happened on 29th April 1916 directly outside where our restaurant now stands.
1916 was the year of ‘The Easter Rising’ when over 1,200 Irish rebels, mainly in Dublin, attempted to end British rule on the island of Ireland. The aim of the rebellion was to create an Irish Republic completely separate from the British Commonwealth after hundreds of years of British occupancy. It was the largest uprising in Ireland since the rebellion of 1798.
There were a number of significant figures who led the rebellion such as James Connolly, Thomas J. Clarke and Thomas McDonagh, but none were more instrumental than Commander in Chief of the Irish Volunteers, Patrick Pearse.
Pearse, an Irish teacher, barrister, poet, writer, nationalist and political activist has come to be seen by many as the embodiment of the rebellion. He led the rebellion which began on Monday April 24th and finished six days later when he was captured outside The Kingfisher Restaurant.
Almost exactly 60 years before The Kingfisher was established in 1976, Patrick Pearse surrendered to Brigadier General William Lowe and his son, Officer John Lowe on 29th April 1916, thus signaling the end of the famous 1916 rebellion.
Patrick Pearse, having read the Proclamation of The Republic, being Commander in Chief of the Volunteer forces and one of the signatories of said Proclamation was one of the most significant people in modern Irish history. His capture and surrender to British forces outside where The Kingfisher Restaurant now stands was one of the most significant events in Irish history, and the turning point of the failed 1916 rebellion.
After surrendering to the British Army, he was then taken to Arbour Hill Prison where he wrote his famous letter instructing ‘unconditional surrender’ and for all rebels to ‘lay down arms’. He was executed along with the other signatories of the proclamation three days later.
His surrender letter reads:
‘In order to prevent further slaughter of the civil population and in the hope of saving the lives of our followers, the members of the Provisional government present at headquarters have decided on an unconditional surrender, and commandants or officers commanding districts will order their commands to lay down arms.’
P.H. Pearse,
30th April 1916,
Dublin.
THE SURRENDER OF PATRICK PEARCE
This picture is one of most famous and widely reproduced images in Irish history, and is considered one of the defining moments of the 1916 Easter Rising. The photograph depicts rebel leader and Commander in Chief of The Irish Volunteers, Patrick Pearse, surrendering to Brigadier General William Lowe outside where the present day Kingfisher Restaurant now stands.
Patrick Pearse November 10th 1879 – May 3rd 1916.
Above is the letter of unconditional surrender written by Patrick Pearse from Arbour Hill Prison on 30th April 1916 instructing all volunteers to lay down arms. He was executed along with the other signatories of the Irish Proclamation in Kilmainham Gaol on 3rd May 1916.
