In this month: September 1914
9 September: IRB and others meet in Dublin and resolve to use the European war as an opportunity to carry out an insurrection; meeting includes all seven signatories of the eventual ‘Proclamation’ used in the 1916 Rising.
From History Ireland: A special issue on the ninetieth anniversary of the Easter Rising.
From Century Ireland: Planning a rising for Ireland.
11 September: Formation of second ‘new army’, to include the 16th (Irish) Division.
18 September: Government of Ireland Act, 1914, is suspended.
20 September: John Redmond gives speech at Woodenbridge, Co. Wicklow, arguing that Irish Volunteers should enlist ‘in defence of right, of freedom, of religion in this war’.
From Century Ireland: Redmond urges Irish Volunteers to join the British Army.
24 September: Redmond’s leadership of Irish Volunteers repudiated by members of original committee, including Eoin MacNeill.
From Century Ireland: Irish Volunteers spilt over Redmond’s recruitment plea.
25–26 September: Redmond and Prime Minister Asquith address recruiting meeting in Dublin’s Mansion House.
From Century Ireland: Asquith attends Dublin recruitment rally and shots fired as Dubliners protest against recruitment to British army.
28 September: Formation of Irish Neutrality League with James Connolly as president.