Provisional Government of the Irish Republic

The Rising lasted five days and, despite controlling only a few strategic sites, transformed the political picture in Ireland and began a chain of events that led to Independence for the Irish Free State six years later.

The object of their action was to strike the first blow in the struggle for freedom, rather than actually to establish a republic, with institutions, policies and government.

This would put Pearse in third place, after Clarke and Mac Diarmada, the original organisers of the Rising.

On the 50th anniversary ceremonies in 1966, Mrs Clarke said in an interview that Pearse had "wanted to grab what was due to others .

surely Pearse should have been satisfied with the honour of Commander-in-Chief when he knew as much about commanding as my dog … I had not intended raising the issue in public but I shall be forced to come out very strongly in public if the powers that be attempt to declare Pearse as President".