The Irish Band of Brothers

The RSCI recently had an exhibition showcasing the battle of St. Stephen's Green during Easter Week of 1916. Amongst the trove of profiles and dioramas on display were some possessions and a large wall-sized profile of Christopher Poole and his role during the rising. Below are scans and photos of the exhibits focused on Christopher Poole. The Exhibition is currently doing rounds around Ireland.

In the days following the ceasefire that ended the 1916 Rising, many of the members of the Irish Citizen Army were ferried over to Frongoch Prison in Wales where they were interred as a result of their service to a nationalist Ireland. Being a Staff Captain and 3rd in Command of the organisation, Christopher Poole was no exception to this mass arrest; his service as 2nd in Command at Stephen's Green made him one of the more detailed prisoners amongst those detained.

Christopher Poole, before participating in any nationalist cause, was a member of the British Army's 2nd East Yorkshire Regiment, fighting in the Tirah Campaign and the Second Boer War. Below you will find the terms of his enlistment and discharge, with focus on his physical description, position while serving and record of transfers up until his discharge. (Images are used under license by National Archives London.)

In tandem with Irish director and film producer, Marcus Howard, the Poole family have recorded 2 documentaries relating to the Pooles of 1916 and their contributions to society at the time. Below you can see a long form documentary on the members of the Poole family who fought during 1916, featuring interviews from the Poole family.

In tandem with Irish director and film producer, Marcus Howard, the Poole family have recorded 2 documentaries relating to the Pooles of 1916 and their contributions to society at the time. Below you can see a short documentary on the tragedy of Joe Poole, featuring interviews from the Poole family

Joe Poole was a tailor, and one of the infamous Irish Invincibles lead by "Skin the Goat" Fitzharris. Born to Frederick and Sophia Poole in Dublin on August 26th, 1855, Joe was the fifth of the Pooles born to Frederick Poole Jr. and his first wife, Sophia Fanning. He was to grow up to become a tailor like his father. His mother died when he was just 10 years old, and 7 years later his brother William was killed by a runaway horse. He married in 1880, but his bride only lived for six months. His brother-in-law turned police informer and gave the evidence that was to kill him. Dogged by Inspector Mallin - possibly the best Dublin Castle detective - he never stood a chance. He is now considered one of the Phoenix Park Patriots by the Oval Office library.

Vincent Poole was born in Dublin on 20th February 1881 & baptised on 9th March 1881.  He died on 25th June 1955 Vincent is buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery, Dublin. He was a member of the Irish Citizen Army and fought in the 1916 Easter Rising. On 24th April Easter Monday morning, Vincent Poole took up positions at Wicklow Manure Works, Fairview, Annesley Bridge & Ballybough where he was busy doing various jobs including trying to blow up the GNR railway line and also erecting barricades into the city centre. On Tuesday evening, they got orders and had to retire from their posts at Ballybough & Annesley Bridge as it was likely to be surrounded by the British troops. They had to make their way back to the City Centre and when they reached the G.P.O, Padraig Pearse, Thomas Clarke, Commander James Connolly and the men gave them a great welcome and congratulated them on the march from the outpost. Then Commander James Connolly informed the remaining group of men to ...

Captain Christopher "Kit" Poole (17 December 1875-27 November 1965) was an Irish soldier and military tactician who fought in the Tirah Campaign and the Second Boer War as a British Army Private, as well as a captain of the Irish Citizen Army during the Easter Rising. During the citizen army's inception in 1913, he was a member of the group's initial provisional council alongside Jack White, James Larkin, P. T. Daly and Constance Markievicz, and would go on to take up a permanent position on the army's executive committee. He was also a pivotal figure during the 1916 Easter Rising, positioned as second in command at the battle of St. Stephen's Green under citizen army commandant Michael Mallin, where they held out for six days against British forces, ending the engagement when the British brought them a copy of Pearse's surrender order. Getty Images