My wife Trish Darcy, to whom this unworthy work is dedicated, for her endurance, commitment, strength, love and unwavering support. My loving children Fionn and Lily May whose first words were James Connolly. My mother Treasa and my father Dermot and their strong sense of Irish culture and heritage. Michael O’Brien for having the vision and bravery to take on this project with such enthusiasm. Mary Webb for her enduring support and guidance. My brilliant series co-editor Dr Ruán O’Donnell. Susan Houlden for her editorial skills. Emma, Ivan, Ide, Kunak, Carol, Helen and everyone at the O’Brien Press. Anne-Marie Ryan for her kindness and everyone at Kilmainham Goal. Conor Kostick for guidance and suggestions. John Donoghue, James Donoghue, Alan Martin, John Francis, Kenny and all at the International Bar for their constant support. John Gibney. Jim Connolly Heron. John Connolly. Seamus Connolly. Peter Reid. In Troy, New York: MaryEllen Quinn, Samantha Quinn. Jim P Coleman in Albany. Declan Mills. Joe Connell. Everyone at Dublin Tourism. Orla Collins and Mark Childerson, Aoife, Oisín and Ferdia. Diarmuid Collins and Eibhlis Connaughton. Carmel Darcy and Pat Darcy. All the Collins clan, the Farrell family and all the Darcy family. Ciara Gallagher. Rhonda Donagahy, SIPTU. Gary Quinn. Daithí Turner. Prof Andrew Hazucha. Prof Shawn O’Hare, Prof John Wells. Brian Donnelly, Elizabeth McEvoy, Mick Flood and Lorcan Farrell at the National Archives. Keith Murphy at the National Photographic Archives. Gerry Kavanagh, Patrick Sweeney, Michael McHugh, James Harte, Colette O’Daly at the National Library of Ireland. Lisa Dolan, Commandant Victor Laing, Noelle Grothier, Capt Stephen MacEoin, Pte Adrian Short and Hugh Beckett at the Bureau of Military Archives, Cathal Brugha Barracks. Rev Joseph Mallin, Hong Kong. All at Dublin Castle. Honor O Brolchain. All at the GPO. Brian Crowley and everyone at the Pearse Museum. Carol Murphy, SIPTU. Tom Stokes and Frank Allen. Paul Turnell. Shane MacThomáis at Glasnevin Museum. David Kilmartin and the 1916–21 Club. Caoilfhionn Ní Bheachain. Terry O’Donoghue. Caoimhe Nic Dháibhéid. Cliff Housley and the WFR Museum, Sherwood Foresters Archives. Gearóid Breathnach. Coilín O’Dufaigh. Ruarí O’Duinn. Nicky Furlong. Ciaran Wyse at Cork County Library. Dan Burt and Deb Felder. Mick Green, Kevin Lee and Joseph Dowse in Carnew, Wicklow. The 16 Lives authors – a great collective. Thank you also to all my friends and colleagues for their patience and support and finally thanks to all the Dubliners who pass me by every day with a cheery word or two.