1916 Rising - daily ceasefire in Stephen's Green for Duck's Sake?

hatrickpatrick

I saw a random little sticker on a traffic light post in Dublin a while ago which claimed that both sides observed a sort of unofficial daily ceasefire around Stephen's Green during the week of the Rising, so that the park keeper, named James Kearney according to the sticker, could slip into the park and feed the ducks each day before the fighting resumed.

Seems a bit fanciful, but then so does the famous Christmas Dinner truce during WWI so anything is possible - a couple of Googles reveal only forum posts and blogs discussing it, nothing concrete.

It's a nice story, but does anyone know whether this is an actual historical event, or a bit of unconfirmed folklore?

jonniebgood1

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

I saw a random little sticker on a traffic light post in Dublin a while ago which claimed that both sides observed a sort of unofficial daily ceasefire around Stephen's Green during the week of the Rising, so that the park keeper, named James Kearney according to the sticker, could slip into the park and feed the ducks each day before the fighting resumed.

Seems a bit fanciful, but then so does the famous Christmas Dinner truce during WWI so anything is possible - a couple of Googles reveal only forum posts and blogs discussing it, nothing concrete.

It's a nice story, but does anyone know whether this is an actual historical event, or a bit of unconfirmed folklore?

This appears to be the case. It is mentioned in book of 50 things you didn't know about the rising. See mention herehttp://www.irishtimes.com/news/1916-a-good-year-for-ducks-1.748262
It also featured in a recent examiner article with reference to the dspca

"The charity’s annual report recorded that it awarded Mr Kearney a parchment certificate for bravely feeding the waterfowl under fire.

The award was presented to him by the then commissioners of public works.

The report shows that the ducks and other water animals were well fed throughout the Rising and were, it states, “very little perturbed by the bullets flying over their heads”.

Mr Kearney remained working in the Green throughout the Rising, risking his life to look after his feathered friends." From http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/1916-rising-hostilities-lifted-daily-to-allow-feeding-of-ducks-384116.html

pinkypinky

They mention it in the Little Museum of Dublin tour too.

hatrickpatrick

jonniebgood1 wrote: »

The report shows that the ducks and other water animals were well fed throughout the Rising and were, it states, “very little perturbed by the bullets flying over their heads”.

I have this mental image of a mother duck with a group of ducklings gathered around her, looking at the flaming trees while she says "those humans... Up to no good as usual"

Lt Dan

They could have taken so many areas. They could have taken the Shelbourne Hotel with it's food, beds and access to the roof. But no , they dig a trench in the wide open space of the Green

Rumour has it that the lads in the Four Courts, during the Civil War refused to take over the hotel across the river in case that they annoy the owner.

Some silly things happened back then.

Conchir

I've a small booklet published by the National Parks and Monuments Service to mark the 100th anniversary of the Green opening to the public. Here's the page that deals with the Rising, including a report by the Superintendent at the time (if you can read the whole thing, fair play :pac:)

Bob Z

Yes I came across that to interesting