Video – Re-enactment of 1916 Moore Street battle

HUNDREDS of members of the public crowded into Dublin's Moore Street following the Easter Rising Commemoration on Sunday to watch a live re-enactment of the O'Rahilly Charge, performed by the Cabra Historical Society.

Following four days of fighting and bombardment in 1916 the GPO garrison of the Irish Volunteers planned to fight its way out of the British military cordon which had been thrown up around Dublin City.

On Easter Friday evening, Michael Joseph O'Rahilly led a small detachment of Volunteers up Moore Street in an effort to clear the British barricade at the Parnell Street end.

Four Volunteers – Henry Coyle, Francis Macken, Michael Mulvihill and Patrick Shortis – were killed in their charge up Moore Street and O’Rahilly was fatally wounded.

O’Rahilly managed to drag himself into Sackville Lane (now O’Rahilly Parade) where he lay dying for many hours. Volunteers and civilians were unable to come to his aid because of the British firing. 

As he lay dying he wrote the following letter:

"Written after I was shot. Darling Nancy I was shot leading a rush up Moore Street and took refuge in a doorway. While I was there I heard the men pointing out where I was and made a bolt for the laneway I am in now. I got more [than] one bullet I think. Tons and tons of love dearie to you and the boys and to Nell and Anna. It was a good fight anyhow. Please deliver this to Nannie O' Rahilly, 40 Herbert Park, Dublin. Goodbye Darling."

The O'Rahilly died on Easter Saturday and was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery as the prison executions of his comrades were beginning.