Exhibition honours the Dublin Fire Brigade heroes of the 1916 Rising

By William O’Connor

THE Dublin Fire Brigade and 1916 Rising Exhibition was launched by Mayor Guss O’Connell at the County Library, Tallaght, on Tuesday evening.

Founded in 1862, Dublin Fire Brigade is a Dublin institution in every sense of the word. In the 154 years since it was founded, it has served and protected the people of Dublin and visitors to our city and county.

Dublin Fire Brigade has had many proud moments in its history and this exhibition brings one aspect of that history into particular focus: its role in the events of Easter 1916.

A small professional brigade under the command of Captain Thomas Purcell worked throughout the week of the Rebellion to save lives and property in a city which became a battlefield.

In the immediate aftermath of the Rising they faced a city on the verge of destruction and went to work to stop the spread of the flames and bring the great fires under control.

Throughout this year Dublin Fire Brigade has played a major role in commemorative events, including the parade during the State Commemoration on Easter Sunday, honouring those who wore the Dublin Fire Brigade uniform in 1916.

Speaking at Tuesday’s launch, Mayor O’Connell commented, “That small band of firefighters wrote a long-forgotten page in the history of the events of 1916 and it gives me great pleasure to see their story brought to light in this exhibition and highlighted for a new generation.”

The launch was also attended by Deputy Chief Fire Officer Denis Keeley, and Las Fallon, Head of Heritage Projects with the Dublin Fire Brigade. South Dublin County Council, through its library service, is delighted to host this exhibition as part of the 1916 centenary activities.

The exhibition runs at the County Library, Tallaght until September 9.