The 1912-1914 armed mobilization of a volunteer force pledged to oppose Home Rule, at least in Ireland’s northern counties, failed to consider the implications for unionist-nationalist relationships within Ulster, Dr. Seán Farren writes in The Irish Times.
Likewise, nationalists gave little consideration to the likely effects their rebellion would have on relationships with unionists, particularly those in the North pledged to violently oppose self-government for Ireland.
“…The 1916 Rising took place against the background of an Ireland already on the threshold of actual partition, with no likelihood of any Irish or British attempt to prevent it becoming a constitutional reality being successful. Given unionist reaction to the rebellion, the slide towards a bitter division of the country was only strengthened.”