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"If You See Anybody In Uniform, Shoot Him"

"I Only Brought The Tea And The Ginger Snaps"

“Did Yis Hear The News Lads?”

Relevant Places

One of the many buildings occupied by the Irish Volunteers during the Rising was Westland Row train station. After they had cleared the station the Volunteers proceeded to barricade the building and dismantle the signal box. By Wednesday the railway sleepers had been torn up and trenches were dug along the railway line.

Joseph Guilfoyle was a member of the garrison and recalls some amusing incidents that happened throughout the week. On Sunday 30 April, after hearing of the surrender and feeling totally downhearted he and his comrades were surprised to see a Volunteer approaching them with a big smile on his face. He had gotten the news of the surrender completely wrong.

This poor man was completely deaf but a confirmed optimist. He shouted as he approached, “Did yis hear the news lads? The British are surrendering to us.”

Joseph Guilfoyle was a member of ‘A’ Company, 3rd Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers.

Joseph Guilfoyle was interviewed for the programme 'I Was There' broadcast on Radio Éireann, 19 April, 1960. Photograph of Westland Row train station courtesy of RTÉ Archives.

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