On Easter Monday Ethel Douglas had arranged to meet her friends at Harcourt Street Station as they were going to have a picnic. One of her friends, a Lieutenant in the British Army, was nearly killed on his way to meet them.
He turned up in his khaki uniform… He’d been shot at by Countess Markievicz.
The group went out to the Lead Mines and enjoyed their picnic. They were later joined by her friend the soldier who had gone to retrieve his motorbike.
That evening Ethel agreed to allow the soldier to take her home on the motorbike and she recalls the atmosphere had changed greatly in the city. They were stopped numerous times by the military and as she says she was,
… A bit nervous because of the guns pointing towards us.
The two were allowed to proceed but it was at their own risk. Eventually they reached Ethel’s home in Newbridge Avenue. Her mother was shocked to see her daughter with a man in uniform. For their safety she insisted he change into civilian clothes. He agreed to this but did not remain in the house and instead reported for duty.
Ethel Douglas was interviewed for the television series 'Ireland A Television History', 28 March 1979.
