Belfast, Co. Antrim: West Belfast Nationalists Fight for King and Country

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When John Redmond called for the Irish National Volunteers to enlist, to defend small nations and with the promise of Home Rule for Ireland once the war was over, he visited Belfast to encourage local nationalists to join up. Hundreds of them did, joining the Connaught Rangers and going on to form the 6th Battalion. When the war was over, and after the Easter Rising of 1916, the tide of Nationalist opinion had changed dramatically in the 4 years of conflict and those who had fought in the British Armed Forces were seen as having chosen the wrong side. As a result, many of those West Belfast servicemen kept their service to themselves and their history hidden. In April 2006 The 6th Connaught Rangers Research Project was formed with the intention of bringing this forgotten history to light. Project members Sean O’Hare and Cathal Donaghy, whose relatives served in the 6th, tell of the send-off the men received as they marched off to war. Location: Belfast, various, beginning at the site of the Clonard Picture House BT13 2QR Image: Crowds gather to cheer Irish National Volunteers as they march through the streets of Belfast Image courtesy of 6th Connaught Rangers Research Project