James Stephens often traveled between his office near Trinity College and his home a few blocks away at 42 Fitzwilliam Street. During Easter Week, Stephens records the events that would become known as the “Easter Rising.” Stephens’ background as a writer and journalist greatly aided his telling of the events transpiring in The Insurrection in Dublin. During Stephens’ walk from his home to his office on the week following Easter 1916, these places that he passed hold much historical value.

Shelbourne Hotel
The Shelbourne Hotel began in 1824 when Martin Bourke, a Tipperary man purchased three town homes off Kildare Street, altered the interiors and created the hotel. In 1886 the Shelbourne purchased no. 32 of St. Stephen’s Green for £3,200 and thereby extended its premises. During the early 1900s the hotel installed a telephone and an elevator. On Easter Monday, 1916, the Shelbourne became a central location in the Easter Rising. British troops invaded the Shelbourne and shot out of the windows at the Irish Volunteers. After quelling the uprising, the hotel returned to normal business. In 1922, room 112 (now called the Constitution Room) of the Shelbourne became the site of the drafting of Ireland’s Constitution.

National Gallery
The Irish Parliament called for the opening of the National Gallery of Ireland in 1854. Since its inception, the gallery has grown to span from the 14th to the 20th centuries and contains artwork from all the major Continental Schools. The Irish school is by the largest. It includes material from the 17th century to Jack B. Yeats, Ireland’s most important and acclaimed artist of the 20th century. The National Gallery has an entire Yeats Museum dedicated to the paintings and drawings of Jack B. Yeats and family. In addition to housing the largest collection of Irish paintings in the world, the National Gallery is also home to the Centre for the Study of Irish Art.

St. Stephen’s Green
St. Stephen’s Green was named after St. Stephen’s Church and leper hospital that was located around Mercer Street. The earliest appearance of St. Stephen’s Green on a map was in 1655 when it was shown without boundaries. In 17th century St. Stephen’s Green had approximately 60 acres. In 1664 the Corporation selected 27 acres for preservation and divided the rest into lots for development. Five years later, St. Stephen’s Green was surrounded by a high stone wall. During the 18th century the four malls outside St. Stephen’s Green developed into Beaux Walk, in the North; Leeson’s Walk in the South; Monk’s Walk in the East; and French Walk in the West. In 1814 the square became enclosed with gates and railings. In 1877 Parliament placed the area under control of the Board of Works, but in 1880 it was re-opened to the public. During the Easter Rising, the Irish Volunteers captured the Green. Countess Markievicz was instrumental in this, and there now is a bust in her honor in the Green.