Commandant Edward (Ned) Daly, 1891-1916

Edward (Ned) Daly joined the Irish Volunteers on their foundation in November 1913, soon attaining the rank of captain. He studied military manuals and any other such texts he could find, soon becoming an authority on tactics and strategy. In March 1915, he was promoted to commandant of the 1st Battalion.

In the Rising, Daly and his 1st Battalion were assigned to hold the Four Courts (courts of law) and the surrounding area between the Liffey and North Brunswick Street, and were involved in some of the most intense fighting of the Rising. Nevertheless, they held out until Pearse’s surrender order reached them on Saturday, 29 April 1916. Commandant Daly is said to have shown great concern for local civilians. He took over Monks’s bakery and arranged for the distribution of bread to the surrounding community.

Ned Daly was tried by court-martial, and executed by firing squad on Thursday 4 May.