Michael Mallin in uniform

Michael Mallin joined the Irish Citizen Army in 1913, and soon became chief of staff. He raised standards of discipline and professionalism, and introduced a rigorous training regime featuring marches, field manoeuvres, and mock attacks on public buildings.

Michael Mallin and his second in command, Constance Markievicz, were assigned to St. Stephen’s Green. Mallin proceeded to fortify his position, posting men in some of the houses overlooking St. Stephen's Green and setting men to work digging trenches to cover the entrances. However, the British directed machine gun fire from the Shelbourne Hotel onto the Green late on Easter Monday, as a result of which Mallin abandoned most of it on Tuesday.

The majority of the Irish Citizen Army forces then garrisoned the Royal College of Surgeons immediately to the west of St. Stephen's Green. As Brigadier-General Lowe concentrated on the G.P.O. and the Four Courts, the College of Surgeons garrison wasinvolved in little action until the order for surrender came the following Sunday, 30 April 1916.

Michael Mallin was tried by court-martial, sentenced to death, and was executed on 8 May 1916. He was survived by his wife Agnes Hickey, his three sons and two daughters, the younger of whom was not born until four months after his death.