Sean Connolly, Easter Rising 1916 rebel and Abbey Theatre actor.

Sean Connolly, Irish language enthusiast, accomplished sportsman, singer and actor. An Abbey Theatre actor from 1913 to 1916, he led the second company of the Irish Citizen Army in its attempt to secure Dublin Castle during the Easter Rising of 1916. He was the first rebel to take a life in the Rising and was the first rebel casualty when he was shot at City Hall. His final performance at the Abbey Theatre in March 1916 was as Patrick Gillane in Kathleen Ni Houlihan. He was due to perform the same role on Easter Monday and in the premiere of The Spancel of Death by T.H. Nally scheduled for Easter Tuesday.