Local politics in Cork to the fore at start of 1916

Politics at the start of 1916 in Cork City and county was overshadowed by events in Europe and the Middle East.

Though the population was going through hardship brought on by food and fuel rationing, there were still enough diversions provided by conflicting factions of Irish nationalism.

In the decade preceding 1916, Cork had been a central battleground in a struggle which had split the organisation of the predominant Irish nationalist party, the Irish Parliamentary Party (IPP).