'They blew up the best portion of our city and ... it is their duty to replace it' : Compensation and reconstruction in the aftermath of the 1916 Rising

The most visible consequence of the 1916 Rising was the destruction of Sackville Street and the adjoining thoroughfares. Witnesses likened the ruined city centre to a scene from the Western Front. The damage resulted in significant material loss for the citizens and property owners of Dublin. This article will explain why the British government accepted liability for loss of property of all kinds from buildings to personal items. It will describe the nature of the compensation process, municipal concerns about town planning and reinstatement in an improving style, and the material impact of the restitution on the city and its people.