Eventually the Germans agreed to send weapons but no soldiers – the Irish would have to do their own fighting. Submerged submarines travelled slower so the dive into the North Sea depths was a drill before U-19 returned to the surface. The five-day voyage was to loop north around Britain and Ireland and land Casement, and two Irish companions, in Kerry on Good Friday, April 21st. For his German escorts it was the most curious thing: this man spoke like an English gentleman yet in song his rich baritone was pure Irish rebel. I left Ireland and became a foreign correspondent for The Guardian, only to encounter Casement echoes.

Source: The Irish Times March 22, 2026 10:31 UTC