During the Easter Rising of 1916, and the Irish War of Independence which followed, many priests ministered to the spiritual needs of those who fought for their country's independence.

They visited the imprisoned and condemned, dealing with their families - and captors, too. Prominent among these brave priests were the Capuchins and, during the Irish Civil War, they continued to provide spiritual assistance to combatants, for they held that men acting in good faith and in danger of death were entitled to spiritual comfort.

The bravery of the rebels is often admitted and admired today - even by those they fought. That same admiration and respect should be given to those Friars and priests who put themselves in danger during the fighting and ministered to the condemned and imprisoned.

Some of their stories are told within so that they, too, may be remembered.