On November 25, 1913, the Irish Volunteers were founded at a meeting in the Rotunda, Dublin. The organization's primary goal was to safeguard the rights and liberties of all Irish people, acting as a nationalist counter-force to the Ulster Volunteers. Eoin MacNeill, a prominent figure and co-founder of the Gaelic League, was elected as its first commander. The movement rapidly gained momentum, attracting thousands of members across Ireland. This establishment marked a pivotal moment in Irish history, laying the groundwork for future nationalist movements and armed resistance, ultimately contributing to the lead-up to the Easter Rising and the War of Independence.
