The Norgrove Family were a

Protestant Protestantism is a branch of Christianity that emphasizes Justification (theology), justification of sinners Sola fide, through faith alone, the teaching that Salvation in Christianity, salvation comes by unmerited Grace in Christianity, divin ...

Irish family, notable for their involvement in Irish nationalist rebellions, the

Irish Citizen Army The Irish Citizen Army (), or ICA, was a paramilitary group first formed in Dublin to defend the picket lines and street demonstrations of the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union (ITGWU) against the police during the Great Dublin Lock ...

and the

Dublin Lockout The Dublin lock-out was a major industrial dispute between approximately 20,000 workers and 300 employers that took place in Dublin, Ireland. The dispute, lasting from 26 August 1913 to 18 January 1914, is often viewed as the most severe and ...

Biographies

The Norgroves were notable for having five members of the one family take part in the rebellion in Dublin for the 1916

Easter Rising The Easter Rising (), also known as the Easter Rebellion, was an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916. The Rising was launched by Irish republicans against British rule in Ireland with the aim of establishing an ind ...

from the father George, his wife Maria, their two teenage daughters Emily and Annie, to the son, Fred, who was 12. George had become involved in political activism during the

when he joined the

and began to make bombs and store weapons in the family home. Both the two daughters and their mother also got involved in the lockout with the women joining the Irish Women Workers' Union (IWWU) and the women's section of the Citizen's Army.

George (1876–1937)

Born Alfred George Norgrove in Kingstown, now

Dún Laoghaire Dún Laoghaire ( , ) is a suburban coastal town in County Dublin in Ireland. It is the administrative centre of the county of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown. The town was built up alongside a small existing settlement following 1816 legislation th ...

on 28 May 1876 to Alfred George and Martha Annie Norgrove. His father was a seaman based in Kingstown, County Dublin. Living near the North Docks in Dublin, George was a gas fitter who was also a member of the

. He had been intended to lead a large group to take over the

Shelbourne Hotel The Shelbourne Hotel is a historic hotel in Dublin, Ireland, situated in a landmark building on the north side of St Stephen's Green. Currently owned by Archer Hotel Capital and operated by Marriott International, the hotel has 265 rooms in tot ...

near Stephen's Green on the Monday of the

in 1916. However, the conflicting messages and orders sent out by the leaders in advance of the Rising meant that this was not possible. As a result, he was based in the

General Post Office The General Post Office (GPO) was the state postal system and telecommunications carrier of the United Kingdom until 1969. Established in England in the 17th century, the GPO was a state monopoly covering the dispatch of items from a specific ...

and in the evening sent to support the group lead initially by Seán Connolly, who had failed to take

Dublin Castle Dublin Castle () is a major Government of Ireland, Irish government complex, conference centre, and tourist attraction. It is located off Dame Street in central Dublin. It is a former motte-and-bailey castle and was chosen for its position at ...

and were under attack in

City Hall In local government, a city hall, town hall, civic centre (in the UK or Australia), guildhall, or municipal hall (in the Philippines) is the chief administrative building of a city, town, or other municipality. It usually houses the city o ...

. It was surrendered when it was taken by British troops on the morning of Tuesday 25 April. He was interned until December 1916 in Frongoch. During the

Civil war A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same Sovereign state, state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies.J ...

in Ireland George was quartermaster for the Irish Citizen Army. He also fought for the Anti-Treaty forces in Dublin in 1922. He used his home as an arms dump for the Irish Citizen Army and the IRA until a raid in February 1925. He was arrested and imprisoned again as a result. He died on 18 February 1937.

Maria (c.1877–1934)

Very little is known about Maria. She was born Ellen Maria Carter and married George Norgrove in Monkstown in 1897. She served with

Constance Markievicz Constance Georgine Markievicz ( ; ' Gore-Booth; 4 February 1868 – 15 July 1927), also known as Countess Markievicz and Madame Markievicz, was an Irish politician, revolutionary, nationalist, suffragist, and socialist who was the first woman ...

in the Stephen's Green/College of Surgeon's Garrison as well as Jacob's Biscuit Factory. She died in 1934, three years before her husband.

Emily (1897–1977)

Emily Norgrove born on 28 November 1897 also served with the Irish Citizen Army from 1913 during the Dublin Lockout. She was a good singer and used that to raise money in Liberty Hall when concerts were held. She was part of the force which captured City Hall on Easter Monday. She was arrested when the City Hall was recaptured by British Forces and taken to Ship Street Barracks initially. From there she was taken with the rest of the women to Richmond Barracks and onto

Kilmainham Gaol Kilmainham Gaol () is a former prison in Kilmainham, Dublin. It is now a museum run by the Office of Public Works, an agency of the Government of Ireland. Many Irish revolutionaries, including the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising (Patrick Pea ...

. She was released on May 22. She went on to marry an Irish republican, John (later Sean) Hanratty, who due to an injury was unable to take part in the Rising but was active during the War of Independence and the Civil War. They had two children. Emily was interviewed for the

RTÉ (; ; RTÉThe É in RTÉ is pronounced as an English E () and not an Irish É ()) is an Irish public service broadcaster. It both produces and broadcasts programmes on television, radio and online. The radio service began on 1 January 1926, ...

documentary series ''The Week of the Rising'', which aired on 12 April 1966. She died on 16 September 1977

Annie (1899–1976)

Annie Norgrove, born 10 July 1899, was the younger sister based in the garrison at City Hall on Easter Monday 1916. She delivered water to the men stationed on the roof of the Hall and was nearly shot by British snipers. The garrison was taken over by the British on the Tuesday morning early. She was arrested and taken to Ship Street Barracks initially. She was moved with her sister to Richmond Barracks and Kilmainham Gaol. She was released on May 22. She went on to marry William 'Bill' Grange and had three children. She was with

Helena Molony Helena Mary Molony (15 January 1883 – 29 January 1967) was a prominent Irish republican, feminist and labour activist. She fought in the 1916 Easter Rising and later became the second woman president of the Irish Trades Union Congress. Early ...

when the City Hall Garrison fell.

''A voice said, ‘Surrender, in the name of the King.’ At this point I felt a pluck on my arm, and our youngest girl, Annie Norgrove. said to me, ‘Miss Molony, Miss Molony, we are not going to give in? Mr Connolly said we were not to surrender.’ She was terrified, but there was no surrender about her."''

After the Rising she remained active in the Irish Citizen army and was on the Anti-Treaty side in the Civil War. She took part in a wide range of activities during the period 1916–1923. She died in 1976.

Fred (1903–1973)

Frederick Norgrove was born on 12 July 1903 which meant he was only 12 during the Easter Rising. He served in the Irish Citizen Army Boys Corps in the GPO. However he was sent home by

James Connolly James Connolly (; 5 June 1868 – 12 May 1916) was a Scottish people, Scottish-born Irish republicanism, Irish republican, socialist, and trade union leader, executed for his part in the Easter Rising, 1916 Easter Rising against British rule i ...

on the Wednesday for being too young to take part. He died 30 October 1973.