Above photo: James Gough in later years.
Directed and edited by Marcus Howard, independent film maker. This is the story of James Gough who took part in the 1916 Easter Rising as told by his daughter Cora Montague and her husband John Montague.James Gough fought with the Irish Citizen Army and helped prevent British soldiers from nearby Portobello Barracks entering the city.
Above photo: Davy’s pub where James Gough and 5 others fought the Royal Irish Rifles during 1916
Portobello Bridge was an important vantage point that had to be secured during Easter week of 1916 to prevent British soldiers from barracks nearby entering the City. 1916 rebels reenforced their positions at Davy’s pub.
Above photo: Elizabeth Gough who was pregnant and expecting during Easter week.
The story of James Gough is a story of love that survived through war. Cora Montague, James Gough’s daughter tells you his 1916 story in the film below. James joined the Irish Citizen Army in 1914. He married in 1915. During Easter week he was told to assemble at Liberty Hall where he was under the service of Michael Mallin, one of the 16 who were later executed. James had got an all night pass to visit his wife in Baldoyle as his wife Elizabeth was expecting. Their only son Pearse would be born later in 1916.
On Easter Monday after the countermanding order by Eoin MacNeill, 6 of them left Liberty Hall in the morning to make their way to Portobello Bridge. He was to engage with the Royal Irish Rifles from Davy’s public house where they set up barricades and sniping positions. A large crowd had gathered to watch the fighting on Easter Monday. They had held up the British forces for nearly a day before retreating across the rooftops without one casualty. This allowed the Irish Citizen Army to fortify their positions around St Stephen’s Green in the centre of Dublin as well as in Sackville Street (now O’Connell Street),
Above photo: Inside the College of Surgeons
They left the Green on Tuesday due to heavy British fire coming from the Shelbourne Hotel. They fought in the College of Surgeons and returned fire until Thursday. They surrendered after Pearse surrendered in Moore Street. James Gough was brought to Richmond Barracks and was then sent to Stafford Prison, to Frongoch and then to Wormwood Scrubs prison in England. He was released at the end of 1916 along with other Volunteers.
Above photo: Medals belonging to James Gough
James Gough joined the 2nd Battalion in 1918 where he remained until the Truce of 1921. He took neither side in the Irish Civil War but was arrested by the Free State and placed in Beggars Bush. He then rejoined his love Elizabeth where they both lived a long and happy life.
Above photo: James and Elizabeth Gough in later years
James Gough became a pacifist in his later life and knew the famous Rosie Hackett well.
Cora and John Montague also give their opinions on 2016 and how 1916 should be remembered. Have a look at the 10 minute video below for more about James Gough’s story and how love conquered all.
If you would like to see any other 1916 history films you can view them at our Youtube channel Easter Rising Stories
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