Bicycle ridden by Irish Volunteer Terence Simpson during the Rising.

On Easter Monday, 24th April, Terence Simpson left Drumcondra in North Dublin and rode this bicycle to St Stephen’s Green in Dublin’s city centre. From there he cycled on to nearby Jacob’s Biscuit Factory where he was serving with the Irish Volunteers.

Jacob’s Biscuit Factory did not see much military action during Easter Week. The rebels had plenty of biscuits and cakes to eat and also time to play chess and read books from the Factory’s library. Their duties involved the sourcing of food for nearby garrisons and for more substantial meals, which were prepared by Cumann na mBan members. Some rebels were also sent from here to fight in nearby garrisons, like Mount Street.

The bicycle has a black leather saddle mounted on metal springs and pedals made of rubber. Bicycles such as this were a widely used means of transport in 1916 and were used by the rebels, British Army soldiers and civilians alike. On the surrender, Terence Simpson’s bicycle was confiscated and he was imprisoned until August 1916. The British military authorities returned the bicycle to him in 1917.