The Irish Republican Army and British Rule The day had come when the citizens of Ireland stood up to British authority. On Easter Sunday 1916, the Irish used physical force to counter Britain, which occurred mainly in Dublin. There was an uprising of Irish nationalists that were against the rule of Britain in Ireland. Although there was no thought that the British could be defeated. The goal was to crash a considerable blow that would fret beyond the Rising. The Irish only intended to open Irelands door of freedom so that it may never be closed again. The British Parliaments objective was to eventually obtain complete control over