Doing My Bit For Ireland

"Doing My Bit For Ireland" by Margaret Skinnider is a recollection of the author's involvement in the 1916 Easter Rising, a crucial event in Ireland's fight for independence. Skinnider, a teacher and fervent nationalist, shares her reasons for joining the rebellion, her preparations, and her hands-on role alongside prominent figures like Countess Markievicz. The book starts by detailing her childhood, the historical events that contributed to her dissatisfaction with British rule, and her arrival in Dublin as the rebellion was taking shape. Readers see her relationships with significant people in the movement, including Countess Markievicz, and her determination to support the cause of Irish freedom by engaging in sabotage and military training to resist British power. The beginning effectively creates a personal and collective link to the fight for independence, revealing the strong feelings and risks involved in the uprising.