The Irish Volunteers were a paramilitary organization formed in 1913 to ensure the rights of Irish nationalists and to oppose British rule in Ireland. They were established in response to the formation of the Ulster Volunteer Force, which aimed to resist Home Rule for Ireland. The Irish Volunteers sought to promote Irish independence and were composed of individuals from various backgrounds, including nationalists and republicans. In 1916, the Irish Volunteers played a significant role in the Easter Rising, a pivotal event in the struggle for Irish independence. The uprising aimed to end British rule and establish an independent Irish Republic. Although the rebellion was suppressed, it galvanized public support for the nationalist cause and laid the groundwork for future movements, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922.