Rebellion

Dublin is embroiled in the First World War being waged against Germany by the British. Elizabeth is training to be a doctor whilst cultivating socialist ideas through her friendship with Jimmy, a blacklisted socialist worker from the tenements. Frances is a teacher and militant Nationalist. May works for the British administration at Dublin Castle, and is having an affair with her English boss, Charles. When Charles' wife Vanessa arrives from England for the Easter break, in a moment of despair, May smuggles a copy of a secret document to her friend Frances. May discovers she's pregnant but before she can leave Dublin the police come for her.

The Rebellion is cancelled. Jimmy abandons the proclamation he has been printing. Frances refuses to accept that her dream is in tatters while Elizabeth resigns herself to marriage and respectability. May has been called to the castle by her lover, Charles, so he can spend the Easter holiday with her. She tells him she's expecting his child. A cabal of rebel leaders decide to press on with the uprising. Elizabeth abandons her wedding to join Jimmy and the volunteers attacking the castle while Frances dons male garb amongst the rebel unit at the GPO. Stephen and Arthur rejoin the Dublin Fusiliers who mount a defence against the rebels.

Distressed at the civilian death toll, Arthur returns to his family but Peggy begs him not to desert as they rely on his army pay. Charles is trapped in the castle while his wife Vanessa discovers that he has got her guest May pregnant. Elizabeth tries to save Peter's life when he is shot by a sniper. Frances fights alongside Jimmy as he picks off advancing British soldiers and as they flee the scene she shoots one at point-blank range. The British Army closes in on the GPO as Elizabeth breaks the news of his nephew's death to Jimmy.

With the GPO destroyed the rebels surrender, Jimmy and Elizabeth among them. Stephen has to escort Elizabeth to prison. Charles returns home where he is powerless to prevent Vanessa from throwing May out. May is reconciled with Frances who insists she has nothing to fear as she has destroyed the stolen document. Monsignor Mulcahy breaks the news of Peter's death to Peggy as Arthur makes for the Western Front. Harry steals money from his father. Minnie, helping in Dolly's soup kitchen, recognises her erstwhile lover and leaves her job in shame. Stephen tries to take his own life and Jimmy and Elizabeth are separated again - both behind bars --- as the executions begin.

Frances and May are persecuted by Detective Coleman, who suspects May of treason. Peggy visits Jimmy in prison but withholds forgiveness for her son's death. Ingrid attends the execution of James Connolly. Jimmy is reprieved by the authorities finally responding to public outrage. Through George, Dolly reconciles with her daughter Elizabeth before she is sent to prison in England happily reassured that Jimmy has survived. May accepts Charles' proposal that he and Vanessa adopt her child so she can stay at the castle.