Introduction. The problem of nationalism, national movements, their content and methods of achieving goals relates not only to the analysis of the historical past, but also has a vivid topical nature. In this sense, the example of Ireland can be considered classic, because, from the end of the 18th century until 1923, it displayed a full palette of ideas, mechanisms and various directions in nationalism. Likewise, British colonial policy chose Ireland as a testing ground for various methods of total oppression. In the 19th century, the spectrum of the Irish National movement presented virtually all possible attributes of the struggle for independence. One of the aspects was the politicization of society and the active activity of Nationalist leaders. In Russian literature, the problems of the Irish National movement have not yet received a complete analysis. Materials and Methods. The principle of objectivity and comparative historical methods were used in the analysis of original documents, which included the press, official materials, and memoirs. Methods of a political science orientation were used. A prosopographic method made it possible to illuminate the social psychology of leaders and the masses. Analysis. Consideration of the patterns and illogical developments of events, both in Irish society as a whole and within the Irish Nationalists, makes it possible to understand the critical discrepancy in the views and aspirations of the leaders of moderate and radical trends in the spectrum of Irish Nationalism. Results. The forced participation of the leaders of the moderate wing in the uprising was a manifestation of circumstances, but not of conviction in achieving the goal. There is a clear gap between the leaders of the uprising and the masses, revealing the lack of a strong connection between them. Of no small importance was a completely different interpretation of the concept of «independence» from self-government to a republic.