When the Easter Rising occurred on 24 April 1916, Connolly was Commandant of the Dublin Brigade, and as the Dublin Brigade had the most substantial role in the rising, he was de facto Commander in Chief. Following the surrender, he said to other prisoners: "Don't worry". Those of us that signed the proclamation will be shot... He was taken to Royal Hospital Kilmainham, across the road from the jail and then taken to the jail to be executed by the British.