The Irish War of Independence

By Mr. Audiard

  • Previously, in "A long way to independence"

    Previously, in "A long way to independence"
    A first try to establish an independent Ireland failed in 1916 : the Easter Rising.
    The nationalists lead by the Sinn Féin became very popular then : they won the general elections of December, 1918, and created their own Parliament : the First Dáil, also called the Dáil Éireann.

  • The beginning of the war

    The beginning of the war
    On January 21th, four members of the IRA decide - on their own - to attack and kill two RIC officers escorting explosives to make the war begin. One of the IRA soldiers was Daniel Breen (picture).
    The Royal Army decides then to create a special military zone in the south of Dublin.

  • "We, the elected Representatives [of the] National Parliament assembled, do, in the name of the Irish nation, ratify the establishment of the Irish Republic"

    "We, the elected Representatives [of the] National Parliament assembled, do, in the name of the Irish nation, ratify the establishment of the Irish Republic"
    On the 21th of January, the MP's of the Sinn Féin claimed the independence of Ireland in an official declaration (written in Irish, English and French).
    It also stands that there is an "existing state of war, between Ireland and England". An army is created to fight England : the IRA (Irish Republican Army).

  • The fighters

    The fighters
    On the one hand : 20,000 English soldiers of the Royal Army + 10,000 policemen of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) + the 7,000 Black and Tans (former English soldiers) + the 4,000 Ulster Special Constabulary (USC) On the other hand : 15,000 in the IRA

  • How to act ?

    The opinions about the ways of acting are different among the leaders of the movement :
    - Éamon de Valera (political leader) thought a conventional warfare had to be made
    - Michael Collins (military leader) prefered a clandestine and violent action (attacks, without uniforms)
    - Arthur Griffith (founder of the Sinn Féin) wanted civil disobedience

  • "There is in Ireland [...] only one lawful authority [...] : the elected Government of the Irish Republic"

    "There is in Ireland [...] only one lawful authority [...] : the elected Government of the Irish Republic"
    Éamon de Valera was elected President of Dáil Éireann and appointed the government of the 1st Dáil.

  • A precious support

    De Valera left for the United States to gain official recognition of the Irish Republic from the US government and to raise money for Dáil Éireann and the IRA.

  • One particular target : the RIC

    One particular target : the RIC
    The RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary) was composed of Irish policemen, serving the English occupation. The IRA targeted them because they were weaker than the Royal Army, and could furbish many weapons and ammunitions. But only a few ones of them were killed (11) and 20 wounded.