Edition 258 of Century Ireland with all the news from 100 years ago.

The main stories include:

Big reduction in size of Irish Army by end of the year, Mulcahy says
Dublin, 1 June 1923
The Irish National Army is to be drastically reduced in size. The number of soldiers currently stands at 49,000, but the Free State government plans to shrink this number to between 28,000 and 30,000 by the end of the year.

A moment of light relief for Free State soldiers on board the SS Arvonia in August 1922. There are still 49,000 soldiers in the National (Free State) army, General Mulcahy has disclosed. Photo: National Library of Ireland, HOG45
A moment of light relief for Free State soldiers on board the SS Arvonia in August 1922. There are still 49,000 soldiers in the National (Free State) army, General Mulcahy has disclosed.
Photo: National Library of Ireland, HOG45

Why hold onto dumped arms, asks Minister as MacSwiney declares No surrender
Meeting held in Dublin to revive the fortunes of the Sinn Féin organisation
Bray, 11 June 1923
A Free State Government Minister has questioned the actions of anti-Treaty forces in choosing to dump their arms rather than surrender them. Addressing a meeting of the Cumman na nGaedhael party in Bray yesterday, the Minister for Home Affairs, Mr. Kevin O'Higgins asked why the arms had been 'hidden’, ‘why are they dumped?.’

Full length picture, Kevin O'Higgins, Minister of Home Affairs Photo: National Library of Ireland, HOGW 46
Full length picture, Kevin O'Higgins, Minister of Home Affairs
Photo: National Library of Ireland, HOGW 46

Two more executions in Galway as west counts cost of Civil War
Galway, 30 May 1923
Two Galway men were executed at 8am this morning in Tuam for their involvement in the armed robbery of the Munster and Leinster Bank at Athenry.

The market square in Tuam, the town where the Ardrahan men were executed. Photo: National Library of Ireland, L_CAB_07598
The market square in Tuam, the town where the Ardrahan men were executed.
Photo: National Library of Ireland, L_CAB_07598

National Army provide guard of honour at Corpus Christi processions
Cashel, 3 June, 1923
Today for the first time in 300 years, benediction of the holy sacrament was given inside the gates of the historic Castle at Cashel, on the occasion of the annual Corpus Christi procession.

Huge crowd gathered at Cashel, Co. Tipperary for Corpus Christi procession Photo: National Library of Ireland, HOG196
Huge crowd gathered at Cashel, Co. Tipperary for Corpus Christi procession
Photo: National Library of Ireland, HOG196

Battle of Boyne landmark destroyed in targeted explosion
Louth, 3 June 1923
An obelisk, erected in 1736 on the site of the Battle of the Boyne of 1690, was completely destroyed in a mine explosion.

Boyne Obelisk prior to its destruction Photo: National Library of Ireland, STP_1936
Boyne Obelisk prior to its destruction
Photo: National Library of Ireland, STP_1936

Could Croke Park host the Olympic Games?
Dublin, 4 June 1923
The GAA wishes to make Croke Park a national stadium, but could it stage the Olympic Games?

Photograph of Croke Park taken 22nd November 1920 Photo: National Library of Ireland, HOG172
Photograph of Croke Park taken 22nd November 1920
Photo: National Library of Ireland, HOG172

Waterford farm dispute continues amid growing labour unrest and internal union rows
Waterford, 12 June 1923
A dispute between farmers and labourers in Co. Waterford shows no sign of ending after a meeting of farmer representatives in Dungarvan rejected a proposal to submit their case to arbitration. The farm workers have insisted upon entitlement to a ‘decent living’ and have said that, if necessary, they were prepared to ‘fight for it.’

A fair day in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford where farmers have determined to see off the strike action of labourers' who refuse to accept a reduction in their wages. Photo: National Library of Ireland, L_ROY_03583
A fair day in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford where farmers have determined to see off the strike action of labourers' who refuse to accept a reduction in their wages.
Photo: National Library of Ireland, L_ROY_03583

Tralee-man confesses in London Court to burning Kerry Castle
London, 12 June 1923
A former IRA leader told a London Court yesterday of his role in burning the historic Ballyheigue Castle in Co. Kerry in May 1921.

A romanticised view of Ballyheigue Castle, Co. Kerry, from 1818. Just over a century later, in May 1921, it was destroyed in an attack by republicans Photo: British Library
A romanticised view of Ballyheigue Castle, Co. Kerry, from 1818. Just over a century later, in May 1921, it was destroyed in an attack by republicans
Photo: British Library

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Keywords:
1923