ira-convention

Call to arms: creating the Irish National Army

After the War of Independence, the new Free State had to create its own military defence force. Gerry White explains how the Irish National Army was born.

How Éamon de Valera's St Patrick's Day speech caused controversy

Shadow boxing: the Limerick Stand-Off, March 1922

When British forces left Limerick in March 1922, anti-treaty forces stepped in. John O'Callaghan tells the story of a stand-off that highlighted divisions that would soon lead to all-out Civil War.

A defiant gathering: the 1922 IRA Convention

In March 1922, the IRA met to determine how it would deal with the Treaty-supporting Free State. Soon the country would be divided.

Ireland's Other Civil War: Ulster January-June 1922

Far from settling the partition issue, the Treaty created huge instability in the northern state during the first six months of 1922. Robert Lynch explains what happened.

Britain and the Irish Civil War

As pro- and anti-Treaty divisions grew in Ireland, Britain debated whether to intervene. Charles Townshend explains what happened.