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Episode Notes
On this week's programme: The establishment of the Irish Free State one hundred years ago is discussed by Colum Kenny, Brian Hanley and Liz Gillis.
The Establishment of The Irish Free State
On this week's programme, we look at the beginning of the Irish Free State – which was established a century ago, in the midst of a bitter civil war. We’ll look at how the civil war escalated to new levels of violence and bloodshed – and the motivations of those on both sides of the Treaty dispute.
This week marks the centenary of the Irish Free State, which formally came into being on the 6th December 1922. Unlike the handing over of Dublin Castle in January 1922, or the handing over of the military barracks to the newly created National Army, there were no crowds on the streets to celebrate the occasion.
The Civil War had been raging for five months, and there was no indication it would end anytime soon. Within 48 hours of the establishment of the Irish Free State, one T.D. was assassinated in Dublin, and four anti-Treaty prisoners were executed in Mountjoy Gaol as a reprisal.
Tonight we'll discuss the birth of the Irish Free State and the events which overshadowed it.
Myles is joined throughout the programme by three guests.
Dr Colum Kenny is Emeritus Professor at DCU and author of the new book A Bitter Winter: The Irish Civil War 1922 – 1923. Dr Brian Hanley is Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin. Liz Gillis is Historian in Residence for South Dublin County Council.