The Irish Civil War Episode 24
The Irish Identity
Produced by Marc Conner Washington and Lee University (2016)
Film Review
Prior to watching this series, I was totally unaware there had been a civil war in Ireland – between 1921-23 following Irish independence.
As Conner explains in this lecture Eaman de Valera (see IRA Leader Michael Collins: The Father of Modern Urban Warfare/) and most IRA officers rejected the 1921 Anglo Irish Treaty (approved by the the Irish National Assembly by 64-57 votes). They totally rejected provisions requiring them to swear fealty to King George V. As a result the IRA, the only law and order force in the Free State of Ireland split – with De Valera leading the so-called “Irregulars” and Michael Collins (the president of the Free State) the Free State Army.
When the Irregulars attacked and occupied four law courts in Dublin, Britain threatened to…