Prior to the civil war of 1922-1923, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) principle allegiance was to the national government assembly known as Dáil Éireann. However, many members of both the IRA and the Dáil found that...
20th Century Period of Ireland
The Formation of Fine Gael
Following the civil war, the Irish Free State was governed by the pro-treaty parties the largest of which was, Cumann na nGaedheal, from 1923 to 1933. This was the party of William T. Cosgrave, a veteran of the Easter...
Fianna Fáil is founded
In 1923, the irregular troops laid down their arms, giving victory to the Free State forces. Eamon de Valera, as Director of Operations for the anti-treaty side, was apprehended and imprisoned. As the country settled...
The Ulster Special Constabulary
Formed in 1920 the Ulster Special Constabulary was also known as the B-Specials. As a reserve police force, they were used in times of emergency such as the Irish War of Independence. They were disbanded in 197 under a...
Countess Markievicz (1868-1927)
The Countess Constance Markievicz is an iconic figure in Irish nationalist and republican myth. She was born into a wealthy Protestant Anglo-Irish family, the Gore-Booths, whose estates were at Lissadell in County Sligo. She and her younger (by 2 years) sister Eva led...
History of 20th Century Ireland
By the early 1900’s more and more nationalist groups appeared in Ireland inspired by the Irish cultural rival of the late 1800s and the thought of independence from Britain. Groups such as Sinn Fein, the Irish Republican Brotherhood, the Irish Volunteers and the Irish...