(The first of a new regular column on county archives) By Catherine Wright County archives tell the story of the development of communities and the administrations who served them. They hold the records of county councils and their predecessors—the grand juries, Poor Law guardians, corporation boroughs and town commissioners. These archives chart the rise of … Read more
By Terry Dunne On 20 August 1921 a band of Irishmen were making a fighting retreat in south-west India at the start of the Malabar rebellion. They were men from the Calicut garrison of the 1st Battalion Leinster Regiment. This was the last combat of the southern Irish regiments of the British Army, as these … Read more
By Fiona Fitzsimons After 1923 Britain became the main destination for Irish emigrants. Irish migration to the US declined with emigrant remittances, while the new quota system discouraged travel. Ireland’s proximity to Britain, on the other hand, allowed for a cheaper, shorter journey, and it was easier to return ‘home’ for a visit. The number … Read more
By Elaine Callinan In April 1921 Éamon de Valera outlined a scheme for Sinn Féin propaganda against partition and against a unionist victory for seats in the new Northern Ireland parliament. A sum of £2,000 was raised—the Dáil contributed £1,000 and Sinn Féin the other £1,000. That same month, James Craig, leader of the Ulster … Read more
By Lar Joye The War of Independence was fought in three phases. From 1918 to 1919 there were small-scale attacks on the police, with the destruction of minor outposts and assassinations of policemen. Until October 1920 there were larger-scale attacks on police stations, and during the summer of that year the Black and Tans and … Read more