Figure 1.--Here we see soldiers and children on the southern Irish front during the Irish Civil War (1952). After securing Dubkin the Irish Profisional Government lsunched ab offensive inti the south, taking back the towns from the anti-treary IRA forces. The photograph was probably taken about August 1922 Source: National Library of Ireland HOG109.

The Treaty was signned by Collins and the other Irish delegates just before Christmas (Decmber 21, 1921). The primary fight was to controln Dublin. The Provisional Government and pro-treaty National Army was organized by Michael Collins who emerged as the dominant fuigure in the Provisional Government. The first hHeavy fighting broke out in Dublin. The two main fiorces were the IRA Dublin Brigade and the Free State troops. The important O'Connell Street at he heart of Dubkin was severely damaged. The Gresham Hotel was burned down and the Four Courts were reduced to rubble. Collins' oversaw Free State operatiions. The Provisional Government and the National Army were in full control of Dublin (early July). The The anti-Treaty forces still largeky controlled the more traditional south and west. Their greatest strong-hold was the 'Munster Republic'. They were administered local government and policing in a substantial part iof the country. 【Clarke】 The Proviional Government led by Collins, Richard Mulcahy, and Eoin O'Duffy crafted an offensive operation consisting of seaborne landings. The National Army managed to secured control all the major towns (late August). This led to anti-Treaty forces launching guerrilla operations. The Civil War generated the intense emotions that often accompanies civil war. The IRA after several failed attempts finally managed to asasinate Collins bnear Cork while insoecting Natuinal Army troops (August 22). The gureilla warfare continued for some bloody 10 months (until about June 1923). The conflict resulted in higher losses than the War of Independence against the BritishT. The anti-Treaty IRA leadership finnally ordered its fighters to 'dump arms', effectuively endung the conflict. The Free State Provisional Government suceeded in large measure because of the heavy weapons provided by the British. . The result was the creation of the Irish Free State which eventually became the Irish Republic. There was considerable Catholic opposition to partition in both the Irish Free State and Ulster. The Provisional Irish Government, however, eventually suppressed the IRA violence. More than 1,000 IRA supporters were arrested and imprisoned without trial.

Sources

Clarke, Kathleen. Kathleen Clarke: Revolutionary Woman (O'Brien Press: 2008). Clarke's book is the only first hnd account of the Easter Rebellion.

Created: 9:39 PM 1/2/2024
Last updated: 9:39 PM 1/2/2024