Collection
5 items
Brenda Malone, Curator of Military History at The National Museum of Ireland, introduces the Irish Free State, emerging from the violence and destruction of the War of Independence. This film is part of The Irish Independence Film Collection – The Early Irish Free State that explores facets of Irish society after the War of Independence and up to the birth of the Irish Republic.
This shocking newsreel highlights the “daily terror” seen in Ireland during the War of Independence. This is the aftermath of the shooting of Seán Treacy and British military intelligence officer Lieutenant, Ivon Henry Price on Talbot Street after a gun battle on October 14th 1920. A group of people stand outside the J. Speidel Butcher shop as three soldiers walk over, just outside lies the bodies of the two men. A man in a trench coat, possibly a detective is seen sending two young boys away from the scene as an armored car and two trucks drive off.
This newsreel marks a momentous occasion in Irish history, the formal reopening of the GPO on O’Connell Street. President William T. Cosgrave stands alongside T.D.s and Senators on a platform in front of the newly rebuilt General Post Office. The President addresses the huge crowd that has gathered and the tricolour is raised. Following the devastating destruction of the Easter Rising 13 years before, only the front façade and portico remained, everything else was left in ruin. The rebuilt GPO had much of its internal layout altered and was nearly doubled in size. The GPO is more than just a place of business it is also a symbol and a reminder of the events that touched the lives of generations of Irish citizens.
Large crowds gather on the streets of Dublin as Ireland’s first President, Dr. Douglas Hyde, is installed. This newsreel from 1938 depicts the military procession that leads Douglas Hyde past the Grand Central Cinema and the GPO on O’Connell Street, Dublin to the Phoenix Park where he is to be installed as President of Ireland. When he arrives at Áras an Uachtaráin he is greeted by Eamon de Valera, Prime Minister, and Seán T O’Kelly, Tánaiste who would succeed Hyde as President in 1945. Áras an Uachtaráin was built in 1751 in Phoenix Park, Dublin. It had been acquired for use by the Viceroys who oversaw British rule in Ireland until 1922 but became the President of Ireland’s official home in 1938. This film is part of The Irish Independence Film Collection – The Early Irish Free State that explores facets of Irish society after the War of Independence and up to the birth of the Irish Republic.
This newsreel shows enthusiastic celebrations on the streets of Dublin as legislation creating the Irish Republic is passed. On 18th April 1949, The Republic of Ireland Act came into force. It declared that Ireland may officially be described as the Republic of Ireland and that the President of Ireland had the executive authority of the state in its external relations. This momentous event in Irish history is documented in this newsreel from with a collection of dignitaries including President Seán T O’Kelly and his wife, Lord Mayor of Dublin John Breen, Maud Gonne and Éamon de Valera, arriving at St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Dublin, for the ceremony. Crowds of people gather on O’Connell Street as the Irish Republic flag is hoisted and a salute is fired on top of the GPO. Celebrations continue as the Irish Army march by, along with Irish pipers, howitzers and armoured cars. This film is part of The Irish Independence Film Collection – The Early Irish Free State that explores facets of Irish society after the War of Independence and up to the birth of the Irish Republic.