IFI Irish Film Archive
This remarkable footage highlights the events that happened in Dublin during the Civil War from June 28th to July 5th, the devastating use of artillery by the rebels against the Four Courts, and the shootings and battles around O’Connell Street, Abbey Street and Portobello Bridge. Free state soldiers are seen handing out supplies to civilians at Hickey & Co on Talbot street, rebels firing rifles from street corners as buildings are being firebombed on O’Connell Street. The Red Cross drive through the city as smoke and flames billow out from the buildings around them.
This newsreel is a compilation of events that happened in Ireland between 1916 and 1922. The order of the events is not presented sequentially but it gives a glimpse of the level of military presence and destruction in Ireland (predominantly Dublin city) during this time. The first segment shows British soldiers leaving Athlone Barracks following its takeover by General Sean MacEoin in the summer of 1922. Following this, soldiers are shown setting up barbed wire fences near City Hall, Dublin,and then in Dun Laoghaire horses are being groomed near Martello Tower. In the last segment, circa 1916, the devastating impact the Easter Rising had on O’Connell Street is shown, the destruction of many buildings can been seen as the camera slowly pans the main thoroughfare as pedestrians wander around the street. A shot of the first issue of ‘Irish War News’ can be seen, displaying the date April 25th 1916, this was printed in the GPO by Drogheda businessman Joe Stanley.
This Newsreel from December 8th 1921, highlights are a variety of shots starting with the before and after scenes at the Mansion House, Dublin, where Éamon de Valera made a statement that he cannot recommend acceptance of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. “But Dublin’s attitude is obvious” as crowds cheer on the arrival of Mr. Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins, who both signed the treaty two days prior at 10 Downing Street. Sir James Craig (First Prime Minister of Northern Ireland) can be seen arriving in a car at Ulster Parliament to “Attack the Treaty”. The newsreel ends with a procession of prisoners triumphantly posing and cheering following their release, in what appears to be in a family carriage.
In this newsreel the Ministry and members of the Republican Party who opposed the Treaty stand for the camera after contesting the policy of the Free State Party at the elections in 1922. On 14th January 1922 a meeting of the members elected to the House of Commons of Southern Ireland was held at the Mansion House, Dublin. At the meeting the Anglo-Irish Treaty was ratified by the Irish side and a Provisional Government was elected. Michael Collins was appointed its Chairman and the Provisional Government took up office two days later on January 16th 1922 when the British administration handed over Dublin Castle to Collins in person. The Treaty, which would replace the Republic as a dominion of the British Commonwealth, was signed on December 6th. De Valera was not happy with the signing of it as he had stipulated that regardless of the outcome the delegates should not be pressured into any agreements and should return to consult with the cabinet and him, their President. After the Treaty was narrowly ratified, de Valera and a large majority of Sinn Féin T.D.s left Dáil Éireann and Arthur Griffith was elected President.
This newsreel uses similar footage to that seen in the “Dublin War Scenes” newsreel where we see the devastating destruction of Sackville Street (now O’Connell Street) during the Civil War. It highlights the events that happened in Dublin during the Civil War from June 28th to July 5th, and the devastating use of artillery by the rebels .“£3,000,000” worth of damage was inflicted to the city centre’s iconic landmarks, from the Four Courts to the GPO, to entire buildings on Dublin’s main thoroughfare being completely blown up and gutted by fire bombs.
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.