IFI Irish Film Archive

Guerrilla Warfare in Ireland

Year1922 Duration1m 21s

Guerilla Warfare in Ireland started in August 1922, when the IRA tried to bring down the new Irish government and overturn the Anglo-Irish Treaty. There were many guerrilla attacks, one of the most notable casualties being Commander-in-Chief Michael Collins, who was killed in an ambush in Cork on August 22nd. This newsreel shows several rebels holding people at gunpoint in a muddy country road. Hostages sitting in the back of a truck are handed drinks while some are blindfolded. However many say this is more of a propaganda film made by the British.

Scenes of Polling stations at the Irish general election are shown in this newsreel, where the main issue being voted on was whether the country should remain as a Free State or become a full Republic – the goal of de Valera’s Fianna Fáil party. Crowds of people gather on Marlborough Street and Free state soldiers stand guard at the exterior of a polling station. Inside, men are seen distributing ballots as the count progresses. General Richard Mulcahy, Minister for Defence is returned. At Stephen’s Green Mrs Charlotte Despard, noted republican and suffragette stands and speaks to camera. Ms Despard was sister of former Viceroy Lord French and president of the Women’s Freedom League. Final intertitle introduces young Vivian (sic properly Vivion) de Valera, son of Eamon. Richard Mulcahy was an army general and commander-in-chief for the Irish Republican Army. He later served in the cabinets of W. T. Cosgrave and John A. Costello. He fought in the 1916 Easter Rising, served as Chief of Staff of the Irish Republican Army during the War of Independence and became commander of the pro-treaty forces in the Irish Civil War after the death of Michael Collins. The uniform of General Mulcahy’s from 1922 is currently held by the National Museum of Ireland.

1m 07s

Further Pictures of Irish Peace

This newsreel depicts the immediate aftermath of the Anglo-Irish Peace Treaty on December 6th 1921, showing the release of 1,700 internees from Ballykinlar internment camp. In the aftermath of Bloody Sunday, November 21st 1920, the British authorities arrested hundreds of republicans and opened several internment camps throughout Ireland. The first internment camp was this one at Ballykinlar, in Co. Down, while the volume of arrests was so great that additional camps had to be established at Gormanstown, Co. Dublin; Bere Island and Spike Island, Co. Cork; and at the Curragh, in Co. Kildare. Opened in December 1920 Ballykinlar Camp was situated on the Co. Down coast at the mouth of Dundrum Bay, about three miles from Dundrum village between Downpatrick and Newcastle. Over the following year 2,000 men were interned at Ballykinlar.Three days later after the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, on December 9th 1921, all Republican prisoners were released from Ballykinlar. Three special trains brought the men to Dublin, from where the internees made their own way to their home Counties. The trains were attacked by loyalist mobs with gunfire, bricks and stones at several locations. The Leinster Leader however on, December 17th 1921, reported on the release of the Ballykinlar and Curragh Camp internees, remarking that the reception in Athy was ‘a very warmhearted one’.

1m 45s

Battle of Belleek

This exclusive newsreel from Topical Budget shows the “recapture of the Ulster border” by Sinn Féin. Troops can be seen marching down a laneway in the countryside and armoured vehicles and howitzer guns are fired towards the town of Belleek as the General looks on. In June 1922, at the beginning of the Civil War, Pettigo and Belleek in County Fermanagh were occupied by the Irish Republican Army who had arrived there from Donegal. The IRA fought a group of Ulster Special Constabulary, who crossed Lough Erne. In the ensuing fighting, in which the British bombarded the village and then stormed it, three IRA men were killed, six wounded and four captured before being forced to retreat back to Donegal. One British soldier and one Ulster Special constable were killed in the fighting.

5m 39s

Funeral of Michael Collins

In this newsreel from August 1922, thousands of people line the streets waiting their turn to pay their respects to Michael Collins. The Royal Irish Constabulary officers are working hard to try and hold back the crowds outside the Pro-Cathedral on Marlborough street. RIC Soldiers march up O’Connell street behind the funeral carriage as it makes it way to Glasnevin Cemetary. In the final segment Free State soldiers play “The Last Post” on bugles as his coffin is being placed in the ground. Michael Collins was an Irish revolutionary, soldier and politician who was a leading figure in the early 20th century Irish struggle for independence. He was Chairman of the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State from January 1922. He was assassinated on August 22nd 1922 in Cork.

2m 41s

More than Half a Million Mourners

August 1922: In this newsreel Michael Collins is lying in repose in City Hall. Thousands of people line the streets outside to wait their turn to pay their respects. The Royal Irish Constabulary officers are working hard to try and hold back the crowds outside the Pro- Cathedral on Marlborough street. Michael Collins was an Irish revolutionary, soldier and politician who was a leading figure in the early 20th century Irish struggle for independence. He was Chairman of the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State from January 1922. He was assassinated on August 22nd in Cork.

1m 10s

The Outgoing President

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.