Irish Film Institute
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IFI Irish Film Archive

Mopping Up

Year1922 Duration56s
The Battle of Adare took place on August 4th 1922, and this unique newsreel from the Pathé Collection records the moment a band of rebels are captured and hold their hands up and surrender. The anti-treaty Republican Army forces occupying the town came under artillery fire with an 18 Pound Howwitzers from pro-Treaty Free State Troops. Their Headquarters, the Dunraven Arms Hotel, was also damaged with a number of shells.

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46s

Irish National Army Sweeping On

In this newsreel scenes of fighting in Limerick are shown, with National Army men firing field guns and rifles in the open countryside and Lancia armoured cars and Omnibuses parked outside a burnt-out with a partially painted out sign “Vote Sinn Féin IRA..” The Battle of Kilmallock took place between July 25th and August 5th 1922 in County Limerick. It was one of the largest engagements of the Irish Civil War. It consisted of ten days of fighting in the countryside round Kilmallock in County Limerick, in which Irish Free State Army forces, advancing south from Limerick city, found their path blocked by anti-Treaty IRA troops, dug into a number of villages at Bruff, Bruree and Patrickswell. The fighting ended with the retreat of the anti-Treaty fighters and the occupation of Kilmallock by Free State forces.

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.

1m 13s

Free State or Republic

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 25s

The Surrender of Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle was originally built at a defensive fortification during the Norman period. It evolved into a symbol and citadel of British rule for centuries, housing the mechanisms of the British government in Ireland. The Viceroy of Ireland, Lord FitzAlan-Howard the representative of the British crown, resided in the Castle and can be seen in this newsreel getting into a car and exiting the gateway to a jeering crowd. In the courtyard soldiers on parade hold their guns raised ready to fire salute (it is unclear if these are British troops). Michael Collins, the Chairman (Prime Minister) of the Provisional Government of Ireland created under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, accepted control of Dublin Castle. The handover symbolised the end of British rule in Ireland, even though the Irish Free State would remain part of the Commonwealth until 1949.

12m 45s

Irish Revolution - 1922

This lengthy newsreel highlights some key moments in the Irish Civil War from troops revolting in Limerick, to the destruction of Sackville street in Dublin. The Irish Civil War (June 28th 1922 –May 24th 1923) was a conflict that followed the Irish War of Independence and accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State, an entity independent from the United Kingdom but within the British Empire. The Civil War was waged between two opposing groups, Irish Republicans and Irish Nationalists, over the Anglo-Irish Treaty. The forces of the Provisional Government (which became the Free State in December 1922) supported the Treaty, while the Republican opposition saw it as a betrayal of the Irish Republic (which had been proclaimed during the Easter Rising). Many of those who fought on both sides in the conflict had been members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during the War of Independence.

12m 45s

Irish Revolution 1922

This lengthy newsreel highlights some key moments in the Irish Civil War from troops revolting in Limerick, to the destruction of Sackville street in Dublin. The Irish Civil War (June 28th 1922 –May 24th 1923) was a conflict that followed the Irish War of Independence and accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State, an entity independent from the United Kingdom but within the British Empire. The Civil War was waged between two opposing groups, Irish Republicans and Irish Nationalists, over the Anglo-Irish Treaty. The forces of the Provisional Government (which became the Free State in December 1922) supported the Treaty, while the Republican opposition saw it as a betrayal of the Irish Republic (which had been proclaimed during the Easter Rising). Many of those who fought on both sides in the conflict had been members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during the War of Independence.