IFI Irish Film Archive

Will There Be Peace in Ireland?

Year1921 Duration21s ProducerTopical Film Company

In this newsreel Sir James Craig, the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland in 1921, is seen giving a speech. This event was during the lead up to the treaty negotiations which would culminate to the Anglo-Irish Treaty in December of the same year. Craig was highly critical of Lloyd George’s negotiations with Sinn Féin at this time, having previously refused to attend the peace conference which led to the signing of the Treaty. The same sequence seen here was used in another Topical Budget Newsreel, Ulster will not Yield

In this newsreel Orangemen march with banners, through a crowd-lined street in Belfast, to demonstrate their loyalty to Britain on July 12th 1921. Sir James Craig is in attendance and is seen being welcomed onto the platform and addressing the large audience. Craig was highly critical of Lloyd George’s negotiations with Sinn Féin at this time, having previously refusing to attend the peace conference which led to the signing of the Treaty.

44s

Irish Free State

This newsreel, which is predominately text based, declares that “after centuries of strife, Britain adds a contented New Dominion to the Crown”. The Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed between Irish and British negotiators in London at 10 Downing Street, and would determine the future of 20th century Ireland. British Prime Minister David Lloyd George threatened the Irish with “Immediate and terrible war” should they decide not to accept The Treaty. Michael Collins signed it as he believed it would be either a dominion and peace or a Republic and war. The Treaty was signed at 2.20am on December 6th 1921. Irish delegates seen at the end of the Newsreel, include Mr Arthur Griffith {Left} and R.C Barton {Center}, “agreed to an arrangement whereby all Ireland – except Ulster- becomes a Free State”.

1m 37s

Irish Peace Imperilled by Extremists

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.

19s

Sinn Féin Cabinet Divided

In this newsreel from December 1921, Éamon de Valera and Cathal Brugha are shown sitting in a car following their rejection of the Peace Treaty. De Valera had famously not attended the negotiations himself in London but rather chose to stay in Ireland (as he would be better able to control the extremists at home). The Irish delegates who chose to attend the negotiations were Arthur Griffith, Robert Barton and Michael Collins supported by Robert Erskine Childers as Secretary General. The Treaty, which would replace the Republic by 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.

1m 05s

Ireland's Fate Decided in the Highlands

In this newsreel from 1921, Prime Minster David Lloyd George meets Irish Viceroy, General Macready and Sir Hamar Greenwood at Brahan Castle, in Easter Ross, Highlands Scotland. Lloyd George presided over the Government of Ireland Act 1920 which partitioned Ireland into Southern Ireland and Northern Ireland in May 1921 during the Anglo-Irish War. Lloyd George famously declared of the Irish Republican Army that “We have murder by the throat!” However, soon afterwards he began negotiations with IRA leaders to recognise their authority and to end a bloody conflict. This culminated in the Anglo-Irish Treaty signed in December 1921 with Irish leaders Under it, Southern Ireland, representing over a fifth of the United Kingdom’s territory, seceded in 1922 to form the Irish Free State.

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.