The Impact Of World War One On Limerick

This book examines the impact of World War One on the people of Limerick. It traces how recruitment, which was weak at the commencement of the war, increased locally after the leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party, John Redmond, issued his call for Irish nationalists and others to enlist, and, as the war progressed, how Sinn Féin separatists impinged on recruiting efforts. It also shows that the British War Office were unwitting contributors to the separatists’ cause by their ill-conceived actions that only assisted them in their political cause and anti-recruiting campaign. The book also tracks how the separatists gained considerably in both military and political strength locally through the inept policies that changed public support for the war effort, thereby paving the way for the Sinn Féin victory in the General Election of December 1918; thus giving credence to the author and poet Robert Graves’ description that Limerick had become a Sinn Féin-ridden town. Further to this, it demonstrates that, despite the best efforts of local capitalists to procure war work contracted out by the British War Office, only very little was achieved; the War Office ensuring that the vast array of such work was to remain in Britain. Some local capitalists did, of course, gain as a result of the war; these were notably those such as merchants and farmers who were in a position to provide Britain and her army with all the foodstuffs that she required. Those on low incomes, namely the working class who also provided the majority of recruits for the armed forces, were to suffer through the ever-increasing price rises. This book, therefore, reveals a complex scene where social and political alignments reflect much of what was happening nationally, but also had uniquely local characteristics.

For many Irish, World War I represents the last time Ireland was united as a nation. This volume explores the immediate and continuing impact of the war on Ireland and analyses the effects on Irish national identity and political violence in Ireland.

Limerick was a key social, political and military battleground during the Irish revolution of 1912-23. By examining a wide range of contemporary sources, O'Callaghan reveals what life was like for people from all sectors of Limerick society during these turbulent years. In 1912, the home rule movement was the dominant political force in the city and county, but support for this cause ebbed away during the First World War. Limerick was particularly prominent during the War of Independence between 1919 and 1921. As civil war raged in the summer of 1922, Mayor Stephen O'Mara said that the people of Limerick desired 'food, wages and work - not war'. There was little respite until the summer of 1923, and even then bitter land and labour disputes persisted. The revolution in Limerick was divisive. The middle classes were satisfied that spiralling lawlessness was contained. Radicals hankered after lost opportunities for greater change. Some members of the Protestant community believed that sectarian impulses had been a factor in their dramatic demographic decline.

Welcome to the sixteenth issue of the Limerick Archives Gazette, a publication dedicated to uncovering and sharing the rich tapestry of Limerick's history. In this edition, we delve into the pivotal year of 1915, a period that stands as a cornerstone in the annals of both Limerick and Ireland's storied past. This issue aims to illuminate the events of 1915, exploring their profound impact on the city of Limerick and its inhabitants, amidst the backdrop of global upheaval caused by the First World War. The year 1915 was marked by significant changes and challenges for Limerick, mirroring the broader national and international landscape. It was a time when the echoes of war reverberated through every corner of society, influencing the daily lives of Limerick's people and shaping the city's future trajectory. From the fervent recruitment drives that swept through the city's streets to the growing undercurrent of nationalist sentiment, 1915 was a year of transition, turmoil, and transformation. As we explore this critical year, our articles will examine the multifaceted impacts of the war on Limerick, including the economic fluctuations caused by disrupted trade and the burgeoning opportunity for women to step into roles traditionally held by men. We will also delve into the political activities that simmered beneath the surface, setting the stage for the subsequent rise of the independence movement. The cultural shifts of the time, reflected in literature, music, and art, will also be a focal point, offering insights into the resilience and evolving identity of Limerick's people. Through meticulous research and a commitment to historical accuracy, this issue of the Limerick Archives Gazette seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of 1915, a year that significantly influenced Limerick's historical narrative. Join us as we journey back in time, piecing together the events that shaped the city and its legacy.

For the first time, Richard S. Grayson tells the story of the Dubliners who served in the British military and in republican forces during the First World War and the Irish Revolution as a series of interconnected 'Great Wars'. He charts the full scope of Dubliners' military service, far beyond the well-known Dublin 'Pals', with as many as 35,000 serving and over 6,500 dead, from the Irish Sea to the Middle East and beyond. Linking two conflicts usually narrated as separate stories, he shows how Irish nationalist support for Britain going to war in 1914 can only be understood in the context of the political fight for Home Rule and why so many Dubliners were hostile to the Easter Rising. He examines Dublin loyalism and how the War of Independence and the Civil War would be shaped by the militarisation of Irish society and the earlier experiences of veterans of the British army.

In 100 stories, one for every year that has passed since the Great War, this collection provides snapshots of how Ireland and its people, at home and scattered across the world, were affected by, and had an effect on, the conflict that changed the world forever.

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