Ireland in the First World War

Spread the love

Ireland in the War!

IMG_2710[1]

This week, we have been looking into what life was like during the First World War in Ireland. From 1914-18, almost everyone in Ireland was involved in the war at a time where Ireland saw the Easter Rising, women getting the vote for the first time, the countries first government set up & thousands of young Irish men going to fight for their country with many never returning. Take a look through what we’ve been doing.

Story behind the war

When the First World War began in 1914, unionists (those who wanted to remain a part of Britain) and nationalists (those who wanted independence) were on the verge of a civil war. Both sides stopped their campaigning for and against Home Rule and supported the British war effort. Ulster Protestants joined the British Army to show their patriotism. In return, they expected to remain part of the United Kingdom when the war was over. Edward Carson (leader of the Unionists) insisted that the Protestant Ulstermen were to be kept in one unit. As a result, 9,000 men from Ulster formed the 36th Ulster Division.

John Redmond, leader of the Home Rule Party, also encouraged nationalists to join the British Army. Like the unionists, the nationalists expected gratitude from the British at the end of the war. The nationalists were not allowed to form a division of their own and many of them joined the 16th (Irish) Division. Many young men from North and South joined the British Army at that time because it was their only chance of regular employment.

It was also an opportunity to see the world. Not everyone in Ireland agreed with fighting for Britain. Arthur Griffith of Sinn Fein said ‘Ireland is not at war with Germany. The only duty we have is to stand for Ireland’s interests’.

About 170,000 Irishmen, nationalists and unionists, Catholics and Protestants, volunteered to join regiments in the British Army. In August 1914, the Royal Munster Fusiliers were almost wiped out in the Battle of Mons in Belgium. The 10th Irish Division lost over 5,000 men on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey.

What was important to Irish people during World War One?

What are the most important issues facing Irish people today? They are definitely very different from what we think about today. Check out the video below & learn why some people decided to fight in the war.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBONYJIh8Nw[/youtube]

Photos of our World War One Project

IMG_2714[1]      IMG_2713[1]

IMG_2711[1]       IMG_2709[1]