Irish War of Independence or Cogadh Saoirse na hÉireann 1919 – 1921

The Irish War of Independence, also known as the Anglo-Irish War (In Irish: Cogadh Saoirse na hÉireann), was a guerrilla war fought in Ireland between 1919 and 1921 between the Irish Republican Army (IRA), the army of the Irish Republic, and British forces: the British Army, along with the quasi-military Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and its paramilitary forces the Auxiliaries and Ulster Special Constabulary (USC). The war ended with a stalemate, leading to the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921.

Irish War of Independence Start Date

• Irish war of independence start date

The Irish War of Independence, also known as the Anglo-Irish War, began on January 21, 1919. It was a guerrilla war fought between the Irish Republican Army (IRA), the army of the Irish Republic, and British forces. The war ended with a stalemate, leading to the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921.

Anglo Irish War or Cogadh Saoirse na hÉireann

The treaty granted Ireland an independent dominion status within the Commonwealth of Nations, with the exception of six mainly Protestant counties of Ulster that remained part of the United Kingdom. The treaty was followed by the Irish Civil War, which was fought between the pro-treaty and anti-treaty factions of the IRA.

The Irish War of Independence was the culmination of centuries of Irish struggle for independence from British rule. The war was sparked by the Easter Rising of 1916, which was a failed rebellion against British rule in Ireland. The rebellion was followed by a wave of repression by the British government, which only served to radicalize Irish nationalists.

In 1919, Sinn Féin, a political party that supported Irish independence, won a landslide victory in the Irish general election. Sinn Féin refused to take their seats in the British Parliament and instead formed a revolutionary government in Ireland. This government declared Ireland an independent republic and formed the Irish Republican Army (IRA) to fight for Irish independence.

The IRA was a guerrilla army that used ambushes, raids, and sabotage to attack British forces. The IRA was also very effective at propaganda and political mobilization. The British government responded to the IRA’s attacks with a policy of reprisals, which only served to alienate the Irish people. The war reached a stalemate in 1921, and both sides agreed to a truce.

The Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed in 1921. The treaty granted Ireland an independent dominion status within the Commonwealth of Nations, with the exception of six mainly Protestant counties of Ulster that remained part of the United Kingdom. The treaty was controversial, and it was opposed by many Irish nationalists. The treaty was followed by the Irish Civil War, which was fought between the pro-treaty and anti-treaty factions of the IRA. The pro-treaty forces won the civil war, and the Irish Free State was established in 1922.

Read More History of Northern Ireland 

Key Events in The Irish War of Independence: War of independence Ireland Timeline

• Irish war of independence key events

• Irish war of independence period

• Irish war of independence dates

• 1919:

  • January 21: The Irish Republican Army (IRA) ambushes and kills two Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) officers in Soloheadbeg, County Tipperary, widely considered the start of the war.

  • January 21: Sinn Féin, a political party that supports Irish independence, wins a landslide victory in the Irish general election. Sinn Féin members refuse to take their seats in the British Parliament and instead form a revolutionary government in Ireland. This government declares Ireland an independent republic and forms the IRA to fight for Irish independence.

• 1920:

  • March 18: British forces raid Croke Park in Dublin during a Gaelic football match, killing 14 civilians and injuring over 60 in what became known as Bloody Sunday.

  • July 31: British forces burn the city hall in Cork, known as Cork City Hall.

  • November 21: British forces shoot 20 RIC officers dead in Dublin in what became known as Bloody Sunday.

• 1921:

  • July 11: A truce is agreed between the British government and the IRA.

  • December 6: The Anglo-Irish Treaty is signed, granting Ireland an independent dominion status within the Commonwealth of Nations, with the exception of six mainly Protestant counties of Ulster that remained part of the United Kingdom.

The Irish War of Independence was a complex and bloody conflict, and these are just a few of the key events that took place. The war ultimately led to the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922, a significant milestone in Irish history.  auxiliaries Irish war of independence.

Read More History of United Kingdom 

Sources

1. Reference 1
2. Reference 2
3. Reference 3