The Irish Civil War—a military analysis

Image above : The Four Courts, 30 June 1922, moments after the ‘great explosion’ in the Public Records Office, two days after the commencement of bombardment by the pro-Treaty National Army that signal led the start of the Irish Civil War. (Irish Architectural Archive)

The Irish Civil War—a military analysis


At the outbreak of the Irish Civil War in June 1922 the anti-Treaty IRA numbered some 15,000,
holding key positions in Dublin and throughout the country, in particular behind a defensive line
running from Limerick to Waterford (the so-called ‘Munster Republic’).

Their pro-Treaty opponents in the newly-formed National Army numbered less than half that.

Why then did the pro-Treaty side win?

To address this and related questions join History Ireland editor, Tommy Graham, in discussion
with Bill Kissane, John Dorney, Mary McAuliffe and Gareth Prendergast.

Spotify *here*

History Ireland podcast channel *here*

Apple podcasts *here*


This Hedge School is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and
Media under the Decade of Centenaries 2012-2023 programme.

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