The Irish Independence Films

Strike Scenes in Limerick

28th March 2018

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April 1919 and martial law is in effect in Ireland. These scenes from Limerick show some of the military precautions that were put in place. Soldiers stop pedestrians to check identification papers and streets are barricaded by British Army tanks (HMT Scotch and Soda). The Limerick Soviet was a self-declared soviet that existed from April […]

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The Events of 1918

Countess Markievicz: The Only Woman Candidate Returned

28th March 2018

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In this newsreel, Countess Markievicz is elected as MP for the St Patrick’s Division of Dublin. She was the first woman to ever be elected into British Parliament, but she refused to take her seat and joined Sinn Fein TDs to form the first Dail Eireann. Constance Georgine Markievicz, known as Countess Markievicz, was a […]

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The Events of 1918

Crowds Protest Against Compulsory Military Service

28th March 2018

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The Conscription Crisis of 1918 stemmed from a move by the British government to impose conscription (military draft) in Ireland in April 1918, during the First World War. In this newsreel we see vigorous opposition from crowds of people. These protests were primarily led by trade unions, Irish nationalist parties and Roman Catholic bishops and […]

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The Irish Independence Films

Wexford Commemorations

28th March 2018

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Nationalists from all over Ireland pay tribute to the memory of the late Mr. John Redmond who passed away March 6th 1918. A portrait of Redmond can been seen on the wall of the cemetery on the corner of John’s Gate Street, Wexford Town. A procession of mourners gather in front of it and a […]

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The Irish Independence Films

Larne Harbour

28th March 2018

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This short newsreel shows a slow panning shot of Larne Harbour (exact date is unknown but approximate is 1914-1918). In April 1914, Larne Harbour was one of three harbours used by the Ulster Unionist Council to smuggle in over 25,000 rifles and between 3 to 5 million rounds of bullets from Germany.  

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The Events of 1918

Waterford Elections

28th March 2018

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The Waterford by-elections, March 22nd 1918: An enthusiastic crowd of people gather and cheer in excitement as Sinn Féin candidate, Dr. Vincent White, exits a building alongside Captain William Redmond (son of John Redmond). Captain William Redmond, from the Irish Nationalist Party defeated Sinn Féin candidate Dr. Vincent White in the by-election but campaigns began […]

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The Irish Independence Films

St Patrick’s Day – Irish Colleens

28th March 2018

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This short newsreel (location unknown, 1914-1918) shows two Irish girls pinning sprigs of shamrock on the caps and coats of soldiers. There are Irish soldiers from various regiments including Connaught Rangers, Royal Artillery to Fusiliers. Some of the men are wearing bandages and appear to be wounded while others casually stand by having a cigarette.

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The Irish Independence Films

Saint Patrick’s Day – 1917

28th March 2018

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This newsreel set in London shows the Lord Mayor of London arriving at Saint Patrick’s Church. It is the celebration for Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and Irish women are seen selling flags in the street to passersby. These women were most likely collecting for charitable organisations, like the London Irish Benevolent Society, […]

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The Irish Independence Films

Irish Crowds Welcome Markievicz After Release

28th March 2018

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This newsreel shows a huge crowd filling the streets of Dublin to welcome Countess Constance Markievicz back after her release from prison. Markievicz is seen standing in a car and waves as is it drives down Westland Row and Brunswick Street, flanked by a mass of people parading alongside her in celebration of her return. […]

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