The Irish Independence Films

The Irish Independence Films

Historic Unionist Conference at Liverpool

28th March 2018

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Liverpool Unionists decide to support the Government, providing Ulster’s position as part of Britain is protected, on November 17th 1921 – less than a month away from the signing of The Anglo-Irish Treaty. Liverpool had a substantial Irish population, most of which were nationalist but a substantial proportion were unionist. The local M.P., Sir Laming […]

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The Irish Independence Films

Will There Be Peace in Ireland?

28th March 2018

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In this newsreel Sir James Craig, the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland in 1921, is seen giving a speech. This event was during the lead up to the treaty negotiations which would culminate to the Anglo-Irish Treaty in December of the same year. Craig was highly critical of Lloyd George’s negotiations with Sinn Féin […]

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The Irish Independence Films

Government’s Answer to de Valera

28th March 2018

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The first Cabinet meeting to be held beyond Downing Street or Chequers was on September 7th 1921. It was held at Inverness Town Hall as the future of British-Irish relations hung in the balance. Crowds gather outside for the arrival of the Cabinet – Winston Churchill and Prime Minister David Lloyd George. Lloyd George was […]

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The Irish Independence Films

Is it Peace?

28th March 2018

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London, October 11th 1921: Sinn Féin delegates, including  Arthur Griffith, arrive for the first formal peace negotiations at 10 Downing Street. In this newsreel, scenes of the Irish Embassy at 17 Grosvenor Place, London, are depicted with the Irish tricolour flag prominently placed above the main entrance. Crowds are seen kneeling and praying on the […]

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The Irish Independence Films

Back from the USA

28th March 2018

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In this newsreel Mary MacSwiney (older sister to Republican Terence MacSwiney) and Harold Boland (Sinn Féin) pose for the camera upon their return from the USA. Mary MacSwiney, T.D., Nationalist and Educationalist, supported the Irish War of Independence in 1919–21. In 1921, after the death of her brother Terence in October 1920, during the height […]

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The Irish Independence Films

Ireland’s Fate Decided in the Highlands

28th March 2018

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In this newsreel from 1921, Prime Minster David Lloyd George meets Irish Viceroy, General Macready, and Sir Hamar Greenwood at Brahan Castle, in Easter Ross, Highlands Scotland. Lloyd George presided over the Government of Ireland Act 1920 which partitioned Ireland into Southern Ireland and Northern Ireland in May 1921 during the Anglo-Irish War. Lloyd George […]

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The Irish Independence Films

Ireland’s Holy Mount

28th March 2018

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This footage captures a pilgrimage to Ireland’s Holy Mount, Croagh Patrick, from 1921 where thousands of people toil over bog and boulders to reach the summit and pray for peace. Croagh Patrick is a 764 metre-high mountain and an important site of pilgrimage in County Mayo, Ireland. It is the third highest mountain in County […]

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The Irish Independence Films

I Want Peace

28th March 2018

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In this newsreel, Éamon de Valera arrives in London in July 1921 for discussions on a peace proposal for Ireland with Count George Noble Plunkett, Robert Barton and Arthur Griffith. The first stage in these negotiations was the dispatch of an Irish delegation to London on July 12th. The party consisted of de Valera, Arthur […]

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The Irish Independence Films

Is it the Dawn?

28th March 2018

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Éamon de Valera (having previously refused interviews) released this statement to the world exclusively through Topical following truce talks with Lord Middleton between July 4th and 8th 1921. This intertitle-only newsreel is unusual as we see his quote from an extract of the poem Celts and Saxons by poet Thomas Davis. ‘Ireland is fighting solely […]

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The Irish Independence Films

Ulster Will Not Yield

28th March 2018

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In this newsreel Orangemen march with banners through a crowd-lined street in Belfast to demonstrate their loyalty to Britain on July 12th 1921. Sir James Craig is in attendance and is seen being welcomed onto the platform and addressing the large audience. Craig was highly critical of Lloyd George’s negotiations with Sinn Féin at this […]

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The Irish Independence Films

Ulster’s Parliament Assembles

28th March 2018

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In this newsreel the Lord Lieutenant, Lord FitzAlan-Howard, and 40 elected Unionist members of Parliament are seen attending the historic opening and first session of the Ulster Parliament in Belfast City Hall on June 7th 1921. Sir James Craig, seen towards the end of this newsreel, was made Prime Minister just a few days before […]

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The Irish Independence Films

Coal Strike – Ireland

28th March 2018

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This newsreel shows the impact the mining crisis in England (March 1921) had on Ireland. The camera pans across the docks showing boats being held up and coal wharfs empty in the ports. In the aftermath of the First World War, the Triple Alliance (a group made up of railwaymen, transport workers, and coal miners) […]

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