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Wexford Treaty Meeting

Newsreels

The Irish War of Independence

48 Irelands Agony
Newsreels

Ireland’s Agony

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The Burning of Cork by British forces took place on the night of December 11th and 12th 1920 during the Irish War of Independence. It followed an Irish Republican Army ambush of a British Auxiliary patrol in the city which wounded twelve auxiliaries – one fatally. In retaliation the Auxiliaries, Black and Tans and British […]
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48 Irelands Agony
The Irish Independence Films

Belfast

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This newsreel is set in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in the early 1920s. In contrast to other newsreels from this period, this footage focuses on the more relaxed day to day life activities in the area. From beautiful scenic views of the nearby countryside to the hustle and bustle of the city markets, this newsreel feels […]
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46 Ulster Demonstration
The Irish Independence Films

Ulster Demonstration

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This newsreel contains large portions of footage that is intercut with another newsreel from the Pathé Collection from 1912, Orangeman Demonstrate. It is commonly reported that the people marching are Orangemen but this is not the case. Both newsreels feature a Nationalist rally taking place with crowds of people cheering on the Irish National Foresters, […]
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45 Irish Personalities
The Irish Independence Films

Irish Personalities

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This selection of newsreel sequences shows the trial of in August 1920 of Terence Mac Swiney (Sinn Féin Lord Mayor of Cork) and other events in Cork in 1920.  The opening sequence, unusual for its time, appears to have been shot inside the Cork Courthouse. The Courthouse exterior is seen with a group of children […]
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42 Martial Law in Ireland
The Irish Independence Films

Martial Law in Ireland

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This newsreel shows very rare scenes inside the first concentration camp where members of the Sinn Féin party were treated as prisoners of war. Ballykinlar Internment Camp was the first mass internment camp to be established by the British in Ireland during the War of Independence. Situated on the County Down coast and opened in […]
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41 Terence MacSwiney Laid to Rest
The Irish Independence Films

Terence MacSwiney Laid to Rest

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This newsreel shows the final journey for Terence Mac Swiney, who died in Brixton, England on October 25th 1920. His body arrives in Cork at Customs House Quay on October 31st (it was diverted from Dublin to avoid demonstrations). The coffin of Terence McSwiney arrives on the tugboat Mary Tavy into Cork‘s Custom House Quay. A […]
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40 Lord Mayor of Cork Dead
The Irish Independence Films

Lord Mayor of Cork Dead

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Despite the opening intertitle which refers to activities on the streets of Cork,  much of the footage here was filmed in London.  The film documents the final journey of Terence Mac Swiney, Lord Mayor of Cork,  who died on hunger strike in Brixton Prison on October 25th, 1920. MacSwiney’s death was marked by three funeral processions – in […]
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Terror in Ireland_02-min
Independence

Terror in Ireland

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This shocking newsreel highlights the ‘daily terror’ experienced in Ireland during the War of Independence. This is the aftermath of the shooting of Seán Treacy and Lieutenant of British military intelligence, Lieutenant Arthur Gilbert Price. They were killed on Talbot Street after a gun battle on October 14th 1920. A group of people stand outside J. […]
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38 Lawless Ireland
The Irish Independence Films

Lawless Ireland

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In the middle of the night on Monday September 21st 1920 the Black and Tans sacked the town of Balbriggan in County Dublin. The sacking was revenge for the killing of District Inspector Burke and his brother Sergeant Burke. They were shot dead by the IRA while in Smyth’s pub, Balbriggan, earlier in the day. […]
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37 All’s Fair in…
The Irish Independence Films

All’s Fair in…

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This newsreel shows a hostage being taken to the back of a Military patrol lorry where we see a group of soldiers (Black and Tans) stopping to pose for the camera. The Black and Tans, officially named the Royal Irish Constabulary Special Reserve, was a force of Temporary Constables recruited to assist the Royal Irish […]
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36 Eamon De Valera in Boston
The Irish Independence Films

Eamon de Valera in Boston

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From June 29th 1919 to December 1920 Éamon de Valera toured America in a mission to raise funds for Sinn Féin. He is seen here at his first public appearance in Boston, speaking to a crowd of 50,000 people in Fenway Park Stadium. De Valera’s purpose in coming to New York and travelling throughout the […]
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