Witness to War

Ireland at war, through the lens of WD Hogan

The burning of Cork: view of one of the main streets in the business district after the fire ., Hogan, WD, 1920-12, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

The Hogan Wilson collection of photographs at the National Library of Ireland illustrates a violent and turbulent period in Irish history. 



The images were mainly taken by WD Hogan, a commercial photographer based in Henry Street, Dublin, between 1920 and 1935. They were collected by the Rev. Denis Wilson, a Chaplain to the National Army.

Ireland was under British rule for centuries, but at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, it seemed that Home Rule (Irish self-government) might become a reality.

Then, in 1914, World War I broke out. Many Irish nationalists believed that Home Rule was lost, and an insurrection was planned. The Easter Rising of 1916 was a military failure, but when its leaders were executed popular support for the nationalist movement began to grow. In the general election of 1918, most of Ireland outside of Ulster returned separatist candidates. They set up a Dáil (Parliament) in Dublin, declaring Irish independence.

Hogan captured many key events in the years that followed.

"“The Nation of Ireland having proclaimed her national independence, calls, through her elected representatives in Parliament assembled in the Irish Capital on January 21, 1919, upon every free nation to support the Irish Republic...”

Message to the Free Nations of the World, 1919"

Side view of Michael Collins speaking from podium, right arm raised: an unidentified person in the background ., Hogan, WD, 1922-03, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

Michael Collins

Michael Collins and Éamon De Valera both fought in the Easter Rising, and played central roles in Irish history. 

Peace delegates including De Valera arriving in Dún Laoghaire, from a conference in London, Hogan, WD, 1921-07, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

Éamon De Valera 

"War, 1919-1921"

The Irish War of Independence, or Anglo-Irish War, was fought between 1919 and 1921. 



Irish nationalists, the IRA (Irish Republican Army) used guerrilla tactics against the British forces. 



To combat the IRA attacks, the Royal Irish Constabulary was supplemented in early 1920 with an additional force known as the “Black and Tans” because of their uniform of  dark green RIC jackets and khaki military trousers. Many were ex British servicemen. 



The struggle continued into the summer of 1921, with reprisals on both sides and ongoing suffering for civilians.

The car in which Lord French was ambushed: sergeant pointing out bullet hole, Hogan, WD, 1919, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

December 1919: Attempted assassination of Lord French

A Black and Tan on duty in Dublin, with a Lewis machine gun, Hogan, WD, 1920, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

1920: Black and Tan with a Lewis machine gun

"“Now days are dragon-ridden, the nightmare / Rides upon sleep”

 “Nineteen Hundred and Nineteen”, WB Yeats"

Destroyed Royal Irish Constabulary barracks at Ballytrain, County Monaghan, Hogan, WD, 1920-02, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

February 1920: A Royal Irish Constabulary Barracks destroyed by the IRA

American Relief Commission on the streets of Balbriggan., Hogan, WD, 1920-09, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

September 1920: An American Relief Commission visits Balbriggan, to view the aftermath of Black and Tan reprisals

The burning of Cork: view of one of the main streets in the business district after the fire ., Hogan, WD, 1920-12, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

December 1920: the destruction of parts of Cork

Woman outside cottage in Meelin, County Cork after a Black and Tan reprisal ., Hogan, WD, 1921-01-05, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

February 1921: A woman stands outsdie her home, destroyed in a Black and Tan reprisal

View of the Custom House, Dublin, before it was burned ., Hogan, WD, 1921, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
,
Custom House, Dublin on fire after the attack by IRA, 25 May 1921 ., Hogan, WD, 1921-05, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

May 1921:

The attack on the Custom House on the 25 May 1921 by the Dublin Brigade of the IRA. was lead by Oscar Traynor.

It was intended as a grand gesture, an attack on a building that symbolised British authority. The majority of actions on behalf of the IRA had been attacks of a guerrilla nature on RIC stations and the military.

 

"Truce & Treaty, June 1921 - December 1921"

After a number of contacts, a truce was signed on 11 July 1921. The two sides entered into talks in London, which led to treaty negotiations beginning in October.  

The Irish negotiating team included three cabinet Ministers, Michael Collins, Arthur Griffith, and Robert Barton. President de Valera remained in Dublin. The manner in which the negotiations were carried out and resulting treaty caused huge divisions amongst the nationalists. The main objections to the Treaty signed by the delegation were the oath of allegiance, the fact that Ireland remained part of the British Empire, and the loss of counties in Ulster. 

Collins and others argued that the Treaty was a stepping-stone towards freedom and that the Irish people did not want to continue the war.  The Anti-Treaty side argued it did not achieve the objective of an Irish Republic for which many had died. After extensive debates, the Anglo-Irish Treaty was passed by a slim majority in Dáil Eireann in January 1922. The Anti-Treaty faction, led by de Valera, withdrew from government.

"“The British Government are deeply anxious that, so far as they can assure it, the King's appeal for reconciliation in Ireland shall not have not been made in vain. Rather than allow yet another opportunity of settlement in Ireland to be cast aside, they felt it incumbent upon them to make a final appeal...”

Letter from British Prime Minister David Lloyd George, to Eamon de Valera, 24 June 1921"

General Macready, Commander-in-Chief of the British Forces, entering the peace meeting at the Mansion House, Dublin., Hogan, WD, 1921-07, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

July 1921: General Macready, Commander-in-Chief of the British Forces, entering the Mansion House peace talks. 

Peace delegates including De Valera arriving in Dún Laoghaire, from a conference in London, Hogan, WD, 1921-07, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

July 1921: Peace delegates arriving in Dublin from London

"“When you have sweated, toiled, had mad dreams, hopeless nightmares, you find yourself in London's streets, cold and dank in the night air. Think - what have I got for Ireland? Something which she has wanted these past 700 years. Will anyone be satisfied with the bargain? Will anyone? I tell you this -early this morning I signed my own death warrant. I though at the time how odd, how ridiculous -a bullet might just as well have done the job 5 years ago.” 

Letter from Michael Collins to John O'Kane "

Attending the Treaty debates, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin: Mrs O'Callaghan, widow of the Mayor of Limerick, and Mrs Mary MacSwiney, sister of Terence who died on hunger strike ., Hogan, WD, 1921, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

The Treaty debates ran from 14 December 1921 to 7 January 1922. The group shown arriving here includes Mary MacSwiney, whose brother had died on hunger strike in 1920.

Michael Collins at the Gresham Hotel, Dublin, the night the Anglo-Irish Treaty was ratified, Hogan, WD, 1922-01-07, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

7 January 1922: Michael Collins in the Gresham Hotel on the night the Treaty was ratified.

"Civil War, 1922-1923"

A Provisional Government was formed on 14 January 1922, and British forces began their withdrawal.  



In the general election that followed in June, a majority of Pro-Treaty candidates were elected to the Dáil. 



Although both sides were reluctant to fight, a brutal civil war began in June 1922. The government forces (often known as “Free State” troops, although the Irish Free State did not officially come into existence until the following December) imprisoned and executed former comrades, while Michael Collins was killed in an ambush by anti-Treaty Republicans in August. The two sides battled to hold different parts of Ireland, but the government forces gradually gained control and by May of 1923 the war was over. 

The victory came at a bitter cost to the country, which remained divided over Civil War loyalties for many decades. 

Group shot of members of Dáil Eireann outside the Mansion House, Dublin, showing the Treaty supporters, Hogan, WD, 1922, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

Pro-Treaty politicians outside the Mansion House

National troops marching over Bridge of Athlone to take over Athlone Barracks, Hogan, WD, 1922-02-25, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

February 1922: National troops marching to take over Athlone Barracks from the British forces

Guests leaving the Edinburgh Hotel, O'Connell Street, Dublin where they had been confined for three days during Civil War fighting ., Hogan, WD, 1922-07-05, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

July 1922: Dublin hotel guests who had been caught up in Civil War fighting

Free State troops lie on deck ready to fire on snipers as the boat approaches shore in Cork, Hogan, WD, 1922-08, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

August 1922: Free State troops on board ship, heading to Cork

Republican prisoners captured during the attack on Passage West being marched to the Cork Gaol for detention ., Hogan, WD, 1922-08-11, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

August 1922: Anti-Treaty prisoners being marched to Cork Gaol

Wreath-laden car drives by onlookers, at funeral of Michael Collins, Hogan, WD, 1922-08-28, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

August 1922: Funeral of Michael Collins

A barefoot boy holds a sword salvaged from Cork City barracks, Hogan, WD, 1922-08-09, From the collection of: National Library of Ireland
Show lessRead more

Young boy with sword epitomises these troubled years

Credits: Story

Curator of original exhibition at National Photographic Archive—Sara Smyth, Assistant Keeper, National Library of Ireland

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions (listed below) who have supplied the content.
Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favourites