We are excited to bring you a series of lunchtime lectures to accompany the National Archives touring exhibition on the signing of the Anglo Irish Treaty in 1922.
June 2023
Dr. John O'Callaghan
16th June 1.00-2.00 pm Istabraq Hall, Merchants Quay
‘War and peace, and war again: Limerick at the time of the Treaty, 1921-22’
This talk will address the Truce of July 1921, the lead up to the signing of the Treaty, immediate reactions to the Treaty, and the lead up to civil war.
Dr. John O’Callaghan is a lecturer in the Education Department, NUI Galway. He is the Programme Director for the MA Historical and Heritage Studies of the North West, and the Diploma in Arts (Folklore and Heritage of the North West). John is the author of The Irish Revolution, 1912-23, Limerick; (Four Courts Press, 2018); 16 Lives: Con Colbert, (O’ Brien Press, 2015); The Battle for Kilmallock, (Mercier Press, 2011); Revolutionary Limerick: The Republican Campaign for Independence in Limerick, 1913-21 (Irish Academic Press, 2010).
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Dr. Brian Hughes
23rd June 1.00-2.00pm Istabraq Hall, Merchants Quay
This talk will examine the public responses (or lack thereof) of loyalists and unionists in Limerick to the Anglo-Irish Treaty, and some of their experiences during the Truce period and subsequent Civil War. As early as August 1920, prominent Limerick unionists had opposed partition even if it meant the end of the Union. This marked something of a retreat from public opposition to self-government. By December 1921, there was an overwhelming desire for peace and willingness to support (if potentially begrudgingly) the Treaty settlement. Indeed, the city's middle- and upper-class - unionist or nationalist of all shades - tended to support the Treaty. Limerick Protestants and Unionists were further keen to stress publicly that they had experienced no political or religious bigotry in the city or county. The extent to which this held during the Civil War will also be discussed in the paper.
Dr. Brian Hughes lectures in the Department of History at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. Among other publication on the Irish Revolution, he is the author of Defying the IRA? Intimidation, Coercion and Communities during the Irish Revolution (Liverpool, 2016) and, with Conor Morrissey (eds), Southern Irish Loyalism, 1912-1949 (Liverpool, 2020).
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Padraig Óg O'Ruairc
30th June 1.00-3.30pm People’s Museum, Pery Sq
‘ "Spies and Robbers beware!" The execution of civilians suspected of spying by the Anti-Treaty IRA’
Followed by a Q&A with all previous speakers and LCCC Archivist Jacqui Hayes. Tea, coffee and sandwiches will be provided
Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc is the author of; Blood on the Banner: The Republican Struggle in Clare 1913–1923,( Mercier Press, 2009) The Battle for Limerick City, (Mercier Press, 2006), The Men Will Talk to Me: West Cork Brigade, Ernie O’Malley Series, ( O’ Malley Interviews; (Mercier Press, August 2015);Truce; Murder, Myth and the Last Days of the Irish War of Independence, (Mercier Press, 2016) Revolution, A photographic History of Revolutionary Ireland 1913-1923, (Mercier Press, 2017)