Irish Republican Army (1922-1969)

:This article deals with the Irish republican organisation opposed to the Anglo-Irish Treaty, styling itself Irish Republican Army, as it existed from the time of the Treaty in 1921 to the split between the Official Irish Republican Army and the Provisional Irish Republican Army in 1969. See List of IRAs for a full list of organisations using the name.

The IRA split

The signature of the Anglo-Irish Treaty by the Irish delegation in London caused an angry reaction among the more radical elements in Sinn Féin and in the IRA. Dáil Éireann ratified the Treaty by 64 votes to 57 after a lengthy and acrimonious debate, following which President Éamon de Valera resigned. Sinn Féin split between pro-Treaty and anti-Treaty factions, and the Army followed suit. The majority of headquarters staff, many of whom were close to Michael Collins, supported the Treaty, but opinion among Volunteers was divided. By and large, IRA units in Munster, part of Clare and most of Connacht were opposed to the Treaty, while those in favour predominated in the Midlands, Leinster and what was to become Northern Ireland. The pro-treaty majority of the Volunteers formed the nucleus of the new National Army.

Related Topics:
Sinn Féin - IRA - Dáil Éireann - Éamon de Valera - Michael Collins - Northern Ireland - National Army

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In March 1922 anti-Treaty officers called an army convention, attended by their supporters, which reaffirmed their opposition to the Treaty.

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Meanwhile the IRA in Northern Ireland maintained their links with Michael Collins. In May 1922 they launched a renewed military offensive, in which they were aided covertly by the National Army.

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