Divided Loyalties: The Irish Who Fought for Britain

About this episode

This episode explores the complex allegiances of the Irish who fought for Britain during the Irish War of Independence and Revolution.

The Irish War of Independence & Revolution saw the IRA pitted against Crown forces across the island. However, on the ground in Ireland, allegiance was often more complicated than is sometimes remembered. Ireland had a long tradition of service in the British Army, and during the conflict thousands of Irishmen served not only in British military ranks but also in the police forces sent to crush the revolution. Even the Black and Tans, remembered as outsiders and occupiers, included surprising numbers of Irish recruits. This episode explores the uncomfortable and often forgotten story of the Irish who fought for Britain. Who were these men? Why did they serve the Crown, in Ireland and across the Empire? What drew them into the British Army, the Royal Irish Constabulary, and even the ranks of the Black and Tans? And what does their story reveal about Ireland’s deep and complicated relationship with the British Empire? This is Episode 5 of Brothers in Pain, a global history of the Irish Revolution. The series is researched, written, and presented by Dr Brian Hanley. Brian is a historian at Trinity College Dublin and has written extensively on the Irish…

People in this episode

Host: Fin Dwyer

Guest: Dr Brian Hanley

Topics covered

• Irish War of Independence
• Irish Revolution
• British Army
• Irish allegiance
• Black and Tans
• Irish history
• colonialism

Keywords

• Irish history
• British Army
• Black and Tans
• Irish Revolution
• allegiance
• Royal Irish Constabulary
• colonialism

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Trinity College Dublin, Royal Irish Constabulary, Black and Tans

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