The Rest Is History 576. The Irish War of Independence: Rise of the IRA (Part 1)
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Jun 22, 2025 
Paul Rouse, a history professor at University College Dublin, joins the discussion to illuminate the origins of the Irish War of Independence. They delve into the impact of the 1916 Easter Rising and the shift in Irish nationalism toward independence. Rouse highlights the significant role of Thomas Ashe and analyzes the transformation of Sinn Féin from monarchists to revolutionaries. The conversation also covers Éamon de Valera's pivotal influence on Irish politics, setting the stage for a tumultuous period marked by intense political struggle.
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Thomas Ash's Revolutionary Sacrifice
- Thomas Ash was an Irish revolutionary who fought in the Easter Rising and was sentenced to death but later released.
- He later went on hunger strike in prison in 1917 to demand prisoner of war status, dying during force feeding.
Complex Roots of Irish Society
- Irish society was deeply shaped by a complex history of religion, land, and power intertwining over centuries.
- This history created a diverse and often fractured society, not simply polarized along religious lines.
Home Rule Crisis Ignites Paramilitaries
- The Home Rule crisis created deep political insecurity, leading to armed paramilitary groups on both sides.
- Home Rule was intended as devolution, not independence, but it polarized Ireland deeply, especially in Ulster.