Hawks and Doves: The Crown and Ireland’s War of Independence (2020): Part 01

Introduction Michael Portillo examines the undisturbed reports, letters and diaries that reveal how Britain’s perspectives on the Irish War of Independence were as divided as the island of Ireland itself. He unravels a web of mystery and intrigue woven by the British ruling classes, for whom the essential issue was never Ireland, but their own…

Andrew Marshall

28/06/2020

1–2 minutes

British Army, Military Documentary, Northern Ireland

Introduction

Michael Portillo examines the undisturbed reports, letters and diaries that reveal how Britain’s perspectives on the Irish War of Independence were as divided as the island of Ireland itself. He unravels a web of mystery and intrigue woven by the British ruling classes, for whom the essential issue was never Ireland, but their own party and career advantage, and tells the story of a guerrilla war as told by those who tried to suppress it.

Outline

In part one, Michael Portillo charts the War of Independence in Ireland, following the journey from the Peace Conference in Versailles to the historic ceasefire in 1921.

Hawks and Doves: The Crown and Ireland’s War of Independence Series