Introduction

Michael Portillo returns with an authored documentary, that uses British state papers to shed fresh light on key events and personalities during the Civil War period in Ireland.

Outline

Looks at the Irish Civil War which ended 100 years ago in May 2023.

Professor Heather Jones from UCL History Department was a contributor and discussed the Anglo-Irish negotiations of December 1921 that led to the Anglo-Irish Treaty that ultimately caused the Civil War of 1922-23. The documentary revealed for the first time that the Irish Free State and the British government had considered the use of gas grenades to remove rebel forces from occupying Dublin’s Four Courts building at the start of the Civil War and that Winston Churchill had considered using RAF planes to bomb Dublin. Neither plan was ultimately implemented but the documentary highlighted the radicalisation of the Civil War that these plans illustrated.

Production & Filming Details

• Presenter(s):
  • Michael Portillo
• Director(s):
  • Andrew Gallimore
• Producer(s):
  • Mike Keane … producer
• Writer(s):
  • Michael Portillo
• Music:
• Cinematography:
• Editor(s):
  • Derek Pelly
• Production:
• Distributor(s):
  • Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) (Ireland, 2023)(TV)
• Release Date: 10 May 2023 (Ireland).
• Running time: 60 minutes.
• Rating: Unknown.
• Country: UK.
• Language: English.

Video Link(s)

Currently unavailable.