| The Irish involvement in the Great War has always been the subject of controversary here in Ireland.it is a period in Irish history that was overshadowed for many years,but due to a lot of effort by many people this has now been addressed and attitudes are changing.The Irish men and women went for a variety of reasons,but they were all volunteers, as conscription did not apply in Ireland.Why then did they join up?.Well for most it was a way out of extreme boredom and poverty,a way to feed their families.For others it was an adventure,a way to travel and see the world as Britain still had a large empire.One of the main reasons for the Nationalist involvement was the hope that Home Rule would be granted as a result of the Irish assistance.There again,there were the career soldiers who were part of the pre war regular army who went were they were told ,having a fierce pride in their regiment and their comrades.The Irish contribution was quite a substantial one and those Irish regiments were considered to be among the best in the British army.Their sense of camraderie was high,and they were well respected.Like all of the other British regiments their blood soaked the earth and mud along the western front and the sands of the eastern theatre.Gallipoli is a name etched in the history of the Irish at war.It is fair to say that is not a political statement to say that the Irish deserve to be considered as an ally of the British army at the time,just as the Australians were,or the Canadians,even though at the time they had no autonomy,they still were Irishmen who were there of their own free will.These Irishmen came from all walks of life,both sides of the political divide,Redmond and his nationalists and Carson and his unionists.These men fought side by side and knew no division when the bullets were flying.Indeed when Redmond was mortally wounded he was borne by stretcher bearers from the 36 (Ulster) division. |
