Decade of Centenaries
Machnamh 100
Machnamh 100 is an initiative of President Higgins that builds on his extensive work to date during Ireland’s Decade of Centenaries.
The initiative is being supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and RTÉ.
Since November 2020, President Higgins has hosted four seminars inviting reflections on themes related to the War of Independence, the Treaty Negotiations, the Civil War and Partition.
Leading scholars from different backgrounds and with an array of perspectives have shared their insights and thoughts on the context and events of that formative period of a century ago and on the nature of commemoration itself.
Below is a series of links to the major events and some teacher-shared resources that can be used in the classroom to teach the period.
Some of the big events were:
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ProclamationPrinting
The conflict was waged between two opposing groups of Irish nationalists: the forces of the "Provisional Government" that established the Free State, who supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty, and the Republican opposition. The war raged between June 1922 and May 1923.
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Ulster Covenant
The Ulster Covenant was signed by almost half a million men and women from Ulster, on and before 28 September 1912, in protest against the Third Home Rule Bill, introduced by the British Government.
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The 1913 Lockout
The dispute involved some 20,000 workers and lasted from 26 August 1913 to 18 January 1914. It is often viewed as the most severe and significant industrial dispute in Irish history.
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First World War
Know at the time as The Great War it centred in Europe and began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918. Over 200,000 Irishmen served withBritish forces during the war with almost 28,000 killed.
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Easter Rising
Insurrection staged in during Easter Week, 1916. The 'Rising' was mounted by Irish republicans with the aim of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing an Irish Republic.
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1918 Elections
The first meeting of Dáil Éireann occurred on 21 January 1919 and held itls last meeting on 10 May 1921. A number of people elected at the Westminster elections of 1918 refused to recognise the Parliament of the United Kingdom and instead assembled as revolutionary parliament called "Dáil Éireann".
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The First Dáil
Seen as a key moment in modern Irish history as the Sinn Féin party replaced the old Irish Parliamentary Party as the leading force in Irish politics. The elections were held on 14 December.
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The War of Independence
A war mounted by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) against the British government and its forces in Ireland. It began in January 1919 and lasted until a ceasefire or "truce" in July 1921.
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The Treaty
A treaty between the UK Government and representatives of the secessionist Irish Republic concluded the Irish War of Independence. It led to the establishment of the Free State. The agreement was signed on 6 December 1921.
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The Civil War
The conflict was waged between two opposing groups of Irish nationalists: the forces of the "Provisional Government" that established the Free State, who supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty, and the Republican opposition. The war raged between June 1922 and May 1923.
