576. The Irish War of Independence: Rise of the IRA (Part 1)

In this episode of The Rest Is History, Dominic and Tom are joined by Paul Rouse to discuss the Irish independence struggle between 1916 and 1921. They delve into the historical context, including the Act of Union, the Great Famine, and the Gaelic revival, and explore the complexities of Irish nationalism and unionism. The discussion covers the Home Rule crisis, the Easter Rising, and the impact of British policies, such as conscription, on Irish sentiment. They analyze the rise of Sinn Féin, the role of key figures like Éamon de Valera and Michael Collins, and the growing momentum towards Irish independence, setting the stage for the upcoming War of Independence.