The Irish Volunteers are a militia founded in November 1913 to defend Home Rule, a law designed to restore Ireland’s independence and administrative autonomy. It was created in November 1913, in response to the creation of an anti-Home Rule Unionist military organization: the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), an anti-nationalist militia of over 200,000 men, whose aim was to counter any attempt at Irish independence.
After a year’s activity defending Ireland’s interests, the Irish Volunteers experienced some dissension within the militia, with very distinct ideologies. In August 1914, the Irish Volunteers split into two entities:
The National Volunteers: formed by the majority of Irish Volunteers, and commanded by John Redmond. They joined the British Army during the World War.
The Irish Volunteers: the minority keeps the name of Irish Volunteers. They stayed in Dublin, following the motto of neutrality given by their leader, Eoin MacNeill.
The Irish Volunteers took part in the Easter Rising of 1916 (despite MacNeill’s counter-order and non-participation). Their strategy revolved around the capture of specific buildings, which they absolutely had to defend against British troops.
For its part, the Cumann na mBan women’s section is trying to appropriate food and medicine and keep the infirmary running smoothly. They provide first-rate support for Irish Volunteers. Countess Constance Markievicz is also part of this section, and takes part in some extremely violent hand-to-hand combat.
After the bitter failure of the insurrection, the Irish Volunteers continued their exactions until 1919, when they were incorporated into theIrish Republican Army or IRA, under the leadership of Michael Collins.
That was the end of the Irish Volunteers.
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