Storms Over Ireland

In the early decades of the 20th century, Ireland experienced three armed conflicts.

Britain had an aerial presence there during the Great War, when the nation was still part of the United Kingdom. Soon after the Armistice, the age-old struggle to throw off British rule triggered the Irish War of Independence, which included RAF involvement.

Following a truce, profound internal division over the terms of autonomy from Britain led to the Irish Civil War.

In 1922, the emerging Irish Free State created a fledgling military air service, which was deployed against anti-government forces and soon became known as the Air Corps.

As World War Two began, Ireland declared its neutrality, maintaining challenging diplomatic ties with the warring nations.

Small and ill-equipped, the Air Corps had very little capability to fight should the country’s non-alignment be breached. Amid fear of possible invasion, the service sought more military aircraft from Britain.

Slowly a mixed collection of types arrived, pressed into service as Ireland strove to improve its Air Corps’ strength.