Everyday Violence in the Irish Civil War

This book provides an innovative study of the violence experienced by non-combatants during the Irish Civil War of 1922–3.

Gemma Clark (Author)

9781316635278, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 15 December 2016

250 pages, 9 b/w illus. 2 maps 3 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm, 0.34 kg

'Everyday Violence in the Irish Civil War will influence the historiography of the Irish Civil War. The author has given voice to embattled loyalists, whose trials and tribulations impress and inform the reader.' John Borgonovo, The Journal of Modern History

Everyday Violence in the Irish Civil War presents an innovative study of violence perpetrated by and against non-combatants during the Irish Civil War, 1922–3. Drawing from victim accounts of wartime injury as recorded in compensation claims, Dr Gemma Clark sheds new light on hundreds of previously neglected episodes of violence and intimidation - ranging from arson, boycott and animal maiming to assault, murder and sexual violence - that transpired amongst soldiers, civilians and revolutionaries throughout the period of conflict. The author shows us how these micro-level acts, particularly in the counties of Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford, served as an attempt to persecute and purge religious and political minorities, and to force redistribution of land. Clark also assesses the international significance of the war, comparing the cruel yet arguably restrained violence that occurred in Ireland with the brutality unleashed in other European conflict zones.

Acknowledgements
1. Introduction
2. The price of loyalty: violence, compensation and the British in the Irish Free State
3. The 'Campaign of Fire': arson during the Irish Civil War
4. 'The right to live in my own country': intimidation, expulsion and local-community conflict
5. Harming civilians: killing, wounding and sexual violence in Munster
6. Conclusion
Bibliography.

Subject Areas: Military history [HBW], 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW], British & Irish history [HBJD1]