History - Ireland in the Emergency

Irish policy

Long before 1939, Ireland had been neutral in world affairs

Ireland’s economy struggled in

the 1920s and 1930s

Ireland in the Commonwealth

were the only dominion not to support Britain in the war.

The law passed by the Dáil when WWII broke out

the Emergency Powers Act

Irish favoritism

For the Allies rather than the Germans

Why Ireland favoured the Allies

Most of Ireland’s trade was with Britain and many Irish people lived in England or the US

An example of Irish favoritism towards the Allies

Irish Fire Brigades were sent north to put out fires in Belfast after Luftwaffe bombing

Hitler’s plan for a potential Irish invasion

‘Operation Green’

Local Defence Force protecting Ireland’s neutrality

was strengthened to 250,000 volunteers

IRA Action During the Emergency

Were in contact with Germany hoping for German victory

IRA arrests

Hundreds of IRA members were arrested and interned with captive Germans

IRA Government Executions

The Government executed nine members

Economic Problems

Being an island nation in a war-torn world made it difficult to maintain Ireland’s trade links

Séan Lemass

Minister for Supplies

Irish Shipping Ltd

set up to provide Ireland with essential supplies from abroad

Séan Lemass rationing

People were issued with ration books to show to shopkeepers when buying certain goods

Foods limited during rationing

Tea, flour, sugar, butter and other essentials

Results of the Emergency

Ireland’s economy ground to a standstill

Relations between Ireland and England after the War

Were very damaged by Ireland’s choices

Ireland and international affairs after the war

Isolated for six years