The Irish War of Independence Part I - World War I

This is the first episode in a 24 part series on the War of Independence. Today's show focuses on the First World War and how it destablised Irish society, following the lives of several people in one Irish town - Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny (where I grew up). It includes never before published letters from soldiers at the Front and accounts from life back in Ireland at the time. The episode also reveals how the legacy of the Famine, the Land War and growing labour unrest were adding to growing tensions in the country.

Written, research & produced by Fin Dwyer

Additional Research by Sam McGrath

Sound by Jason Looney

Additional narrations by Aidan Crowe & Therese Murray

Artwork by Keith Hynes