The Limerick Soviet and the Russian Revolution
(The War of Independence VI)

*There was an audio issue on an early version of this episode. This was resolved and a new issue was uploaded on Monday 15 March at 21:00 - Fin*.

In April 1919 the focus of the War of Independence shifted to the city of Limerick. In response to an IRA raid, the British Army effectively besieged the city for over a week leading trade unions to launch a general strike. These events would become known to history as the Limerick Soviet.

This episode also looks at how the Russian Revolution of 1917 shaped these events and the wider situation in Ireland. Therefore the show opens by following a previously forgotten figure - Theodosia Naish. Born in Ballycullen outside Limerick, she was one of the few Irish people to witness this revolution which transformed history across the world. Her story includes a remarkable journey across three continents to escape the Russian Civil War in 1918.

Additional research was by the archivist and historian Sam McGrath, sound was by Jason Looney, additional narrations are by Aidan Crowe and Therese Murray and the artwork for the series is by Keith Hynes.