Local Revolution: City Hall and the War of Independence

By Steven Galvin - Last update Dec 7, 2020

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The Dublin City Library and Archive present Local Revolution: City Hall and the War of Independence on Thursday, 10 Dec 2020. Join historian Bernard Kelly for this webinar where he discusses the occupation of City Hall by the Crown forces in December 1920.

The photograph above shows soldiers laying barbed wire across the entrance to Dublin’s City Hall in December 1920. On 6 December 1920 the Auxiliaries had raided a council meeting and arrested several councillors including Kathleen Clarke, Tom Clarke’s widow. Then on 22 December, British forces removed the tricolour from City Hall’s flagpole and fortified the building with barbed wire. As a result the council had to move to the Mansion House on Dawson Street and conduct its meetings and business from there.

This talk by historian Bernard Kelly will look at the trials and tribulations of City Hall during the turbulent years of the War of Independence in the city. Moderated by James Curry, Dublin City Council Historian in Residence.

Local Revolution: City Hall and the War of Independence is free but you need to register to attend by clicking here

Interested in history? take a look at courses available around the country here.

Bernard Kelly received a PhD in history from NUI Galway in 2010. Bernard Kelly is interested in twentieth century history, particularly issues surrounding military service, veterans, emigration and the Irish revolution.