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Children carrying firewood salvaged from the ruins of Sackville (now O'Connell) Street in the 1916 Rising. Mercier Archives

In pictures: Revolutionary Ireland 1913-1923

Major new photographic exhibition shows the bloody reality of life in Ireland from the 1913 Lockout to the tortured birth of the Republic.

A NEW EXHIBITION and book will be launched tomorrow evening which will bring a decade of revolutionary turmoil in Ireland into sharp focus.

Many previously unpublished photographs are included in ‘Revolution: A photographic history of revolutionary Ireland 1913-1923′, by Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc (Mercier Press). The collection covers events from 1913 through the 1916 Rising, the War of Independence from 1919-21 and the bitter and bloody Civil War of 1922-23.

In that period, the author explains, photographs played an increasingly significant role, being used both as a propaganda tool for all parties and also as evidence and information in the intelligence war between British and Irish during the War of Indepdendence.

Mercier Press have provided us with a selection of striking images from the book for you to see here. To see the exhibition, visit Kilmainham Gaol Museum, Inchicore Road, Dublin 8. It runs until 26 February, 2012:

GPO, Dublin, 1916
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  • GPO, Dublin, 1916

    The clock at the General Post Office showing the time it stopped during the 1916 Rising. Image: Mercier Archives
  • Makeshift armoured car, Dublin, 1916

    An improvised armoured car built by the British Army during the 1916 Rising - this one was made by bolting together four boilers from the Guinness Brewery and mounting on a flatbed truck. Image: Mercier Archives.
  • Jim Larkin arrest, Dublin, 1913

    The RIC and Dublin Metropolitan Police arresting trade union organiser James Larkin during the 1913 Dublin Lockout. Larkin had disguised himself with a beard and tried to address a meeting in Sackville (now O'Connell) St from a hotel window but was arrested. Image: Mercier Archives.
  • Irish postal strike, 1922

    Carrier pigeons being used to carry messages during the Irish postal strike in September 1922 - the strike was caused by the removal of workers' 'cost of living' bonus by the Free State government. Image: Mercier Archives.
  • Thomas Ashe funeral, 1917

    Michael Collins delivered the funeral oration after Thomas Ashe died after being force-fed by authorities while on hunger strike in Mountjoy Prison in September 1917. Image: Mercier Archives
  • Easter Rising, Dublin, 1916

    Children in Dublin with wood scavenged from the ruins of Sackville (now O'Connell) Street in the 1916 Rising. Image: Mercier Archives
  • Burning of Cork, 1920

    Cork city centre was ravaged by fire after the Black and Tans, the RIC and British soldiers went on a rampage to avenge the killing of an Auxiliary soldier by the IRA at Dillon's Cross on 11 December 1920. Image: Mercier Archives
  • Dublin, 1921

    A British Soldier stands by the body of a man killed during the burning of the Custom House in Dublin on 2 May 1921 during the War of Independence. Image: Mercier Archives
  • Burning of the Custom House, 1921

    A clerk examines a ledger amid the ruins of the Custom House where records and documentation were destroyed when it burned in May 1921. Image: Mercier Archives
  • Civil War, Dublin, 1923

    Free State soldiers pose for the camera as fighting ends in Dublin during the Civil War. Image: Mercier Archives
  • British soldier and civilian, undated

    An Irish civilian adopts a defiant stance as a British soldier searches him on the street in the run-up to the War of Independence. Image: Kilmainham Gaol Museum

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    Mute Kelly McCarthy
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    Nov 7th 2011, 8:10 AM

    Great photos from a time when Irish people were prepared to stand up and fight for what was right. Not like today when most just accept what is thrown at them by the government and by Europe.

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    Mute random
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    Nov 7th 2011, 8:40 AM

    I think it took a fair bit of prodding to get us going back then as well in fairness!

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    Mute Peter Carroll
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    Nov 7th 2011, 10:45 AM

    It took the illegal execution of 15 leading rebels following the rising that set the nation on the road to independence. In 2011 we used the ballot box to change our rulers. Lets see how things turn out in Greece and Italy before we get over excited.
    Our position is similar to a lot of countries both in and out of the Euro. Panicy irrevocable actions driven by anger are not usally a good idea. Remember Russia in 1917, Italy in 1923 and Germany in 1933.

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    Mute Natalie May
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    Nov 7th 2011, 7:25 AM

    Some great photos. Do you know where the book can be bought? Would make a great Xmas gift

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    Mute Tom Gallagher
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    Nov 7th 2011, 7:38 AM
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    Mute Niall Mulligan
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    Nov 7th 2011, 9:54 AM

    Does look great, that’s one pressie sorted.

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Nov 7th 2011, 9:55 AM

    Hi Natalie, It is available from most major bookshop outlets in Ireland, and at the MercierPress.ie website as well as on Amazon. (Mercier have free delivery in Ireland for all orders over €15 which would include this book at €22.50.
    Thanks, S

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    Mute
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    Nov 7th 2011, 8:05 AM

    was in collins barracks museum yesterday, some very interesting items. would recommend a visit.

    free parking & free entry

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    Mute Cathal Henry
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    Nov 7th 2011, 10:27 AM

    Great photos

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    Mute Cathal Henry
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    Nov 7th 2011, 10:50 AM

    can someone please explain the thumbs down?

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    Mute random
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    Nov 7th 2011, 6:31 PM

    Welcome to the internet.

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    Mute Patrick Slattery
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    Nov 7th 2011, 8:09 AM

    Nice collection.

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    Mute Matt-Commando Doctor-Smith
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    Nov 7th 2011, 8:10 AM

    Can you get the book on Amazon?

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Nov 7th 2011, 9:53 AM

    Yes, you can. Just search for Revolution: A Photographic History of Revolutionary Ireland 1913-1923 by Padraig Og O Ruairc, published by Mercier Press. It is also in most major bookshop outlets.

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    Mute Pádraig Ó Ruairc Historian
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    Nov 12th 2011, 12:26 PM

    Hello all. thanks for the positive comments about the book. It has been shortlisted for “Best Irish Published Book” in the Irish Book Awards. The winning book will decided by public votes so i need your support. If you like the book and want to vote for it just log on to http://www.irishbookawards.ie/PublicVote.aspx
    Voting only takes a minute. The category ‘Revolution’ is in is half way down the page.
    Thanks again – Padraig

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    Mute Adrian O'Donnell
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    Nov 14th 2011, 9:46 AM

    How long is the exhibition open for, does anyone know?

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Nov 14th 2011, 10:01 AM

    Hi Adrian – I have checked with Kilmainham Gaol Museum and it is on there until February 26th, 2012, so you’ve plenty of time to catch it yet.

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