THE ARCHIVE OF British Pathé footage which was released on YouTube during the week has given a fascinating glimpse of life in Ireland in the early 20th century.
This silent video, shot in Cork in 1922, shows Michael Collins addressing a large gathering about the Anglo-Irish Treaty before it gets broken up by several men firing guns in the crowd.
Collins can be seen on a platform above the crowd as they wave hats and handkerchiefs at him before he gives an impassioned speech. Afterwards, the crowd can be seen surging backwards as shots are fired and some fights break out. A man firing a gun can be seen at the end of the video.
The caption which flashes up briefly at the beginning notes: “Mr Collins receives enthusiastic reception from the huge gathering despite salvoes of shots from a few malcontents”.
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