History Ireland article - French bishops' mission to Ireland, Oct. 1916

It is only really in recent years that Irish people have begun to engage with the role played by Ireland in the First World War. At the outbreak of the War, Ireland was still part of the United Kingdom, but it was at this time that Irish people started to make a push for independence from Britain.

Over two hundred thousand Irishmen served in the British army during the War and when they returned home, things had changed profoundly (utterly!). Ireland had experienced an uprising (Easter Rising, 24-29 April 1916) and the seeds of the Irish War of Independence had been sown.

My article in the September / October 2016 edition of History Ireland magazine looks at a visit payed to Ireland one hundred years ago by a small group of French clergymen. They came to meet the Irish Catholic hierarchy and to try and boost recruitment to the British army from Ireland.

Image of pamphlet written by one of the French priests, Fr Pierre Batiffol, about their trip to Ireland. Image source.

The October 1916 propaganda mission to Ireland by the French clergymen was not as successful as they had planned. It was not very well timed. The Rising and more importantly, the subsequent execution of the Rising's leaders, had turned Irish public opinion against Britain and the Union. If joining the British army was unpopular before the Rising, it was definitely more so now.

The account of the visit to Ireland written by one of the French priests is well worth reading. It details where they went, who they met and what was said. Just click on the link above. Happy reading!