Happy Saint Patrick’s Day and welcome to our final post of Green Week. My previous post was for the kids but this one is for the grown-ups. We’ll give a brief explanation of the Irish Civil War and the events leading up to it. In fitting with a bitter topic, a bitter drink. A green, mint chocolate martini which can be served alone and chilled or heated with chocolate.
The Irish Civil War (Cogadh Cathartha na hÉireann) lasted from June 28th, 1922 until May 24, 1923, directly following the Irish War of Independence. (We recommend reading our post on the preceding war, which set the stage for this conflict.) The conflict was waged between the Irish nationalists, of the Provisional Government which would become the Irish Free State in December 1922, and the Irish republicans. The 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty ended the War of Independence between the Irish Republic and the British. Northern Ireland opted out of the treaty and rejoined the United Kingdom. The treaty provided for a self-governing Irish state with its own police and military forces. In a sneaky move, prior to treaty negotiations, the British sent secret communications to Sinn Féin party leader Éamon de Valera suggesting that Ireland be made an autonomous dominion of the British Empire, like Canada or Australia, instead of an independent republic. The nationalists declined this proposition. However, this is the final setup that the treaty created. The Irish Republic of 1919 was disestablished and replaced by the so-called Irish Free State, which would be under the dominion of the British Commonwealth. Additionally, the new Irish parliament (Oireachtas) had to pledge an Oath of Allegiance to the British King George V and his successors. The British would also retain several strategic ports along the south coast of Ireland.
Overall, the treaty was highly objectionable to many republicans. In fact, the treaty was signed by revolutionary leader and treaty negotiator Michael Collins without consulting the Irish cabinet or de Valera. For his part, Collins felt de Valera had sent him to on an impossible errand and that the British never had any intention of allowing an independent Irish republic. (They didn’t.) Collins, respected politician and veteran of the War of Independence, would be killed in an ambush during the course of the Civil War. The treaty was passed by Dáil Éireann (the parliament of the Irish Republic) by a narrow margin, 64 to 57. Those against the treaty feared that it would never deliver full Irish independence from Britain. Many officers of the IRA opposed the treaty and questioned Dáil Éireann and Collins’s right to accept it. It caused a division in the Irish nationalist movement, which was very personal as members of both groups had been comrades during the War of Independence. de Valera resigned his position and failed to be re-elected. Afterward, he toured Ireland giving controversial speeches, at one point saying the Irish Republican Army “would have to wade through the blood of the soldiers of the Irish Government” for their freedom. As things heated up, the Minister of Defence (You know he’s British because of the c.) accused the IRA of hundreds of robberies and other alleged crimes.
The two Irish groups were prepared to reach a compromise but the British intervened, forcing the Irish Free State to comply with the exact letter of the current treaty under threat of military action. Following the establishment of the Irish Free State and organization of the National Army, under Collins and Arthur Griffith, the government attempted to exert its authority over the well-armed Anti-Treaty IRA units throughout Ireland. This marked the start of the war. Much of the fighting would take place in Dublin, the capital of the Republic, where many especially adamant Anti-Treaty units were located.
As the Civil War came to a close, with the anti-treaty forces suffering heavy casualties, it devolved into a series of atrocities. The Free State’s Public Safety Bill had suspended most civil rights during the war, allowing military tribunals to impose life imprisonment or executions at their leisure. Any Irish citizen found in possession of a firearm or ammunition could be killed by firing squad. Other offenses included attacks on state policy and publication of seditious materials. In total, 77 anti-treaty prisoners were officially executed and as many as 150 more were unofficially executed. In one such case, nine Republican prisoners were tied to a landmine and left to die. For their part, the Anti-Treaty IRA destroyed a total of 192 historic homes. While the Treaty was the main concern of these forces, they also came to resent the Anglo-Irish landowners and Protestant Loyalists who owned these homes.
The conflict was thought to be more deadly than the preceding War of Independence and left Ireland divided and embittered for generations. The exact number of casualties is unknown but total combatant and civilian deaths have been estimated from between 1,000 and 4,000. Anti-treaty forces likely suffered heavier casualties. The war was eventually won by the Free State forces who had been heavily armed by the British Government. The Catholic Church also supported the Free State’s bid, refusing Sacrament to anti-treaty soldiers. The conflict had a lasting impact on Irish politics as two of their major parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, are respective descendants of the anti- and pro-treaty forces. Up until the 70s, most prominent Irish politicians were veterans of the Civil War. The IRA still exists in various forms today, although Irish politicians and the Irish people have taken steps to lay the old bitterness to rest.
Green Week Features:
Mint Chocolate Martini
2 oz chocolate-flavored vodka
2 oz peppermint-flavored vodka
1 oz agave nectar or simple syrup
1 drop green food coloring, optional
Candy cane, optional
Combine all ingredients except candy cane and mix well.
Pour into glass and garnish with candy cane. (Allowing the candy cane to dissolve in the drink overnight makes for a sweeter drink.)
I also tried this drink heated with 3 of my mint dark chocolate shamrock coins for a boozy hot chocolate without the fluff.