Michael Collins (1890 - 1922)

Michael Collins, along with Arthur Griffith, led the supporters of the treaty that brought an end to the War of Independence.

Image courtesy of the Michael Collins Centre, Clonakilty.

Proclamation of the Irish Republic

A photograph of a framed copy of the Proclamation of the Republic, also known as the Proclamation of Independence or Irish Proclamation. It hangs in the GPO in Dublin. The Proclamation was read from the steps of the GPO by Patrick Pearse at the beginning of the 1916 Rising. It was signed by Pearse and six others.

© Defence Forces.

Battering ram

Use of a battering ram in an eviction for non-payment of rent

Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland

Castle of Dublin

A drawing of Dublin Castle dating from the early 1800s.

© Dublin City Library and Archive

Great Tumulus, Dowth

Great Tumulus, Dowth, Co. Meath from the late Stone Age

Courtesy of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government

The Cathach / Psalter of St Columba

The Cathach / Psalter of St Columba, f. 21r, Psalm 56. Miserere mei deus miserere mei.

© Royal Irish Academy

Carved standing stone

Carved standing stone, Co. Kerry

Courtesy of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Oliver Cromwell

Cromwell only spent 9 months in Ireland from August 1649 to May 1650, but his impact was to be everlasting on the island. With fierce brutality Cromwell succeed in completing the English conquest of Ireland where others had failed. Cromwell first set a course to Drogheda. 3,500 men women and children were killed over the two day battle, with the city suffering heavy bombardment. Nearby towns surrendered or evacuated. Less than a month later, Cromwell arrived at Wexford town. Here over 1500 people were slaughtered in the massacre that ensued. Cromwell rested in Youghal until the spring of 1650 and then turned his attention towards Kilkenny and the Tipperary towns of Fethard, Clonmel and Cashel. By May 1650 Ireland had been placed under British rule and Cromwell returned home. Sieges on both Limerick and Galway, the last city under Irish control to fall, ended in October and November 1650 respectively. English rule in Ireland was complete.