An exhibition has opened at the Collins Barracks branch of the National Museum of Ireland as part of the Decade of Centenaries programme, commemorating the involvement of Irish men and women in the First World War.
It aims to present the variety of experience in Ireland, particularly focussing upon the social, economic and political reasons for Irish soldiers to join the British Army.
The exhibition also considers Irish emigrants who fought in the armies of self-governing British Dominions, and the contribution of women.
Raghnall Ó Floinn, Director of the National Museum, explained: “We hope visitors will get a different sense of the engagement of Irish men and women in the early years of the war effort.
“It also includes the experiences of Irish emigrants who enlisted in the armies of Canada, Newfoundland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
“They participated in a variety of ways – as recruits, doctors, nurses and munitions factory workers, not only at home and on the Western Front but also in far-flung theatres of war such as Gallipoli and the Middle East.”
Posted by: Ellen Tranter, Centenary News