IRISH-IN-UK-L Archives

From: "Jean R." <>
Subject: [Irish-in-UK] Somme Heritage Centre near Newtownards,Co. Down - Great War - Ulster Volunteer Force & Irish Volunteers(nationalist)
Date: Fri, 8 Jun 2007 23:22:45 -0700

SNIPPET: The years leading up to the Great War of 1914-1918 were times of
uncertainty and turmoil in Ireland. By 1912 it seemed that the British
Parliament's third attempt at a Home Rule Bill would bring Ireland's long
cherished dream of independence to fruition, albeit in a limited form. In
the mainly unionist north-east, however, where the strong opposition to Home
Rule was led by Dublin lawyer Sir Edward CARSON, the Ulster Volunteer Force
was formed on military lines under the slogan, "Ulster will fight and Ulster
will be right." In 1914, a large consignment of arms was landed at Larne,
Co. Antrim and the UVF began training in earnest. Meanwhile, arms for the
nationalist Irish Volunteers, the mirror image of the UVF on the nationalist
side, were landed at Howth, Co. Dublin. The stage seemed set for a bitter
civil war. It was averted by an even greater calamity and, within a few
years, men who had been implacable political and religious enemies became
close comrades in arms. Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914,
and some 30,000 men of the Ulster Volunteers and a similar number from the
Irish Volunteers enlisted to serve with the allies. There was no
conscription in Ireland, and it is estimated that more than 200,000 Irishmen
volunteered to serve in the British forces and that as many as 35,000 of
them died in battle. The spirit of comradeship and tolerance that was
forged between Ireland's two traditions in the First World War is being kept
alive by a unique heritage centre in County Down, the Somme Heritage Centre
near Newtownards. Website www.irishsoldier.org

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• [Irish-in-UK] Somme Heritage Centre near Newtownards,Co. Down - Great War - Ulster Volunteer Force & Irish Volunteers(nationalist) by "Jean R." <>