DEFENCE FORCES OF THE SAORSTAT EIREANN (Irish Free State ) 1926

The army of the Irish Free State that established its independence from British rule in 1922 was born in chaotic circumstances : deriving from the paramiliary IRA which waged a guerilla war against the British from 1919-1921; and then from the vicious CIvil War which followed the peace Treaty with Britain when the IRA split into Free State and Republican factions. This directory records the establishment of the Free State forces some three years after the end of the Civil War. Of interest to anyone studying Irish history giving as it does brief accounts and a daily calendar of events in the wars, a full listing of army personnel at Corps, Brigade and Battalion level; Medical, Musical, and Military police establishments; as well as details of pay, pensions, army estimates and dress regulations. Altogether this presents a complete picture of the fledgling army of the new state as it moved from war to peace.