Irish Citizen Army

Irish Citizen Army was a Dublin-based militia formed in 1913 by James Connolly, Jack White, and Jim Larkin to protect Dublin Metropolitan Police-harassed Dublin Lockout protesters. The Irish Transport and General Workers' Union and Irish Labour Party supported the militia, which drew inspiration from the Ulster Volunteer Force and National Volunteers. The Irish Citizen Army was also influenced by the Sinn Féin movement and the Gaelic League. The militia's formation was a response to the Dublin Lockout, a major industrial dispute between employers and employees in Dublin.

● History

The Irish Citizen Army was formed on November 23, 1913, at the Liberty Hall in Dublin, with the goal of protecting workers from police brutality during the Dublin Lockout. The militia was initially composed of approximately 200-400 members, including James Connolly, Jack White, and Jim Larkin. The Irish Citizen Army was also influenced by the 1913 Dublin Lockout, a major industrial dispute between employers and employees in Dublin, and the Belfast Dockers' Strike, a similar dispute in Belfast. The militia drew inspiration from the French Revolution and the Paris Commune, and its members were trained in Guerrilla warfare and Urban warfare by Bulgarian Legion veterans.

● Organisation and Structure

The Irish Citizen Army was organised into several companies, each with its own commander, and was headquartered at the Liberty Hall in Dublin. The militia was led by a Central Executive Committee, which included James Connolly, Jack White, and Jim Larkin. The Irish Citizen Army also had a Women's Section, led by Constance Markievicz and Helen Chenevix, which played a crucial role in the militia's activities. The militia was influenced by the Sinn Féin movement and the Gaelic League, and its members were trained in First aid by St. John Ambulance volunteers.

● Military Campaigns and Engagements

The Irish Citizen Army participated in several military campaigns and engagements, including the Easter Rising in 1916, where they fought alongside the Irish Volunteers and the Cumann na mBan. The militia also participated in the Howth Gun-Running incident in 1914, where they helped to smuggle Rifles and Ammunition into Ireland. The Irish Citizen Army was also involved in the Dublin Dockworkers' Strike in 1915, where they clashed with the British Army and the Dublin Metropolitan Police. The militia drew inspiration from the Russian Revolution and the Bolsheviks, and its members were influenced by the writings of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin.

● Legacy and Impact

The Irish Citizen Army played a significant role in the Easter Rising and the subsequent Anglo-Irish Treaty, which led to the establishment of the Irish Free State. The militia's legacy can be seen in the Irish Army and the Garda Síochána, which were both influenced by the Irish Citizen Army. The Irish Citizen Army also inspired the formation of other militias, such as the Ulster Volunteer Force and the National Volunteers. The militia's influence can also be seen in the Sinn Féin movement and the Gaelic League, which both played a significant role in Irish politics.

● Notable Members

Notable members of the Irish Citizen Army included James Connolly, Jack White, Jim Larkin, Constance Markievicz, and Helen Chenevix. Other notable members included Michael Mallin, Seán Connolly, and William Partridge, who all played significant roles in the militia's activities. The Irish Citizen Army also included members from other organisations, such as the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union and the Irish Labour Party. The militia's members were influenced by the writings of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin, and drew inspiration from the Russian Revolution and the Bolsheviks. The Irish Citizen Army also had connections with other organisations, such as the Bulgarian Legion and the St. John Ambulance.

Category:Irish military units