The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 proved to be the rock on which the Irish nationalist consensus, formed during the preceding decade, foundered. A split between the pro- and anti-Treaty sides grew and both positions became entrenched. No side wanted a war, but as events unfolded, there was an inexorable descent towards armed strife. By the time the shooting started in June 1922, the Provisional Government had expanded its nascent army, well equipped with rifles, armoured cars and artillery provided by the British. As the conflict expanded, the anti-Treaty IRA retreated to remote areas and fought a guerrilla war. By the end of 1922 the war had deteriorated into a bitter downward spiral of arson, assassinations and executions. The anti-Treaty side had already lost the struggle by March 1923, when IRA Chief-of-Staff Liam Lynch was shot on a bleak mountainside.

Here is the story of the war, from its beginning to its bitter end. It is shown through images of the time: photographs and periodicals, and key documents, including a secret British memorandum showing naval cooperation with the pro-Treaty forces. This book is richly illustrated with well-chosen images along with informative text. Barry has travelled throughout the country to capture striking photographs of where key actions of the Civil War took place.

The events of the conflict of 1922-23 are brought alive and explained in a readable and clear style, illustrated with over 400 photographs and images.