Hunger Strikes

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Hunger Strikes and the War of Independence

Women protesting outside Mountjoy Jail, Dublin in 1920.

In Pictures: Hunger Strikes and Protests

The Irish Independent newspaper responds quickly to British propaganda, exposing the 'Battle of Tralee' as a British propaganda ploy. Image courtesy of National Library of Ireland

Irish media and propaganda in the War of Independence

Crowds outside Mountjoy Prison show their support for IRA inmates. They may not have been representative of public opinion

What did the general public think of the War of Independence?

Thomas Ashe: first hunger striker whose death outraged Ireland

Thomas Ashe: first hunger striker whose death outraged Ireland

Terence MacSwiney

Terence MacSwiney on his deathbed, as depicted in the French publication Le Petit Journal

How MacSwiney's hunger strike drew international attention

Terence MacSwiney: "his physical weakness came to represent strength and moral conviction against corporeal colonialism"

Death of a lord mayor: Terence MacSwiney's 1920 hunger strike

Terence MacSwiney

How MacSwiney's hunger strike posed religious and legal questions

Terence McSwiney and his wife, Muriel

Listen: Terence MacSwiney: A Principle of Freedom

Terence MacSwiney

Terence MacSwiney. Image from the RTE Photographic Archive, colourised by Matt Loughrey

War of Independence in colour: Terence MacSwiney

About the War of Independence project

The War of Independence project is a partnership between RTÉ History, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media and The Atlas of the Irish Revolution

The partners of the War of Independence project