Every episode is available for free. Highly recommended.
Given the extraordinary events that unfolded during the Irish War of Independence and the events that led up to the revolution itself, it’s entirely possible to make a ten-part documentary series on the time period and still not do justice to this seismic period in Irish history.
However, Ruan Magan’s documentary The Irish Revolution was an excellent examination of the era and a faithful adaptation of the award-winning book, The Atlas of the Revolution.
Anyone that watched the three-part series will know that each episode was allocated a very specific timeframe to portray.
For example, the first episode ended with the very first meeting of the Dáil, while the subsequent episode culminated in the death of Terence MacSwiney and how the former Mayor of Cork galvanised the Irish cause by dying on hunger strike.
With regards to the most recent episode, the focus was very much on depicting how the levels of violence escalated – on both sides – as the body count began to rise.
Throughout the recent episode, viewers learned about Michael Collins and the IRA systematically trying to bring down the Cairo Gang, the carnage of Bloody Sunday, the IRA raiding and burning the Customs House, Tom Barry’s military campaigns in Munster, the Kilmichael ambush, the Black and Tans burning Cork, the grim realities of daily life in Ireland during the early part of 1921, and much more.
Ultimately, this all culminated in the Treaty and the subsequent Civil War.
Here’s a brief example of the IRA’s increased military campaign against the Crown’s forces in Ireland.
At this point, it should be noted that the The Irish Revolution was mainly concerned with portraying the events that unfolded in a very distinct time period – the main fighting in this guerrilla war took place from 1919 to 1921 – but the documentary is so good that it has left people wanting more.
Hand on heart, we’d love a few other documentaries to tell the story of the Treaty negotiations (kudos to the filmmakers for constantly mentioning the role of Britain’s Prime Minister David Lloyd George in the narrative), the Irish Civil War, and The Troubles (briefly mentioned in The Irish Revolution).
All things considered, The Irish Revolution was an excellent series and some people have even hailed it as “the best documentary on RTÉ in years”.
Here’s what the director – and the public – had to say at the end of a terrific watch.
overwhelmed by response to #TheIrishRevolution. Final episode @rte tonight 9.35. 14 months of historical distillation by the team. Gach buíochas go Patricia Carroll @TwopairFilms @tyronetv_irl Martha Moloney, @Hogancolm @mrcolmcrowley @UCCHistory Pól Brennan,#CillianMurphy 1/2
— Ruan Magan (@RuanMagan) February 18, 2019
It’s clear that the documentary resonated with those that saw it.
https://twitter.com/kearyshel/status/1097616624222375941
Magnificent piece of TV #TheIrishRevolution Needs to shown in history classes in every primary & secondary school in the country.
— Anthony O'Donovan 🇺🇦 (@anthonyodonovan) February 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/searlasodaire/status/1097628665293275136
The #IrishRevolution. Worth the licence fee on its own! Brilliant. Well done to all concerned. @RTEOne @UCC
— Ann Marie (Sheerin) Part (@PartAnnMarie) February 18, 2019
It brought back to me many things forgotten and must never be forgotten. It's no harm to remind people how far we've travelled and why we had to travel in the first place #IrishRevolution job well done
— Greenshine @[email protected] (@greenshinemusic) February 19, 2019
Congrats to @RuanMagan & all involved in #TheIrishRevolution – a truly stirring, at times heartbreaking but always inspirational documentary charting the war of independence. Should be compulsory viewing for all students in these islands.
— Liam Harbison (@LiamHarbison) February 18, 2019
Just finished watching the brilliant 3 part doc #TheIrishRevolution on @rte. Really hope that this is picked up by @BBC or other broadcasters so the British population get the opportunity to see it
— Percy French (@GlenMono) February 18, 2019
Really enjoyed #TheIrishRevolution absolutely riveting, archive footage was fascinating, particularly the role of the Cumman na mBan. Only discovered 3 yrs ago that my nana & great aunt were members, so especially interesting. Well done to all involved in the production!
— Helen Riddell (@helenriddell) February 18, 2019
The Irish Revolution on RTÉ is a brilliant documentary. Crazy to think that they are trying to get rid of history as a core subject for the junior cert
— Kane Looney (@kane_looney) February 18, 2019
Despite the fact that the series is still available to watch for free via the RTÉ Player, people want another documentary series to examine the fallout from the War of Independence.
We won’t say no to that.
#TheIrishRevolution was a fantastic series but I would love a further series giving the ongoing struggles in the North rightful documentation. I feel it was brushed off as a communal dispute.
— A Little Bit Of Cork (@slippery_dodger) February 18, 2019
#TheIrishRevolution was a good watch. The treaty and civil war were dealt with rather speedily though. Hope that will be another series.
— Ciarán Houlihan (@Ciaranhoul) February 18, 2019
Absolutely brilliant, ending felt rushed and am I the only one thinking the civil war could do with getting it's own program? #TheIrishRevolution
— Dodo🏴☠️ (@celticbohy67) February 18, 2019
Sincerely hope @rte and @RuanMagan make a similar series on the Civil War. Would make a very comprehensive and excellent picture of the birth of our Nation. With Cillian Murphy narrating of course #TheIrishRevolution
— Caroline Newell (@CarolineNewell1) February 18, 2019
Three episodes isn't enough!! #TheIrishRevolution pic.twitter.com/ri9Zcx0Oyt
— Pauline Murphy (@RealPMurphy) February 18, 2019
Great series with fantastic footage, although the civil war was almost a footnote to the series – could have used a further episode! #TheIrishRevolution
— Adrian Scahill (@adrianscahill) February 18, 2019
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