National Archives Treaty Exhibition opens at Limerick City and County Council

National Archives Treaty Exhibition – Pictured at Istabraq Hall are Deputy Mayor of Limerick City and County, Cllr. Tom Ruddle and Zoe Reid, National Archives of Ireland. Picture: Alan Place

Fascinating insight into the drama and politicking surrounding the Anglo Irish Treaty in 1921 on display in new exhibition

The National Archives Treaty Exhibition marking the centenary of the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty on 6 December 1921 is now on display at Istabraq Hall at Limerick City and County Council.

Presented by the National Archives in partnership with Limerick City and County Council Archives Service, this touring National Archives Treaty Exhibition opens up significant historical records, official documents and private papers for the first time, including the first public presentation of both the Irish and British copies of the Treaty document.

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Using contemporary reportage, images and footage, The Treaty, 1921: Records from the Archives locates the Treaty negotiations in the political context of the Irish revolution and a world turned upside down by the First World War.

Beginning with the exploratory talks between Éamon de Valera, President of Dáil Éireann, and British Prime Minister David Lloyd George during the summer of 1921, it details the work of the Irish delegates and their secretariat, by presenting the documentary record that they left behind.

The National Archives Treaty Exhibition also chronicles day-to-day life in London for the men and women who made up the Irish delegation, from parties attended, dinners hosted and appearances at theatre and gala performances, to the tense final days and hours leading to the signing of the Treaty just after 2am on 6 December 1921.

Finally, it documents the delegation’s return to Dublin, and the Dáil Éireann cabinet meeting that pointed to the split in the independence movement that emerged over the terms of the Treaty, and the divisions that would lead to Civil War.

Orlaith McBride, Director of the National Archives, said: “We are delighted to bring this exhibition to Limerick. The wide and vivid range of documents, images and text presented capture as never before the drama that was the Treaty negotiations in London in 1921 and does so in a way that evokes the personal stories and personalities with all the attendant tensions, hopes and disagreements. It represents a really significant contribution to our understanding of one of the most important few weeks in our country’s history.”

Speaking at the official opening in Istabraq Hall in Merchant’s Quay, Dr Pat Daly, Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council said: “Limerick City and County Council is delighted to welcome this important exhibition to Limerick. The signing of the Treaty in London had been noted in the minute books of Limerick City and County Councils in January 1921 but no doubt these short lines could not adequately represent the seismic change in the political and social life the country was about to undergo. This national exhibition is an opportunity to share our own local archive collections within the national context to further deepen our understanding of these events.”

Jacqui Hayes, Archivist with Limerick City and County Council added: “The Treaty was a decisive moment in our history and this exhibition provides a vital connection to the foundation of our State. By showing us the documents of the time, we see the difficult decisions unfolding, the role of diplomacy and compromise in any negotiations and the courage of those who sat at the table and those that accompanied them to London.”

The Treaty, 1921: Records from the Archives are open in Istabraq Hall, Limerick City and County Council, Merchant’s Quay, Limerick V94 EH90, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm until 30 June.

For more Treaty stories go HERE 

For more info on the Exhibit go HERE