The raw intensity of the Irish Civil War is brought to life in this gripping, fast-paced journey through a year of change and conflict. Dublin's descent into violent unrest surpasses the turmoil of the Easter Rising. Former allies in the IRA find themselves divided and entrenched in an ideological struggle that threatens to tear the city and country apart.
As Treaty debates spark dissension, tensions mount, Dublin becomes a tinderbox of espionage, betrayal, and guerrilla warfare. The Provisional Government's National Army and the IRA engage in sporadic but fierce clashes as unrelenting violence and chaos engulf the country.
In Northern Ireland, there is growing disillusionment among IRA units due to the diminishing credibility of assurances from Michael Collins. Amid ongoing assaults on their communities, the nationalist population experiences a rising number of casualties due to rampant brutality from unionist militias. This, together with the suppression of inquiries into killings, leads to a widespread feeling of abandonment by the Provisional Government. On June 4 1922, the Provisional Government implemented 'a policy of peaceful obstruction' towards the Belfast Government, explicitly forbidding any troops from the twenty-six counties from entering the six-county area. In an apocalyptic climax, Dublin is engulfed in explosions, assassinations and relentless urban warfare.
More than a historical recount, 'Tomorrow With Bayonets' offers a visceral portrayal of a nation grappling with its identity and sovereignty, seen through the eyes of combatants, leaders, and civilians caught in the crossfire. This powerful account, not for the faint-hearted, leaves a lasting impact, resonating with the reader long after the final page.
