Irish War of Independence vs Irish Civil War: Key Differences

So, the Irish War of Independence, which took place from 1919 to 1921, and the Irish Civil War from 1922 to 1923 are often confused, but they’re really different. The War of Independence was all about fighting British rule, sparked by the 1916 Easter Rising and the harsh British response that followed. Sinn Féin won the 1918 election, leading to the establishment of Dáil Éireann and a declaration of independence. The IRA fought back using guerrilla tactics against British forces like the RIC and the Black and Tans. The Civil War started over disputes about the Anglo-Irish Treaty, which created the Irish Free State but required loyalty to the Crown and split six counties. A major battle in this war occurred on June 28, 1922, in Dublin’s Four Courts, resulting in brutal reprisals, especially in County Kerry. In the end, the War of Independence resulted in self-rule for 26 counties, leaving Northern Ireland under British control. The Civil War deepened political divides, leading to the rise of the parties Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, and established a Catholic minority in a Protestant-dominated Northern Ireland, setting the stage for future conflicts known as The Troubles.