The story of who founded the IRA is not one of a single individual, but rather a complex convergence of nationalist sentiment, revolutionary precedent, and urgent political circumstances in the early 20th century. While the organization in its modern form has evolved through numerous splits and reorganizations, its roots trace back to the decisive moment of its creation in 1919. Understanding the IRA requires looking at the political landscape of Ireland following the 1916 Easter Rising, the overwhelming electoral victory of Sinn Féin in 1918, and the desire within that movement for a dedicated military wing to pursue the goal of Irish independence through armed struggle.
The Context: From Rebellion to Political Mandate
In the aftermath of the 1916 Easter Rising, a small group of executed leaders like Patrick Pearse and James Connolly were transformed into martyrs, galvanizing Irish public opinion. This shift in sentiment was cemented by the 1918 general election, where Sinn Féin, rejecting Irish representation at the British Parliament, won 73 of the 105 Irish seats. The party, under the leadership of figures like Éamon de Valera and Arthur Griffith, established the First Dáil Éireann in January 1919, declaring Irish independence. It was within this framework of a parallel government that the need for a formal, dedicated army became undeniable, leading directly to the formation of the army that would become known as the IRA.
The Founding Moment: January 1919
The IRA was founded in January 1919 in Dublin, Ireland. The specific event marking its creation was the Soloheadbeg ambush, where members of the Irish Volunteers, acting on their own initiative, seized a shipment of gelignite. This action, which resulted in the deaths of two Royal Irish Constabulary officers, is widely regarded as the opening shots of the Irish War of Independence. The individuals who organized this ambush were the practical founders, embodying the will to create a military force independent of the political direction of the Dáil.
Key Figures in the Formation
The leadership of the newly formed Irish Volunteers, which would soon become the IRA, rested with a core group of dedicated republicans. While decisions were often collective, several names stand out as central to the organization's birth and early strategy:
Éamon de Valera: Although often associated with the political wing, de Valera was a driving force in shaping the military strategy of the independence movement and was instrumental in the IRA's formation.
Michael Collins: Arguably the most prominent figure in the early IRA, Collins served as Director of Intelligence and was a key organizer of the revolutionary military campaign.
Cathal Brugha: As the Minister for Defence in the First Dáil, Brugha was responsible for organizing the fledgling army and was a crucial figure in its initial structure.
Richard Mulcahy: He became the Commander-in-Chief of the IRA, overseeing its military operations during the War of Independence.
The Split: Treaty and Civil War
The IRA's history took a dramatic turn with the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921. Negotiated by a delegation led by Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins, the Treaty established the Irish Free State but required an oath of allegiance to the British Crown. This led to a profound split within the IRA and the wider nationalist movement. The pro-Treaty forces, who formed the nucleus of the new Irish National Army, were opposed by the anti-Treaty IRA, who saw the Treaty as a betrayal of the republic declared in 1916. This division erupted into the Irish Civil War (1922-1923), fundamentally altering the organization’s trajectory.
