The Irish Volunteer - Volume 1 - Number 27

This issue reports the outbreak of the First World War. Its sheer scale is understood right away with the front page declaring that “history has no record of such a widespread conflagration”. Its importance for Ireland is also understood. “Tone in his brightest dreams never imagined a more glorious opportunity for the land he loved than now opens for Ireland if her sons are only loyal enough and brave enough”, declares the paper. It speculates that British troops will be withdrawn and the Volunteers left to defend Ireland.

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