The Twilight Years (1938-1949)

This section explores a lesser-known but pivotal period in Irish republican history, marked by decline, reorganisation, and moments of renewed resistance. Spanning from the IRA’s Sabotage Campaign in Britain to the execution of Charlie Kerins and the fading embers of activity by the late 1940s, The Twilight Years captures a movement caught between past glories and future resurgence.

Through documents, pamphlets, and publications, we trace the challenges faced by republicans as they navigated internment, wartime repression, and political marginalisation.

This section will be updated throughout the rest of 2025. An accompanying ‘The Twilight Years (1924-1937)’ section will be launched soon.

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1946

1948

Anniversary and Retrospective Documents

(1) Donated by Colum Ó Ruairc

© Irish Republican Digital Archive. Historical documents are presented for educational and research purposes only. We do not endorse or promote any views expressed in the material. Some content may be politically or historically sensitive. [Read full disclaimer]

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Executive Council of the Second Dáil Statement	Wolfe Tone Weekly (17 December 1938)	Wolfe Tone Weekly (29 October 1938)
Wolfe Tone Weekly (29 January 1938)

IRA Proclamation of War	The Irish Republic (September)	22 July 1939 (1)
09 August 1939 (1)	26 August 1939 (1)	09 September 1939 (1)
28 October 1939 (1)	04 November 1939 (1)	11 November 1939 (1)
18 November 1939 (1)	02 December 1939 (1)	Wolfe Tone Weekly (14 January 1939)
Wolfe Tone Weekly (28 January 1939)	Wolfe Tone Weekly (15 March 1939)	Wolfe Tone Weekly (21 June 1939)
Wolfe Tone Weekly (23 August 1939)	Stepping Stones – Sceilg (1939)

The Irish Republic (March)	The Irish Republic (May)	The Irish Republic (August)
The Irish Republic (September)	The Irish Republic (October)	The Irish Republic (November)
24 February 1940 (1)	02 March 1940 (1)	09 March 1940 (1)
16 March 1940 (1)	08 June 1940 (1)	13 July 1940 (1)
27 July 1940 (1)	28 September 1940 (1)	09 October 1940 (1)
30 October 1940 (1)	Sean Keenan Internment Order (1940)	Comrades of Lord Edward (1940)
The Irish Republic (December 1940)	Bernard Casey Memorial Card (1940)	50 Years Ago (1940)

Republican News (No 3, September) (1)	Republican News (No 5, September) (1)	Republican News (October) (1)
Republican News (December) (1)	Tom Williams Petition (1942)

Republican News (March) (1)	Republican News (April, Belfast) (1)	Republican News (April, Dublin) (1)
Republican News (June) (1)

The United Irishman (May) (1)	The United Irishman (June) (1)	The United Irishman (July/August) (1)
The United Irishman (Oct/Nov 1948) (1)

Seán McNeela and Tony D’Arcy Booklet (1990)	George Plant 50th Anniversary (1992)	Charlie Kerins 50th Anniversary (1994)
Dilseacht: The Story of Comdt. General Tom Maguire and the Second (All-Ireland) Dail (1997)	Hugh McAteer The Escape