Ireland

The Provisional Government of the Irish Free State bombards the Four Courts in Dublin, and the Civil War begins

Longford, born Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson is shot and killed by the IRA on the steps of his home in London (link to Wild Geese)

The Royal Ulster Constabulary is established

The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) was name of the police force in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 2001. It was founded on 1 June 1922 out of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC). At its peak the force had around 8500 officers with a further 4500 reservists, officially members of the RUC Reserve, but in practice members of the RUC, unlike the earlier Ulster Special Constabulary which was a force in its own right, with its own rank structure. It was renamed as the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in 2001.

De Valera and Collins agree to a pact

Éamon de Valera and Michael Collins reach an agreement known as the “Collins–de Valera Pact” in May 1922, ahead of the Irish general election in June. The pact proposes that pro- and anti-Treaty factions of Sinn Féin will run as a united panel of candidates, with the aim of preserving national unity and avoiding civil conflict.

Nicky Rackard, Wexford hurler, is born in Killane, Co. Wexford

Led by Rory O'Connor, forces against the Anglo-Irish Treaty seize the Four Courts in Dublin

Special Powers Act is introduced in Northern Ireland

The Civil Authorities (Special Powers) Act (Northern Ireland) 1922 (12 & 13 Geo. 5. c. 5 (N.I.)), often referred to simply as the Special Powers Act and known as the “Flogging Act”, was an act passed by the Parliament of Northern Ireland during the partition of Ireland and shortly after the establishment of Northern Ireland. The Act was renewed annually and in 1928 was renewed for five years and made permanent in 1933 and not repealed until 1973.

Craig-Collins Pact is signed in London. Irish Free State formally recognizes Northern Ireland government

The prime minister of Northern Ireland, Sir James Craig, and the provisional prime minister of Southern Ireland, Michael Collins, met in London to agree terms to end the violence engulfing the North. The agreement stated that Catholics would be recruited into the Ulster Special Constabulary. However, almost from the start the agreement began to break down due to the continuing violence and police brutality in the North, many Unionist MPs in Northern Ireland openly opposing the pact.

George Bernard Shaws Back to Methusaleh V premieres in New York

George Bernard Shaw’s “Back to Methuselah V” premiered in New York on February 27, 1922. “Back to Methuselah” is not a single play but rather a series of five plays written by Shaw, which together make up a massive philosophical exploration spanning from the Garden of Eden to the far future. The work is subtitled “A Metabiological Pentateuch” and deals with themes of longevity, creative evolution, and the potential future of humanity.

Michael Collins takes over control of Dublin Castle

On January 16, 1922, Michael Collins, on behalf of the new Irish Free State, took over control of Dublin Castle from the British authorities. This event marked a significant milestone in the history of Ireland and the transition from British rule to Irish self-governance.