Irish Nationalism, The Cultural Memory of the Irish Brigade, and the Great War

How did Irish nationalists reconcile supporting Britain during the Great War with their patriotic traditions? This groundbreaking study reveals how nationalists mobilized the cultural memory of the 1745 battle of Fontenoy and the Irish Brigade – the 'Wild Geese' who had fought for France against England – to make sense of Ireland's role in the conflict. Drawing on extensive research, James McConnel demonstrates how pro-war nationalists refashioned an existing martial discourse – 'Fontenoyism' – to reimagine modern Irish soldiers in khaki as heirs to their illustrious forebears. From recruiting speeches invoking ‘Remember Fontenoy’ to debates over distinctive Irish uniforms and celebrations of Victoria Cross winners, nationalists tapped into existing traditions that were already meaningful to Irish people in their efforts to create consensus about what the conflict was really about. Yet this vision proved fragile. By 1915, the tradition's contradictions – particularly its highly romanticized understanding of the battlefield – became increasingly difficult to sustain amid industrial warfare's realities. This study illuminates the complex relationship between historical memory, national identity, and wartime mobilization, revealing how Irish nationalists navigated the tensions between patriotic tradition and supporting the Allies. It offers fresh perspectives on Irish military culture, memory studies, and the cultural history of Ireland's Great War.