As the twentieth century drew to a close, people in all parts of Ireland began to recover the memory of the First World War as the last great common experience of the island as a whole. Brings together research whilst re-evaluating older assumptions about the immediate and continuing impact of the war on Ireland. Explores some lesser-known aspects of Ireland's war years as well as including studies of more traditional areas: military, social, cultural, political and economic aspects. Analyses how the experience and memory of the War have contributed to identity formation and the legitimisation of political violence.