I already had the Navy getting a dozen from the U.K. to form the start of the Navy and would presume they would be carrying out such duties around the coast (like the Muirchú getting sunk), in OTL as part of the pressure to limit Irish capabilities the request for such hulls was refused by London. The Flowers would (and did OTL) appeal to Ireland due to their relatively low cost and low level of needed skills compared to more capable designs, while at the same time able to take part in the Battle of the Atlantic, which I would think would be the priority for Dublin given Irelands position.
UK offer to Ireland 1940
- Thread starter sparky42
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Well as I think we can all agree a lot of infrastructure would have been built up/upgraded/replaced through the war, either to replace damaged parts or to cater for the wartime growth. You’d also have a lot more skills from wartime factory work so a larger skill base for better economic growth. I’d expect several times what we got OTL from the Marshall funds but what it might be invested in is the question, social projects to ease a post war slump, investment in some of the military industry that had developed on the island? Handling whatever happens regarding NI?
From memory GHQ was arguing/proposing somewhere around 100k including a Naval Service and upgraded Air Corps in discussions in 1938. Given New Zealand had about 100k serving abroad in WW2 and the relatively similar population sizes it could be possible to have it higher than 50k?
It would, probably, be possible if sufficient resources were available.
A quick rummage gives the numbers for ME as;
Total population: 1.6 million
Total serving outside NZ: 140,000. 105,000 in the NZ forces the rest elsewhere.THE
Home Guard: ~100,000
Fatalities: ~12,000. Proportionately the highest of the Commonwealth.
Based on Ireland's population, of ~3 million I could see similar numbers, though that requires conscription (a major issue), the political will for 'Total War' and the equipment.
Any chance the greater (probably temporary) independence of women during wartime can expose the abuses of the church run Mother and Baby homes? The ones in Britain were bad enough but what I've read of the Irish ones I wouldn't wish on anyone.
I suppose it will depend on a host of factors, I mean Irish society will likely be significantly changed (in particularly a likelihood of more unwed mothers from the war) along with perhaps different views on the power of the church in Irish society. Would that be enough to stop the abuses that were in the system in the period and afterwards?
Okay I can see the topic is turning towards areas I'm less comfortable with so I'm bowing out at this point. Have fun guys!
We can but hope. Butterflying McQuaid's appointment (DEC1940) might be possible, though he was a favourite of the Vatican, the Irish hierarchy and DeV.
Who knows, maybe The Ginger Man gets more than three performances.
Certainly the wartime churning up of society might expose some of the church's more horrible activities.
NOOOO now how am I gonna get my fix for cool facts about airplanes that Ireland could have and cool movies based on exploits of The Irish Air Force. But all seriously though if you feel uncomfortable and want to leave that’s cool I just hope that you might come back when you feel up to it because who else is going to do this timeline version of to Hell and back
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Please don't abandon us. Your contributions to this thread are very welcome.
That is one of those parts of history if it was ah it would not be believable.
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if anyone can think of Irish or American actors who are active around the 40/50s, that can play Tom Barry or Paddy Mayne in a movie about the SAS and Fianóglaigh exploits in North Africa
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You have Ward Bond, Victor McLaglen, James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Alan Hale Sr.
Ray McAnally - Wikipedia
Sean McClory - Wikipedia
Patrick McGoohan - Wikipedia
Kieron Moore - Wikipedia
Edward Mulhare - Wikipedia
Cyril Cusack - Wikipedia
Dan O'Herlihy - Wikipedia
Noel Purcell (actor) - Wikipedia
Gregory Peck - Wikipedia
Arthur Shields - Wikipedia
Charles B. Fitzsimons - Wikipedia
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Don't forget Errol Flynn. Son of a Professor at Queens University Belfast.