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Which of the following could be the best way of ending the Irish Civil War before it became the bitter conflict that reflects in Ireland's politics to this day? Supposing that the shelling of Four Courts and the Battle of Dublin did happen.

1) The Free State government accepts the "treaty" between Liam Lynch and Michael Brennan. Thus Lynch assumes a neutral stance, many of the anti-Treaty men follow, and the resistance on the Dublin Mountains vanishes.

2) Harry Boland isn't killed when arrested. After conferencing with his old friend Michael Collins on one hand and several leaders already jailed on the other, he is released a few days later with the task of finding a peaceful solution.

3) Michael Collins escapes the Béal na Bláth ambush. He goes to his scheduled talks with neutral officers (probably Florrie O'Donoghue and Seán O'Hegarty) on the same night and with Dan Breen a few days later and gets a settlement.


Other ideas are welcome!
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