World War II in Ireland: What was it really like?

At the outbreak of World War II, Ireland declared itself neutral. But neutrality didn't mean the country was untouched by the conflict. Known as the The Emergency, the war left people in Ireland facing invasion fears, severe rationing, and an uncertain future. Thousands of Irish men and women crossed the Irish Sea to serve in Allied armies and work in British wartime industries.

The memories of Ireland's wartime experience is now at the cusp of living memory. In 2025 Waterford Treasures Museum, talked to those who had memories of the war. In this episode, I speak with Donnchadh O'Ceallacháin about these memories. Donnchadh reveals how the war affected Ireland. From the scarcity of everyday goods to the courage of Irish soldiers at D-Day, these stories chronicle a remarkable time.

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Sound by Kate Dunlea

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