The Origins and Organisation of British Propaganda in Ireland, 1920

by Brian P. Murphy osb

On 22 May 1920, the Irish Statesman, the journal associated with Sir Horace Plunkett and George Russell, declared that ".. .this is a time for plain speaking and we shall speak plainly. The propaganda supplied to the British Press from Dublin Castle is a propaganda of lies. The version of the state of Ireland based upon this propaganda which the Coalition's kept Press serves up to the British people is lies."

Dr. Brian P. Murphy osb has been working for many years on British and Irish propaganda in the years before and during the Irish War of Independence, c. 1916-1922. In this essay he has concentrated on British propaganda, with some reference to the origins and workings of Irish propaganda to which it was opposed.There are also some reflections on the manner in which propaganda may have influenced the writing of Irish history for these important years.

Dr. Murphy is a member of the Benedictine Community at Glenstal Abbey, County Limerick. He is a graduate of Oxford University, Trinity College, Dublin, and the National University of Ireland (UCD).

Aubane Historical Society - Aubane, Millstreet, Co. Cork.

Cover Design: Timothy Lane

'Striking evidence of the ruthlessness with which the British state was willing to lie and forge documents to serve their political ends...'

E S HERMAN, Co-author with NOAM CHOMSKY, Manufacturing Consent

Brian Murphy offers a well-researched examination of a neglected aspect of the Irish War of Independence... it is a fascinating work.'

JOHN BORGONOVO, Editor, Florence and Josephine O'Donoghue's War of Independence

'This important study reveals not only a critical past phase in the development of British propaganda, but also the sophisticated roots of the current phase.'

MARK CURTIS, author of ‘Web of  Deceit: Britain's real role in the world’

'Brian Murphy focuses sharply on the creation of Dublin Castle's Publicity department under Basil Clarke... facts were distorted; 'official' reports subtly changed - clearly a warning for researchers.'

MEDA RYAN, historian, author of Tom Barry: IRA Freedom Fighter, and other works.