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In the years running up to World War One unionists in the north of Ireland were vehemently opposed to the prospect of ‘Home Rule’ – a devolved Irish parliament in Dublin.

The crisis reached a new level in 1914 when the Ulster Volunteer Force, who were opposed to the introduction of Home Rule, smuggled thousands of rifles and millions of rounds of ammunition into Larne, Bangor and Donaghadee under the cover of darkness. In response, the Irish Volunteers, who were in favour of Home Rule, decided to act. Using yachts, they smuggled guns and ammunition from Germany to Ireland. One of the yachts, the Asgard, was owned by the famous novelist Erskine Childers. He landed her at Howth harbour just outside Dublin, in broad daylight, leading to a huge publicity coup for the Irish Volunteers.

Location: Howth Harbour. 53°23'33.5"N 6°03'50.5"W
Image: Crowds cheer as a taxi carries away boxes of ammunition
Image courtesy of RTÉ Stills Library