Michael Collins – portrait by John Lavery

These famous portraits of Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith by Sir John Lavery were painted during the Civil War. Collins and Griffith were members of the delegation that signed the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921.

The Treaty did not provide full independence from Britain, Northern Ireland would remain part of the UK and an oath to the King would have to be sworn by all members of the Dáil.

The Civil War broke out, which the anti-Treaty side eventually lost. Collins and Griffith were both dead by the end of the war – Collins killed in an ambush in Beal na mBlath, Griffith succumbing to heart failure.

With thanks to Michael Maughan

Arthur Griffith – portrait by John Lavery

Watch a video about the Anglo-Irish Peace Treaty: