Gas masks were widely issued during the Emergency
Ireland chose to remain neutral in the Second World War, but there was still a fear that the country could be attacked. A state of emergency was declared (hence ‘the Emergency’), and gas masks like this were made widely available.
Permanent Collection
Watch a documentary on Irish neutrality during WWII:
Despite the Free State’s neutrality, the country suffered some rationing during the war years
During the ‘Emergency’ the Free State had a rationing system like that in Great Britain. Sugar, tea, butter, margarine, bread, flour and clothing were among the many items for which ration tickets were required. Poor families were hardest hit by the restrictions as bread was a central part of their diet.
The most unpopular figure at the time was not Minister for Supplies Seán ‘half-ounce’ Lemass, but the notorious ‘glimmer man’ who went door-to-door to ensure that citizens were not using gas after hours.
Permanent Collection
Watch a video of the Declaration of the Republic, just one year later:
The Little Museum Collection 
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