‘With This Atmosphere of Unrest and Sinister Rumours…’: Military Physical Culture in Pre-Independence Ireland

Abstract

Where Chap. 1 dealt with recreational physical culture, Chap. 2 explores the longer history of exercise in martial institutions as well as the police force. Covering the period up to, and including, 1923, this chapter discusses physical culture in the British military, the Ulster Volunteer Force, the Irish Volunteers, Na Fianna Eireann, and the Irish Republican Army. Commentaries on more militant uses of physical culture are combined with comments on the Royal Irish Constabulary to highlight the importance of the fit, often male, body in defence and police forces.