In the early years of the 20th century, Ireland was a place of conflict. In this interactive series, photographer David Cleary returns to locations captured on film a century ago and takes new photographs showing how those settings have changed - or not.
In this photo from the RTÉ Photographic Archive, taken on an unknown date in 1921 during the War of Independence, British forces have arrived on O'Connell Street after a disturbance. An armoured vehicle is in the centre of shot. The crowds surrounding the vehicle are being held back by a line of British soldiers.
To the right of the shot is the General Post Office (GPO) and to the left of the GPO is a sign with the writing 'Site for new cinema theatre and restaurant'. In the background to the right of shot is Nelson's Pillar. That spot is now occupied by the Spire. Just a year later, much of the street would be in ruins following the devastating destruction of the Battle of Dublin which launched the Civil War, but the GPO is still standing and, as you can see, largely unchanged.
Original photo © RTÉ Photographic Archive
