The Irish Civil War initiated with the bombardment of the Four Courts, a central government building located in Dublin. This moment signaled the deepening rift between pro-Treaty forces, supporting the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, and anti-Treaty factions opposing the agreement. Led by General Michael Collins and his Free State army, the attack began after a lengthy period of escalating tensions between the two sides over the future governance of Ireland following its independence from British rule. The Four Courts had become a stronghold for anti-Treaty IRA members, who fortified their position in anticipation of a confrontation.

As artillery fire erupted from Free State positions, buildings nearby suffered collateral damage, and intense street fighting ensued throughout the city. This assault marked a turning point, igniting a brutal conflict characterized by ambushes, guerrilla warfare, and political maneuvers. Over the following months, the violence expanded beyond Dublin, engulfing the entire country as opposing factions clashed over the direction of the new Irish state.

The fallout from this initial clash was profound, leading to extensive casualties on both sides and a lasting legacy of division in Irish society. Fighting continued until 1923, ultimately costing thousands of lives and shaping the future landscape of Ireland. The violence not only influenced political structures in Ireland but also contributed to the emergence of new identities within various Irish communities, as the war's divide endured long after peace was declared.