Major Wood
A large contingent of international journalists had, by coincidence, gathered in Limerick to cover another event. A Major J.C.P. Wood was to attempt to fly accross the Atlantic, taking off from Limerick.
A newspaper had put up a large cash prize for anyone who was successful at a transatlantic flight, as this had never before been achieved. The Major did not make it across the Atlantic. In fact, he did not even make it to Limerick, as his aeroplane broke down over the Irish Sea during the first leg of his journey from England. The Major and his co-pilot survived the crash.
The group of international journalists now focused their attention on the Limerick Soviet, and covered it with blow-by-blow accounts. For this reason, the actions of the Limerick workers captured headlines worldwide.
The End of the Strike
Thomond Bridge, Limerick City
A view of Thomond Bridge, Limerick city, circa 1920.
Thomond Bridge, Limerick City
Thomond Bridge, Limerick City
A view of Thomond Bridge, Limerick city, circa 1920.
The strike did not receive the support it needed from the rest of the country in order to keep going. The Catholic Bishop of Limerick, Dr. Hallinan, and the mayor of Limerick, Alphonsus O'Mara, met with the strikers and union leaders, as well as the military leaders, to discuss bringing the strike to an end. The strike finished on April 24, exactly two weeks after it had begun.
Martial law was still in force after the strike ended but was not strictly applied. It was finally lifted in early May of the same year.