The Emergency was the name given to Ireland's state during World War II. It was called by that name because the Government declared a state of emergency when the war broke out.

Ireland was neutral and a law called the Emergency Powers Act was enacted in 1939 to protect neutrality. This act allowed the government to intern people, which meant putting them in prison without trial. It also meant that people's letters could be read and newspapers could be censored.

Life was hard for Irish people during the Emergency because food and other goods were very scarce and had to be rationed.