Austria-Hungary, France, Germany and the Irish crisis from 1899 to the outbreak of the first world war

This article examines Ireland's strategic and diplomatic importance for foreign continental European powers in the early years of the twentieth century, a subject much neglected by historians. It focuses on how Austria-Hungary, France and Germany analyzed the Irish crisis between 1899 and 1914. It shows how the pattern of alliances in Europe changed these powers' outlook on Ireland. After the signing of the Entente Cordiale between Britain and France in 1904, the French lost all interest in their relations with Irish separatists. The Germans took over their role as they saw a possibility to break the encirclement of the Triple Entente countries. The article argues that there was a definite ‘Irish factor’ in the events leading to the outbreak of the First World War, notably in Germany and Austria-Hungary's decision-making process.