Emmet Dalton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Emmet Dalton
|
|
|---|---|
Dalton photographed in lieutenant's uniform, Royal Dublin Fusiliers
|
|
| Born | 4 March 1898 Fall River, Massachusetts, United States |
| Died | 4 March 1978 (aged 80) Dublin, Ireland |
| Buried |
Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin
|
| Allegiance | |
| Service |  British Army Irish Republican Army National Army |
| Rank | Major general |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Military Cross |
| Spouse(s) |
Alice Shannon
(m. 1922) |
James Emmet Dalton (MC) was an important Irish soldier and film producer. He was born on March 4, 1898, and died on March 4, 1978.
He first served as a captain in the British Army during the First World War. After returning to Ireland, he joined the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The IRA was a group that fought against British rule in Ireland.
Dalton worked closely with Michael Collins, a key Irish leader. He helped with the talks that led to the Anglo-Irish Treaty. Later, during the Irish Civil War, he became a major general in the National Army. This army supported the new Irish Free State. He left the army after Michael Collins died.
After his military career, Dalton started a film company in London. In 1958, he helped create Ardmore Studios in Wicklow, Ireland. He produced many famous movies in the 1950s and 1960s.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Emmet Dalton was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, USA. His parents, James F. and Katharine L. Dalton, were Irish-American. When he was two years old, his family moved back to Ireland.
He grew up in Drumcondra, a part of North Dublin. He attended the O'Connell School, run by the Christian Brothers. In 1913, when he was 15, he joined the Irish Volunteers. This group was a nationalist militia. The next year, he helped to bring weapons secretly into Ireland.
Military Service
Fighting in World War I
In 1915, Dalton joined the British Army to fight in the First World War. Many Irish Volunteers joined the British Army at that time. Dalton's father, however, did not agree with his son's choice.
Emmet Dalton first joined the 7th Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. By 1916, he was part of the 9th Battalion, which included many Irish soldiers.
During the Battle of the Somme in September 1916, Dalton fought in the Battle of Ginchy. This battle was very bloody, and many Irish soldiers were hurt or killed. Dalton received the Military Cross for his bravery in this battle. He later served in places like Salonika and Palestine. In 1918, he became a captain and worked as an instructor in France.
Role in Ireland's Fight for Independence
After leaving the British Army in April 1919, Dalton returned to Ireland. His younger brother, Charlie, had joined the IRA. Emmet Dalton then joined the IRA himself. He once said he fought for Ireland both with and against the British Army.
He quickly became a close friend of Michael Collins. Dalton became the IRA's Director of Intelligence. He was also involved with "The Squad," a special unit in Dublin. On May 14, 1921, Dalton led a daring mission. He helped rescue General Sean McEoin from Mountjoy Prison. They used a stolen British armored car and old British Army uniforms.
Key Figure in the Irish Civil War
In 1922, Dalton supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty, just like Michael Collins. This treaty created the Irish Free State. Dalton became one of the first officers in the new National Army. He was given the high rank of major general.
However, many in the IRA did not agree with the treaty. This led to the Irish Civil War. Dalton commanded the troops that attacked the Four Courts in Dublin. This battle started the Civil War in June 1922. He also helped get two large guns from the British to use in the fight.
Dalton led the Free State Army's attacks in July and August 1922. These attacks pushed the anti-treaty fighters out of towns in Munster. He suggested landing troops by sea to surprise the anti-treaty forces. Dalton led one such landing that took Cork city in early August.
.jpg)
On August 22, 1922, Dalton was with Michael Collins in west Cork. Their group was attacked near Béal na Bláth. Collins was killed in the fight. Dalton had told Collins to keep driving, but Collins stopped to fight.
Dalton married Alice Shannon on October 9, 1922. He resigned from the army in December 1922. He did not agree with the executions of republican prisoners that happened later in the Civil War. After a short time working for the Irish Senate, he moved into the film industry.
Career in the Film Industry
For the next forty years, Emmet Dalton worked in film production. He worked in both Ireland and the United States. In 1958, he founded Ardmore Studios in Bray, Ireland.
His company helped make several famous movies. These included The Blue Max, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, and The Lion in Winter. All of these films were shot in Ireland. Emmet Dalton's daughter, Audrey Dalton, is also an Irish actress.
Later Life and Passing
Emmet Dalton passed away in Dublin on March 4, 1978. He died on his 80th birthday at his daughter Nuala's house. He never saw the film that Cathal O'Shannon made about his life.
For the film, they visited battlefields in France, like Ginchy. They also visited places in Ireland, such as Béal na Bláth. Dalton had not seen these places since his younger years. He wanted to be buried close to his friend Michael Collins. He was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin after a military funeral.
