The annexation of Northern Ireland was a festering wound in British pride. Prime Minister Salisbury declared, "The Irish usurpation of Ulster cannot stand! We will not stand idly by while our kinsmen are subjugated."
Richard, knowing conflict was inevitable, prepared for war. He modernized the Irish military, studying British naval tactics, equipping his troops with the latest weaponry, and forging alliances with nations sympathetic to Ireland's cause.
As tensions mounted, diplomatic channels opened. Mr. Delaney met with his British counterpart in neutral Switzerland. Richard offered a compromise: Ireland would respect British trade interests, maintain open borders, and even offer a non-aggression pact. Salisbury refused, demanding the return of Northern Ireland.
The war began with naval skirmishes in the Irish Sea. Irish submarines, a new and terrifying weapon, harassed British warships. The British retaliated with a blockade, crippling Irish trade.General Fitzwilliam implemented a defensive strategy, fortifying the border and using guerilla tactics to harass British troops. Irish inventors developed advanced artillery and aircraft, turning the tide of the war. After a protracted conflict, with heavy losses on both sides, Britain, weary of war, agreed to negotiate.
The Treaty of Dublin recognized Irish sovereignty over the entire island, but with caveats: Ireland agreed to respect the rights of the Protestant minority in Northern Ireland, allow British ships free passage through Irish waters, and pay compensation for British assets seized during the war.