Even after Eire achieved its independence in 1922 it never invested in a navy and preferred to adopt the stance of neutrality. The whole idea of a nationalist Irish warship in 1900 was fanciful in the extreme and this work, both curious as well as naive, must surely be attributed to one of the many Irishmen who, having emigrated to the United States, cherished hopes of an independent homeland free of British rule. Broadly modelled on the American armoured cruisers of the day although technically incorrect with the mast amidships, it is nevertheless a fascinating depiction of a pre-Dreadnought capital ship that is not without historical interest.