I don't think the 'flavour' of ECW3 suits contempible Little Armies. I fear that the scale of the battles with these rules will detract from the period and encourage a mega army mentality. what's the point in fielding your Cycle squadron when the other guy just fill up with tanks and Armoured Cars.
No, I suspect LotOW may do ratehr better, allowing you to add that personal touch to every trooper in your growing force. The scenarios are rather appropriate as well. Just reading the Irish wars books from Osprey and I get the feeling that 1938 wouldn't have been much different (only a bit more polite maybe) though I suspect if it had come down to it there would have been brother vs brother and lots of blood - us English can really do retribution and vindictiveness when we want to.
Anyway - enough wordage already. Need to get painting / gaming / expanding the Posse (sorry Civil Defence Force)
Marc