7 January 2021, Journeys to a Truce, 1921: Excommunication and Ambushes
“Mid to late December 1920 coincided with the continued cleaning up of the burnt out ruins of St Patrick’s Street. In addition, there was fall-out from the decree issued by Bishop of Cork Daniel Cohalan on 12 December 1920, that the penalty of excommunication would be imposed on IRA men in the Cork Diocese if they continued to carry arms against the Crown forces”.
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 7 January 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
14 January 2021, Journeys to a Truce, 1921: The Trial of Fr Dominic
Following the sad events of Terence MacSwiney’s funeral on 31 October 1920, the Lord Mayor’s Capuchin chaplain Fr Dominic O’Connor received death threats in Cork. For his own safety, the Father Provincial sent him to Kilkenny and then to Dublin. Fr Dominic arrived in Dublin in November 1920. He rarely left the house and during part of that time he also became unwell.
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 14 January 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
21 January 2021, Journeys to a Truce: Donal Óg Presents at Washington D.C.
Following the Burning of Cork and the ramping up of the rounding up of IRA men by crown forces, all active members had to be careful. Lord Mayor of Cork, Donal Óg O’Callaghan had to be extra careful.
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town Article, 21 January 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
28 January 2021, Journeys to a Truce: Clogheen and the tale of Mary Bowles
P J Murphy, Company Commander with Fianna Éireann, in his witness statement for the Bureau of Military History (WS869) recalls that in January 1921 owing to the activity of police and Black and Tans, a number of C-Company of Cork IRA Brigade No.1 could not sleep at home. They were accommodated in the former Cork Lunatic Asylum on the Lee Road. The place was raided several times. A number of arrests were made, including one named Tadhg Barry who was later shot dead on 15 November 1921 by a sentry in Ballykinlar Camp).
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 28 January 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
4 February 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The Dripsey Ambush
As the Irish War of Independence progressed in early 1921, the movements of British troops throughout the country were tabulated. Where it was noticed that convoys were maintained on a regular basis between any two points, suitable preparations were then made for an ambush on the route. In this way, it was calculated that a convoy of three lorries of soldiers would proceed from Macroom to Cork on 27 January 1921. It was decided by members of the sixth battalion of the Cork IRA Brigade No.1 to ambush British troops at a bend in the main road between Dripsey and Coachford.
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 4 February 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
11 February 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The Compensation Claims Begin
This month, one hundred years ago, the Recorder or Chief Magistrate for Cork City, Matthew Bourke, began the municipal hearings for the compensation claims arising out of the Burning of Cork in December 1920. A total of 682 claims were before him and they were to occupy the court for several weeks. A handful were written up in the Cork Examiner and reveal the depth of the damage done but also the early steps being taken to rehabilitate livelihoods and building stock in the city centre. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 11 February 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
18 February 2021, Journeys to a Truce: An Engineering Student Speaks
Cappoquin born Michael O’Donoghue was a final year student in early 1921, who was studying for his Batchelor of Engineering degree (mechanical and electrical) in UCC. He was Engineer Officer of the 2nd Battalion, Cork IRA Brigade No.1. In his witness statement to the Bureau of Military History (WS1741), he provides insight into his life going between student and IRA member. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 18 February 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
25 February 2021, Journeys to a Truce: Revenge in the City
By the last week of February 1921 revenge was the talk of Cork IRA Brigade No. 1 for their fallen comrades of the Dripsey Ambush and the Battle of Clonmult. On Saturday evening, 26 February, a comrade of Michael O’Donoghue’s whispered to him, “Go to Confession to-night, Mick, and be ready for Monday near St. Augustine’s [Church]”. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 25 February 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
4 March 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The Relief of Irish Distress
In the first week March 1921, members of an American Committee for the Relief of Irish Distress arrived in Cork City. They were hosted by members of Cork Corporation and the Cork Harbour Board, amongst others. Their arrival was a positive one in the context of the narrative of repair after the Burning of Cork and of donating money to the impoverished of the city.
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 4 March 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
11 March 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The Opening of the Pavilion
Against the backdrop of the ruins on St Patrick’s Street from the Burning of Cork and the unsettling tit-for-tat violence across Cork City’s streets, the opening of the decorative Pavilion Cinema in early March 1921 was a very different and positive event of that time.
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 11 March 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
18 March 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The Victory of Crossbarry
By mid-March 1921, British crown forces invariably operated in West Cork in units of not less than three hundred. Consequently, the 3rd West Cork IRA Brigade flying column under the leadership of Commandant Tom Barry was brought to its greatest possible strength by the addition of every available rifle and the limited ammunition they had. The column had a membership of 104 men. It was also not easy to move, conceal, billet and feed a flying column of that strength over a long period, in an area that was then holding down at least five thousand British troops. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 18 March 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
25 March 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The Ballycannon Boys
At Ballycannon, Kerrypike lies a memorial (erected in 1945) to the memory of six young IRA men that were killed near the spot on 23 March 1921. Farmer Cornelius O’Keeffe was witness to the killing of the six men. His detailed affidavit appears in the appendix of the witness statement in the Bureau of Military History of Daniel Healy, C Company, 1st Battalion, Cork IRA Brigade No.1. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 25 March 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
1 April 2021, Journeys to a Truce: Intelligence Work in Spring 1921
Documenting the activities of Cork IRA Brigade No.1 in the spring of 1921 is well covered in the witness statements in the Bureau of Military History. In Joseph Kelleher’s account (WS1675), he describes his time Captain of E Company of 1st Battalion, Cork IRA Brigade No.1. He carried out activities of a very varied nature against British crown forces in Cork.
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 1 April 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
8 April 2021, Journeys to a Truce: Dug Outs and Wire Tapping
Seán Healy was Captain of A-Company of the 1st Battalion of Cork IRA Brigade No. 1 Cork and worked in the Parcels Office at Glanmire Road station (now Kent Station). In his Bureau of Military History account (WS1643) he describes in detail the creation of an arms dump in Glanmire and other reconnaissance work.
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 8 April 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
15 April 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The Washington Street Ambush
Patrick Murray was Officer in Command of C-Company of the 1st Battalion, Cork No.1 IRA Brigade. In his witness statement for the Bureau of Military History (WS1584), he describes the Spring activity of an active IRA service unit in the city centre.
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 15 April 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
22 April 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The Ambush of Tadhg O’Sullivan
Targeted round ups of IRA members by the RIC and Black and Tans continued right throughout April 1921. Company Captain within the 2nd Battalion, Cork City No.1 Brigade and Kerry native, Tadhg O’Sullivan was shot on the evening of 19 April 1921. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 22 April 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
29 April 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The Advent of SS Ardmore II
During the First World War the City of Cork Steam Packet Company lost six vessels, and the company were determined to replace the losses with the construction of new vessels. In particular, the new ships were designed to meet the requirements of the cross-Channel trade, especially the cattle trade. One of the ships replaced was the SS Ardmore, which was hit by a torpedo on 13 November 1917. It was replaced by the SS Ardmore II, which looked very similar in design to the original.
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 29 April 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
6 May 2021, Journeys to a Truce: A Corkman at Ballykinlar
Much reference is given in the newspapers of Spring 1921 to Cork Volunteers from across the battalions of the Cork IRA Brigades being rounded up and sent to Ballykinlar Internment Camp in County Down. Monaghan born Frank O’Duffy was interned in Camp II, Ballykinlar from January to December 1921 and acted as Prisoners’ Commandant in that camp from June to December 1921. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 6 May 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
13 May 2021, Journeys to a Truce: Fr O’Callaghan’s Last Stand
Ireland experienced a tragic Whitsuntide bank holiday weekend in mid-May 1921. Many deaths amongst civilians and Crown forces were reported from various parts of the south of the country. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 13 May 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
20 May 2021, Journeys to a Truce: Stories from the Active Service Unit
Patrick Murray was Officer-in-Charge of C Company of the 1st Battalion of Cork No.1 IRA Brigade. In his witness statement in the Bureau of Military History (WS1443) by May 1921, he was a core part of the Active Service Unit for Cork City. Much of the work of the Unit during this period comprised patrols, moving materials from place to place and taking arms, to columns. The assigned intelligence officers were daily seeking information, which might lead to a successful ambush of Crown forces. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 20 May 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
27 May 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The Irish International Trading Corporation (Cork)
Details on the tit-for-tat violence between the IRA and Black and Tans during the War of Independence fill vast pages of Irish history books. However, not much is known on those who were Independence supporters in Ireland’s cities and regions, but who were also pragmatic and economically preparing for a Brexit of sorts from the British Empire. The question of “if we get Independence what do we do next” had not been quite resolved especially where Britain was also Ireland’s main trading ally. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 27 May 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
3 June 2021, Journeys to a Truce: Bold Moves and Round-Ups
One hundred years ago, military cordons were common place across Cork City Centre. Cappoquin born Michael O’Donoghue was a final year student in early 1921, who was studying for his Batchelor of Engineering degree (mechanical and electrical) in UCC. He was Engineer Officer of the 2nd Battalion, Cork IRA Brigade No.1. Michael in his witness statement to the Bureau of Military History (WS1741) describes one such round-up from late May 1920.
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 3 June 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
10 June 2021, Journeys to a Truce: A Crown Interrogation
In mid-June 1921 Seán Healy, Captain of A Company, 1st Battalion, Cork Brigade No.1, was elated at the prospect of bringing off a successful ambush against crown forces. He had plans completed for a large ambush on a patrol of Black and Tans whose daily beat brought them through Silversprings Lane in Tivoli. About thirty fully armed Black and Tans passed through it every evening. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 10 June 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
17 June 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The Cage of The Barracks
Crown forces patrolled city centre streets en mass in June 1921. Orders were issued that all prisoners should be chained to the lorries so that they could not attempt an escape. In addition, if the lorry was ambushed by the IRA, the prisoner could be caught in the crossfire. Prisoners were also used when the lorries were being sent out on some essential business to discourage any ambushers. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 17 June 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
24 June 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The Mid-Summer Ambushes
On the evening of 23 June 1921, there was a concerted attack on all RIC barracks in Cork City and suburbs at an appointed time by members of the first and second battalions of Cork IRA Brigade No.1. In the city centre, a fine summer evening was disturbed closing on to 7.30pm. Loud explosions, quickly followed by shots, startled everybody. The first reports were heard all over the city and within the suburbs. The mobilisation of Crown Forces ensued, and the rattle of rifle fire, the tearing of machine guns, added to the fear of citizens outdoors and indoors.
Kieran’s Our City, Town, 24 June 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
1 July 2021, Journeys to a Truce: For Those That Tell No Tales
One such very insightful project is Dara McGrath’s photographic exhibition entitled For Those That Tell No Tales, which can be viewed in the Crawford Art Gallery. It is a great contribution to thinking about life and society one hundred years ago. That it was not just the IRA, RIC and Black and Tans that caught up with tit-for-tat violence but also civilians and their families. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 1 July 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
8 July 2021, Journeys to a Truce: Fred Cronin’s Republican Plot
On the day after the murder of Lord Mayor Tomás MacCurtain in March 1920. Fred Cronin, close friend of Terence MacSwiney and a leading Cork undertaker of Richard Cronin and Sons, suggested to the Brigade officers that the municipal authorities, who were owners of the cemetery, should be requested to make this plot available as a burial place for the dead patriot. The Corporation readily agreed, and with this first interment the Republican Plot came into existence. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 8 July 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
15 July 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The 11 July 1921 Settlement
This week is the centenary of the signing of the Truce on 11 July 1921 bringing the Irish War of Independence in Ireland to an end. Technically talks had begun in December 1920 but they petered out when British Prime Minister David Lloyd George demanded that the IRA first relinquish their arms. Renewed talks began in the spring of 1921, after the Prime Minister was lobbied by Herbert H Asquith and the Liberal opposition, the Labour Party, and the Trades Union Congress. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 15 July 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
22 July 2021, Journeys to a Truce: Guarding the Truce
West Cork Brigade Commander Tom Barry in his book Guerilla Days in Ireland gives a chapter to the Truce negotiations and the impact of the peace. He relates that the sudden ending of hostilities left IRA men dazed at first and uncertain of the future, as no one considered during those early July days that the Truce would continue for more than a month. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town Article, 22 July 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
29 July 2021, Journeys to a Truce: Lord Mayor Donal Óg Returns,
The Lord Mayor of Cork Donal Óg O’Callaghan had recently returned after an eight months’ public speech tour across America to grow interest in Irish Independence and to raise finance for Dáil Éireann. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 29 July 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
5 August 2021, New Book: Cork City Reflections
In our new book Cork City Reflections, Dan Breen and I build on our previous Cork City Through Time (2012) publication as we continue to explore Cork Public Museum’s extensive collection of postcards. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 5 August 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
12 August 2021, Cork Heritage Open Day and Week Approaches
Cork Heritage Open Day and Heritage Week are looming. Cork Heritage Open Day which is organised by Cork City Council in partnership with the Heritage Council, is a wonderful celebration of the built heritage in the city. To mark the start of National Heritage Week, Cork Heritage Open Day will take place virtually on Saturday 14 August. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 12 August 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
19 August 2021, Kieran’s Heritage Week Audio Heritage Trails
The midway point has been reached for National Heritage Week 2021. There is still time to engage with my two virtual projects this year – the audio heritage trails of the Bridges of Cork and The Marina respectively. Usually, I am up to my eyes happily facilitating historical walking tours. But Covid is still scuppering my physical events. but hopefully the next few months will coincide with better news for the gathering of large groups that do not have to be socially distanced apart. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 19 August 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
26 August 2021, Journeys to a Truce: Annie McSwiney Returns Home
This week, one hundred years ago, coincided with the return from the United States of Harry Boland and Annie (Eithne) McSwiney, sister of Terence McSwiney. Mr Harry Boland, secretary to Éamon de Valera, who was in Washington DC for two years as “representative of the Irish Republic” landed at Southampton on Saturday 20 August 1921 from the White Star liner Olympic. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 26 August 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
2 September 2021, Journeys to a Truce: Imprisoning the Nation
The year 2021 marks the centenary of the use of Spike Island as a British military run prison for Republican prisoners and internees between February and November 1921. Almost 1200 Republicans were imprisoned on the island. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town Article, 2 September 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
9 September 2021, Journeys to a Truce: Fawsitt and Opportunities in the US
One hundred years ago this week, Corkman Diarmuid Fawsitt outlined his work to the Irish general public as Ireland’s American consul. He had just stepped down from the role and had begun working with Éamon de Valera on creating an economic set of requirements to be bedded into the early negotiations on the Anglo-Irish Treaty. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 9 September 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
16 September 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The Rebuilding Pana Report
September 1921 coincided with several notes being published by the Reconstruction Committee of the Corporation of Cork outlining their six-month review in the Cork Examiner. By an order of the Council of the Corporation of Cork on 26 February 1921 a special committee consisting of one member from each electoral area was appointed to supervise the work of reconstruction of the destroyed portion of the city during the Burning of Cork event on 11/12 December 1920. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 16 September 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
23 September 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The City Engineer’s Perspective
Cork Corporation’s Reconstruction Committee’s six-month report was an important one to release in September 1921. It was over nine months since the Burning of Cork. Politically there was pressure to move the reconstruction on but there was also the headache of who brings all the physical thinking and oversees the actual construction. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 23 September 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
30 September 2021, Launch of Discover Cork: Schools’ Heritage Project, Year 20
It is great to reach year 20 of the Discover Cork: Schools’ Heritage Project. It is just slightly younger than this column but both this column, the school project and the walking tours are all about popularising more of Cork’s history and story for interested citizens and the next generation. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 30 September 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
7 October 2021, Journeys to a Truce: A Safe House, One Family’s Fight for Irish Freedom
The book A Safe House, One Family’s Fight for Irish Freedom has recently been published by Timothy Murray in Courtbrack, Blarney.It is the story of the Murray family from Courtbrack during 1913-23. Four brothers, Michael (1890-1957), Timothy (1891-1959), James (1896-1942) and Denis (Sonny) (1894–1966), as well as their sister Helena (Nell) took an active and leading role in the local volunteers/IRA and Cumann na mBan. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 7 October 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
14 October 2021, Journeys to a Truce: Landscaping The Lough
In October 1921, Irish newspaper outlets reported on the second visit of representatives of the American Committee for the Relief of Irish Distress. They came to view sites of devastation plus also how their White Cross fund was being distributed. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 14 October 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
21 October 2021, Journeys to a Truce: Commemorating Terence MacSwiney, One True Man
October 1921 coincided with the first annual anniversary of Terence MacSwiney’s death. He was commemorated through a number of means – many of which were politically linked to the formal opening of the Treaty negotiations in London. First up on Sunday 16 October 1921 Dublin’s Abbey Theatre presented Terence’s play The Revolutionist (1915), which was presented by special permission by the MacSwiney family. The proceedings were in aid of the Irish Republican Prisoners Dependents’ Fund. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 21 October 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
28 October 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The Aeridheachts Return
October 1921 coincided with many public events, which drew a focus on the importance of the beginning of the Treaty negotiations in London. Rural events called “aerideachts” or cultural events returned, which focussed on Irish music and on orations on Irish nationalism. Such events were banned just before the physical months of the War of Independence. But as peace reigned in the autumn of the 1921, such events returned and were used once again as a political tool by Sinn Féin to outreach to the Irish public. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 28 October 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
4 November 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The Case of Bere Island Internment Camp
November 1921 coincided with many stories appearing in newspapers such as the Cork Examiner on conditions and stories from the internment camps in the Cork area in Spike Island and in Bere Island. Such accounts are also carried in witness statements archived in the Bureau of Military History. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 4 November 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
11 November 2021, Journeys to a Truce: A Daring Escape from Spike Island
A very insightful exhibition on some of the key Irish War of Independence figures from Passage West town takes place in the town’s museum at present. One of the figures presented is Henry O’Mahony, who in November 1921 as well as six others made a daring escape from the Internment Camp in Spike Island. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 11 November 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
18 November 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The Fate of Tadhg Barry
Tadhg Barry has been written about by several historians over the past decades. Donal Ó Drisceoil’s new book on Tadhg’s life and times is now available in shops and is published by Mercier Press. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 18 November 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
25 November 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The Green Flag of Tadhg Barry
On Saturday 19 November 1921 at 1pm the remains of Tadhg Barry were removed from Ballykinlar camp hospital, County Down where they had lain since the day of his tragic shooting, and placed into a motor car hearse and waited for transport to Dublin. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 25 November 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
2 December 2021, Kieran’s Cork Books for Christmas
It’s only a few weeks to Christmas. There are two publications of mine, which readers of the column might be interested in. In my new book Cork City Reflections (Amberley Publishing, 2021), Dan Breen and I build on our previous Cork City Through Time (2012) publication as we continue to explore Cork Public Museum’s extensive collection of postcards. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 2 December 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
9 December 2021, Journeys to a Truce: A Provisional Treaty is Signed
The first memo to the public was a short one on the outcome of the talks of the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921. It was hurriedly penned by Arthur Griffith, and issued to the world press directly after signing the Treaty on 6 December. It reads: “I have signed a Treaty of peace between Ireland and Great Britain. I believe that treaty will lay foundations of peace and friendship between the two Nations. What I have signed I shall stand by in the belief that the end of the conflict of centuries is at hand”. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 9 December 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
16 December 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The Release of the Internees
Within forty-eight hours after the details of the Articles of Agreement were signed on 6 December 1921, the British government approved the release of all people who had been imprisoned under the Restoration of Order (Ireland) Act, known to many as the Coercion Act. The order did not extend to prisoners who had been either convicted or who were under trial. Between 3,000 and 4,000 prisoners were released from Ballykinlar Camp in County Down, the Rath Camp in the Curragh, Portlaoise Jail as well as from Waterford, Cork, Kilmainham, Mountjoy and other prisons respectively. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 16 December 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy
23 December 2021, Journeys to a Truce: The Treaty Debate Begins
On 9 December 1921, the publicity department of Dáil Éireann issued a statement by President Éamon de Valera. He noted that to prevent misunderstanding the public should realise that the treaty signed by the plenipotentiaries must be ratified by Dáil Éireann and the British parliament in order to take effect. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 23 December 2021 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy