Militaria Archive

Cork - Irish Independence sites

Photographs showing a small selection of Irish Independence related sites in West Cork. From Skibbereen there are pictures of the Famine Trail, the ‘Maid of Eireann’ statue commemorating the 1798, 1803, 1848 & 1867 risings against British rule in Ireland, (unveiled in 1904 by Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa this statue was pulled down by the British Army on 14th April 1921). Also from Skibbereen a remaining ‘Penfold Hexagonal’ Victorian post box dating from the Pre-Independence era. From Bantry the Wolfe tone statue in Bantry square (including a French Armada anchor), also the memorial to the 5th Cork Brigade of the Irish Republican Army who gave their lives in Defence of the Republic in the period 1920 – 1923. From Clonakilty the Pikeman statue to commemorate the 1798 Rising (unveiled in 1898). Also in Clonakilty pictures of the National School Michael Collins attended, the Michael Collins statue in Clonakilty square. The Collins memorial at Sams Cross, Woodfield the home of Michael Collins which was destroyed in an act of vengeance by the British Army (Essex regiment) now a heritage centre. From Castletownbere the IRA War of Independence memorial ‘'In Memory of the Men and Women of the Berehaven Battalion who fought for the Irish Republic from 1916 to 1923'. From Kilmichael pictures of the Kilmichael ambush site where Tom Barry’s IRA column attacked the elite of British forces in Ireland and routed them entirely. There was a single heavily wounded Auxiliary survivor from this pivotal engagement. The Béal na mBláth ambush site where Michael Collins was killed by anti-Treaty IRA forces during the Irish Civil War (caused by the British Treaty which followed the War of Independence). From Crossbarry pictures of the Crossbarry Ambush site memorial ‘Mainly Westward from this Monument and later from various other directions on Saturday March 19th 1921 104 officers and men of the West Cork Brigade Flying Column attacked and smashed an encircling British Force of 1200 men The Essex and Hampshire Regiments and the Black and Tans. The I.R.A. caused heavy casualties to the enemy, captured arms and ammunition and destroyed Military transports. The British retreated to their main bases at Cork, Bandon, Kinsale and Ballincollig, leaving the IRA victors on the field of battle. Pray God that Ireland in her hour of need will always have sons like these to fight and die for her. Also Brigadier Charlie Hurley killed by the British near here on the morning of the engagement.’

Kilmichael - Ambush site. On 28th November 1920 (just a week after Bloody Sunday when British forces fired on crowds at a GAA match killing 14 civilians), the West Cork Brigade of the I.R.A. ambushed the elite of British forces in Ireland, the RIC, Auxiliary Division. "The Ambush: The Auxiliaries passed this point every Sunday. On that particular Sunday the light was fading as the Auxiliaries approached this site. Commander Tom Barry wore an I.R.A. Tunic. The Driver of the first lorry, seeing Barry slowed down to investigate. Barry Threw a Mill Bomb into the front of the Lorry which killed the driver. Section 1 dealt with the occupants of the Lorry and in a short time all the Auxiliaries were killed. The occupants of the second lorry were taken on by Section 2. Some of the Auxiliaries got on to the road and started firing at the men of Section 2. The Auxiliaries shouted, "We Surrender" and cast away their rifles. Being totally inexperienced Three members of the flying column stood up. The Auxiliaries drew their revolvers and shot them. Tom Barry shouted, "Rapid Fire and don't stop till I tell you." Sixteen members of the Auxiliaries were killed at the ambush site. Aftermath: The ambush aided the Irish fight for Freedom. It contributed to the ending of the Black and Tan Regime of Terror and hastened Peace negotiations which led to an ultimate truce."