The party won 560 seats to control local government in every Irish city and in most Irish towns — but, by the end of the year, British forces had dashed those nationalist hopes, writes Donal Ó Drisceoil.

The spirit of murdered Lord Mayor of Cork, Tomás MacCurtain, was honoured last night as Cork officially embarked on its programme of 1920 commemorations.

Cork will be the central focus for a series of national events this year to commemorate the start of the country's battle for independence.