Kilworth camp escape remembered 100 years on

Lt Jordan Corrigan with sixth class pupils from Scoil Mhairtin, Kilworth, (front) twins Ailbhe Brett, and Claudine Brett (middle) Jane Linehan and Casey Lane and (back) Lucy Beecher and Meadbh Riordan, with the 1920 Slieve na mBan Rolls Royce armoured car which led the convoy ambushed at Beal na Blath when General Michael Collins was killed. Photo: Larry Cummins

Descendants of some of the men involved in the biggest War of Independence jail break of IRA volunteers in Munster were invited to commemorate their feat exactly 100 years on at the army camp where it occurred.

Up to 25 volunteers escaped by tunneling more than 100 yards from their hut and under the perimeter wire. Unfortunately one of them was left behind – he was too stout to fit into the hole. None of them were ever recaptured by the British.