New book on War of Independence in East Cork to be launched on Saturday

Written by East Cork men Eugene Power, Paul Busteed, and Tom O’Neill, the book features numerous photographs, some of which have never been published before, along with specially commissioned drawings and maps

The Clonmult IRA unit which was active in Midleton during the War of Independence. File picture: Cork City and County Archives/PA Wire

A new book by three historians, which provides the most comprehensive history ever on the War of Independence in East Cork, is to be launched on Saturday. 

Extensively researched and written by East Cork men Eugene Power, Paul Busteed, and Tom O’Neill, the book spans just over 400 pages and features numerous photographs, some of which have never been published before, along with specially commissioned drawings and maps.

It provides comprehensive lists of local IRA members and Crown Forces involved in battles, ambushes and attacks across East Cork between 1919 and 1921.

It also details all major and minor engagements between the IRA and Crown Forces, marking the first time these actions have been thoroughly researched and published in such a balanced and detailed manner.

The region was the area of operations of the Fourth Battalion, First Cork Brigade, IRA. The battalion consisted of 17 companies, and the activities of each company are in the book.

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The IRA men in East Cork were greatly assisted in their struggle for independence by the boys of Na Fianna and the local women of Cumann na mBan. The Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) barracks in Carrigtwohill was the first police barracks in Ireland to be attacked, captured and destroyed by the IRA during the War of Independence.

This action is covered in detail, along with the successful IRA attacks on the RIC barracks in Cloyne and Castlemartyr.

The details of the Midleton ambush on December 29, 1920, are included, and the resulting official reprisals carried out in the town.

The authors have successfully identified the locations where the local flying column established their temporary bases and the engagements in which the men participated. The column's narrow escape from Cloyne is well documented, as is the disastrous battle at Clonmult when the column was destroyed.

Several other actions have been scrutinised in detail, including the ambushes at Mile Bush, Ballyedekin, Churchtown North, the Midleton ambush, Bunker Hill, Cobh, and Youghal Bridge.

The killings in Aghada, Ballycotton, Ballymacoda, Castlemartyr, Cobh, Midleton, the bombing of the British Army band in Youghal, and the grenade and mine factory in Knockraha are all thoroughly documented.

The accounts of the actions in the book were taken from original primary sources, contemporary newspapers, and documents.

The names of several local IRA members are included, along with the actions they participated in. The names, ranks and numbers of all regular RIC men, as well as Black and Tans that served in East Cork, are listed in the appendices.

The book offers a balanced history of the thrilling, dangerous, dramatic, and terrible periods of the war between the IRA and the Crown Forces in East Cork.

The War of Independence in East Cork, published by The History Press, will be launched at the Midleton GAA pavilion on Saturday, October 18, from 4pm to 6pm.

It will also be available at the Cobh Heritage Centre on Saturday, October 25, from 4pm to 6pm, and at the Red Store Bar and Restaurant, 150 North Main Street, Youghal, on Sunday, November 2, from the same times.

The book will also be available from bookshops across the country and online.