The Irish War

Uniforms weapons and history of the Irish Republican Army, 1913-1997 by James Durney. Many rare and archival photographs are in this book, 87 pages,with colour plates. Softback,large format, retails in the shops at 14.95 euro , the Irish Volunteer Commemorative organisation can offer this book on special offer for 10.99 euro,plus postage.

By the sixth week of the Irish Civil War in 1922, all eyes turned to Cork, as the National Army readied its climatic attack on the ‘rebel capital’. At 2 a.m. on a Bank Holiday Monday, Emmet Dalton and 450 soldiers of the National Army landed at Passage West, in one of the most famous surprise attacks in Irish military history.

Their daring amphibious assault knocked the famed Cork IRA onto the back foot, though three more days of stubborn fighting was required for the National Army to secure the city. The retreating IRA left destruction in their wake, setting the stage for Michael Collins’ fatal final visit to his home county.

For the first time, ‘The Battle for Cork’ tells the full story of the battle for Cork, showing all the chaos, bravery and misery of the largest engagement of the Irish Civil War and the final defeat of Republican Cork.
Borgonovo, John
John Borgonovo is an historian and is currently a lecturer in University College Cork. The author of ‘Spies, Informers, and the Anti-Sinn Fein Society: The Intelligence War in Cork City, 1920-1921′, he has written extensively on the Irish revolution in Cork city.

A Photographic History of Revolutionary Ireland 1913 -1923
“Revolution” by Padraig O’Ruairc , A Photographic History of Revolutionary Ireland 1913 -1923.

The period from 1913 to 1923 in Ireland’s history of rebellion, is undoubtedly the most significant. The period takes in the revival of interest in all things Irish around 1913, the heroic Easter Rising of 1916, the bloody War of Independence 1919–1921 and the bitter Civil War of 1922–1923. Here for the first time, are images of those episodes, the people, the places, city and country, with insightful commentary describing the context of each photograph.

This book gives the reader glimpses of what happened and what life was like during the Irish revolution through photographs of the time. Photographs played an increasingly important role as the Irish struggle for independence took hold, first as memorabilia after the Easter Rising, later as propaganda and were also of vital importance in ‘the
intelligence war’ fought between the IRA and the British. Includes previously unpublished photos sourced from private collections, the Irish Military Archives, Kilmainham Gaol and a variety of British military museums.

THE IRISH WAR .COM RECOMMENDS THIS BOOK

In May 1915 Ernest Blythe was appointed as an organiser for the Irish Volunteers by Volunteer headquarters and was sent to Clare to train the Cloonagh and Kilfenora Volunteers.
The authorities were well informed about Blythe’s activities in Clare. He established Irish Volunteer companies at Doolin and Liscannor and supplied the Crusheen company with rifles. Because of his success in organising and arming the Clare Volunteers, Blythe was arrested and deported a few weeks later, under the defence of the realm act. Fifty-three republicans from Clare gave their lives in the struggle for independence, but the story of Clare republicanism goes much deeper than that.
Pádraig Óg Ó’Ruairc takes the story of Clare’s republicans from the start of the twentieth century to the end of the War of Independence. In the process he examines the course of the campaign, the events both tragic and heroic and the victims, British and Irish. Featuring detailed descriptions of the battles and campaigns, Blood On The Banner offers a fresh perspective on events that shaped the county for decades to come.

By Padraig Og O’ Ruairc

ISBN 9781856356138

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Examines the role and experiences of the women of Cumann na mBan and the Irish Citizens Army, who marched out with the Rebels to challenge the might of the British Empire on Easter Monday 1916.

Renegades is a comprehensive account of the tragedies, triumphs, politics and conflicts experienced by Irish women during the country’s War of Independence and Civil War. It will shock and possibly disturb any romanticised views of their role in this period of Irish history because the reality of the abuse of women within the general population by both sides in both Wars is absent in most histories of the period. But this the ‘war on women’, which manifested itself in the form of physical and sexual assaults meant that many women suffered a terror that was not confined to armed conflict.
The book also explores the separation of republican women during the Irish War of Independence and Civil War, into two distinct groups. Cumann na mBan members perceived their role to be purely military and so they did not engage in politics. On the other hand the political women, who by this time perceived themselves as the female political elite, were proactive in pursuit of a significant position in Irish politics, especially when the Sinn Féin party was reformed in October 1917.
By Ann Matthews
ISBN 9781856356848

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IRA Jailbreaks 1918-1921 features the factual accounts of 25 daring rescues, rescue attempts and jailbreaks which raised the morale of nationalist Ireland and brought world-wide ridicule and discredit on the prison and internment camp systems in Britain and Ireland.
With stories of their resistence to the degrading criminal code by the political prisoners, the hunger strikes and jail riots, the savage beatings and punishments the prisoners suffered during their incarceration, their accounts offer a window on the world of the men who fought and were imprisoned during the struggle for Ireland’s independence. Here is history documented by the men who made it.

Florence O Donoghue
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ISBN 9781856356893

Re-issue of the classic text on the struggle for independence in Ireland, covering battles in Monaghan, Meath, Longford, Roscommon, Dublin, Clare, Mayo, Galway, Tipperary, Limerick and Cork.
With the IRA in the Fight for Freedom offers eyewitness and first hand accounts of Ireland’s struggle for independence in various parts of the country. It presents a representative picture of the fight by the IRA for independence and of the reign of terror endured by the civilian population. Only idealism and courage on the part of the freedom fighters and the steadfast support of the Irish people could have carried such an unequal struggle through to the end.

With barracks attacks, ambushes and shootings, it brings to life a conflict that is fading from the collective memory of county and country and offers a fascinating perspective on the struggle for independence, directly from the men who took part in the actions themselves.

ISBN 9781856356879

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Like many families of those involved in the War of Independence, May Moran’s was reluctant to talk about their Uncle Paddy when she was growing up and she only had a vague idea of his story. The little brown case she was given by her Aunt Bridget (Paddy’s sister) just before she died was full of fascinating memorabilia and it started her on a journey of discovery which convinced her that Paddy’s story deserved to be told.
Born in Crossna, Boyle, Co. Roscommon, Paddy lived most of his adult life in Dublin where he took an active part in the GAA, the Gaelic League and the Volunteers. He was an active participant in the 1916 Rising and was deported to England after the surrender. On his return in August 1916 he renewed his interest in GAA and helped to reorganise the Volunteers in Dublin and in Roscommon. He was arrested following the assassination of British Intelligence Officers on Bloody Sunday, 21 November 1920, and was charged and convicted for the murder of Lieutenants Ames and Bennett. He was executed by hanging in March 1921 amid calls from civil and religious leaders for the King of England to exercise the Prerogative of Mercy in the belief that he was innocent. But was he?

By May Moran
ISBN 9781856356619

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The intriguing story of one of the most unusual figures of the struggle for independence featuring previously unpublished extracts from the rebel fighter’s memoirs.
George Lennon at 20 was the youngest commander of a flying column during the war of independence and fought for the anti-treaty side during the Civil War. When it became clear that the anti-treatyites had lost the war and that a guerilla campaign would cause the ordinary people to suffer he voluntarily laid down arms and was left in peace by the pro-treaty forces, starting on a path that would take him far away from the country he fought for and very far from the path of violence.
He emigrated to the US in 1926, returning in 1938 when he made earnest efforts to develop the national economy. Before he died, George had embraced Zen Buddhism, written a play about his experiences and become as much a rebel of peace as he had been a fighting rebel.

by Terence O’Reilly
ISBN 9781856356497

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Dublin’s Fighting Story 1916-23
‘Major Haig ordered them to ‘prepare to fire’, whereupon they the fired indiscriminately, point blank, at the people in the street. Four people were killed and thirty-seven wounded. All Ireland seethed with indignation . . . ’
This new edition of Dublin’s Fighting Story with an introduction by Diarmaid Ferriter features stories and reports from every aspect of the War of Independence, from the formation of the Fianna Éireann and the Volunteers, through the Great Dublin Strike and Lock-out in 1913 and the 1916 Rising to the death of Seán Treacy in a bloody street shoot-out, the triumph and tragedy of Bloody Sunday and the burning of the Customs House.
Dublin’s Fighting Story offers the perspective of the eye witnesses and fighting men themselves to the struggle for independence in Dublin.

ISBN 9781856356435

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Introduced by Ruan O’Donnell
Description: The classic text on the struggle for independence in Limerick. Introduction by Dr. Ruan O’Donnell.
Eyewitness and first hand accounts of the conflict.
Originally published by The Kerryman in the 1940s, this is one of the four title in the ‘Fighting Stories’ Series. It records the events of the War of Independence in the words of the people who fought it and those who wrote about it at the time. Amongst the gripping episiodes recorded are: Limericks heroes of 1916, The execution of an enemy spy in West Limerick, Limerick’s Night of Terror, Cumann na mBan in Limerick and the destruction of Killmallock Barracks.
Featuring reports of the ambushes, battles, successes and failures, Limerick’s Fighting Story is a treasure trove of information and intriguing detail.

ISBN 9781856356428

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The classic text on the struggle for independence in Kerry. Introduction by J.J. Lee.
Eyewitness and first hand accounts of the conflict.
Originally published by The Kerryman in 1947, this is one of the four title in the Fighting Stories Series. It records the events of the War of Independence in the words of the people who fought it and those who wrote about it at the time.
The range of the book is incredible, everything from the formation of the volunteers, the German expedition to Tralee Bay during World War One, the Kerry Heroes of 1916, the RIC mutiny at Listowel Barracks, ambushes at Headford Junction, Lispole and Ballyduff, to the IRA firing party that challanged a Royal Navy ship in bantry bay in Autumn 1922.
Kerry’s Fighting Story is a treasure trove of information and intriguing detail.
ISBN 9781856356411

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Donegal Awakening – War of Independence
In this new book, Liam Ó’Duibhir charts the struggle for independence, both militarily and politically, in Donegal from before the events of Easter 1916 until the truce in 1921.
Donegal has long been seen as one of the quietest counties during the War of Independence but this reputation belies an intriguing story of how republican sentiment grew in the county. From the first mention of Sinn Féin, through the conscription crisis and the success of the 1918 elections, Ó’Duibhir charts the rise of the new political leadership in Donegal and how they built their own system of justice and local government.
Alongside the practical politics, he also highlights the role of the IRB and the activities of the volunteers in resisting and thwarting the British efforts to retain control and impose order. Featuring new information and a fresh look at events of the period, The Donegal Awakening offers an updated account of this crucial period.
By Liam O’ Duibhir
ISBN 9781856356329

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A ground breaking new book that looks back on Ireland’s struggle for freedom with a refreshingly new perspective and attitude. This is a journey into a turbulent period in Ireland’s past – the past of charismatic guerrilla leader Seán Treacy, Tipperary’s Flying Columns and the horrors of Croke Park’s Bloody Sunday.
Tipperary’s role in the War of Independence has been greatly under-played and this book analyses the main events and personalities of the time. The Tan War in Tipp takes a contemporary look at a time in our history that defined a nation.
By Joe Ambrose

ISBN 9781856355544

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Tomás MacCurtain, a dedicated family man, took an active role in the War of Independence. Originally from Ballyknockane in County Cork, his love of the Irish language and culture led him to become involved with the Gaelic League, the Irish Republican Brotherhood and the Irish Volunteers. A dedicated father and husband, he was in command of the Irish Volunteers in Cork during the 1916 Rising in Dublin.
Although no violence took place in Cork during the Rising, MacCurtain was subsequently arrested and imprisoned. Following Sinn Féin’s victory in the local elections of January 1920, Tomás MacCurtain was elected Lord Mayor of Cork, the first Republican to hold the office. His term as lord mayor was brutally cut short.
In the early hours of the morning of 20 March 1920, members of the R.I.C. burst into his house and shot him dead. The shocking murder outraged the public and brought near universal condemnation. Cork went into mourning for its murdered first citizen. A massive crowd attended his funeral. At the coroners inquest into the killing the jury passed a verdict of wilful murder against Lloyd George and certain inspectors of the R.I.C. This is his story.
BY Fionnuala MacCurtain
ISBN 9781856355230

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The Gifford sisters, Grace (later Plunkett), Muriel (later MacDonagh), Nellie (later Donnelly), and Sydney (later Czira) were key figures in the Republican struggle during the 1916 period. This is their story.
Grace Gifford is one of the tragic stories of the 1916 Easter Rising, but the poignancy of her brief marriage to the executed rebel leader Joseph Mary Plunkett has tended to overshadow her family’s deep commitment to the cause of the Irish Republic. Grace was the second youngest of twelve children. Despite coming from a strongly unionist background and being raised in the Protestant faith, the Gifford sisters became heavily involved with the republican Irish movement and with the fight for Irish freedom. Both in Ireland and in America they supported the republican cause, despite the heartache and difficulties this cause them.
This fascinating book tells the stories of the four sisters in the context of their time, with a light touch that belies the depth of detail involved.
By Anne Clarke.
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ISBN 9781856357128

Even those who know a great deal about the Easter Rising may not know that there were temporary ceasefires in the St Stephen’s Green area, to allow the park attendants to feed the Green’s ducks.
Few know that the first shots of the rising were actually fired near Portlaoise and not in Dublin or indeed that both sides issued receipts: the rebels for food, the British for handcuffs. It features excerpts from a previously unpublished diary written by a member of the Jacob’s garrison; the story of how rebel communications (being sent in a tin can from rooftop to rooftop) were interrupted by a British crackshot sniper and many other remarkable facts.
50 Things you didn’t know about 1916 is a treasure trove of trivia and information that will appeal to the avid student of 1916 as well as the casual reader.
By Mick O’Farrell.
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ISBN 9781856356190

Blood on the Streets explores the people, the places and the context of the real events of the battle for Mount Street Bridge. Based around the bridge over the canal at Mount Street, three well-positioned groups of Volunteers led by Lieutenant Michael Malone held out against a far greater number of British soldiers arriving from Kingstown.
In scenes that were reminiscent of the terrible warfare of the Western Front in World War I, British soldiers advanced under heavy fire against rebel positions.This book contextualises the battle and the events surrounding the Rising itself and features the only account written by a British army officer of the executions at Kilmainham jail in the aftermath of the Rising.
It also features a fascinating analysis of the tactics and strategy not just of the battle but of the whole Rising.
By Paul O’ Brien.
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ISBN 9781856355766

On Easter Monday 24 April 1916 men and women of the 4th Battalion, Irish Volunteers, under the command of Éamonn Ceannt occupied a number of well-chosen strategic positions in and around James Street, Dublin.
One of these buildings was the South Dublin Union. This complex was intended as a counterpart south of the River Liffey to the General Post Office on the north of the river. It was a vast workhouse, a complex of buildings that resembled a small town. It had 52 acres of lawns and almost 3,000 people living within its walls. By 2. 00 p.m. on Easter Monday, that small force of Irish Volunteers were under attack from a large force of the British army. This was to be the beginning of an intense, unremitting guerilla battle that would last until the 30 April 1916. At the end of that week it was estimated that 42 Volunteers were in direct conflict with a force of 500 British soldiers drawn from the Royal Irish Rifles, the Royal Irish Regiment and the Sherwood Foresters. Despite being vastly outnumbered, the garrison of the South Dublin Union were not overpowered but surrendered on orders issued by Patrick Pearse.
by paul O ‘ Brien
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ISBN 9781856356541

Revised and Updated. From the bestselling author of  The Squad comes the story of a charismatic rebel who undermined the British government and inspired Irish people to seek independence.
In this completely revised and updated book, T. Ryle Dwyer, offers a fresh perspective on Collins’ activities. With new information about his role in organising the IRB in London in his youth right through to his death in 1922, Dwyer’s analysis supports the case for Collins as the chief architect of the Irish victory over the British Empire.

Michael Collins co-ordinated the sweeping Sinn Féin election victory of 1918 and put structure on the organisation of the IRA. He was the prototype of the urban terrorist and the architect of the war against the Black and Tans. While many have questioned whether Collins ever fired a shot at an enemy of Ireland, he did order the deaths of people standing in his way, and he even advocated kidnapping a US President.
by T Ryle Dwyer.
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ISBN 9781856356251