De Valera’s return from the United States saw a disagreement over the conduct of the War of Independence. He believed that the ambushes and assassinations were mere “pinpricks” and that to bring the British to the negotiating table they would need large propaganda spectacles. Months of planning eventually led to the attack on the Custom House; seen by some as the blow that broke the British military and by others as a disaster which almost destroyed the IRA.

References:

T. Ryle Dwyer - “The Squad”

David McCullagh - “De Valera: Rise”

Las Fallon - Burning the Custom House: https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/custom-house-dublin-fire-brigade-5446490-May2021/

Oscar Traynor - BMH statement: https://www.militaryarchives.ie/collections/online-collections/bureau-of-military-history-1913-1921/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0340.pdf

The Clock is Still Going - Custom House Commemoration: https://www.customhousecommemoration.com

Photos from South Dublin Libraries: http://hdl.handle.net/10599/11044,

http://hdl.handle.net/10599/10625, http://hdl.handle.net/10599/10622

Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/theirishnation

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheIrishNationLives/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirishnationlives/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/theirishnationlives

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-irish-nation-lives

Main Sources:

Military Archives - http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie

Century Ireland - https://www.rte.ie/centuryireland

Diarmuid Lynch, Irish Revolutionary - http://diarmuidlynch.weebly.com/

Atlas of the Irish Revolution

Maurice Walsh - “Bitter Freedom”

Charles Townshend - "The Republic"

Michael Hopkinson - ”The Irish War of Independence”

Diarmuid Ferriter - “A Nation and not a Rabble”

Richard Abbot - “Police Casualties in Ireland 1919 - 1922”

Photos:

Military Archives

NLI Flickr account

Wiki Commons

As the War of Independence approached its conclusion another conflict was taking shape; that between Michael Collins and Cathal Brugha. Most often Brugha is castigated as petty, bitter and jealous, trying to knock down the man who was single handedly fighting off the British. The reality is that Brugha was unnerved by the power Collins possessed, alongside his leadership of a shadowy, secret organisation...

References:

Tim Pat Coogan - “Michael Collins”

Peter Hart - “Mick: The Real Michael Collins”

Dolan and Murphy - “Michael Collins: The Man and the Revolution”

Doherty and Keogh (editors) - “Michael Collins and the making of the Irish State”

Dail Debates, 25 January 1921 - https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1921-01-25/8/

Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/theirishnation

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheIrishNationLives/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirishnationlives/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/theirishnationlives

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-irish-nation-lives

Main Sources:

Military Archives - http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie

Century Ireland - https://www.rte.ie/centuryireland

Diarmuid Lynch, Irish Revolutionary - http://diarmuidlynch.weebly.com/

Atlas of the Irish Revolution

Maurice Walsh - “Bitter Freedom”

Charles Townshend - "The Republic"

Michael Hopkinson - ”The Irish War of Independence”

Diarmuid Ferriter - “A Nation and not a Rabble”

Richard Abbot - “Police Casualties in Ireland 1919 - 1922”

Photos:

Military Archives

NLI Flickr account

Wiki Commons

While de Valera had plans to remain on in the United States into 1921, his stay came to an end in December. By then he had moved against the Friends of Irish Freedom and created a new organisation, though he had left before it grew to over 700,000 members. He would leave as quietly has he had arrived, but he and the Irish Delegation had done much to promote Ireland's cause, as well as doing much to unbalance Irish-America.

References:

David McCullagh - “De Valera: Rise”

Dave Hannigan - “De Valera in America”

Eileen McGough - “Diarmuid Lynch: A Forgotten Irish Patriot”

David Fitzpatrick - “Harry Boland’s Irish Revolution”

Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/theirishnation

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheIrishNati...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirishnat...

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/theirishnation...

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/t...

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/maniacalinc

Main Sources:

Military Archives - http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie

Century Ireland - https://www.rte.ie/centuryireland

Diarmuid Lynch, Irish Revolutionary - http://diarmuidlynch.weebly.com/

Atlas of the Irish Revolution

Maurice Walsh - “Bitter Freedom”

Charles Townshend - "The Republic"

Michael Hopkinson - ”The Irish War of Independence”

Diarmuid Ferriter - “A Nation and not a Rabble”

Richard Abbot - “Police Casualties in Ireland 1919 - 1922”

Photos:

Military Archives

NLI Flickr account

Wiki Commons

Two men are claimed to have been shot during the false surrender, not 3 as given here.

The Kilmichael Ambush stands as one of the most famous actions of the War of Independence but remains shrouded in mystery. An audacious operation which boosted Republican morale and shocked the British government, debate continues over the false surrender alleged by Tom Barry and suggestions he had prisoners executed in cold blood. While the truth is probably somewhere in the middle, it continues to cause controversy 100 years on.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the books used to research this episode, please consider using the affiliate links below to support the continued production of The Irish Nation Lives.

References:

Tom Barry - “Guerilla Days in Ireland” - https://amzn.to/2Jd2Cv9

D. M. Leeson - “The Black & Tans” - https://amzn.to/3fxHY4G

Paul O’Brien - “Havoc” - https://amzn.to/2J7Crpf

Meda Ryan - “Tom Barry” - https://amzn.to/2Jb0LXs

W.H. Kautt - “Ambushes in the War of Independence” in “Atlas of the Irish Revolution” - https://amzn.to/3npOEFj

From gunner to guerrilla - Tom Barry’s road to rebellion

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/from-gunner-to-guerrilla-tom-barry-s-road-to-rebellion-1.4192752

Distant Thunder - The Journal of the Irish Branches of The Western Front Association

https://www.westernfrontassociation.com/media/9459/distant-thunder-issue-3.pdf

Eve Morrison on the Kilmichael Ambush

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buVryG55kqs

Kilmichael Revisited: Tom Barry and the ‘False Surrender’

https://www.academia.edu/40821390/Morrison_Kilmichael_Revisited_2012_

Letter: Insight into Peter Hart’s Methods

https://www.southernstar.ie/news/letter-insight-into-peter-harts-methods-4144592

Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/theirishnation

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheIrishNationLives/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirishnationlives/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/theirishnationlives

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-irish-nation-lives

Main Sources:

Military Archives - http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie

Century Ireland - https://www.rte.ie/centuryireland

Diarmuid Lynch, Irish Revolutionary - http://diarmuidlynch.weebly.com/

The Auxiliary Division - https://theauxiliaries.com/

Atlas of the Irish Revolution - https://amzn.to/3npOEFj

Maurice Walsh - “Bitter Freedom” - https://amzn.to/30Dtutx

Charles Townshend - "The Republic" - https://amzn.to/33AJ0IC

Michael Hopkinson - ”The Irish War of Independence” - https://amzn.to/2Sxif1l

Diarmuid Ferriter - “A Nation and not a Rabble” - https://amzn.to/2SFUiF7

Ronan Fanning - “Fatal Path” - https://amzn.to/3lmswKq

Richard Abbott - “Police Casualties in Ireland 1919 - 1922” - https://amzn.to/3lmsMJo

Photos:

Military Archives

NLI Flickr account

Wiki Commons

On the morning of the 21st of November 1920 teams of IRA men shot and killed British Intelligence agents throughout Dublin in a concentrated attack. Hours later British forces responded by entering a Gaelic Football match at Croke Park and firing into the crowd, resulting in the deaths of 14 civilians. Immortalized as Bloody Sunday, just one of a number of violent days in Irish history to be given the title, the events and those involved have become legendary, to the point of becoming myth. Who were the men who were shot dead that morning and what was “the Cairo Gang”?

If you are interested in purchasing any of the books used to research this episode, please consider using the affiliate links below to support the continued production of The Irish Nation Lives.

References:

T. Ryle Dwyer - “The Squad” - https://amzn.to/36QZLQt

Paul McMahon - “British Spies & Irish Rebels” - https://amzn.to/38UGIY4

Fergus O’Farrell - “Cathal Brugha” - https://amzn.to/2HdNU61

Anne Dolan, William Murphy - “Michael Collins” - https://amzn.to/2HdVgqh

Truth, Lies & Revenge: The Squad, ASU, GHQ Intelligence - and More

https://www.customhousecommemoration.com/2017/10/14/truth-lies-revenge-the-squad-asu-and-the-intelligence-office-and-more-custom-house-burning/

Killing and Bloody Sunday, November 1920

http://www.tara.tcd.ie/bitstream/handle/2262/57090/Killing%20and%20Bloody%20Sunday,%20November%201920.pdf?sequence=1

Seán Russell and the IRA

https://www.theirishstory.com/2020/07/02/the-only-irishman-that-was-incorruptible-sean-russell-and-the-ira-part-one-1893-1930/#.X7VbpWj7SUl

British Intelligence in Ireland

http://www.bloodysunday.co.uk/

Social Media:

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheIrishNationLives/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirishnationlives/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/theirishnationlives

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-irish-nation-lives

Main Sources:

Military Archives - http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie

Century Ireland - https://www.rte.ie/centuryireland

Diarmuid Lynch, Irish Revolutionary - http://diarmuidlynch.weebly.com/

The Auxiliary Division - https://theauxiliaries.com/

Atlas of the Irish Revolution - https://amzn.to/3npOEFj

Maurice Walsh - “Bitter Freedom” - https://amzn.to/30Dtutx

Charles Townshend - "The Republic" - https://amzn.to/33AJ0IC

Michael Hopkinson - ”The Irish War of Independence” - https://amzn.to/2Sxif1l

Diarmuid Ferriter - “A Nation and not a Rabble” - https://amzn.to/2SFUiF7

Ronan Fanning - “Fatal Path” - https://amzn.to/3lmswKq

Richard Abbott - “Police Casualties in Ireland 1919 - 1922” - https://amzn.to/3lmsMJo

Photos:

Military Archives

NLI Flickr account

Wiki Commons

At the end of October 1920 a nationwide offensive was ordered to coincide with the execution of Kevin Barry. Though called off at the last moment, attacks went ahead in Kerry, leading to what became known as the Siege of Tralee. While the British government had to finally step in and order the Black and Tans to lift the siege, Britain would stage and film a fake victory over the IRA, publicising it as the Battle of Tralee. Today, the images are still used in books and articles relating to the time period, with many believing them to be real.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the books used to research this episode, please consider using the affiliate links below to support the continued production of The Irish Nation Lives.

References:

T. Ryle Dwyer - “Tans, Terror and Troubles - https://amzn.to/3mTlf5B

BMH Witness statement WS1413 - Tadhg Kennedy - http://www.militaryarchives.ie/collec...

The Battle of Tralee fought at Vico Rd - http://theauxiliaries.com/INCIDENTS/v...

The New Zealander who became front page news during the War of Independence -

https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifesty...

Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/theirishnation

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheIrishNati...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirishnat...

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/theirishnation...

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/t...

Main Sources:

Military Archives - http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie

Century Ireland - https://www.rte.ie/centuryireland

Diarmuid Lynch, Irish Revolutionary - http://diarmuidlynch.weebly.com/

The Auxiliary Division - https://theauxiliaries.com/

Atlas of the Irish Revolution - https://amzn.to/3npOEFj

Maurice Walsh - “Bitter Freedom” - https://amzn.to/30Dtutx

Charles Townshend - "The Republic" - https://amzn.to/33AJ0IC

Michael Hopkinson - ”The Irish War of Independence” - https://amzn.to/2Sxif1l

Diarmuid Ferriter - “A Nation and not a Rabble” - https://amzn.to/2SFUiF7

Ronan Fanning - “Fatal Path” - https://amzn.to/3lmswKq

Richard Abbott - “Police Casualties in Ireland 1919 - 1922” - https://amzn.to/3lmsMJo

Photos:

Military Archives

NLI Flickr account

Wiki Commons

Unwilling to create another martyr like Thomas Ashe, British authorities had taken to releasing hunger strikers and then re arresting them when they recovered. When released IRA prisoners would often go on the run and RIC morale was crumbling as they lost faith in the British government to protect them. When the Lord Mayor of Cork began a hunger strike, fully expecting to be released in a few days, the British felt they had to make a stand. Over 74 days the spectacle played out in the world media, punctuated by the court martial of 18 year old Kevin Barry.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the books used to research this episode, please consider using the affiliate links below to support the continued production of The Irish Nation Lives.

References:

Moirin Chavasse - “Terence MacSwiney”

Kevin Grant - “Hunger Strikes and Fasts in the British Empire”

Dermot Keogh - “The Vatican, the Bishops and Irish Politics”

Holy Office documents concerning Terence MacSwiney’s hunger strike - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339032175_Holy_Office_documents_concerning_Terence_MacSwiney's_hunger_strike_1920

The life of MacCurtain and MacSwiney - https://www.corkcity.ie/en/cork-public-museum/visit/upcoming-events/suffering-the-most-the-life-and-times-of-terence-macswiney.html

French newspaper coverage of the death of Terence MacSwiney - http://oliverohanlon.blogspot.com/2019/10/french-newspaper-coverage-of-death-of.html

Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/theirishnation

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheIrishNationLives/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirishnationlives/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/theirishnationlives

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-irish-nation-lives

Main Sources:

Military Archives - http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie

Century Ireland - https://www.rte.ie/centuryireland

Diarmuid Lynch, Irish Revolutionary - http://diarmuidlynch.weebly.com/

The Auxiliary Division - https://theauxiliaries.com/

Atlas of the Irish Revolution - https://amzn.to/3npOEFj

Maurice Walsh - “Bitter Freedom” - https://amzn.to/30Dtutx

Charles Townshend - "The Republic" - https://amzn.to/33AJ0IC

Michael Hopkinson - ”The Irish War of Independence” - https://amzn.to/2Sxif1l

Diarmuid Ferriter - “A Nation and not a Rabble” - https://amzn.to/2SFUiF7

Ronan Fanning - “Fatal Path” - https://amzn.to/3lmswKq

Richard Abbott - “Police Casualties in Ireland 1919 - 1922” - https://amzn.to/3lmsMJo

Photos:

Military Archives

NLI Flickr account

Wiki Commons

In October 1920 the new British intelligence structure operating from Dublin Castle closed in around Dan Breen, convinced he was responsible for the killing of a high ranking RIC officer in Cork. He would be hospitalized after a dramatic battle in Drumcondra but British agents would continue to stalk his close friend Seán Treacy.

References:

Joe Ambrose - “Seán Treacy and the Tan War”

Dan Breen - “My Fight for Irish Freedom”

T. Ryle Dwyer - “The Squad”

Major George Osbert Sterling Smyth - http://www.bloodysunday.co.uk/castle-intelligence/smyth/smyth.html

Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/theirishnation

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheIrishNationLives/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirishnationlives/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/theirishnationlives

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-irish-nation-lives

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/maniacalinc

Main Sources:

Military Archives - http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie

Century Ireland - https://www.rte.ie/centuryireland

Diarmuid Lynch, Irish Revolutionary - http://diarmuidlynch.weebly.com/

The Auxiliary Division - https://theauxiliaries.com/

Atlas of the Irish Revolution

Maurice Walsh - “Bitter Freedom”

Charles Townshend - "The Republic"

Michael Hopkinson - ”The Irish War of Independence”

Diarmuid Ferriter - “A Nation and not a Rabble”

Ronan Fanning - “Fatal Path”

Richard Abbot - “Police Casualties in Ireland 1919 - 1922”

Photos:

Military Archives

NLI Flickr account

Wiki Commons

Deployed alongside the Black and Tans and sent to make Ireland “an appropriate hell for those whose trade is agitation”, poor conditions and a lack of a clear objective would lead the Auxiliaries on a war path of drunkenness, destruction and murder. Though consisting of just 2,100 men they would be the IRA’s main opponent for the duration of the War of Independence and would take part, as victors and losers, in many of the most famous ambushes in the revolution. The Auxiliaries continue to cast a dark shadow over Irish history and in the places they would serve afterwards, from Bandon to Hebron. This episode also looks at the Essex Regiment whose members would fight a personal war with the West Cork Flying Column under the command of Tom Barry.

References:

David Leeson - “Black and Tans”

Paul O’Brien - “Havoc”

William Sheehan - “Hearts and Mines”

Essex Regiment members killed in Ireland - https://www.cairogang.com/regiments/regiments/essex.html

How a killing on the steps of Bandon’s church may have changed the War of Independence - https://www.southernstar.ie/news/how-a-killing-on-the-steps-of-bandons-church-may-have-changed-the-war-of-independence-4208923

Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/theirishnation

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheIrishNationLives/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirishnationlives/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/theirishnationlives

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-irish-nation-lives

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/maniacalinc

Main Sources:

Military Archives - http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie

Century Ireland - https://www.rte.ie/centuryireland

Diarmuid Lynch, Irish Revolutionary - http://diarmuidlynch.weebly.com/

The Auxiliary Division - https://theauxiliaries.com/

Atlas of the Irish Revolution

Maurice Walsh - “Bitter Freedom”

Charles Townshend - "The Republic"

Michael Hopkinson - ”The Irish War of Independence”

Diarmuid Ferriter - “A Nation and not a Rabble”

Ronan Fanning - “Fatal Path”

Richard Abbot - “Police Casualties in Ireland 1919 - 1922”

Photos:

Military Archives

NLI Flickr account

Wiki Commons

With both major parties nominating candidates for the US Presidential election, de Valera and the Friends of Irish Freedom tried to put their differences aside to campaign for a resolution on Irish Independence. However hostilities broke out again at the Republican Convention in June where de Valera would actively sabotage the success achieved by Cohalan, arguing that it was harmful to Ireland’s interests. Following the capture and publication by British authorities of letters critical of the Friends of Irish Freedom support for de Valera indicated to him that it was time to push for control of the organisation.

References:

David McCullagh - “De Valera: Rise”

Dave Hannigan - “De Valera in America”

Eileen McGough - “Diarmuid Lynch: A Forgotten Irish Patriot”

David Fitzpatrick - “Harry Boland’s Irish Revolution”

Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/theirishnation

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheIrishNationLives/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirishnationlives/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/theirishnationlives

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-irish-nation-lives

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/maniacalinc

Main Sources:

Military Archives - http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie

Century Ireland - https://www.rte.ie/centuryireland

Diarmuid Lynch, Irish Revolutionary - http://diarmuidlynch.weebly.com/

Atlas of the Irish Revolution

Maurice Walsh - “Bitter Freedom”

Charles Townshend - "The Republic"

Michael Hopkinson - ”The Irish War of Independence”

Diarmuid Ferriter - “A Nation and not a Rabble”

Richard Abbot - “Police Casualties in Ireland 1919 - 1922”

Photos:

Military Archives

NLI Flickr account

Wiki Commons