The WOI 2: Ambushes, Acts and Assessment

Ambushes

The Kilmichael Ambush

The Kilmichael Ambush, which took place on 28 November 1920, was one of the most significant and controversial engagements of the Irish War of Independence.
The ambush was carried out by the West Cork Flying Column of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), led by Tom Barry, and targeted a convoy of the Auxiliaries, a paramilitary force notorious for their brutality.
The ambush occurred on a remote road near the village of Kilmichael in County Cork. Barry, who had meticulously planned the operation, positioned his column of approximately 36 IRA volunteers in a strategic location along the route that the Auxiliaries were expected to take.
The convoy, consisting of 18 Auxiliaries travelling in two lorries, was surprised by the sudden and intense attack.
Barry's strategy involved dividing the IRA column into three sections: one to stop the first lorry, another to attack the second lorry, and the third to provide support.
As the first lorry approached, Barry personally initiated the ambush by signalling his men to open fire. The intense firefight that followed resulted in the destruction of both lorries and the death of 17 Auxiliaries. Only one Auxiliary, who was severely wounded, survived the encounter.
The Kilmichael Ambush was a significant victory for the IRA, both in terms of its tactical success and its impact on British morale.
- The Auxiliaries, who had been considered an elite force, were shocked by the scale of the defeat. The ambush demonstrated the effectiveness of the IRA's guerrilla tactics and underscored the vulnerability of British forces in Ireland.
However, the ambush also sparked controversy, particularly regarding allegations that the IRA executed Auxiliaries after they had surrendered.
Barry and the IRA claimed that a false surrender had occurred, during which some Auxiliaries pretended to surrender only to resume fighting, prompting the IRA to respond with lethal force. Historians have debated this account, but it remains a central part of the narrative of the ambush.
The Kilmichael Ambush had far-reaching consequences for the war. It intensified the cycle of violence between the IRA and British forces, leading to even harsher reprisals by the British, including the burning of towns and villages in retaliation.
The ambush also solidified Tom Barry's reputation as one of the most formidable leaders of the IRA, and it became a symbol of resistance in the struggle for Irish independence.

"At Kilmichael, we made the fight for freedom more fierce and more determined." - Tom Barry

The Burning of Cork City

The Burning of Cork City on the night of 11-12 December 1920 was one of the most devastating events of the Irish War of Independence and highlighted the extreme measures employed by British forces in their efforts to suppress the IRA.
The destruction was carried out primarily by members of the Auxiliaries and the Black and Tans in retaliation for IRA attacks on British forces in the region.
The events leading up to the burning began earlier on 11 December, when the IRA ambushed a convoy of Auxiliaries near Dillon's Cross in Cork, resulting in the deaths of one Auxiliary and the wounding of several others.
In response, the Auxiliaries launched a campaign of retribution that escalated into a full-scale attack on Cork City.
As night fell, the Auxiliaries and Black and Tans, many of whom were drunk, descended upon the city. They set fire to key buildings, including City Hall, the Carnegie Library, and large sections of the city's commercial district, centred around Patrick Street.
The fires raged out of control, destroying over 5 acres of the city centre and leaving hundreds of people homeless. Cork's fire brigade attempted to combat the flames but were hindered and, in some cases, directly threatened by British forces, who were determined to see the city burn.
The destruction of Cork City had a profound impact on public opinion, both in Ireland and internationally.
The British government initially attempted to downplay or deny the involvement of its forces in the burning. Evidence and eyewitness accounts soon made it clear that the Auxiliaries and Black and Tans were responsible. The incident further damaged Britain's reputation and strengthened support for the IRA's cause.
The burning also had significant economic and social consequences for Cork. The destruction of much of the city's commercial heart severely damaged local businesses and disrupted the lives of thousands of residents.
The ongoing conflict hampered rebuilding efforts, and the psychological impact of the burning deepened the animosity between the Irish population and British forces.
The Burning of Cork City stands as one of the most infamous acts of reprisal during the Irish War of Independence, illustrating the lengths to which British forces were willing to go to maintain control over Ireland.
It also served to galvanise further resistance, as the brutality of the attack only fueled the determination of the Irish people to achieve independence.

"The whole heart of the city is in flames. The people of Cork will never forget this night of terror." - Eyewitness account of the burning of Cork City

Acts

The Government of Ireland Act and Partition

The Government of Ireland Act 1920 was a crucial piece of legislation passed by the British Parliament that sought to address the ongoing conflict in Ireland by establishing separate parliaments for Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland.
The Act was designed as a compromise solution to the Irish question, offering a form of limited self-government within the United Kingdom while maintaining British sovereignty.
The Act proposed the creation of two Home Rule parliaments: one in Belfast for Northern Ireland, which comprised six predominantly Protestant counties of Ulster, and another in Dublin for Southern Ireland, which included the remaining 26 counties.
Both parliaments would have limited powers, primarily over local matters, while issues such as defence, foreign policy, and trade would remain under British control.
The Act also provided for a Council of Ireland, which was intended to foster cooperation between the two regions and achieve Irish unity in the long term.
The Government of Ireland Act was significant because it formally introduced the concept of partition, the division of Ireland into two separate entities with distinct political identities.
Partition was a deeply contentious issue, as it institutionalised the division between the mainly Protestant unionists in the north and the predominantly Catholic nationalists in the south.
For unionists in Ulster, the Act was a victory that ensured their continued connection to Britain and protection of their interests.
However, for Irish nationalists, the Act was seen as a betrayal of the goal of a united and independent Ireland.
The Southern Ireland parliament, as envisioned by the Act, was effectively stillborn. Sinn Féin, which had overwhelmingly won the 1918 General Election, refused to recognise the legitimacy of the British-imposed parliament and instead continued to operate the First Dáil Éireann as the true government of an independent Ireland.
In contrast, the Northern Ireland parliament was established and began functioning in 1921, marking the formal beginning of partition.
The Government of Ireland Act and the resulting partition had lasting implications for Irish history, leading to decades of conflict and tension between the two parts of Ireland.
It also set the stage for the eventual creation of the Irish Free State and the ongoing struggles over Northern Ireland's status.

"Partition was an expedient measure, but it left a legacy of division that would haunt Ireland for generations." - Historian Charles Townshend

The Return of De Valera

Éamon de Valera, one of the most prominent leaders of the Irish independence movement, returned to Ireland in December 1920 after spending over a year in the United States.
His time in America was spent primarily on a mission to gain international recognition for the Irish Republic declared by the First Dáil Éireann and to raise funds for the independence movement.
De Valera's return was a significant moment in the Irish War of Independence, as his leadership and strategic vision were crucial to the nationalist cause.
During his time in the United States, de Valera successfully garnered considerable support among the Irish-American community, raising substantial funds and gaining the backing of influential political figures.
However, his efforts to secure official recognition from the U.S. government were ultimately unsuccessful, as the United States was reluctant to antagonise Britain, its key ally.
Upon his return to Ireland, de Valera faced a changed and increasingly volatile situation. The British forces, including the Black and Tans and Auxiliaries, were escalating their campaign of repression, and the IRA, under the direction of Michael Collins, had intensified its guerrilla warfare tactics.
De Valera quickly resumed his leadership role, working to coordinate the political and military aspects of the independence struggle.
De Valera's return also marked the beginning of a critical phase in the conflict, as he sought to bring a more organised and strategic approach to the war effort.
He worked closely with Collins and other leaders to ensure that a robust political strategy complemented the IRA's military actions.
De Valera also played a key role in maintaining the legitimacy of the First Dáil Éireann, which continued to operate as the de facto government of the Irish Republic.
In the lead-up to the Anglo-Irish Truce of 1921, de Valera's leadership was instrumental in guiding the nationalist movement through a period of intense pressure and uncertainty.
His return to Ireland reinvigorated the independence cause and helped to set the stage for the negotiations that would ultimately lead to the end of the war and the establishment of the Irish Free State.

"De Valera's return marked a turning point in the struggle, as he brought both leadership and a renewed sense of purpose to the movement." - Historian Tim Pat Coogan

The Movement Toward a Truce in 1921 and the Anglo-Irish Truce

By the beginning of 1921, the Irish War of Independence had reached a critical juncture. The conflict had become increasingly brutal, with escalating violence on both sides.
The Irish Republican Army (IRA), under leaders like Michael Collins and Tom Barry, continued to wage a successful guerrilla campaign against British forces, using tactics such as ambushes, assassinations, and sabotage. Meanwhile, the British government, under Prime Minister David Lloyd George, responded with severe reprisals, including the deployment of the Black and Tans and Auxiliaries, who were notorious for their ruthless and indiscriminate tactics.
Despite their military efforts, the British were unable to quell the IRA's insurgency, and public opinion, both in Britain and internationally, began to turn against the British government's handling of the conflict.
The British were facing increasing criticism for the brutal methods employed by their forces in Ireland, and there was growing pressure to find a political solution to the conflict.
At the same time, the IRA was facing its own challenges. The guerrilla war was taking a heavy toll on the volunteers, many of whom were operating under harsh conditions, constantly on the move, and facing the risk of capture or death. The Irish population, particularly in rural areas, was also suffering from the British reprisals and the economic disruptions caused by the conflict.
There was a growing recognition among the IRA leadership and political leaders like Éamon de Valera that a negotiated settlement might be necessary to achieve their goals.
The movement toward a truce gained momentum in mid-1921. Secret negotiations began between intermediaries from both sides, exploring the possibility of a ceasefire.
By July 1921, the British government, realising that a military victory was unlikely and concerned about the wider implications of the conflict, agreed to a truce. The Anglo-Irish Truce was officially declared on 11 July 1921, bringing a temporary halt to the hostilities.
The truce marked a significant turning point in the Irish struggle for independence. It created the conditions for formal negotiations between the British government and Irish representatives, which began later that year.
These negotiations would eventually lead to the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in December 1921, which established the Irish Free State as a self-governing dominion within the British Commonwealth.
However, the treaty also included contentious provisions, such as the oath of allegiance to the British Crown and the partition of Ireland, which would lead to deep divisions within the Irish nationalist movement and set the stage for the Irish Civil War.

"The truce was a necessary pause, a moment to breathe and consider the future, but it also marked the beginning of new and difficult choices for Ireland." - Historian Diarmaid Ferriter

Assessment

Constance Markievicz and Her Role in the War of Independence

Constance Markievicz was one of the most prominent women involved in the Irish War of Independence, and her contributions to the nationalist cause were significant. Here are 10 key points highlighting her role:

Markievicz was a founding member of Cumann na mBan, the women's auxiliary of the Irish Volunteers, established in 1914. She played a crucial role in organising and mobilising women to support the nationalist cause, including preparing food, gathering intelligence, and carrying out first-aid duties during the War of Independence.
Although the Easter Rising occurred before the War of Independence, Markievicz's involvement in this rebellion established her as a key figure in the fight for Irish independence. As a lieutenant in the Irish Citizen Army, she fought alongside the rebels, notably in St. Stephen's Green and the Royal College of Surgeons. Her leadership during the Rising elevated her status within the nationalist movement.
Following the Easter Rising, Markievicz was imprisoned by the British, initially sentenced to death but later commuted to life imprisonment due to her gender. Her imprisonment became a symbol of British oppression, and she used her time in jail to further solidify her commitment to the cause and maintain her influence within the movement.
In the 1918 General Election, Markievicz was elected as the MP for Dublin St Patrick's constituency, becoming the first woman elected to the British Parliament. However, she refused to take her seat in Westminster in line with Sinn Féin's policy of abstentionism and instead supported the establishment of the First Dáil Éireann.
Markievicz was appointed Minister for Labour in the First Dáil in 1919, making her the first female cabinet minister in Western Europe. In this role, she was responsible for advocating workers' rights and promoting the social and economic policies of the Irish Republic.
Throughout the War of Independence, Markievicz remained a steadfast supporter of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). She was involved in fundraising, organising arms shipments, and providing logistical support to IRA units. Her home in Dublin often served as a safe house for IRA volunteers and a hub for planning operations.
Markievicz was an effective public speaker and used her oratory skills to rally support for the independence movement. She travelled throughout Ireland, giving speeches and participating in rallies that encouraged resistance to British rule and promoted Sinn Féin's cause.
Markievicz was a strong advocate for the active involvement of women in the struggle for independence. She encouraged women to take on more direct roles in the conflict, including joining Cumann na mBan and supporting the IRA. Her efforts helped to ensure that women played a significant part in the war effort, not just in supportive roles but also in active resistance.
After the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in December 1921, Markievicz became a vocal opponent of the agreement, which she believed compromised the goal of full Irish independence. She joined the anti-Treaty side in the subsequent Irish Civil War, continuing her fight for a united and sovereign Ireland.
Markievicz's role in the War of Independence and her broader contributions to the nationalist movement left a lasting legacy. She is remembered as a trailblazer for women in politics and as a passionate advocate for Irish freedom. Her involvement in the struggle for independence continues to inspire generations of Irish women to participate in public life and fight for their rights.

The WOI 2: Ambushes, Acts and Assessment Simplified Revision Notes for Leaving Cert History