Co. Carlow in the War of Independence

Ascendant

Two articles about Carlow during the War of Independence.

Understated Insurgency: The Carlow Brigade in the War of Independence, 1917-1921

An overview of the Carlow IRA Brigade, from its official formation in 1917 to the Truce of July 1921.

"Carlow," in the words of one historian, "does not have a very active fighting story. This may sometimes have been adverted to by way of implied reproach."

On the other hand, a British officer in the area at the time of the Truce was struck at the level of preparation against attack the soldiers there thought necessary while only twenty miles from the Curragh. The officer hated to think what the rest of the country was like if Carlow was considered that dangerous.

The RIC bore the brunt of much of the the violence. There were a number of assassination attempts on Crown policemen, with one of the more dramatic incidents being an ambush in the town of Tullow against a four-strong patrol of RIC men.

For the most part, however, the guerilla war in Co. Carlow was an example of a 'low intensity' conflict. Road blockades, bridge sabotages and intelligence gathering (the IRA had a cell of informants within the post office of Carlow town) were more the norm than the likes of Kilmichael and Bloody Sunday in other parts of the country.

Ultimately, it was about staying ahead of the ever-present danger of arrests and round-ups, and for the most part the Carlow Volunteers succeeded.

Bushwhacked: The Loss of the Carlow Flying Column, April 1921

The brief existence of the Carlow flying column before it was overwhelmed by a British patrol, with most of its members taken captive.

One of its members was killed during the brief skirmish, in contested circumstances.

Another casualty from the fight was a local man, found shot to death two days later. IRA veterans from the period remembered him as the spy who had alerted the British patrol to the flying column, though the facts, as with many cases from this period, are far from clear.

While intended to take the war to the Crown enemy, the fate of the column, and the loss of its men and equipment, would seem to justify the 'low-key' approach the Carlow Brigade took for the most part during the War.



(Carlow courthouse)

Arsemageddon

I was just thinking to myself the other day that you hadn't posted any new stuff on here in a while.

Thanks for these, keep up the good - it is much appreciated.

byhookorbycrook

This rather famous photo shows Cumann na mBan members May Burke, Eithne Ní Chumhaill and Linda Kearns in Duckett’s Grove, Carlow, 1921. Look at what they are standing on!

Ascendant

Arsemageddon wrote: »

I was just thinking to myself the other day that you hadn't posted any new stuff on here in a while.

Thanks for these, keep up the good - it is much appreciated.

Thanks!

Carlow needs more love...(it has its good points, people)