The 3rd Cork Brigade, also known as Third (West) Cork Brigade, was a unit of the Irish Republican Army that operated in the western areas of County Cork during the Irish War of Independence. The unit was commanded by Tom Barry for most of the conflict and was responsible for the Kilmichael Ambush and Crossbarry Ambush. Charlie Hurley took command of the brigade during Tom Barry's illness in 1920.[1]

Activities

Under the command of Tom Barry, who later described many of the unit's activities in Guerrilla Days in Ireland (1949), the 3rd Cork Brigade was one of the most active during the Irish War of Independence.[2] Its actions were focused on the West Cork area, and included the Kilmichael Ambush in November 1920, which resulted in the deaths of 18 members of the Auxiliary Division, and the Crossbarry Ambush of March 1921, during which the unit escaped encirclement by 1,200 British troops.[2][3]

Other activities, planned by the unit, were aborted. For example, a planned attack on a Black and Tan barracks in Kilbrittain was called-off after two aborted attempts. Towards the end of 1920, members the unit planned an attack on the barracks, proposing to plant a mine against a door or wall and to storm the barracks immediately after it exploded. A "home-made" mine was made, consisting of 30 pounds of gelignite and gun cotton encased in a wooden box. On the night of 31 December 1920, and again in mid-January 1921, two attempts were made. On both occasions the mines failed to explode, and the attacks were aborted.[4]

Actions associated with the brigade

  IRA victory
  IRA defeat
  Another result
Action Date Opponent Result
Tooreen ambush 22 October 1920 British Army
(Essex Regiment)		 IRA victory
Kilmichael ambush 28 November 1920 Auxiliary Division IRA victory
  • Column wipes out Auxiliary patrol
Kilbrittain Barracks attack January 1921 Black and Tans Aborted
  • Mines fail to detonate[4]
Fight at Burgatia House[5][6] 2 February 1921 Black and Tans IRA victory[6]
  • Column repulse Black and Tans and successfully withdraws
  • Black and Tan encirclement fails
  • Attack on Rosscarbery RIC barracks is called off
Upton train ambush 15 February 1921 British Army
(Essex Regiment)		 IRA defeat
  • IRA ambush fails
  • Heavy civilian casualties
Crossbarry ambush[7] 19 March 1921 British Army
Auxiliary Division		 IRA victory
  • Column escapes British encirclement
Rosscarbery Barracks attack March 1921 Royal Irish Constabulary IRA victory
  • RIC barracks destroyed

See also

References

  1. ↑ Cronin, Maurice (October 2009). "Hurley, Charles (Charlie)". Dictionary of Irish Biography. Royal Irish Academy. doi:10.3318/dib.004167.v1. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  2. 1 2 White, Gerry (19 March 2021). "Crossbarry ambush: Taking battle to the empire". irishexaminer.com. Irish Examiner. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  3. ↑ McGreevy, Ronan (15 October 2019). "Kilmichael ambush largest in War of Independence". irishtimes.com. Irish Times. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  4. 1 2 O'Brien, Denis (1956). "Statement by Witness - Document No. W.S. 1.353 - Witness: Denis O'Brien, Adamstown, Ballinhassig, Co. Cork" (PDF). militaryarchives.ie. Bureau of Military History. On the night of 31st December 1920, and again about mid-January 1921, Kilbrittain barracks R.I.C. was attacked, but, on each occasion, the attack proved abortive as the mines failed to explode
  5. ↑ Corkery, Jack (1947). Hart, Peter; Ó Conchubhair, Brian (eds.). The Fight at Burgatia House, Rosscarbery in Rebel Cork's Fighting Story, 1916-21. Ireland: The Kerryman. p. 146. ISBN 978-1-85635-644-2.
  6. 1 2 O'Callaghan, Con (July 2019). "The Fight At Burgatia House" (PDF). Cork Rebel Way. No. 1. p. 35. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  7. ↑ Berresford Ellis, Peter (2007). Eyewitness to Irish History. John Wiley and Sons. pp. 247–249. ISBN 978-0-470-05312-6. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
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