The Munster Republic by Michael Harrington

Description

The Civil War in North Cork Follows the course of the Civil War in North Cork, the crucible of events in ‘the Munster Republic’.

The fall of Limerick and the Free State victory during the pitched battle at Kilmallock started a new phase of the Civil War.

Although the towns of North Cork were occupied by Free State troops, the IRA brigades under officers like Liam Deasy, Tom Barry and Liam Lynch were still active until 15 May 1923 when HQ Cork No. 4 Brigade issued orders warning all officers who failed to obey the ceasefire order that they would face court-martial.

This book follows the action that took place in the ‘Munster Republic’ from the start of the war, including the brief period of Republican ascendancy in the autumn and winter of 1922-23 and assesses the factors that enabled the Free State forces to gradually and generally peacefully take control of North Cork in the spring and early summer of 1923.

About the Author

Michael Harrington is a former principal of the national school in Newtownshandrum. He retired in 2005 and returned to UCC to do an MA in Local History. He is well known locally and grew up hearing stories of both the War of Independence and the Civil War, which inspired him to research and write this book.