The Battle of Clonmult

On 20th February 1921 during an action in Clonmult, seven miles northeast of Midleton, County Cork, the IRA suffered its greatest loss of volunteers in conflict. Almost the entire East Cork flying column was wiped out in a single defensive action. Twelve men were shot dead and nine more were taken prisoner. It was at once a deadly blow to the IRA and a battle of terrible cruelty; several of the volunteers were callously killed after they surrendered and only the arrival of a British Army officer prevented the slaughter of the injured and remaining volunteers.

Auteur

Tom O'Neill worked as the facilities manager on Spike Island with the Prison Service from 1989 - 2003. When Spike opened as a heritage centre he set himself the task of researching the 1921 prison. He is the author of The Battle of Clonmult and has an MA in History from University College Cork.

Résumé
Exhaustive research by the author of newly available primary source material has unearthed new facts surrounding the battle. The new information allows this edition to more accurately document and analyse the Battle of Clonmult. The book makes an enormous contribution to our understanding of the events surrounding this battle and of the manner in which both sides conducted their military operations during the War of Independence. New insight revealed by the author's research into the details of military operations by both sides is applicable not just to East Cork, but nationally. The information and analysis provided is timely as it increases our awareness of a period in our history which we are currently preparing to recognise and commemorate over the next few years.