Chronology of the Irish Civil War

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The Irish Civil War, was fought between June 1922 and May 1923. On one side was the National Army of the Irish Free State established by the Anglo-Irish Treaty which ended the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921) with Britain. Opponents of the Treaty, which included the majority of the Irish Republican Army of 1919-1921, fought against the newly established Free State. They are referred to here as the Anti-Treaty IRA.

The Government of the Irish Free State (established as a Provisional Government in January 1922 and as a full government in December of that year), was ultimately victorious, the Anti-Treaty forces calling a ceasefire in April 1923 and ordering their men to "dump arms" in May.

This page aims to give a chronology of the major events of this conflict. The war comprised of both conventional warfare (from late June to August 1922) when the Free State forces took the major towns and cities and then a longer period of guerrilla warfare (September 1922 to April 1923) as the Anti-Treaty guerrillas were gradually brought to a standstill.

Contents

[edit] 1922

[edit] January

[edit] March

  • 26 March, IRA leaders meet in an "Army Convention" and vote to repudiate the Treaty. They also reject the authority of the Dáil to accept the Treaty and set up their own 16 man "Army Executive", led by Liam Mellows and Rory O'Connor.

See Also IRA and the Anglo-Irish Treaty

[edit] April

  • 14 April, Rory O'Connor, Mellows and others lead 200 Anti-Treaty IRA men in taking over the Four Courts and several other public buildings around Dublin in a show of defiance calculated to provoke a response by the British troops still stationed in Dublin.
The Four Courts, occupied by Anti-Treaty republican troops in April and scene of the start of the civil war in June
The Four Courts, occupied by Anti-Treaty republican troops in April and scene of the start of the civil war in June

[edit] June

  • 18 June, Irish general election, 1922, The Pro Treaty Sinn Féin party wins the election with 239,193 votes to 133,864 for anti-Treaty Sinn Féin. A further 247,226 people voted for other parties, all of whom supported the Treaty.
  • 22 June, Assassination in London of Henry Hughes Wilson by IRA men in retaliation for attacks on Catholics in Northern Ireland. Recent research suggests that Pro-treaty leader Michael Collins ordered the killing, but Winston Churchill assumes that the Anti-Treaty Four Courts garrison is responsible and warns Collins that if he does not act, British troops will be used to re-take Dublin. The assassins were hanged by the British on 10 August.
  • 27 June, The Four Courts garrison kidnap's Free State General J.J. O'Connell.
  • 28 June, Michael Collins borrows two British 18 pounder field guns to bombard the Four Courts, marking the definitive start of the Civil War.
  • Fighting breaks out in Drogheda between pro and anti treaty units. One man on either side and a woman civilian are killed in a gun battle in the town. Many other civilians including the town's mayor are wounded.The Republicans are left in control of the town. The Anti-Treaty fighters blow up the railway bridge to the south of Drogheda, isolating it from Dublin.
  • 29 June, British give Collins two more 18 pounders to increase the bombardment of the Four Courts. Free State troops storm the eastern buildings of the complex, losing 3 dead and 14 wounded.
  • Oscar Traynor leads Anti-Treaty members of the IRA's 1st Dublin Brigade to occupy O'Connell Street in order to help the Four Courts garrison. His men also take up positions in York St., South Circular Road, Capel St, Parnell Square and Dolphins Barn.
  • 30 June, Anti-Treaty commander in the Four Courts, Paddy O'Brien is wounded by shrapnel. Ernie O'Malley assumes command. In the morning there is a truce to remove the wounded. Shortly afterwards, a massive explosion destroys the western wing of the Four Courts and the Irish Public Records Office along with it. It is thought to have been caused when fires from the artillery bombardment set off munitions stored there. O'Malley surrenders the Four Courts when Oscar Traynor sends word that he cannot break through to help them. Members of the IRA Army Executive Liam Mellows, Rory O'Connor, Joe McKelvey and Dick Barret are among the prisoners, but O'Malley himself escapes.

[edit] July

  • 1 July Free State troops take Republican outposts in the south of Dublin city and throw a cordon around their concentration on O'Connell street. About 400 Anti-Treaty prisoners are taken in the operation.
  • Anti-Treaty IRA in county Sligo ambush National Army troops at Carrigarat.
  • 2 July, In Dublin, the Republican garrison of thirty men in Moran's hotel on the corner of Gardiner street and Talbot street surrender after being shelled at close range by artillery.
  • Fighting breaks out in Boyle, County Roscommon, when Republicans attack Free State held buildings. Casualties include National Army officer Michael Dockery. Fighting continues in Boyle for 3 more days.
  • 3 July, Free State soldiers take the side streets around O'Connell street in Dublin and detonate a bomb under the YMCA building held by Republicans, leaving just Oscar Traynor and a little over 100 men holding out in a "Block" of buildings at the northeastern corner of O'Connell street. Traynor evacuates most of his men, leaving just 15 in the "block" under Cathal Brugha.
  • A National Army officer is shot dead in Nenagh, county Tipperary, causing the Free State troops to attack Republican held positions in the town. The Republicans retreat, burning the barracks they were holding.
  • In Dublin, Free State troops bring up a field gun to Henry street, within 100 metres of the remaining republican held positions to fire on them at point blank range. Incendiary bombs are also thrown into the "block", which is set ablaze.
  • Ernie O'Malley and 250 Anti-Treaty fighters take Enniscorthy in county Wexford after some fighting. They take the Free State garrison there captive but release them on condition that they do not fight again against Republicans. Sean Moylan and 230 republican troops occupy New Ross.
Cathal Brugha, Republican leader killed on 5 July, 1922 in Dublin
Cathal Brugha, Republican leader killed on 5 July, 1922 in Dublin
  • A large Free State force takes Drogheda, county Louth. The republicans are based in Millmount Fort, which overlooks the town and also hold the railway station. National Army troops bring up mortars and 18 pounder guns to shell them. After several hours of bombardment, the Anti-Treaty fighters surrender.
  • 5 July, The remainder of Oscar Traynor's Anti-Treaty force in O'Connell street either slips away or surrenders. Republican leader Cathal Brugha is killed outside the Hamman hotel. Anti-Treaty Dublin forces re-group in Blessington. The fighting In Dublin has cost sixty-five combatants killed and 280 wounded. Of the injured, the civilian casualties are thought to comprise over 250.
  • Republicans abandon Boyle in Roscommon when Sean MacEoin arrives with Free State troops and an 18 pounder gun.
  • A battle takes place in Abbeyleix, county Laois. Vol. Christopher McGlynn of the Free State army is killed by a snipers bullet.
  • 6 July, A Free State expeditionary force is sent to county Wexford to re-take the towns there. It comprises 230 men under Colonel Commandant Keogh, with one field gun and four armoured vehicles.
  • 7 July, Free State troops take 60 republican prisoners at Brittas, south of Dublin and 13 more at Ballymore Eustace. Oscar Traynor and the main Anti-Treaty force from Dublin abandons Blessington.
  • Pro-Treaty forces take Galway, without resistance.
  • 8 July, The Republicans in Wexford abandon Enniscorthy and New Ross.
  • 11 July, Fighting breaks out in Limerick between Pro and Anti Treaty factions. National Army troops open fire on the Republicans holding the Ordinance Barracks.
  • 12 July, 13 Republicans are taken prisoner in fighting in Limerick city.
  • 13 July, Republicans take the Free State outpost, the Munster Tavern, in Limerick, but are driven back by armoured cars.
  • Anti-Treaty IRA Mayo unit ambushes Pro-Treaty men at Rockwood, county Sligo, killing five, wounding four and capturing two armoured cars. They then occupy Collooney.
  • 14 July, Sean MacEoin and 400 Free State troops re-take Collooney, taking 74 Republican prisoners.
King John's Castle in Limerick, built in the 13th century, the castle and the adjoining barracks are the scene of heavy fighting from 11 July to 19 July
King John's Castle in Limerick, built in the 13th century, the castle and the adjoining barracks are the scene of heavy fighting from 11 July to 19 July

.

  • 15 July, National Army troops assault republican held Strand Barracks and King John's Castle in Limerick, with armoured cars, grenades, machine gun and mortar fire, but fail to take them.
  • 17 July, Free State general Eoin O'Duffy arrives in Limerick with 1,500 National Army troops, 4 armoured cars and one 18 pounder field gun.
  • 18 July, Free State general John T. Prout arrives in Waterford with 700 troops, one artillery piece and four armoured cars to take the city off its anti-Treaty IRA garrison of 300 men under Pax Whelan. Prout sets up his gun on Mount Mercy Hill and bombards Republican held positions along the River Suir in the city, forcing them to evacuate the prison and the military barracks.
  • 19 July, Free State forces capture the Ordinance Barracks and Castle Barracks in Limerick. The Republicans burn the remaining two barracks they are holding and retreat southwards. Fighting in Limerick has cost the lives of eight Free State soldiers and about thirty Anti-Treaty IRA men. Civilian casualties unknown.
  • 20 July, Captain Ned O'Brien leads 100 National Army troops in boats in an attack on the quays in Waterford, taking 12 prisoners. Free State troops then cross the river Suir into the city. General Prout brings their field gun down to the Suir Ferry bank to fire at close range into the Anti-Treaty held Post Office, which then surrenders. The Republicans then abandon Waterford. Ten Free State soldiers have been killed in the fighting there.
  • 24 July, Republican fighters under Liam Deasy re-take Bruff and take 76 Free State prisoners.
  • Anti-Treaty IRA ambush a prison train Killurin, county Wexford, freeing its prisoners.
  • 27 July, Anti-Treaty IRA under Dr. Padraig Quinn and John McCoy attack Dundalk, dynamite the prison wall and in fifteen minutes the well-timed operation had resulted in the freeing of republican prisoners, including Frank Aiken. There are no casualties.
  • Oscar Traynor, commander of the Anti=Treaty IRA's Dublin Brigade, is arrested by Free State troops in Dublin.
  • 28 July, Ambush of National Army troops by Anti-Treaty IRA at Tonduff, Abbeyleix, on the main road to Maryborough, county Laois. A mine is exploded and fire is exchanged, Vol. Grace from Mountrath is killed while retrieving his rifle from the road. Brigadier Mick Gray is wounded. In the rounding up operation, 21 Republicans are taken prisoner but two Free State officers, Comdt. General Austin McCurtain and Comdt. Sean Collison are killed.
  • 29 July, About 400 Republicans attack Golden, Tipperary, but fail to take it. Their armoured car is knocked out by artillery and the National Army takes 26 prisoners.
  • 30 July, Free State troops take Bruree county Limerick. The Dublin Guard supported by artillery, attacks the village for five hours before the Anti-Treaty IRA retreats.
  • 31 July, Anti-Treaty activist Harry Boland is shot by Free State troops as he is being arrested in Skerries, near Dublin. He dies on August 2.
  • Free State troops under Paddy O'Connor attack Republican held Tipperary town. Fighting continues for two days.
  • Free State general Sean MacEoin reports to Michael Collins, “In the Midlands Divisions all posts and positions of military value are in our hands.”
  • Late July, Anti-Treaty IRA in Dublin ambushes and destroys an armoured train in Inchicore.

[edit] August

Michael Collins, in his uniform as National Army Commander-in-Chief at President Griffith's funeral, one week before his own death.
Michael Collins, in his uniform as National Army Commander-in-Chief at President Griffith's funeral, one week before his own death.
  • 2 August, Naval Landing of Free State troops in county Kerry. Paddy Daly and the Dublin Guard, as well as others, a total of about 800, land at Fenit. They fight their way to Tralee at a cost of 9 killed and 35 wounded. Two republican fighters are killed in the fighting and more wounded. The remainder retreat.
  • Republican forces under Liam Deasy attack Bruree, county Limerick with three armoured cars, trying to re-take it from the Free State troops but their attack is beaten off.
  • Republicans abandon Tipperary town and retreat to Clonmel, it is then occupied by National Army troops under Paddy O'Connor.
  • Fighting around Carrick on Suir between 600 National Army troops under General Prout and 400 Republicans under Dan Breen.
  • 4 August 150 Free State troops under Paddy Daly take Castleisland, county Kerry. The Republicans abandon their positions after six shrapnel shells are fired at them from an 18 pounder field gun.
  • Free State Intelligence officers discover from captured Anti-Treaty officer Liam Clarke that Republicans plan to destroy all the bridges leading into Dublin. As a result, they capture 104 Anti-Treaty fighters in the act in north county Dublin, including their officer Pat Sweeney, crippling the remnants of the anti-Treaty IRA in Dublin.
  • 6 August, Anti-Treaty IRA ambush a Free State provisions column at Knockeen crossroads in Kerry. One National Army officer is killed and several privates wounded.
  • 8 August, Free State seaborne landings in county Cork. Emmet Dalton and 800 troops, with two artillery pieces and armoured cars, land at Passage West. A further 200 men put ashore at Youghal and 180 troops land at Glandore. Heavy fighting takes place at Rochestown in Cork, as 200 Anti-Treaty troops try to block the Free State Advance on Cork City. Nine National Army and seven Republicans are killed before the Free State troops secure the area.
  • 9 August, fighting at Douglas County Cork. The Free State troops take 36 republican prisoners.
  • General Prout's Free State column takes Redmondstown with the aid of artillery.
  • 10 August, Republicans abandon Cork city and burn the barracks they were holding, including Charles Fort. The National Army takes the city unopposed.
  • General Prout's Free State troops take Clonmel.
  • 11 August, Liam Lynch, the Anti-Treaty IRA's Chief of Staff abandons Fermoy, the last major republican held town. Lynch orders Republican forces to abandon the policy of holding towns, and orders them to form flying columns and pursue guerrilla warfare.
  • Free State Naval landing at Kenmare. Commandant Tom "Scarteen" O'Connor (formerly local IRA commander) lands unopposed with 200 men and occupies Rathmore and Millstreet. Kerry operations in August have cost the National Army a total of 11 killed and 114 wounded.
  • 14 August, 300 men of the Anti-Treaty IRA 4th Northern Division under Frank Aiken attack Dundalk. They use two mines to breach the walls of the barracks and temporarily take over the town. Four Free State soldiers are killed and fifteen wounded, with two dead and thirty wounded on the Republican side. About 240 Republican prisoners are freed from the prison and 400 rifles are taken. However, Aiken does not try to hold the town and, while in possession of it, calls for a truce in a meeting in the town square.
  • 15 August, Free State troops take Clifden in county Galway without resistance. The Republicans abandon the town and burn the local radio transmitter station.
  • 17 August, Free State troops under Dan Hogan re-occupy Dundalk unopposed. One civilian is killed in the operation.
The Cross on the bend in the road commemorating where Michael Collins, leader of the Irish Republican Army, was killed on 22 August, 1922.
The Cross on the bend in the road commemorating where Michael Collins, leader of the Irish Republican Army, was killed on 22 August, 1922.
  • 22 August, National Army Commander-in-Chief Michael Collins is killed in an ambush by anti-treaty republicans at Béal na mBláth, near his family home in County Cork, he is the only fatality of the 45 minute fire fight. Richard Mulcahy takes over as National Army commander in chief. Collins had been pursuing talks with Anti-Treaty leaders Dan Breen, Liam Deasy and others to try to stop the fighting. His killing greatly embittered the war and probably prolonged it by several months.
  • 26 August, Free State convoy of 100 troops is ambushed between Tralee and Killorglin, county Kerry. One officer is killed. The National Army troops are caught in several more ambushes along their line of retreat, taking more casualties.
  • 27 August, Two Anti-Treaty IRA men are captured in Tralee, Kerry and shot. One of them, James Healy, survives and escapes.
  • Free State troops assault an Anti-Treaty IRA position at Convent hill, near Newport, county Mayo. They are repulsed with seven men wounded.
  • 30 August, Anti-Treaty IRA attack Bantry in county Cork for several hours. They withdraw after losing four officers and more men killed.
  • August, republicans blow up the railway bridge over the river Blackwater at Mallow, County Cork, disabling the rail line between Cork and Dublin.
  • August, Two Republicans are taken from a car in Drumcondra in Dublin and shot dead. Their bodies are left on the street. A British soldier on the scene reported that the car contained three men in "Provisional Government uniform" and three more in trench coats - presumed to be from the Crime Investigation Department (CID) intelligence unit.

[edit] September

  • 2 September, Republicans attack Macroom, Cork with men and a captured armoured car. They withdraw after a seven hour fire fight.
  • 4 September, Anti-Treaty IRA unit under Liam Pilkington takes Dromhaire barracks, county Sligo. Free State garrison there surrenders.
  • 5 September, A secret meeting takes place between Richard Mulcahy and Eamon de Valera, political leader of the Republicans, to try to arrange a truce. However, according to de Valera, they, "couldn't find a basis" of agreement.
  • 9 September, Republicans attack and take Kenmare in county Kerry. A total of 84 Anti-Treaty fighters take over the town and shoot dead local pro-treaty officer Tom "Scarteen" O'Connor" and his brother. They take 120 National Army troops in the town prisoner, but later release them. They capture 110 rifles and 20,000 rounds of ammunition. This action allowed the Kerry Anti-Treaty units to pursue a fairly efffective guerrilla campaign for the remainder of the war.
  • A British intelligence report states that the Free State intelligence unit, the Crime Investigation Department or CID has, "murdered a number of prominent republicans" in Dublin.
  • 10 September, Anti-Treaty ambush of Free State troops near Rathmore, county Kerry. Seven National Army soldiers are killed. The Republicans retire after an artillery piece is brought up to fire seven shells at them.
  • Republicans take Tarbert, county Kerry, temporarily, capturing 40 rifles.
  • 11 September, A Free State column travelling from Macroom, Cork, towards towards Kerry, is attacked with a mine on a bridge at Carrigphooka, west Cork. National Army commandant Tom Keogh and eight other soldiers are killed in the blast.
  • 12 September, Republicans under Michael Kilroy take Ballina, county Mayo, in a surprise attack while the National Army troops there are at a Mass service for a comrade killed in the fighting. Kilroy's men capture 100 rifles, 20,000 rounds of ammunition and are reported by Free State authorities to have looted £25,000 worth of goods from local shops. Kilroy later admits to drunkenness and indiscipline on behalf of his men. The Republicans leave the town when Free State reinforcements arrive. The Republican's armoured car breaks down in the retreat and has to be abandoned.
  • 14 September, Republicans under Michael Kilroy ambush a Free State convoy near Belderg, county Mayo, taking 16 prisoners. Another ambush in the Ox Mountains kills a number of National Army soldiers (republicans claim 15), including Brigadier Joe Ring.
  • 16 September, Michael Kilroy's Anti-Treaty IRA men attack Newport, county Mayo, but fail to take it and withdraw after a day of fighting.
  • 19 September, Republican fighter Bertie Murphy is shot dead in Kilarney, Kerry, by National Army troops in reprisal for ambushes in the area.
  • 19 September, Sean MacEoin begins a Free State sweep of northern county Sligo to clear it of Anti-treaty guerrillas. The operation is largely successful.
  • September, During MacEoin's operation, a Republican column, including an armoured car are cornered north of Sligo town. The car is put out of action by shells from a Free State armoured car and nine republicans flee up the slopes of Ben Bulben mountain. All nine are killed by the pursuing Free State troops, four of them, it is alleged, were killed after surrendering. Among those killed in Brian MacNeill (son of Eoin MacNeill, founder of the Irish Volunteers), who is shot at close range in the forehead.
  • 24 September, the Free State evacuates its garrison at Newport, county Mayo due to the intense guerrilla activity in the area.
  • 27 September, The Free State's Provisional Government puts the "Public Safety Bill" before the Dáil, setting up military courts which allow for the execution of men captured bearing arms against the state and aiding and abetting attacks on state forces. It passes by 48 votes to 18. The Irish Labour Party oppose it.
  • 27 September About 500 Anti-Treaty IRA men attack Killorglin, county Kerry, led by Sean Hyde. However, they fail to dislodge a pro-treaty garrison of 60 men from Clare who hold the barracks in the town. British Intelligence reports that 23 Republicans are killed in the action and 30 wounded. Anti-Treaty soldier David Robinson admits to 2 killed, 15 wounded and 14 captured. The republicans disperse after 24 hours of fighting, when Free State troops arrive from Tralee.
  • 28 September, John Galvin, a republican captured in the Killorglin raid is shot by Free State troops in Tralee and his body dumped in nearby Ballyseedy wood. Galvin had admitted under interrogation to the killing of a National Army officer at Castlemaine.
  • September, Lismore Castle in county Waterford is burned by Republican fighters.
Tom Barry, celebrated IRA leader from the War of Independence and Anti-Treaty fighter in the Civil War, escaped from imprisonment in September 1922. He went on to be one of the more effective Republican guerrilla leaders, but from early 1923, he pressed for an end to the fighting
Tom Barry, celebrated IRA leader from the War of Independence and Anti-Treaty fighter in the Civil War, escaped from imprisonment in September 1922. He went on to be one of the more effective Republican guerrilla leaders, but from early 1923, he pressed for an end to the fighting
  • National Army medical orderly named Lydon is shot dead by a republican sniper as he cycles out of Tralee, Kerry, despite the fact that he is unarmed and wearing a Red Cross armband.
  • Fire fight on Mount street bridge in Dublin. Republican fighter Patrick Mannion is shot in the head by Free State troops as he lies wounded.

[edit] October

  • 3 October, The Free State offers an amnesty to Anti-Treaty fighters who surrender their arms and recognise the government.
  • 6 October, National Army officer Tony Lawlor shoots dead republican prisoner, Patrick Mulrennan during a riot in the prison in Athlone.
  • 10 October, The Roman Catholic Bishops of Ireland issue a formal statement, supporting the Free State as the lawful and democratic government, denouncing the anti treaty campaign as an unlawful rebellion and denying their fighters access to Holy Communion or Confession.
  • Peadar Breslin, a Republican captured after the fall of the Four Courts, is shot dead during an attempt to escape from Mountjoy Prison in Dublin.
  • 15 October, The Public Safety Bill comes into effect, allowing for summary executions of captured Anti-Treaty fighters.
  • Directives are sent to the press by Free State director of communications, Piaras Beaslai to the effect that; Free State troops are to be referred to as the "National Army", the "Irish Army", or just "troops". The Anti-Treaty side are to called "Irregulars" and are not to be referred to as "Republicans", "IRA", "forces", or "troops", nor are the ranks of their officers allowed to be given. No letters about the treatment of Anti-Treaty prisoners are to be published. The words "attacked, commandeered and arrested" as used to describe their actions are to be replaced by, "fired at, seized and kidnapped".
  • 25 October, Eamon De Valera, at the request of the IRA Army Executive, sets up a "Republican Cabinet", formed from anti-Treaty TDs to: "be temporarily the Supreme Executive of the Republic and the State, until such time as the elected Parliament of the Republic can freely assemble, or the people being rid of external aggression are at liberty to decide freely how they are to be governed".
  • 30 October, National Army troops raid Ballyheigue County Kerry. One Anti-Treaty fighter is killed, allegedly after he had been taken prisoner.
  • October, Charlie Dalton, a National Army intelligence officer, captures three youths in Dublin holding republican posters. The next morning they are found shot dead in a ditch in Clondalkin.

[edit] November

  • 1 November, A 20 strong Anti-Treaty IRA column encounters 250 Free State troops at Brockagh Fahy, county Mayo. Six republicans are captured, one is wounded and another is killed.
  • 2 November, Skirmish near Headford, county Kerry, one Anti-Treaty IRA man is killed.
  • 3 November, Tom Powell and his East Mayo Anti-Treaty IRA unit are captured in Ballinrobe, county Mayo.
  • 4 November, Ernie O'Malley, Anti-Treaty IRA commander in Dublin, is captured following a shoot out with Free State soldiers on Ailesbury road in Donnybrook. O'Malley is hit over 20 times, but survives. He kills a National Army soldier in the gun fight.
  • 5 November, Skirmish between National Army and Republican troops under Sean Moylan near Macroom. One Free State soldier is injured, republican losses are unknown, but reported in the Irish Times as "heavy".
  • 6 November, Republicans attack the National Army barracks at Glanmire, Cork. One civilian is wounded in the crossfire.
  • 7 November, Attack on Wellington barracks in Dublin by Republican fighters. Over ten National Army soldiers are wounded, of whom seven were seriously wounded, requiring surgery.
  • 8 November, National Army troops fire on Republicans parading near the Grand Canal in Dublin. Up to 20 men are killed by machine gun fire.
  • 9 November, Anti-Treaty fighters in Dublin attack Portobello barracks.
  • William Ahearne shot as an alleged spy by the Anti-Treaty IRA and dumped in Bishopstown, Cork.
  • 15 November, A seven man Free State Army patrol, escortinga prisoner is ambushed at Ulverton road, Dalkey, county Dublin. A Free State soldier anda civilian are killed in the action, in which shots are exchanged and two grenades are thrown by the Anti-Treaty fighters.
  • 17 November, Four Anti-Treaty IRA men from Dublin, who were captured with weapons in county Wicklow, are shot by firing squad.
  • 18 November, Four anti-Treaty IRA fighters are killed when a land mine they are preparing on the Naas road near Dublin explodes prematurely.
  • 19 November, Three more Republican prisoners are executed in Dublin by the Free State.
  • 23 November, A National Army force surprises Michael Kilroy and the leader of the Mayo anti-treaty IRA at Carrowbeg house. In the ensuing fight, 4 Free State soldiers are killed but Kilroy and several of his officers are captured.
  • Free State troops re-take Newport, Mayo, after some resistance by republicans. In the rest of the month of November, Free State troops under Tony Lawlor sweep south and west county Mayo and Connemara for Republican guerrillas. Lawlor reports that 5 of his men were killed in the operation and 9 wounded. He reports the Republican losses as 9 killed, 19 wounded and 23 taken prisoner. Thirty National Army soldiers are also hospitalised as a result of influenza.
  • One Free State soldiers is killed and another badly injured when their truck crashes in Dalkey, Dublin, while driving too fast close to the scene of an ambush on November 15.
  • 30 November, In reprisal for the executions, Liam Lynch, Anti-Treaty IRA Commander, issues a general order to his forces to kill members of the Dáil (T.D.s) and senators who had voted for the Emergency Powers legislation. He also orders the killing of hostile judges and newspaper editors.
  • Three Anti-Treaty IRA prisoners are executed by firing squad in Dublin for possession of arms.
  • Anti-Treaty IRA officer Patrick Lynch is killed in a Free State raid on his home in Moyrisk, county Kerry.

[edit] December

  • 1 December, After a skirmish on the border of county Kildare and county Meath, the Meath Anti-Treaty column under Paddy Mullally is captured. One republican and one Free State solider are killed in the action.
  • Early December, Kenmare, county Kerry (captured by Republicans on September 9) is re-taken by Free State troops under General Murphy.
  • 6 December, the Irish Free State is formally established by the British House of Commons.
  • National Army troops encounter 80 republicans at Kilcash, county Tipperary occupying a hill top position. A fire fight breaks out that lasts for three hours. Two republicans are killed, four wounded and eleven captured. The remainder of their column gets way by burning the furze bushes to cover their retreat. Free State troops have three men wounded.
  • 7 December, Former IRA men in the War of Independence and pro-Treaty TD, Sean Hales is shot dead by anti-Treaty gunmen outside Leinster House. Another TD, Padraig O'Maille is also shot and wounded in the incident.
  • 8 December, Anti-Treaty leaders captured in the Four Courts in July, Rory O'Connor, Liam Mellows, Dick Barret and Joe McKelvey are executed by the Free State in revenge for the killing of Sean Hales. This is an illegal act, as the four were captured before the Dáil passed its emergency legislation.
  • 9 December, Republican raid on the barracks in Sligo town. One Free State soldier is killed.
  • 10 December, Anti-Treaty IRA members burn down the house of TD James McGarry, his seven year old son dies in the blaze.
  • 17 December, the last British troops leave the Free State. They are the remnants of a 5000 strong garison maintained up to that point in Dublin, commanded by Nevil Macready.
  • 28 December, Republican Francis Lawlor is abducted by Free State forces in Dublin, killed and his body dumped at Orwell Road, Rathgar.

[edit] 1923

[edit] January

  • 6 January Skirmish at Ballyconnell on the Leitrim-Fermanagh border, Anti-Treaty IRA captain Michael Cull killed.
  • 9 January, Anti-Treaty IRA men burn the home of Free State senator John Bagwell at Marfield County Tipperary, including the extensive library built up by his father, historian Richard Bagwell.
  • 8 January, Four Republican prisoners are executed in Dublin. One National Army soldier is also shot for "treachery".
  • 11 January, 40 Republicans burn the railway station in Sligo town, destroying it and badly damaging seven engines and forty carriages. The Great Southern and Western Railway Company releases a report detailing the damage Anti-Treaty forces have caused to their property over the previous six months; 375 lines damaged, 42 engines derailed, 51 over-bridges and 207 under-bridges destroyed, 83 signal cabins and 13 other buildings destroyed. In the same month, Republicans destroy the railway stations at Ballybunnion and Listowel.
  • January 15, Five Anti-Treaty IRA men are executed by the Free State. Four are shot in Roscrea in Tipperary, one in Carlow.
  • 18 January, Republican leader Liam Deasy is captured by Free State troops in the Galtee Mountains. He is not executed after he signs an order calling for men under his command to surrender.
  • 20 January, Eleven Republican prisoners are executed by the Free State - two in Limerick, four in Tralee and five in Athlone.
  • 22 January Three Anti-Treaty IRA men are executed in Dundalk, having been captured on January 7.
  • 23 January, Two Republican prisoners are executed in Waterford.

The Free State executes a total of 34 Republican prisoners during this month, bringing the total number executed so far up to 53.

  • 27 January, Anti Treaty IRA ambush a party of five National Army soldiers at Abbeyfeale, county Kerry. A captain Coyle is killed and three soldiers wounded. Free State troops pursue the IRA column, killing one of them and wounding another two.
  • January, Anti-Treaty IRA make an abortive attack on Castlemaine, county Kerry.

[edit] February

  • 1 February, Moore Hall in county Mayo is burned down by Republican guerrillas, because its owner, Maurice Moore is a senator in the Dáil.
  • 8 February, The Free State suspends executions until February 18, offering an amnesty to anyone who surrendered before that day.
  • 10 February, Republican officer Tom Barry, after contacts with some former IRA comrades on the Free State side, proposes that the Anti-Treaty IRA call a truce. Liam Lynch turns down the idea.
  • 13 February, Two Anti-Treaty men are killed in a skirmish at Currahane Strands, county Kerry.
  • 15 February, Mansion of senator Brian Mahon in Ballymore Eustace, county Kildare is burned down by Anti-Treaty forces. In the remainder of the month, a total of 37 houses of senators are destroyed by the Anit-Treaty IRA. Their owners are mainly big landowners, descendants of the Protestant Ascendancy and many of them were unionists before Irish independence. Oliver St John Gogarty is another prominent victim of house burnings. He also survives an assassination attempt in Dublin.
  • 18 February, Republican leader Dinny Lacey is killed in a skirmish in the Glen of Aherlow in county Tipperary, many of his column are captured. Lacey is the head of the IRA's 2nd Southern Division and his death crippled the Republican's cause in the Tipperary/Waterford area.
  • 21 February, Anti-Treaty IRA attacks income tax offices in Dublin. Attempts are also made to burn Jury's Hotel, but without success. There are also abortive attacks on Merrion Square, Dawson Street, and Lower O'Connell street. However tax offices are destroyed at Nassau st, Gardiner st and Beresford Place. A total of 75 Republicans are involved in the action, of whom five are captured.
  • 23 February, Free State troops ambushed by anti-Treaty fighters at Shramore county Mayo. One National Army soldier and a medical orderly are killed.
  • 26 February, Meeting of Anti Treaty IRA officers assembles at Ballinageary in county Tipperary. Officers from the First Southern Division report that, "in a short time we would not have a man left owing to the great number of arrests and casualties". Tom Crofts reports that the Cork Brigades have suffered 29 killed and an unknown number captured in recent actions, "if five men are arrested in each area, we are finished". Nevertheless, Liam Lynch takes the opportunity to issue a statement rejecting the possibility of a truce.
  • February 27 National Army troops surprise an Anti-Treaty column in their dug out at [[Arigna], county Roscommon. Two Anti-Treaty fighters are killed.
  • February, Republicans attack Kenmare, county Kerry, but are driven off.
  • February, Free State troops sweep county Leitrim, searching for a Republican column under Ned Bofin.

[edit] March

Memorial to the Republican soldiers killed by Free State troops at Ballyseedy, County Kerry in a mass killing of prisoners on 7 March 1923. The month of March was marked by a series of such atrocities in Kerry
Memorial to the Republican soldiers killed by Free State troops at Ballyseedy, County Kerry in a mass killing of prisoners on 7 March 1923. The month of March was marked by a series of such atrocities in Kerry
  • 2 March Anti-Treaty IRA officers in North Tipperary, Paddy Ryan Lacken and Sean Gaynor are captured by the Free State.
  • 5 March, Skirmish in the Garrane Mountains between a 36-man strong Anti-Treaty column and Pro-Treaty troops, one Anti-Treaty engineer (Dan Clifford) and 5 or 6 Free State soldiers are killed. Six Anti-Treaty men are captured.
  • 5 March, Republican troops attack Cahirciveen, county Kerry. The attack is beaten off, with 5 IRA and 3 Free State solders killed.
  • 6 March, Five Free State soldiers, including three officers are killed by a booby trap mine while clearing a road in Knocknagoshel, county Kerry. Another soldier is badly wounded. The Dáil issues a memorandum that Republican prisoners are to be used to clear mined roads from now on.
  • 7 March, Nine Republican prisoners are taken from Ballymullen barracks in Tralee to Ballyseedy Cross, ostensibly to clear a mined road. They are then tied together around the landmine, which is then detonated by National army troops. One man, Stephen Fuller, is blown clear by the blast and survives. The eight other prisoners are killed.
  • Con Moloney, Adjutant General of the Anti-Treaty IRA, is captured by Free State troops at the Glen of Aherlow, county Tipperary, in Moore's Wood, Rossadrehid.
  • Anti-Treaty IRA column is surrounded and captured by Free State troops at Buckagh, Mayo. One IRA man is killed. The remainder are taken to prison in Galway and sentenced to death, but this is not carried out.
  • 8 March, Four more Anti-Treaty IRA prisoners are killed, ostensibly while clearing a mined road, at Countess Bridge in Killarney.
  • Another Republican prisoner, Seamus Taylor is taken from Kenmare jail to Ballyseedy woods by National Army troops and shot dead.
  • 12 March, Another five Republican prisoners killed by a landmine at Cahirciveen by National Army troops.
  • 13 March, Four Republican prisoners from Wexford IRA units are executed in Wexford town. Two other Republicans are executed in Dublin.
  • March 14, Two Republicans are executed for their part in a bank robbery in Mullingar.
  • Anti-Treaty IRA officer Charlie Daly and three other Republican fighters are captured by Free State troops at Drumboe Castle, near Stranorlar in county Donegal and then shot dead.
  • 16 March, National Army troops sweep the vicinity of Newport in county Mayo, resulting in some arrests.
  • 24 March, Anti-Treaty IRA executive meets in county Tipperary to discuss the war's future. Tom Barry proposes a motion to end the war, but itis defeated by 6 votes to 5. Eamon de Valera is allowed to attend, after some debate, but is given no voting rights.
  • 25 March, Republican leader in Leitrim, Ned Bofin and many of his men are captured in the Arigna Muntains.
  • 28 March, Five Republicans who were captured in the Anti-Treaty IRA's March 5 attack on Cahirciveen are executed by firing squad.
  • Republicans attempt to burn and lay a land mine in Burton Hall, the home of the Guinness family, one of whom is a senator. The fire fails to ignite and the mine is defused by Free State troops.
  • Press reports that Free State troops have arrested 16 republican fighters around the country.
  • Anti-Treaty fighter named Murphy is captured near Tralee, Kerry, and then shot dead by Free State troops, his body is found in Knocknagoshel.
  • March, In retaliation for the execution of Wexford Republicans on March 13, Bob Lambert, the local Republican officer, orders the killing of four National Army soldiers captured while drinking at a pub in the county.

[edit] April

Liam Lynch, Chief of Staff of the Anti-Treaty IRA. He was killed on April 11 in the Knockmealdown Mountains in Waterford. His death was quickly followed by a Republican ceasefire and the end of the war
Liam Lynch, Chief of Staff of the Anti-Treaty IRA. He was killed on April 11 in the Knockmealdown Mountains in Waterford. His death was quickly followed by a Republican ceasefire and the end of the war
  • 1 April, Anti-Treaty IRA men ambush a National Army bicycle patrol on Larkin's Road, in county Louth. One man is killed on either side in the engagement.
  • April, Anti-Treaty IRA column under Timothy Lyons (known as "aeroplane") is surrounded by Free State troops near Kerry Head. They take refuges in caves on the coast. After three days siege, landmines are lowered over the cave mouths and exploded, killing three Republicans. Lyons is also drowned in the incident. The remaining IRA men surrender.
  • April, National Army troops under Genreal Prout conduct large sweeps of the Knockmealdown mountains in south Tipperary and Waterford. They have extracted information from Republican prisoners in Dublin that the IRA Executive is in the area. Prominent Anti-Treaty IRA officers captured in the operation include Dan Breen, Todd Andrews, Sean Gaynor and Frank Barrett. Many other rank and file Republicans are also taken prisoner.
  • 10 April, Liam Lynch, Republican Commander in Chief, is killed in a skirmish with Free State troops in the Knockmealdown mountains in county Waterford. Four more senior Republican officers are captured in the incident. His death is often cited as the effective end of the war.
  • 11 April, Six Republican prisoners are executed by firing squad in Tuam, county Galway.
  • A National Army report states, "Events of the past few days point to the beginning of the end as a far as the irregular campaign is concerned".
  • 14 April, Austin Stack, Deputy IRA Chief of Staff, is captured by Free State troops near Ballymacarbry. He is carrying a document accepting a proposal by the Catholic Bishop of Cashel to end the war by calling a ceasefire and dumping arms.
  • 15 April, Fight between Anti-Treaty IRA column and Free State troops at Glenvar, Kerry. The Free State claims that nine Republicans were killed in the action.
  • 16 April, Two anti-treaty IRA fighters killed in a skirmish with Free State troops at Castleblake, county Kilkenny.
  • 25 April, Three anti-treaty prisoners are executed in Tralee.
  • Republican commandant Neil Plunkett Boyle is killed in a skirmish with National Army troops in Dungloe, Donegal.

[edit] May

  • Early May, 12,000 Republicans have been interned by Free State up to this point.
  • 14 May, joint meeting of the Republican Government and IRA Army Executive instructs Aiken to end the war.
  • 15 May, Anti-Treaty IRA column surrounded at Valleymount, county Wicklow. Its leader, Ned Plunkett, is killed and the rest surrender.
  • 24 May, Frank Aiken orders the Anti-Treaty fighters to "dump their arms" and return home. Eamon de Valera supports the order, issuing a statement to Anti-Treaty fighters; "Further sacrifice on your part would now be in vain and the continuance of the struggle in arms unwise in the national interest. Military victory must be allowed to rest for the moment with those who have destroyed the Republic". End of the war.
  • 30 May, Two Republicans are executed in Tuam, Galway.

[edit] July

  • 3 July, Noel Lemass, Anti Treaty IRA officer in Dublin, brother of Sean Lemass is abducted by Free State troops and killed. His body is later found in the Wicklow Mountains on October 12.

[edit] August

  • 15 August, Eamon de Valera arrested in Ennis, when he tried to make an election speech. He is imprisoned for over a year at Arbour Hill in Dublin.
  • 17 August, Voting in Irish general election, 1923 takes place. Cumann na nGaedheal win 63 seats; Sinn Fein 44; Independents 16; Farmers 15; Labour 14; and Independent Labour 1. About 415,00 first preference votes were given to Pro-Treatyites and 286,000 to Anti-Treatyites. (64% of the electorate voted.) Some of the Anti-Treaty members elected are still imprisoned.

[edit] October

  • 13 October, A mass Hunger Strike is launched by 424 Republican prisoners in Mountjoy Prison in Dublin in protest at their continued detention after the war's end. The strike is joined by up to 8,000 Republican prisoners in prisons and camps around the country.

[edit] November

  • Two republican prisoners are executed, one each in Athlone and Tralee.
  • 22 November, IRA prisoner Andrew Sullivan dies on hunger strike in Mountjoy prison in Dublin.
  • 23 November The republican hunger strike is called off. The women prisoners are released but most of the men are detained until the following year.

[edit] December

[edit] 1924

[edit] January

[edit] July

  • Most of the Republican internees are released.

[edit] November

  • 8 November, A general amnesty is declared for acts committed during the civil war.

[edit] See also

[edit] Sources

  • M.E. Collins, Ireland 1868-1966, Educational Company, Dublin 1993.
  • Tim Pat Coogan, De Valera, Long Fellow, Long Shadow, Random House, London 1993.
  • Michael Hopkinson, Green against Green, The Irish Civil War, Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2004.
  • Toby Harnden, Bandit Country, the IRA and South Armagh
  • Niall C Hartigan, Kerry Landing, August 1922
  • Willie Salmon. The War of Indpendence and Civil War in Newport [1]
  • Paul V Walsh, The Irish Civil War 1922-23 -A Study of the Conventional Phase [2]
  • Chonology of Irish History 1919-1923 [3]
  • The State and Civil War, 1921-23 [4]
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