August 1922

Early-Aug

Pro-Treaty army stood at 12,970 men – including ‘reservists’ was over 14,000.  Well supplied with armaments by the British.

Dorney (2017), pg 123

Early-Aug

Three small anti-Treaty columns are located in Co. Donegal by pro-Treaty forces (one in the Drumkeen area; a second in the Meeniroy area and a third in the Glenfinn area) with most of the members of the columns captured.  In addition, there are a number of arrests of anti-Treaty sympathisers at this time in the county.

Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs 186-187

Aug-01

Cabinet of Provisional Government sets up committee to consider its northern policy consisting of James Hogan, JJ Walsh, Desmond Fitzgerald, Ernst Blythe and Michael Hayes.

 

Phoenix (1994), pg 247; McDermott (2001), pg 265

Aug-01

Peadar O’Loughlin, Adjutant of the 1st Western Division of the anti-Treaty army,  dies of tuberculosis.

Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 309

Aug-02

Fenit Landing 450 Dublin Guards (pro-Treaty), on board the Lady Wicklow, land by sea in Fenit, Co Kerry. (Horgan says 4th.) They are led by General Paddy O’Daly.  They land under some fire but they bring the Vickers machine gun on the turret of armoured car (which was strapped to the deck) into action and this brings the fire from land to a stop quickly.  Anti-Treaty Volunteer Tom Flynn is killed. 

As they proceed towards Tralee, they meet anti-Treaty fire at Spa which results in the death of pro-Treaty Private Paddy Quinn of Meath St in Dublin. Also killed is Volunteer John O’Sullivan from Castlegregory.  As they enter Tralee, six pro-Treaty soldiers and one medical orderly are killed.  The anti-Treaty forces withdraw from Tralee after attempting, but only partially succeeding, to burn down Ballymullen Barracks which the pro-Treaty forces set up as their HQ. 

 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xxii; Hopkinson (1988), pg 166; Dorney (2017), pg 124; Horgan (2018), pg 131; Doyle (2008), pgs 117-125

Aug-02 to 03

Fighting begins between South Tipperary anti-Treaty forces (some 200 men led by Dinny Lacey and Dan Breen) and some 500 pro-Treaty forces (led by John Prout) coming from Waterford and approximately 200 men coming from Kilkenny (led by Colonel-Commandant Thornton). 

After sustained fighting, the pro-Treaty men coming from Kilkenny take the village of Killamery.   The anti-Treaty men (under Dan Breen) escape towards Carrick-on-Suir.

The pro-Treaty forces coming from Waterford, attacked the anti-Treaty forces (under Dinny Lacey) outside Carrick-on-Suir who, after sustained fighting, retreat back into the town but with one pro-Treaty fatality (Private Patrick Murphy from Enniscorthy, Co Wexford). 

The following morning (3rd), Prout’s men cautiously enter Carrick-on-Suir to find that the anti-Treaty forces had evacuated the town.  The pro-Treaty troops coming from Kilkenny arrive in Carrick-on-Suir in the afternoon.

Anti-Treaty forces also evacuate Cashel on the 4th.  See August 9th.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pgs 168-169; Curran J M (1980), pg 242; McCarthy (2015), pg 110; Walsh (2018), pgs 188-192

Aug-02

Anti-Treaty forces counter-attack Bruree but the pro-Treaty defenders hold out until re-enforcements arrive from Limerick.

 

Curran J M (1980), pg 242; Horgan (2018), pg 305

Aug-02

At a meeting between the GHQ of the pro-Treaty army and officers from the Northern IRA (including Seamus Woods O/C of the 3rd Northern Division), Collins outlines a policy of continued non-recognition of the NI government but a non-aggressive military policy – the IRA in the North would have a purely protective role. 

It was also announced that Northern volunteers, who could not remain in the North, would be sent to train at the Curragh but that they would not be forced to join the pro-Treaty army.  (By the end of August, 379 men had arrived in the Curragh and this eventually rose to 524.  Of the 524 Northern IRA men who went to the Curragh, 243 joined the pro-Treaty army.)  It was also agreed that GHQ would continue to finance divisional staff and intelligence. 

 

Hopkinson (1988), pgs 248-249; Phoenix (1994), pgs 246-247; McDermott (2001), pgs 265 and 257-258; Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs 184-185

Aug-03

In the first direct engagement between pro- and anti-Treaty forces in Co. Mayo, at Bracklagh near Newport, two pro-Treaty soldiers (Sergeant Lally and Private Deasy) are killed as well as one anti-Treaty soldier (Volunteer Edward Hegarty).  

Price (2012), pg 221

Aug-03

Tarbert Landing About 240 men of the Western Division of the pro-Treaty army, under Colonel Michael Hogan, land at Tarbert, Co. Kerry from Kilrush in Co. Clare.  (Horgan says 5th.) They garrison Tarbert, Listowel and Ballylongford, which the anti-Treaty men had evacuated and then move on to meet up with the Tralee force. 

In these Kerry operations (after the landings at Fenit and Tarbert), 11 pro-Treaty soldiers killed and 114 wounded.  (Dorney says 10.)

After they capture the towns, some enmity develops between the pro-Treaty army (who are mostly from Dublin, Clare and Galway) and the local population.

 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xxii; Hopkinson (1988), pg 166; Dorney (2017), pgs 124-125; Horgan (2018), pg 131; Doyle (2008), pgs 125-127

Aug-03

Churchill reports to the British cabinet “In the area of the Northern Government the position has sensibly improved: murders and incendiarism had almost entirely ceased, … This might be due to the fact that the gunmen were engaged in the South … With their return there might be a recrudescence of outrage, but for the moment life in Belfast had almost become normal.”

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 248

Aug-04

Anti-Treaty men, under Mick Mansfield, blow up the road bridge at Ballyvoile, near Dungarvan, Co Waterford.  They also blow up one of the arches on the railway viaduct.  The viaduct later collapses (and was to become the site of the famous photograph of the train tottering over the demolished viaduct – See February 2nd 1923).

McCarthy (2015), pg 110

Aug-04

Jim Dunne, leader of the anti-Treaty Kildare Brigade column, is captured with over a dozen of his men when trying to blow up a railway bridge near Sallins, Co. Kildare.

Durney (2011), pg 86

Aug-04

Anti-Treaty volunteer, Patrick Moran, is killed in action at Kilkieran in North Galway.

Price (2012), pg 220

Aug-04

Newcastle West, Co. Limerick falls to pro-Treaty troops.  As does Ardare and Rathkeale. 

Harnett (2002), pg 134; Hopkinson (1988), pg 152-153; O’Callaghan (2018), pg 111

Aug-05

Ulster Special Constable Samuel Hayes was in the Britannic public bar on the Newtonards Rd. in Belfast when a man being pursued by gunmen took refuge in the bar - the gunmen shot two customers one being S/Con Hayes and he later died from his wounds. 

 

Abbott (2000), pg 297; Parkinson (2004), pg 301

Aug-05

Kilmallock Taken After considerable fighting, Kilmallock is taken by pro-Treaty Forces.  (Bruree had been taken earlier after a two-pronged attack.)  Hopkinson and O’Callaghan puts this down to the Kerry anti-Treaty forces leaving to defend their home areas from the sea landings by pro-Treaty forces (see August 2nd and 3rd).  Also, Cork forces left as they anticipated a sea borne invasion of Cork.  However, by this stage, the pro-Treaty side had 2000 men in the area backed by artillery.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 152; Curran J M (1980), pg 242; O’Callaghan (2018), pg 111

Aug-05

Night of the Bridges’ – A plan by the anti-Treaty Dublin Brigade to destroy a large number of bridges around Dublin (and thus cut Dublin of from the rest of the country) goes badly wrong when their plans are discovered by the pro-Treaty army and a large number of anti-Treaty volunteers are captured. (Anti-Treaty side claimed that the pro-Treaty troops got assistance from the British Army still stationed in Dublin on this night.)  About 250 anti-Treaty men had been mobilised and, of these, approximately 160 were captured. Dorney comments that “It was an even greater disaster for the [anti-Treaty] Dublin Brigade than the attack on the Customs House had been in 1921”.    

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 145; Dorney (2017), pgs 114-120

Aug-05

Pro-Treaty troops, stationed in Tralee, take Castleisland and Farrenfore in Co. Kerry.  They set up in Hartnett’s Hotel in Castleisland as their local HQ.

One this day, a young Kerryman called Michael Purcell, who had joined the pro-Treaty army, was shot dead in Tralee. Also, a 17-year old member of Fianna Eireann from Ballymacelligott was shot dead by a pro-Treaty soldier.  Finally, a pro-Treaty supply lorry on its way to Castleisland was ambushed at Knockeen Cross resulting in the death of Captain Brian Houlihan and two other pro-Treaty soldiers.

Doyle (2008), pgs 129-133

Aug-05

After a short clash in Glenfinn, Co. Donegal, a column of 17 anti-Treaty volunteers surrender. Two other anti-Treaty columns, with 23 men, were captured around this time in Donegal.

Ozseker (2019), pg 189

Aug-05

Collins sends optimistic memo saying that no ‘definite military problem’ existed outside the Southern Division area.  Hopkinson notes that such optimism was to be disappointed.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 172

Aug-05

After a number of postponements, Collins proposes that they should “postpone parliament until we can clean up this matter [Civil War] up definitely”.

Dorney (2017), pg 105

Aug-05

The long running farm labourer strike on the Keane, Devonshire, Villers-Stuart, Musgrave and Ussher estates in the Blackwater Valley, Co. Waterford comes to an end with a partial defeat for the strikers – See 22nd May and 7th June above.  (McCarthy indicates that critical was the attitude of the local IRA where, due to many members - particularly those who joined during the truce -  being the sons of farmers, they were hostile to the labourers.) Hostilities were to resume the following year leading to a much more prolonged and bitter dispute – See 14th May 1923.

McCarthy (2015), pg 104

Aug-06

Anti-Treaty forces attack pro-Treaty men stationed in the old barracks in Kildysart in Co. Clare.  However, a mine with which they hoped to plant against the wall of the barracks exploded prematurely seriously injuring Volunteer John O’Gorman and Lieutenant John McSweeney.  Both were later to die of their wounds.

Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 309

Early-Aug

When veteran nationalist, William O’Brien complains to de Valera about the destruction of the railway bridge over the Blackwater at Mallow by anti-Treaty forces, de Valera admitted that if such tactics continue “the people will begin to treat us as bandits”.

 

Curran J M (1980), pg 245

Aug-07

Collins makes a visit to the Curragh Command and states that “The entire organisation and command is defective” – he orders Commandant-General Price to take charge.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 157;

Aug-08

Cork Landings Pro-Treaty forces land at Passage West (500 men), Youghal (200 men) and Union Hall (180), Co Cork.  Emmet Dalton is in charge the Passage West landing and leads his men towards the Cork city.  They meet stiff resistance at Rochestown but take the city within a few days. 

 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xxii; Hopkinson (1988), pg 163; Curran J M (1980), pg 244; Dorney (2017), pg 124

Aug-08

When the Cork anti-Treaty volunteers serving with the Waterford volunteers in Dungarvan hear of the pro-Treaty landings in Cork, they decide to return home.  Pax Whelan, anti-Treaty O/C in Dungarvan, decides to evacuate the town burning the barracks and coastguard station in his wake.  He breaks his men into three ASUs and they resort to guerrilla warfare.

McCarthy (2015), pgs 110-111

Aug-08

During raids by anti-Treaty forces on a number of banks in Monaghan town, pro-Treaty army Lieutenant Thomas Gillanders is killed and £1,200 taken from three banks.  It subsequently transpires, in an inquiry under Frank Aiken, that the anti-Treaty forces were not sanctioned to rob the banks. £130 is returned and the leaders of the raid leave the country.

Dooley (2017a), pgs 106-107

Aug-08

Patrick McGuigan is shot at his workplace in Belfast and dies a few days later.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 302

Aug-08

RIC Constable Thomas Ikin commits suicide.

Abbott (2019), pg 407

Aug-09

Fighting between South Tipperary anti-Treaty forces (led by Dinny Lacey and Dan Breen) and pro-Treaty forces led by John Prout at Redmondstown.  The use of 18-pounders by the pro-Treaty forces is decisive and Prout takes Clonmel.  The anti-Treaty forces retire towards the Nire valley but with their forces largely intact. 

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 169; McCarthy (2015), pg 110

Aug-09

Ernest Blythe, acting Minister of Home Affairs, submits a memo to the cabinet of the Provisional Government saying that there was no likelihood of a united Ireland within a reasonable period of time and calls for a ‘peaceful policy’ towards the NI government including nationalists taking their seats in the NI parliament.  He argues that even though this policy may fail, there was some hope and the aggressive policy had failed totally to protect Catholics.  He says “all military operations on the part of our supporters in or against the North East should be brought to an end” and that all future pressure on Northern Ireland should be “absolutely normal and constitutional”. 

 

Phoenix (1994), pg 247; Litton (1995) pg s 107-108; Dooley (2017a), pg 108

Aug-09

Replying to Churchill letter of the 31st July, Collins expressed serious disappointment at Churchill’s attitude to Proportional Representation and accuses the NI government of wanting to take over the local government bodies in the border areas before the Boundary Commission starts working.

 

Phoenix (1994), pgs 247-248

Aug-09

Edward McAvoy, an anti-Treaty volunteer from Belfast, is killed during an attack by pro-Treaty troops on Ferrycarrig in County Wexford. 

 

McDermott (2001), pg 271

Aug-10

An anti-Treaty volunteer, Joe ‘Sonny’ Hudson (18), is shot dead during a raid on his house in Glasthule, Co. Dublin

Dorney (2017), pg 180

Aug-10

Cork Captured by pro-Treaty Forces.  There was stiff resistance to the advancing pro-Treaty forces at Rochestown and Douglas with (it is claimed) eight pro-Treaty soldiers killed.  The anti-Treaty forces withdraw to Ballincollig and then (in some confusion) towards Macroom.  Major towns in west Cork soon taken by pro-Treaty forces.

 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xxii; Hopkinson (1988), pg 164; Curran J M (1980), pg 242

Aug-10

The assassins of Sir Henry Wilson, Reggie Dunne and Joseph O’Sullivan, are hung in London. 

On this day, anti-Treaty volunteers burn Currygrane, the residence of James Mackay Wilson (Sir Henry Wilson’s cousin). 

 

Coleman (2003), pg 145

Aug-11

Fermoy, the last major town in anti-Treaty hands, is captured by pro-Treaty forces.  The first phase of the civil war is over and more and more the anti-Treaty army reverts to guerrilla tactics.

 

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 266

Aug-11

A 200-strong pro-Treaty force, under Commandant Tom Scarteen O’Connor, lands at Kenmare and takes the town.  (O’Connor is one of the few South Kerry officers who had gone pro-Treaty.)  Afterwards, Rathmore and Valencia are taken.

Pro-Treaty troops from Tralee, under James Dempsey and Jim McGuinness, take Killarney, on the 13th.   Rathmore is taken on the 15th and Killorglin on the same day.  Millstreet is taken on the 19th.  Cahirciveen is taken on 24th after pro-Treaty troops, under Tom ‘Scarteen’ O’Connor, land at Reenard Point.  In capturing all these towns, the pro-Treaty troops meet little resistance. (There were some casualties when they landed at Reenard Point.)

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 166; Horgan (2018), pg 100 & 169; Doyle (2008), pgs 138-141,

Aug-11

Special Constable Hamilton Alexander is shot dead by a fellow constable in Greencastle, Kilkeel, Co. Down when he defies an order to put down his rifle.

Lawlor (2011), pg 318,  Abbott (2000), pg 316

Aug-12

Arthur Griffith, President of the Provisional Government, dies of a brain haemorrhage.  He is replaced by Cosgrave.  Comment

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xxii; Hopkinson (1988), pg 140; Macardle (1999), pg 777; Curran J M (1980), pg 247; Doyle (2008), pg 136

Aug-12

A pro-Treaty patrol is ambushed at Bedford near Listowel, Co. Kerry resulting in the death of John Quayne and the wounding of two others.  

Doyle (2008), pg 137

Aug-13

Six pro-Treaty soldiers are on a search mission in the Crosspark area on the Kilkenny/Tipperary border.  While getting out of their car, a gun is accidently discharged hitting Lieutenant Edward Maher from Gortnahoe, Co. Tipperary.  He dies early the following morning. 

Walsh (2018), pgs 191-192

Aug-14

Frank Aiken, Commandant 4th Northern Division, throws in his lot with the anti-Treaty side and his forces capture Dundalk barracks and prison.  More Detail

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 269; Hopkinson (1988), pg 171; Gavin and O’Donnell (1999), pg 36; Macardle (1999), pgs 763-764; Dooley (2017a), pg 108; Durney (2011), pgs 91-94; Hall (2019), pgs 109-110

Aug-14

A Special Constable, Albert Ross, was shot dead by a fellow constable in Ballymena Barracks, Co. Antrim when he was mistaken for an intruder.

Lawlor (2011), pg 318

Aug-14

Liam Lynch abandons his HQ in Buttevant, Co. Cork after burning the barracks and, along with his staff, retreat to the mountainous area bear Ballyvourney. 

Horgan (2018), pg 270

Mid-Aug

At the annual conference, Labour criticises the anti-Treatyites for acting without popular support but also criticises pro-Treaty government for waging war without Dáil support.

 

Curran J M (1980), pg 245

Aug-15

Pro-Treaty Lieutenant Commandant Edward O’Brien is shot dead when he goes with his troops to investigate a fire at the unoccupied Shorecourse barracks in Waterford city.  It is believed that it was an ambush targeted at O’Brien (a Waterford native).  See August 19th.

 

Aug-15

A Waterford native, John O’Keeffe, is killed in crossfire during an ambush in Mullinavat in Co. Kilkenny.

Walsh (2018), pg 194 & 246

Aug-15

Special Constable Thomas Greenfield is patrolling the railway lines near Randalstown, Co. Antrim when he is struck by a train and killed.

Abbott (2019), pg 406

Aug-16

Reporting on the situation in Cork, the Irish Times states “The advance is becoming swift but the retreat, or, as I should prefer to call it, the disappearance is swifter".

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 164

Aug-16

On the evening of the 16th, pro-Treaty troops, led by Dan Hogan, re-enter Dundalk. They take the jail and release some 320 prisoners.  After the intervention of a local priest, Fr James McKeone, Aiken agrees to withdraw from Dundalk. 

One civilian (James McEvoy) was killed during the re-capture of Dundalk.  

Hall (2019), pg 110

Aug-16

A pro-Treaty convoy of three lorries is passing through the Kilmurry area on its way to Cahir, Co. Tipperary when machine gun fire is opened on it by an anti-Treaty column led by Jack Kileen.  Three pro-Treaty soldiers are killed – Cornelius Roche, Daniel Fogarty and Joseph Bergin.  (It was Bergin’s 21st birthday.)

Walsh (2018), pg 193

Aug-17

Two pro-Treaty medical orderlies from Co. Galway (Cecil Fitzgerald and John O’Mara), who are based in Killarney, Co. Kerry, decide to take a boat trip to Innisfallen island in Lough Leanne.  As the approach the jetty on the island, they are shot at and both killed. 

Doyle (2008), pg 145

Aug-18

An anti-Treaty Column of Kerry No. 2 led by Jerry Kennedy (with men mostly from around Headford and Glenflesk) attack a large column of pro-Treaty troops led by Paddy O’Daly and Jim McGuinness making its way from Killarney to Rathmore at Droum bridge.  McGuiness and three others are wounded. 

Horgan (2018), pg 111; Doyle (2008), pgs 146-148

Aug-18

A four-man pro-Treaty patrol is going from Fenit to Tralee in Co. Kerry when it is attacked at Spa resulting in the death of Sergeant Jack Lydon, a native of Tralee.

Doyle (2008), pg 148

Aug-18

Michael O’Driscoll from Bannow, Camp, Co. Kerry is shot dead by two men.  This may have been due to a land dispute but his brother later made a claim on the basis that his death was due to the political conflict.

Doyle (2008), pg 149

Aug-18

Civic Guard is disbanded by Provisional Government

Hopkinson (1988), pg 92

Aug-19

Provisional Government formally adopts a ‘peace policy with North East Ulster’.

 

Phoenix (1994), pg 249

Aug-19

Con Moloney, Adjutant-General of the anti-Treaty forces, issues a General Order saying that “our troops will be formed into Active Service Units” not exceeding 35 men.  He also authorises that Unionist property should be commandeered to accommodate the men and ordered the systematic destruction of road and rail infrastructure. (Dorney says that it was Lynch who issued the order.)

 

Hopkinson (1988), pgs 172-173 & 195; Dorney (2017), pg 127; McCarthy (2015), pg 111

Aug-19

An anti-Treaty volunteer, Daniel Kane, is killed after an attack on a pro-Treaty post in Glenmalure, Co. Wicklow

Dorney (2017), pg 163

Aug-19

In Kilkenny Jail, an anti-Treaty prisoner, Jack (John) Edwards, who had been captured in Waterford, was shot dead by a sentry.  His brother believed that it was a reprisal killing for the killing of Edward O’Brien in Waterford. See 15th August above.

McCarthy (2015), pg 111; Walsh (2018), pgs 194-195

Aug-19

Anti-Treaty men from the Mid-Clare Brigade attack pro-Treaty men stationed in the old barracks in Clarecastle.  The attack lasts for over two hours but the anti-Treaty men withdraw when pro-Treaty men arrive from Ennis and attempt to surround them.

Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 310

Aug-21

A car carrying five pro-Treaty soldiers (including Frank Thornton) is ambushed at Redmindstown about 4km outside Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.  Two pro-Treaty soldiers (including the driver, Private Richard Cantwell) are killed and Thornton is badly injured.

Walsh (2018), pgs 195-196

Aug-21

Pat Stapleton, an IRA spy, who had worked as a filing clerk for the Royal Army Service Corps in Victoria Barracks in Belfast before being transferred to the office of the Military Advisor to the NI Government (Solly Flood) in his Waring Street HQ, decides to leave the six counties.  He took with him a number of files.  According to McDermott, Stapleton was the “jewel in the crown of IRA intelligence in Belfast”.

 

McDermott (2001), pgs 24, 204 & 267

Aug-21

Pro-Treaty soldier, Patrick Kelly, is killed in Kilrush, Co. Clare.  Anti-Treaty forces carried out a number of attacks on pro-Treaty positions and patrols in Clare over this period. 

Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 310

Aug-21

Anti-Treaty volunteer, Frank Byrne, is accidently shot dead by a comrade when the small column they belong to are resting in a field at Crutt, Clogh near Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny.

Walsh (2018), pg 196

Aug-22

Michael Collins is shot dead in an ambush at Béal na mBláth, Co Cork.  More Detail 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xxii; Hopkinson (1988), pg 176-179; Macardle (1999), pgs 777-778; Curran J M (1980), pgs 248-250; Phoenix (1994), pgs150

Aug-22

A general report by O’Duffy of the pro-Treaty army states “The Irregulars in Cork and Kerry are still more or less intact.  Our forces have captured towns, but they have not captured Irregulars and arms on anything like a large scale, and, until that is done, the Irregulars will be capable of guerrilla warfare … Our present position leaves us particularly disposed to guerrilla warfare.”

 

Hopkinson (1988), pgs 164-165 & 172

Aug-22

Harry Brazier shot dead by pro-Treaty troops in Limerick City “while resisting arrest”.

O’Callaghan (2018), pg 111

Aug-22

Pro-Treaty forces, under Paddy Paul, enter Dungarvan to a warm welcome from local people.

McCarthy (2015), pg 111

Aug-22

A small number of pro-Treaty soldiers escorting a large number of prisoners leaving Ballymullen Barracks in Tralee, Co. Kerry are attacked with grenades, rifle and revolver fire.  Five prisoners and three soldiers are wounded with two of them (Private John Galworthy from Inisbofin, Co. Galway and Thomas Drummond from Tralee) later die of their wounds.

Doyle (2008), pgs 151-152

Aug-22

Three staff officers of anti-Treaty 1st Southern Division (Tom Daly, Dan Mulvihill and Con O’Leary) are captured by pro-Treaty troops under Paddy O’Daly at Milleen, Co Kerry.  Also captured is Will Patrick Fleming, husband of Marguerite Fleming. As the prisoners are being brought to Killarney, the lorry that they are travelling in is fired on and a pro-Treaty soldier, Thomas Kavanagh from Dublin, is killed.

The following day, the O/C of the anti-Treaty 4th Battalion, Kerry No. 2 Brigade, Pat Allman, is also captured.

Horgan (2018), pgs 50-52 & 193; Doyle (2008), pgs152-153

Aug-23

The London Times reports that “The temporary injunction of the Supreme Court of the United States which restrains the Irregular leaders from drawing upon funds collected in that country for the republican cause has struck directly at the most sensitive part of their organisation.”

Hopkinson says that “Looting and commandeering became a necessary means for the Republican forces to survive, but served also to increase their unpopularity.”  

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 131

Aug-23

Anti-Treaty Volunteer, Eamon O’Neill from Sallins Road, Naas, Co. Kildare dies of his wounds.  (Unclear as to how he received his wounds.)

Durney (2011), pg 72

Aug-23

Two pro-Treaty soldiers (John Beatty from Lettermore, Co Galway and Denny Woods from Mountshannon, Co. Clare) receive severe wounds after a prank goes wrong.  They were guarding the harbour at the canal basin in Tralee, Co. Kerry.  Both men were to die of their wounds.

Doyle (2008), pgs 154-155

Aug-25

William Cosgrave is appointed Chairman of the Provisional Government, in place of Collins.

 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xxii

Aug-24

An anti-Treaty Column of Kerry No. 2 led by Jerry Kennedy ambushes a pro-Treaty column, led by Fionán Lynch, at Glenflesk.  The pro-Treaty column was trying to get to Kenmare from Tralee but after intense fighting are forced to turn back.

Horgan (2018), pg 111

Aug-25

Winifred Carney is arrested in Belfast and through the documents found on her the Northern authorities got “information on virtually every volunteer in the 3rd Northern Division who has ever received help from the White Cross Fund”.

 

McDermott (2001), pgs 266-267

Aug-25

A grenade being carried by a member of a four-man pro-Treaty patrol accidently explodes killing two (Lieutenant Timothy McMahon and Sergeant Michael Roche both from Co. Clare) and injuring the other two.

Doyle (2008), pg 155

Aug-26

A convoy of 100 men of the pro-Treaty army set out from Killorglin going to Tralee, Co Kerry led by Captain James Burke.  They are ambushed four times on this journey resulting in the deaths of Captain Burke and Private Connors.  (Doyle says that this occurred on the 28th and that there was a separate ambush on a large pro-Treaty convoy on the 25th at Filadown near Glenfesk which did not result in any fatalities.)   

 Dorney (2017), pg 130;  Horgan (2018), pg ?; Doyle (2008), pgs 158-159

Aug-26

Anti-Treaty forces led by Frank Carty ambush 45 pro-Treaty troops outside Tubercurry, Co. Sligo  one pro-Treaty soldier is killed. Carty’s volunteers capture 30 to 40 rifles and one Lewis machine gun.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 215; Farry (2012), pg 101

Aug-26

Two young members of the anti-Treaty Fianna scouts, Sen Cole (19) and Alf Colley (21) are picked up on Newcomen Bridge in Dublin’s north inner city.  They are taken to Yellow Lane in Whitehall where both are killed.  On same day, an anti-Treaty volunteer, Bernard Daly, is taken from his workplace on Suffolk Street.  His body is found in Malahide – he had been shot five times. (Dorney says Sen Cole and Alf Colley. Dolan and Murphy say Alfred Cole and Sean Colley.) 

Dorney (2017), pg 177; Dolan and Murphy (2018), pg 279

Aug-26

An anti-Treaty ASU under Thomas Keating attack pro-Treaty troops stationed in Whitefield Court, Co. Waterford.  Despite a lengthy engagement, there are no casualties. See 2nd September.

McCarthy (2015), pg 112

Aug-26

Retired RIC man, John Cullen, is mortally wounded during a raid on his home in Ballymote, Co. Sligo.

Abbott (2019), pg 279

Aug-27

Provisional Government gives authority for an Army Strength of 35,000 (including Volunteer Reserves).

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 136

Aug-27

Two anti-Treaty army men (Sean Moriarty and James Healy) are arrested in Tralee by pro-Treaty forces.  Both are shot while prisoners. Healy survives but Moriarty dies.

 

Macardle (1998), pg 9; Doyle (2008), pgs 157-158

Aug-28

Collins buried in Dublin.

 

Curran J M (1980), pg 250

Aug-28

Two men – Luke McGrane and Anthony Brady– are shot during an armed robbery of a spirit grocer in the Oldpark area of Belfast.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 303

Aug-28

Michael Danford, an anti-Treaty volunteer, is arrested by pro-Treaty men in Limerick City – he is shot dead and his body dumped.

O’Callaghan (2018), pg 111

Aug 29

Peter Mullan (65) was shot in the head at his place of work, the Crumlin Road Picture House in Belfast.  A postman, George Higgins (30), is shot and his body was found near the isolated Musgrave Channel Road.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 303 & 304

Aug-29

50 members of the Civic Guard move into the No. 1 Barracks on Lower Main Street, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

Ó Duibhir (2011), pg 200

Aug-30

Anti-Treaty forces attack Bantry.  They had captured several posts when the killings of Gibbs Ross and three other officers led to a retreat.  (Hopkinson says Ross was O/C of the 3rd Cork Brigade but probably was O/C of the 5th Cork Brigade.)

 

Hart (1998) pg 119; Hopkinson (1988), pg 203

Aug-30

Cosgrave renews Collins’ protest to Churchill about the NI government’s Local Government Bill which aimed to remove Proportional Representation.  Churchill replied that he hoped to procure some further delay.

 

Phoenix (1994), pg 250

Aug-30

British army soldier Lieutenant R.J. Story is shot dead when sitting in a taxi in Merrion Sq, Dublin

Dorney (2017), pg 302

Aug-31

Anti-Treaty men enter the print works of the Kerry People and remove the main printing press – the paper has to cease publication.

Doyle (2008), pg 160

Aug-31

End of disbandment process of RIC.  A total of 13,502 men had been disbanded including 1,158 in the Auxiliary Division of the RIC.  Very generous terms given (e.g. irrespective of length of service, 12 years were added and used when calculating remuneration). 

(Abbott when commenting on the number of RIC men who helped the IRA, states that 1,136 ex-RIC men applied for pensions to the committee set up under the 1923 Free State Superannuation and Pensions Act and that, by 1927, 631 were successful.)

 

Abbott (2000), pg 295-296; Abbott (2019), pg 380

Aug

Mrs Mary Hartney is shot by pro-Treaty troops in Adare, Co. Limerick.  (She was only one of three Cumman na mBan to be killed in the War of Independence or Civil War.)

McCoole (2003), pg 98; McCarthy (2014), pg 214;  Corbett (2008), pg 74,

Aug-31

Ó Murthuile, as secretary of Supreme Council of the IRB (and then governor of Kilmainham jail), calls a meeting of senior colleagues “to meet me to discuss the situation, to take over his [Michael Collins’s] I.R.B. papers, etc.”

 

Valiulis (1985), pg 97

 

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