July 1922
|
Jul 1-5 |
Fighting in
Dublin. Pro-Treaty forces clear anti-Treaty troops from a number of
buildings in the centre of Dublin. More
Detail |
O'Farrell P (1997),
pg xxii; Hopkinson (1988), pg 124; Curran J M (1980), pg 236; Macardle
(1999), pgs 753-754; Brennan (1950), pg 344; Dorney (2017), pgs 89-98; Walsh (2018), pg 180; Doyle (2008), pgs
103-106; O’Connor and Connolly (2011), pgs 103-112 |
|
Jul-01 |
The only two posts
in Munster in pro-Treaty hands are Skibbereen and Listowel and these are
attacked. Listowel surrenders on the 1st and Skibbereen on the 4th
but see 29th July. |
O’Donoghue (1986),
pg 261 |
|
Jul-01 |
Fighting breaks out
in Drogheda between pro- and anti-Treaty forces resulting in the deaths of
one pro-Treaty soldier (John Lynch) and one-anti Treaty soldier (Liam
Leech). |
Hall (2019), pg 103 |
|
Jul-01 |
Anti-Treaty forces
from North and East Mayo join with South Sligo men, led by Frank Carty, and
successfully attack a pro-Treaty post at Market House in Colloney. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 158 |
|
Jul-01 |
Collins informs
cabinet that he has declared himself Commander-in-Chief of the National Army. |
Dorney (2017), pg
70 |
|
Jul-01 |
A unionist
publican, William Frazer, from Newtownhamiltown, Co. Armagh is abducted by
three armed men on his way to Newry.
He is never seen alive again and his body is not found until
1924. (Lawlor says 1st July
and Hall says 6th July.) |
Lawlor (2011), pgs 300-301; Hall (2019), pg 96 |
|
Jul-02 |
Anti-Treaty forces
attack the pro-Treaty post in the workhouse in Boyle, Co. Roscommon
(resulting in the death of Michael Dockery, O/C of the pro-Treaty
forces). The fighting lasts three days until Sean Mac Eoin arrives with
re-enforcements and an 18-pound gun. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pgs 158-159 |
|
Jul-02 |
After escaping from
the Four Courts, Ernie O’Malley regroups with a number of other
anti-Treatyites around Blessington, south of Dublin. They link up with 110
strong column from Tipperary led by Mick Sheehan bringing their strength to
about 150 men. The plan was to move on
Dublin but, due to a mix-up between O’Malley and Traynor in Dublin, this move
did not happen. |
Dorney (2017), pg
108 |
|
Jul-02 |
Led by Frank Carty
(O/C South Sligo) and Tom Carney (O/C East Mayo), anti-Treaty forces capture
the workhouse in Colloney, Co Sligo.
They also carry out sniping attacks on nearby Markree Castle (which
had been occupied by pro-Treaty forces).
During this sniping, a pro-Treaty soldier (Lieutenant P. J. McDermott
from Riverstown, Co. Sligo) is shot dead.
In Sligo Town,
anti-Treaty forces abandon the military barracks (after burning it) which
they had held and establish a new HQ at Rahelly House near Lissadell. However, sniping continued in Sligo Town
over the next few days one pro-Treaty soldier and one civilian was killed. |
Farry (2012), pgs
98-99 |
|
Jul-02 |
After it was
evacuated by pro-Treaty soldiers on the 28th June, local
anti-Treaty volunteers burnt down Woodstock House near Inistioge, Co.
Kilkenny. (Woodstock House had been
occupied by Auxiliaries during the War of Independence and was subsequently
occupied by pro-Treaty forces. The
latter were ordered to proceed to Dublin on the first day of the Civil War.) |
Walsh (2018), pgs
182-183 |
|
Jul-03 |
Permission given by
Provisional Government for the raising of 20,000 men to serve in pro-Treaty
Army for six months. A Call to Arms is issued on the 6th
July. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 136; Macardle (1999), pg 766 |
|
Jul-03 |
A civilian, Sarah
Richardson, is killed by a stray bullet on Mark St. in Dublin. |
Dorney (2017), pg 90 |
|
Jul-04 |
Liam Lynch (on the
anti-Treaty side) and Donncada Hannigan and Michael Brennan (on the
Pro-Treaty side) agree to a truce in Limerick. (Curran says that Hannigan and
Brennan did this so as to stall until additional arms arrived from Dublin but
that this action made pro-Treaty GHQ suspicious of their loyalty.) |
Curran J M (1980),
pg 239; O’Callaghan (2018), pg 108; Corbett (2008), pg 84 |
|
Jul-04 |
Pro-Treaty forces
shell Millmount Barracks in Drogheda which had been occupied by anti-Treaty
forces but the latter had evacuated the building before the shelling
began. One civilian, Alice Slowwy, was
killed in this operation. |
Hall (2019), pg 104 |
|
Jul-04 |
Frank Aiken, O/C 4th
Northern Division, writes to Mulcahy saying he will stay neutral, calls for
an end to the fighting and calls for the removal of the Oath from the Treaty
because “you have the simple national abhorrence of swearing allegiance to a
foreign king and allowing part of the Nation to be ruled by people who have a
sworn loyalty to that king.” He also
calls for a new IRA army convention and a new constitution framed by the
Dáil. At a subsequent meeting, Mulcahy
rejects Aiken’s proposals but Aiken confirms his neutrality. (Aiken, with Mulcahy’s approval, goes to
Limerick to take part in the peace talks happening there – see July 7th
and 8th.) |
Macardle (1999),
pgs 761-762; Curran J M (1980), pg 240 |
|
Jul-04 |
Joseph Hurson (15),
a Catholic from Unity St., Belfast, was shot in the head by a sniper and
subsequently died in hospital. (McDermott
says June 23rd.) Later in the evening,
James Mooney (70), a Protestant from Third St., was shot and he dies a couple
of days later. |
Parkinson (2004),
pg 299; McDermott (2001), pg 259 |
|
Jul-04 |
Memos sent to the
press by Provisional Government ordering them to not use the phrase Free
State troops but rather National Forces.
Later, in October, more detailed orders given. For example, anti-Treaty army to be
referred to as Irregulars and not Republicans. |
Dorney (2017), pgs
147-148 |
|
Jul-04 |
Pro- and
anti-Treaty army leaders in Donegal (including Joe Sweeney on the pro-Treaty
side and Charlie Daly on the anti-Treaty side) meet for discussions in
Wilkin’s Hotel in Churchill. However, as with the earlier meeting in Drumboe
at the beginning of June, the meeting does not resolve anything. |
Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs 157-158 |
|
Jul-05 |
The last remaining
anti-Treaty men holding out in O’Connell St. surrender- they are led by
Cathal Brugha who is shot dead after refusing to lay down his arms. A
large number of the anti-Treaty forces in O’Connell St (including leaders
such as Traynor, de Valera, Barton, Art O’Connor, Stack) had slipped away in
the previous days. Large parts of O’Connell St and the Four Courts are
in ruins – damage estimated at between 3 and 4 million pounds. The Irish Independent states that “The
Irish government was obliged to take action against the Irregulars who had
defied, not British but Irish government” |
Macardle (1999),
pgs 753-754; Curran J M (1980), pg 236; Dorney (2017), pgs 96-97 & 103;
Townshend (2014), pg 410 |
|
Jul-05 |
Anti-Treaty
volunteers, who had taken over an unoccupied house, at Curraghtown near Trim,
Co. Meath, are surrounded by pro-Treaty forces. In the ensuing fighting, pro-Treaty Commandant
Sean Nolan (from Hospital St, Kildare Town) and anti-Treaty volunteer George
McDermott are killed. |
Durney (2011), pgs 81-82 |
|
Jul-05? |
A young girl,
Margaret Byrne, from Thomas Court, Dublin dies after her ‘face was blown
away’ and William Byrne of Abbey St dies after being shot in his stomach. |
Dorney (2017), pg 90 |
|
Jul-05 |
Two anti-Treaty
volunteers (Laurence Sweeney and Sylvester Sheppard) are killed in fighting
near Castledermot, Co. Kildare.
Sweeney is from Stillorgan, Co. Dublin and Sheppard is from Kill
Cottages, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare.
The anti-Treaty forces suffered further casualties as they retreated
from the town. |
Dorney (2017), pg
108; Durney (2011), pgs 82-83 |
|
Jul-05 |
A large force of
anti-Treaty men (some 300 men), under Dinny Lacey (O/C of the 3rd
Tipperary Brigade of the anti-Treaty army) attack Urlingford Barracks in Co.
Kilkenny. After about three hours, the
pro-Treaty garrison of 17 men in the barracks surrender. |
Walsh (2018), pgs
183-184 |
|
Jul-05 |
11 IRA men arrested
in a raid on St Peter’s Club in Sultan St in Belfast. A number of IRA reports
also found. A number of IRA men arrested and IRA weapons found in
Belfast in this period. Raids which netted IRA reports and documents
gave further names which increased the number of IRA men interned. |
McDermott (2001), pgs 260-262 |
|
Jul-06 |
Birkenhead says in
the House of Commons “the situation is more hopeful than it has been at any
moment since this Treaty was come to”. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 126; Macardle (1999), pg 757 |
|
Jul-06 |
Anti-Treaty IRA
column of over a 100 men from South Tipperary under Mick Sheehan, which had
taken over Blessington and were joined by men from the South Dublin Brigade
and others fleeing from Dublin including Harry Boland and Ernie O’Malley –
see Jul-02 above. They were surrounded by the pro-Treaty forces and
large numbers captured by the 8th July. Pro-Treaty army proceeds
to retake anti-Treaty posts in south Dublin, west Wicklow, south Kildare and
north Carlow. Nearly 200 captured in
Blessington, Brittas and Ballymore Eustace.
Two pro-Treaty soldiers were killed in this operation (Privates
Patrick Smith and Patrick Doyle) and four were wounded. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 142; Curran J M (1980), pg 239 |
|
Jul-06 |
According to
Hopkinson, two anti-Treaty volunteers are killed outside Mary Willie’s pub in
Urlingford. However, according to Walsh only one was killed, Paddy English
from Rehill, Co. Tipperary. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 167; Walsh (2018), pg 184 |
|
Jul-06 |
A 15-year old boy,
William Saunderson, is shot dead by pro-Treaty troops outside Mountjoy Prison
– they claim that he was signalling to prisoners inside the prison. |
Dorney (2017), pg
98 |
|
Jul-07 |
Churchill writes to
Collins expressing sympathy for his “terrible ordeal” but maintains that
strong measures were essential – “resolution and courage was indispensable if
Ireland were to be saved from anarchy and the treaty from destruction” |
Curran J M (1980),
pg 237; Dorney (2017), pg 103 |
|
Jul-07 |
Provisional
Government issues a national call to arms. The title 'National Army' is
formalised. |
O'Farrell P (1997),
pg xxii; Curran J M (1980), pg 238 |
|
Jul-07 |
Despite attempts by
Liam Lynch (on the anti-Treaty side) and Donncada Hannigan and Michael
Brennan (on the pro-Treaty side) to avert clashes, fighting breaks out between
the two sides in Limerick. Hopkinson says that
Hannigan (O/C 2nd Southern and Brennan O/C 1st Western)
agreed a truce with Lynch in Limerick on the 7th July (despite
protests from General Diarmaid MacManus who had been sent by O’Duffy to
prevent any further peace talks). Hopkinson says that the truce gave
the Provisional Government time to build up their forces and caused
anti-Treaty forces in Cork and Kerry to become deeply disillusioned. (On the 6th, Sean Moylan had
urged Liam Deasy to take action “Send on the men and let us get on with the
war”.) However, Deasy and Lynch still
hoped that Brennan and O’Hannigan would stay neutral but the latter were
simply delaying so that they could build up their pro-Treaty troops (backed
by armoured cars) in Limerick. See July 11th. |
O’Donoghue (1986),
pg 265; Hopkinson (1988), pgs 147-149;
O’Callaghan (2018), pg 108 |
|
Jul-07 |
Pro-Treaty forces
take Galway |
Curran J M (1980),
pg 241 |
|
Jul-07 |
Some 50 anti-Treaty
volunteers, including their O/C George McCallion, are captured after a brief
battle at Skeog House, between Bridge End and Burnfoot in Co. Donegal. One anti-Treaty volunteer, Hugh Morrison
from the Greggan in Derry, was seriously wounded and dies a week later from
his injuries. |
Ozseker (2019), pg
179; Ó Duibhir (2011), pg 163-165 |
|
Jul-07 |
Two creameries at
Chapeltown and Ballymacquin near Tralee, Co. Kerry, owned by the Manchester
Co-operative Society, are burnt to the ground |
Doyle (2008), pg
109 |
|
Jul-08 |
Frank Aiken travels
to Limerick to meet Liam Lynch. He told him that although he had moral
right on his side, it was bad tactics. However, he does not persuade
him to cease fighting. |
Macardle (1999), pg
762 |
|
Jul-08 |
With Aiken in
Limerick, O’Duffy writes to Aiken ordering him to return to his divisional area
and take action against the anti-Treaty forces, led by Patrick McKenna, in
Dundalk. He sends similar orders to
John McCoy, Adjutant, 4th Northern Division. McCoy replies saying that the 4th
Northern was neutral and O’Duffy threatens to send troops to Dundalk. McCoy
replies that such troops would be considered hostile. |
|
|
Jul-08 |
Emmet Dalton briefs
Macready on military situation and requests further arms and ammunition. |
Curran J M (1980),
pg 237 |
|
Jul -08 |
A pro-Treaty
soldier, Edward Couglan, is shot in an attack in Amiens St, Dublin and dies a
month later. |
Dorney (2017), pg
98 |
|
Jul-08 |
A Protestant mob
attacks Catholics living in Conway St., Belfast which results in several
leaving their homes. Another attempt to get Catholics to leave their
homes the following evening is foiled by Specials based in the Falls Road
library and evicted residents of Norfolk and Conway Streets are escorted back
to their homes. Later, a Protestant youth, Frank McAleer, is shot dead
by police at his front door in the west of the City. |
Parkinson (2004),
pgs 299-300 |
|
Jul-08 |
The Kildare Observer reports that
pro-Treaty Lieutenant Casey dies of wounds received from sniping by
anti-Treaty forces. He dies in the
Curragh Hospital. |
Durney (2011), pg
80-81 |
|
Jul-09 |
Liam Deasy (who
took over as O/C of 1st Southern Division of anti-Treaty forces
from Liam Lynch) writes that “We are getting down to a systematic plan of
defence. At the moment, we are engaged in stretching that important
line Waterford to Clonmel taking the River Suir as a line.” However,
Hopkinson claims that the anti-Treaty’s famous Waterford-Limerick defensive
line never really existed. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 129 |
|
Jul-09 |
Pro-Treaty Army
Sergeant John Byrne was killed by a revolver shot in an attack on his outpost
on Harolds Cross bridge in Dublin. Also, Private Gerard O’Connor dies after
an attack in Portobello in which two other pro-Treaty soldiers are wounded. |
Dorney (2017), pg
98 |
|
Jul-09 |
Special Constable
Thomas Cochrane is accidently shot by a colleague in Katesbridge Barracks in
Co. Down and later dies of his wounds. |
Abbott (2019), pg 404 |
|
Jul-09 |
Officers of the IRA
Northern Divisions meet with Collins, Mulcahy and other members of the
Beggar’s Bush staff and agree that their campaign in the North should cease. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 223;
McDermott (2001), pg 264 |
|
Jul-10 |
Republican
prisoners were being released on signing a pledge not to take up arms again
against the Provisional Government which said that “while it might be
advisable to keep some of the leaders in custody for the present, no good
purpose would be served by retaining large numbers of the rank and file, and
that the public should be prepared by careful propaganda for an early general
release”. However, as Civil War went on the need for more prison
accommodation arose with Kilmainham being re-opened with Sean O Muirthile as
governor. Diarmaid O’Hegarty moved to being governor of Mountjoy.
Gormanstown and the Curragh were also opened. There were a lot of
protests from prisoners about conditions especially in Limerick jail. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 139 |
|
Jul-10 |
Sean Moylan leads a
column of anti-Treaty men to New Ross. After staying around for a few
days, he leads them out of there again. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 144 |
|
Jul-10 |
Two pro-Treaty
soldiers, Thomas Reilly (from Valleymount, Co. Wicklow) and Paddy Tierney
(from Newbridge, Co. Kildare) are approaching Coolcarrigan House (outside
Naas, Co. Kildare) with a view to joining the anti-Treaty forces when they
are shot at by anti-Treaty volunteers.
Reilly is killed. Tierney
survives but is badly wounded. |
Durney (2011), pgs 84-85 |
|
Jul-11 |
Sean O’Hegarty
tells Lynch “No other course was open to Griffith and Collins except to
attack Rory O’Connor in the Four Courts”. O’Hegarty and Florence
O’Donoghue of Cork No. 1 Brigade remain neutral during the Civil War. |
|
|
Jul-11 |
Anti-Treaty forces
enter Sligo Town and their Commandant Seamus Devins demands surrender of the
pro-Treaty forces in the town but pro-Treaty O/C Martin Fallon refuses.
Following intervention from the RC Bishop of Elphin, the anti-Treaty forces
do not attack and withdraw their men from the town. (Farry says this took place on the 14th
July and that the anti-Treaty forces used the Ballinalee armoured car in this foray into Sligo – see 13th
July) |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 159; Farry (2012), pg 99 |
|
Jul-11 |
After 150
pro-Treaty troops arrive in Limerick (see July 7th), Brennan sends
Lynch formal confirmation that the truce is over and fighting breaks
out. Neither side gains substantial advantage in the early days of the
fighting which lasts until July 21st. The fighting is concentrated around
anti-Treaty held positions. Thousands
of civilians flee and there are a number of civilian casualties. See July 19th below. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 149-150; Curran J M (1980), pg 239; O’Callaghan (2018), pgs 108-109;
Corbett (2008), pg 84 |
|
Jul-11 |
Harry Little, a
Protestant tram driver, goes to the aid of Catholic neighbours who are being
evicted in Belfast and is himself shot dead. |
Parkinson (2004),
pg 300 |
|
Jul-11 |
The Londonderry Sentinel reports that
William Brown[e] from Bishop St., Derry dies at Derry Infirmary after being
brought there by Specials to receive treatment. He had joined the pro-Treaty army and had
been shot by anti-Treaty volunteers during an incident on the Donegal/Derry
border at Kilderry. |
Ozseker (2019), pg
180; Ó Duibhir (2011), pg 171 |
|
Jul-11 |
An anti-Treaty
column, led by Charlie Daly, ambush a pro-Treaty convoy at Drumkeen, on the
Stranorlar to Letterkenny road, in Co. Donegal. Two pro-Treaty soldiers (Jack Sweeney from
Milford and Charlie McGinley from Glenswilly) are killed and two others are
taken prisoner. The two prisoners are
later released. A number of
anti-Treaty volunteers resign in the aftermath of this ambush. |
Ozseker (2019), pg
181; Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs 167-169; Gallagher (2003), pg 40; Grant (2018), pg 139 |
|
Jul-12 |
Liam Lynch moves
the anti-Treaty army HQ from Limerick to Clonmel. |
O’Donoghue (1986),
pg 266; Corbett (2008), pg 86 |
|
Jul-12 |
O’Malley informs
Lynch that, after leaving Blessington, he had moved his column south and
captured a number of towns including Enniscorthy. Paddy O’Brien (who had
commanded the Four Courts garrison) is killed during the taking of
Enniscorthy. |
Dorney (2017), pgs
108-109 |
|
Jul-12 |
With his O/C, Frank
Aiken, still in Limerick, John McCoy (Adj, 4th Northern) has to
deal with a small scale mutiny in Dundalk barracks. The officer in charge of barracks, Dominic
Doherty, and five or six other men are court-martialled – Doherty is ordered
to leave the area immediately and the rest are imprisoned. |
Hall (2019), pg 105 |
|
Jul-12 |
Large raid on train
(by anti-Treatyites?) at Churchill, Co. Donegal. |
|
|
Jul-12 |
Pro-Treaty brigade
staff in East Limerick (numbering 47) captured by anti-Treaty forces. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 150 |
|
Jul-12 |
Even though there
are disturbances in the early hours of the 12th, the big parades
pass off peacefully in Belfast. |
Parkinson (2004),
pg 200 |
|
Jul-13 |
Provisional
Government states that meeting of parliament due to take place on 15th
is prorogued again. Does not meet until September 9th. |
Macardle (1999), pg
767; Curran J M (1980), pg 240 |
|
Jul-13 |
Provisional
Government appoints a War Council with Michael Collins as Commander-in-Chief;
Richard Mulcahy as Minister of Defence and Chief-of-Staff and Eoin O'Duffy as
assistant Chief-of-Staff. Hopkinson says that this War Council never
met again. There is also a re-organisation of the pro-Treaty army and
Provisional Government More Detail |
O’Donoghue
(1986), pg 266; Litton (1995) pg 82; Hopkinson (1988), pg 136 & 139;
Curran J M (1980), pgs 239-240; Dorney (2017), pg 105 |
|
Jul-13 |
Writing from the
Dublin mountains to Joe McGarrity in the States, Harry Boland says “I am
certain we cannot be defeated even if Collins and his British guns succeed in
garrisoning every town in Ireland”. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 132 |
|
Jul-13 |
Kilmallock and
Caherconlish (Limerick) taken by anti-Treaty forces. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 150 |
|
Jul-13 |
Pro-Treaty forces
attacked at Rockwood, Co. Sligo (on the shores of Lough Gill) by anti-Treaty
forces under Frank Carty. Five
pro-Treaty soldiers (Farry say four) are killed (including pro-Treaty Comdt
Sean Adare) and four wounded.
Remaining pro-Treaty soldiers surrender. Anti-Treaty forces also
capture the armoured car called the Ballinalee (which they re-name Lough
Gill). After this, General
Sean Mac Eoin took a force of 300-400 pro-Treaty soldiers from Athlone and
re-captures Colloney following a four-hour battle. (O’Farrell and Farry says
14th.) |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 159; O'Farrell P (1997), pg 141 & 142; Farry (2012), pg 99 |
|
Jul-13 |
Robert Boyd, a
protestant, is crushed by a Crossley tender during minor disturbances in the
Newtownards Rd. area of Belfast and dies a few days later. |
Parkinson (2004),
pg 301 |
|
Jul-14 |
Frank Aiken, on
returning from Limerick, meets with his officers of 4th Northern
Division and they agree that unless the Provisional Government withdraws the
Oath for admission to Parliament then they would give them no support – moral
or material. He then went to Dublin to talk to Mulcahy on the 15th. Mulcahy asked for a memo on how a
resolution on how the situation of the 4th Northern might be
resolved. See 16th July for
how Mulcahy thought the situation might be resolved. |
Macardle (1999),
pg762; Curran J M (1980), pg 241; Hall (2019), pg 106 |
|
Jul-14 |
Cabinet of Dáil
Eireann issues order suspending the sittings of the republican Supreme Court.
|
Macardle (1999), pg
768 |
|
Jul-14 |
An anti-Treaty
volunteer, John Dobbyn, is accidently killed by a fellow volunteer near
Dungarvan, Co. Waterford during the retreat of anti-Treaty forces. |
McCarthy (2015), pg
110 |
|
Jul-15 |
Liam Lynch moves
the anti-Treaty HQ from Clonmel to Fermoy.
In Limerick, pro-Treaty forces launch an attack on Strand Barracks and
Castle Barracks but they are repelled. Pro-Treaty forces realise that they
will require artillery to take these positions. |
O’Donoghue (1986),
pg 266; Corbett (2008), pg 88 |
|
Jul-15 |
Frank Crilly, a
Protestant, is shot on his way home after curfew. |
Parkinson (2004),
pg 301 |
|
Jul-15 |
Anti-Treaty Forces
snipe at pro-Treaty positions in mid and west Clare. They also destroyed a number of
bridges. Later, they captured Kilrush
and Kilkee with the loss of one
volunteer, Patrick O’Dea. (Ó Ruairc
also says that Eoin O’Duffy, Michael Brennan and Sean MacEoin held a
conference on this day in Quinn’s hotel in Ennis with officers of the 1st
Western Division.) |
Ó Ruairc (2009), pg
307 |
|
Jul-16 |
Frank Aiken, O/C 4th
Northern Division, who had kept his Division neutral, is arrested by
pro-Treaty forces, led by Dan Hogan, in Dundalk Military Barracks along with
300 of his men. Aiken says that he woke up with “two Thompsons at my
nose”. (Hopkinson says Dan
Hogan, O/C 5th Northern Division, acted on his own initiative in
capturing Dundalk barracks with backing from Eoin O’Duffy. O’Duffy wished to force Aiken’s hand while
Mulcahy would have allowed him his neutrality. It would seem from future correspondence
between Aiken and Mulcahy that Mulcahy may not have been aware that Dundalk
was to be taken by his pro-Treaty troops.
However, it is also possible that Mulcahy and O’Duffy were playing
‘good-cop, bad-cop’ with Aiken.) Aiken had met with
Mulcahy the previous day in Dublin -
see 15th. There were no casualties in the take over the Military
Barracks but two men were killed when the pro-Treaty forces were taking over
the former RIC barracks in Anne St. The two men were Patrick Quigley
and John Joseph Campbell. (Dooley says
15th July. Also, Hall says
that Quigley was wounded.) See July 27th. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 170; Gavin and O’Donnell (1999), pg 34; Dooley (2017a), pg 107; Hall
(2019), pg 106 |
|
Jul-16 |
The anti-Treaty
volunteers who were in occupation of the fort on Inch Island on the Inishowen
Penninsula in Co. Donegal surrender after a 10-day siege after artillery was
used by the pro-Treaty forces. Thirty-three anti-Treaty volunteers arrested. On seeing what the use of artillery could
do to a fixed position, Sean Lehane (O/C of the anti-Treaty forces in
Donegal) decides to abandon their last post in Donegal in Glenveagh Castle
and form columns which would stay ‘on the run’. |
Ozseker (2019), pg
180; Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs 170-174 |
|
Jul-17 |
Commandant General
John T. Prout leads his Pro-Treaty forces from Kilkenny to attack Waterford
city. (Paddy Paul was his second-in-command.) |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 154; Curran J M (1980), pg 241; McCarthy (2015), pg 106-108; Walsh (2018),
pgs 186-187 |
|
Jul-17 |
Anti-Treaty Captain
Sean O’Halloran is killed during a clash between pro- and anti-Treaty forces
at Bunahowe on the road between Gort and Ennis in Co. Clare. |
Ó Ruairc (2009), pg
307 |
|
Jul-17 |
Pro-Treaty army
said to consist of 15,000 men. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 136 |
|
Jul-19 |
Fighting in
Limerick. See July 11th. After further pro-Treaty reinforcements
arrive in Limerick City (under O’Duffy) the fighting intensifies with
artillery being used by the pro-Treaty side to reduce the Strand Barracks to
rubble. The fighting is over by 21st July. Hopkinson and Doyle
say eight pro-Treaty soldiers are killed and between 20 and 30 anti-Treaty
soldiers killed. However, O’Callaghan
says six pro-Treaty soldiers, five anti-Treaty soldiers and eleven civilians
are killed. One of the anti-Treaty casualties was
Volunteer Patrick Foran from Lisellton, Co. Kerry. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pgs 149-150; Curran J M (1980), pg 239; O’Callaghan (2018), pg 109; Corbett
(2008), pgs 91-96; Doyle (2008), pg 111; O'Farrell P (1997), pg xxii; Curran
J M (1980), pg 239 |
|
Jul-19 |
The Protestant
church in the village of Ahascragh, Co. Galway is subjected to an arson
attack. This is the most prominent act
in a campaign of low level intimidation against Protestants in the area and
in neighbouring Ballinasloe. The attack is condemned by the local Catholic
clergy. (Subsequently, the Free State
government paid £7,500 in compensation for the damage to the church under the
Damage to Property Compensation Act 1923.) |
McNamara (2018),
pgs 176-179 |
|
Jul-20? |
Two pro-Treaty
soldiers (Privates John Foran and John Martin) killed in successive nights in
attacks outside Mountjoy prison in Dublin.
|
Dorney (2017), pg
111 |
|
Jul-21 |
During a sniping
attack on Wellington Barracks in Dublin by anti-Treaty volunteers, a civilian
is killed. This is part of a campaign
of attacks and sniping by Dublin anti-Treaty volunteers as they start to
regroup after their defeat in the Four Courts and O’Connell St earlier in the
month. |
Dorney (2017), pg
111 |
|
Jul-21 |
Ernie O’Malley (who
had been appointed Assistant Chief-of-Staff of the anti-Treaty army on the 10th
July by Liam Lynch and given command of the Northern and Eastern divisions),
writes to Lynch asking “Could you give me an outline of your Military and
National Policy as we are in the dark here with regard to both?” |
Hopkinson (1988),
pgs 129 & 144 |
|
Jul-23 |
Having secured
Limerick City, some pro-Treaty troops are sent to Ennis, Co. Clare where they
attack anti-Treaty positions and engage in wide-spread sweeps to arrest known
anti-Treaty men. |
Ó Ruairc (2009),
pgs 308-309 |
|
Jul-23 |
A report on the
Curragh command states that JJ O’Connell (O/C Curragh command) has little
knowledge of his command. Pro-Treaty
Commandant Paddy O’Connor passed through the Curragh around this time. He says “The place was in chaos and it was
difficult to find anyone in authority.” He does not name O’Connell but says
that it was a surprise to find the place in chaos as an “alleged army expert
had been posted there to handle organisation and training”. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 157; O’Connor and Connolly (2011), pg 117 |
|
Jul-23 |
Pro-Treaty forces
following the anti-Treaty forces who evacuated Limerick get stuck down in
Bruff-Bruree-Kilmallock triangle. Fighting continues in this area for about
two weeks – sometimes resembling trench warfare. See July 26th. |
Curran J M (1980),
pg 242; O’Callaghan (2018), pg 109 |
|
Jul-23 |
Pro-Treaty forces
under Commandant General Edward Cooney arrive in Claremorris, Co. Mayo where
they are greeted as liberators. O/C of
anti-Treaty 2nd Western Division, Tom Maguire, orders the burning
of Ballinrobe RIC station and retreats west. |
Price (2012), pg
216 |
|
Jul-23 |
Two Catholic girls
(aged 12 and 20) are shot by members of the Sussex Regiment near
Jonesborough, Co. Armagh. |
Lynch (2010), pg 201 |
|
Jul-24 |
Westport Landing Pro-Treaty forces land by sea at Westport.
They had left Dublin on the 22nd in the Minerva under
Colonel-Commandant O’Malley with 400 men. (Price says that they were led by
Brigadier General Joe Ring.) Michael Kilroy, O/C of anti-Treaty 4th
Western Division orders the burning of the RIC barracks and post office in
Castlebar (but the burning of latter is prevented by local people). After taking
Westport, most of the main towns in Mayo were taken by the pro-Treaty forces
in the next few days. (Price says by
end of August.) By the end of the month, small pro-Treaty garrisons are
being closed down and troops withdrawn to the Curragh for training (in
anticipation of guerrilla war). |
O'Farrell P (1997),
pg xxii; Hopkinson (1988), pg 160; Macardle (1999), pg 761; Price (2012), pgs
220-221 & 225 |
|
Jul-24 |
Four pro-Treaty
soldiers are shot dead by anti-Treaty men at Ballingaddy, near Kilmallock,
Co. Limerick. It would appear that
they were shot after surrendering. See
also 28th July. |
O’Callaghan (2018),
pg 110 |
|
Jul-24 |
A train carrying
prisoners is ambushed at Killurin, Co. Wexford and a number of prisoners
escape. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 198 |
|
Jul-24 |
Mrs Nellie McDonagh
is shot dead during a break in to her home in Riverstown, Co. Sligo by a
group of youths looking for a gun they think is in the house. This is symptomatic of a widespread rise in
lawlessness during this period. |
Farry (2012), pg
107 |
|
Jul-25 |
Harry Boland
writing to Joe McGarrity in the States asks “Can you imagine, me on the run
from Mick Collins?” |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 132 |
|
Jul-25 |
Writing to Ernie
O’Malley, Liam Lynch says “Since the attack on GHQ Four Courts and the splendid
rush to arms of IRA in defence of the Republic against domestic enemies we
are finished with the policy of compromise and negotiation unless based on
recognition of the Republic. … we have no intention of setting up a
government but await such time as An Dáil will carry on as Government of the
Republic … In the meantime, no other Government will be allowed to function.”
|
Dorney (2017), pg
106 |
|
Jul-25 |
Collins writes to
Cosgrave asking him to be less abusive in the propaganda about the
anti-Treaty forces. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 140 |
|
Jul-25 |
Pro-Treaty forces
discover an anti-Treaty column led by Kit McKeon (from Longford) hiding in
Brize House on the road between Claremorris and Balla in Co. Mayo. In the ensuing gunbattle, there are a
number of injuries but no fatalities.
The anti-Treaty column of 13 men surrenders. |
Price (2012), pg
224 |
|
Jul-26 |
A grenade attack by
anti-Treatyites on pro-Treaty troops in York St, Dublin misses its target and
wounds six civilians |
Dorney (2017), pg
111 |
|
Jul-26 |
Provisional
Government agree to an army strength of 35,000 |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 136 |
|
Jul-26 |
O’Duffy reports
serious reverses on the advance towards Kilmallock. Some of his troops in
Bruff had deserted to the anti-Treaty side. Thirty of his men had been
captured between Kilmallock and Bruff on the 22nd and forty-seven
captured on the 23rd near Thomastown. (After he had
established himself in Limerick, O’Duffy had sent Brennan and his men to
clear up resistance in Clare and 200 men under Brigadier Keane is sent to
towards Rathkeale and onto Kerry. He himself with O’Hannigan and W R E
Murphy moved towards Kilmallock. Hopkinson states that during this
period, the Bruff-Bruree-Kilmallock triangle saw the heaviest continuous
fighting of the Civil War.) O’Duffy very critical of the quality of his
troops. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 150-152; O’Callaghan (2018), pg 110 |
|
Jul-26 |
Pro-Treaty forces
(some 300 men) under Jerry Ryan surprise anti-Treaty forces at Golden, Co.
Tipperary. Three days later the anti-Treaty forces tried to re-take
Golden but without success. This was followed by the pro-Treaty forces
taking Tipperary Town. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 168 |
|
Jul-26 |
An anti-Treaty
column staying in farmhouses are surprised by pro-Treaty troops at the Glen near
Glenties, Co. Donegal. Four (or two)
anti-Treatyites are subsequently arrested (including Joseph McGurk of Tyrone
who was QM of the anti-Treaty 2nd Northern Division) but most of
the column escapes over the Blue Stack mountains. In a related
incident, two pro-Treaty soldiers – Corporal Albert Devine and Private James
Scallon – were killed. (They were killed by Donncha MacNelis who apparently
they mistook for a priest.) |
Ozseker (2019), pg
189; Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs 177-178; Gallagher (2003), pg 41; Grant (2018), pg 139 |
|
Jul-26 |
Writing a memo on
the General Situation, Collins wrote “we now have a force that means
something in future dealings with Britain and the North East … The present
fight [Civil War] is only training our troops, it gives our soldiers
confidence”. |
Dorney (2017), pg
128 |
|
Jul-27 |
Con Moloney
(Adjutant-General of anti-Treaty army) reports to Divisional O/Cs that
“Organisation is bad in most areas, Coys are not paraded, Council meetings
etc. are not being held and reports are not being forwarded.” |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 130 |
|
Jul-27 |
Oscar Traynor and a
number of other senior anti-Treaty officers are arrested at Baggot Street
Bridge. Traynor replaced by Frank Henderson as O/C anti-Treaty Dublin
Brigade. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 145; Dorney (2017), pg 113; Townshend (2014), pg 415 |
|
Jul-27 |
Writing to Luke
Gibbons, Harry Boland says that “There is no doubt that the people in the
main is against us at present, believing that we are to blame for the present
state of affairs”. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 127-127 |
|
Jul-27 |
Frank Aiken and 105
fellow prisoners escape from Dundalk Jail after the walls of the prison are
mined. The V/C or Adjutant of the 4th Northern, John McCoy,
had escaped capture on the 16th July and organised the
escape. (However, McCoy himself was later captured in an engagement on
the Castleblayney road in which a number of pro-Treaty soldiers were
killed. Hall names only one, Private J
F McCaffrey.) Aiken escapes but,
even then, would not commit to the anti-Treaty side. He retreats, with
his men to the Cooley peninsula – see 14th August. Some 60 of the 105
escapees are back in custody within a week. (Macardle says 28th.) |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 170; Macardle (1999), pg 763; Curran J M (1980), pg 241; Dooley (2017a),
pg 107; Hall (2019), pg 108 |
|
Jul-27 |
Special Constable
David Sugenor is accidentally shot dead by a colleague in Smithfield Barracks
in Belfast. |
Abbott (2019), pg
413 |
|
Jul-28 |
Pro-Treaty forces
ambushed at Maryborough resulting in the deaths of Commandant-General
McCurtain and Commandant Collison (the two main pro-Treaty officers in
Laois-Offally) and Capt Gantly. Twenty-four of the ambushers are
captured. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 157 |
|
Jul-28 |
Pro-Treaty forces
take Tubbercurry, Co Sligo. Last town
in Sligo in anti-Treaty hands.
Afterwards, anti-Treaty forces increasingly take to guerrilla tactics. |
Farry (2012), pg
100 |
|
Jul-28 |
Four pro-Treaty
soldiers are shot dead by anti-Treaty men at Ballygibba, near Bruree, Co.
Limerick. It would appear that they
were shot after surrendering. Their
names were Power, Murphy, Carey and O’Mahony.
Same as July 24th? |
O’Callaghan (2018),
pg 110 |
|
Jul-28 |
Pro-Treaty forces,
under Tom Glennon, capture Glenveagh Castle in Co. Donegal. This was the last fixed position held by
the anti-Treatyites in Donegal. |
Ozseker (2019), pg
188 |
|
Jul-29 |
Patrick McGivern
fatally wounded by a gunman on the Old Lodge Road, Belfast. |
Parkinson (2004),
pg 301 |
|
Jul-29 |
IRA man, Dominick
Wilson, taken from his home in Annagh, near Desertmartin, Co. Londonderry by
men in police caps and shot dead. He
was badly beaten before he was shot. |
Grant (2018), pg
136; Lawlor (2011), pg 310-313 |
|
Jul-29 |
Pro-Treaty forces
in Foynes, Co Limerick give up their post. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 152 |
|
Jul-29/30 |
Pro-Treaty forces
under Paddy O’Connor and Jerry Ryan take Tipperary Town. The pro-Treaty forces of some 500 men were
made up of the Dublin Guard and local men.
Pro-Treaty soldiers also take Ballina in Co. Mayo. |
Curran J M (1980),
pg 242; Price (2012), pg 225; O’Connor and Connolly (2011), pgs 118-120 |
|
Jul-30 |
Harry Boland is
shot during his arrest by pro-Treaty troops in the Grand Hotel in Skerries –
he is to die on the 2nd August. Joe Griffin, D/I of anti-Treaty
Dublin Brigade, is arrested in same incident.
Austen Stack subsequently is made anti-Treaty IRA QM General. |
O’Donoghue (1986),
pg 274; Hopkinson (1988), pg 132; Macardle (1999), pg 776-777; Dorney (2017),
pg 113; Townshend (2014), pg 415 |
|
Jul-30 |
Pro-Treaty forces,
led by O’Duffy, carry out a two-pronged attack on Bruree and capture it after
a five-hour battle. |
Curran J M (1980),
pg 242 |
|
Jul-30 |
Pro-Treaty troops,
who are raiding a public house in the early hours of the morning in Blackmill
Street in Kilkenny City, shoot at some men fleeing from the back of the
pub. One is shot and dies shortly
afterwards. He name is Samuel Oakes, a
21-year old employee of Smithwick’s Brewery.
|
|
|
Jul-31 |
Mac Eoin reports to
Collins that “In the Midlands Divisions all posts and positions of military
value are in our hands.” |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 157 |
|
Jul-31 |
Replying to Collins
letter of the 28th June, Churchill said that he doubted the
advantage of Proportional Representation to the Catholic minority and that
the refusal of nationalists to recognise the NI government robbed Collins’
arguments of much of their substance. |
Phoenix (1994), pg 244 |
|
End-Jul |
Over 1,000
anti-Treaty prisoners held in Dublin. |
Dorney (2017), pg
112 |
|
Jul |
Rathangan Barracks,
Co. Kildare attacked by about 60 anti-Treaty men under Jim Dunne and Paddy
Brennan. The pro-Treaty garrison of
about 35 men is forced to surrender after an hour’s fighting. No fatalities but 10 pro-Treaty men wounded
and the anti-Treatyites make away with a considerable cache of arms and
ammunition. |
Durney (2011), pg
81 |
|
Jul |
In a memo to
Cabinet, Collins writes the Civil War is “a fight for national freedom” and
for the “freest and most democratic system yet devised”. Also, that “the Army has to recognise that
it is the servant and not the master of the people” |
Dorney (2017), pg
129 |
|
Jul |
In a series of
reports during July to Mulcahy, Seamus Woods in Belfast paints a very sombre
picture of the state of the nationalist population in NI in general and the
bad state of the military preparedness of his IRA forces. After two
years of unremitting bloodshed “The spirit of the people is practically dead”
and had a deep sense of having been abandoned by the southern
government. Their mood was “for a peace policy and recognition of the
northern government”. |
Phoenix (1994), pgs 245-246 |