March 1923

Mar-01-23/1

Thirty members of the Free State army enter Bessborough House in Piltown, Co. Kilkenny and burn it to the ground.  Their reason is that it was being used by anti-Treaty columns in the areas who were carrying out a lot of actions destroying rail infrastructure.  The house was owned by Vere Brabazon Ponsonby, 9th Earl of Bessborough.  The Free State had to completely rebuild Bessborough House to the exact designs of the original.

 

Walsh (2018), pgs 227-228

Mar-01-23/2

In the context of the seizure by the pro-Treaty Special Infantry Corps of cattle in lieu of unpaid debts, O’Higgins says in the Dáil that “we were the most conservative minded revolutionaries that ever put through a successful revolution”. 

 

Ferriter (2021), pg 110

Mar-01-23/3

The Freeman’s Journal reports that Free State soldier John Ryan shot himself dead when cleaning his revolver in Co. Kerry.

 

Doyle (2008), pg 276

Mar-02-23/1

Tom Crofts, who had taken over from Deasy as O/C 1st Southern Division of the anti-Treaty army, says that “We are completely on the rocks”.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 239

Mar-02-23/2

Key anti-Treaty IRA men in North Tipperary such as Paddy Ryan Lacken and Sean Gaynor are captured around this time. Also, later in the month the anti-Treaty columns operating in the Silvermines area are broken up.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 245

Mar-02-23/3

Knockabbey, which is owned by the O’Reilly family, in Co. Louth is destroyed.

 

Hall (2019), pg 118

Mar-03-23/1

Cosgrave sends a peace offer to de Valera based on two principles (a) all political issues to be decided by the majority vote of the elected representatives of the Irish people and (b) all lethal weapons to be in the effective control of the government.

 

Garvin (1996), pgs 120-121

Mar-04-23/1

Free State troops from Clonmel, Co Tipperary find the body of their comrade Sergeant Thomas McGrath at Clerihan - he had been shot many times and labelled ‘Convicted Spy’.

 

McCarthy (2015), pg 118

Mar-05-23/1

Having learnt about a column of an anti-Treaty column billeted around Garrane (or Gurrane) Hills or Mountains near Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry, the pro-Treaty army sends out three columns in an attempt to encircle the entire column. 

One of the pro-Treaty columns surrounds the O’Connell farmhouse in which a number of anti-Treaty men are staying.  After a gun battle, six anti-Treaty men surrender (including Kerry No. 3 Brigade V/C Denis Daly; Brigade QM Dan O’Connor and 1st Battalion O/C Michael Griffin).  The remainder of the anti-Treaty column manages to escape towards Glencar. Two Free State soldiers, Lieutenant Timothy O’Shea (from Cahirciveen) and Sergeant Jeremiah Quaine were killed in this encounter. 

Free State army Private William Healy (from Valentia) is killed and two pro-Treaty soldiers are wounded in another firefight. 

According to Macardle, only one anti-Treaty man (engineer Dan Clifford) was killed but it would seem that, during follow-up operations on March 6th, Volunteer Sean T. O’Sullivan was killed at Gleesk, near Glenbeigh.   

 

Macardle (1998), pgs 28-29; Horgan (2018), pgs 103-104; Doyle (2008), pg 268-270; O’Farrell (1997), pgs 201, 205, 210, 214, 219,

Mar-05-23/2

15 anti-Treaty prisoners escape from Galway Jail. 

Price (2012), pg 245

Mar-05-23/3

An attack by anti-Treaty forces on Cahirciveen is repelled.

Hopkinson (1988), pg 241

Mar-06-23/1

At Bairinarig wood, near Knocknagashel, Castleisland, Co Kerry five members of pro-Treaty army are killed and another very badly injured – they were searching for an anti-Treaty arms dump when they set of a trip mine.  They were working of false information sent to them by the anti-Treaty army in an effort to lure them into a trap.   Body parts were “strewn in all directions”.

The five killed were Lieutenant Paddy O’Connor (who was from the locality), Captains Michael Dunne and Edward Stapleton (who were from Dublin) and Privates Michael Galvin and Laurence O’Connor (from Killarney and Causeway, Co. Kerry respectively).  Also, Joseph O’Brien was so badly injured that both his legs had to amputated.

Doyle gives the background to this explosion and says that the explosion “and the series of atrocities carried out by government troop in retaliation for the deaths have come to define the extremes of experience of the Civil War in Kerry”.  See Mar-07-23/1.

 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xxiv; Hopkinson (1988), pg 240; Macardle (1998), pg 16; Dorney (2017), pg 245; Doyle (2008), pgs 270-271; Ferriter (2021), pgs 107 & 137-139

Mar-06-23/1

The Deputy Chief of Staff of the anti-Treaty forces writes to his Chief of Staff (Lynch) complaining about the dumping of arms “It is outrageous that about 1,200 rifles are in the 1st Southern area of which close on 500 are dumped, yet this Area will not assist other areas where opportunities afford for using Arms”.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 239

Mar-06-23/3

A young Free State soldier, Richard Duggan, is accidently shot in Waterford Infirmary where he is stationed.  He dies on March 11th.

 

Walsh (2018), pg 236

Mar-07-23/1

Writing to the Executive of the anti-Treaty army about the Free State government, Tom Barry says “It has been our hope in the past that we could prevent their governing, that popular opinion would force their abdication, that the decent elements in the Free State Army would come over to us … But none of these things happened.  One thing that we forget in our calculations was that the Free State government … is a body of men who will do anything to win”.  He puts forward Archbishop Harty’s proposals (see Feb-10-23/2) and endorses them rather than carrying on “until we are wiped out without gaining our objective”.

 

Kissane (2005), pgs 94 & 115

Mar-07-23/1

Con Moloney, Adjutant General of the anti-Treaty army, is captured in his hideout in Moore’s Wood, Rossadrehid in the Glen of Aherlow, Co Tipperary along with two other officers (including Jim Moloney, Con’s brother, who was Director of Communications).  Tom Derrig takes over as Adjutant General.

 

O'Donoghue (1986), pg 297 Hopkinson (1988), pg 236 & 244; O’Halpin (2019), pg 21

Mar-07-23/2

At Ballyseedy, outside Tralee, Co Kerry, eight anti-Treaty prisoners are blown up. 

Nine prisoners, after being selected by Colonel David Neligan and Captain Ned Breslin, had been taken from Ballymullen barracks in Tralee to Ballyseedy Cross in order to, according to the pro-Treaty side, clear a mine.  However, the prisoners were tied to a mine made by Free State men and the mine was detonated.  One prisoner (Stephen Fuller) escaped by being thrown over a hundred yards by the blast.  Body parts of those killed were scattered over several hundred yards. 

The eight prisoners killed were as follows:  John Daly (Castleisland), George [O’]Shea (Lixnaw), Timothy Twomey (Lixnaw), Patrick Harnett (Listowel), James [O’]Connell, John O’Connor (Liverpool), Patrick Buckley (Scartaglin)  and James Walsh (Lisdoigue). 

Ó Ruairc notes that Patrick Buckley had been an RIC man.  He had helped the IRA capture Newmarket-on-Fergus or Sixmilebridge RIC barracks during the WoI (see Jun-13-20/3 and Aug-05-20/3) and subsequently left the RIC. He had gone back to his native Castleisland, Co. Kerry and joined the IRA.  After the Treaty, he took the anti-Treaty side.  

See Mar-07-23/3.

 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xxiv; Hopkinson (1988), pg 241; Macardle (1998), pgs 16-19; Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 316; Doyle (2008), pgs 272-274; Ferriter (2021), pgs 107-108 & 138-139

Mar-07-23/3

Five anti-Treaty prisoners are brought from the Great Southern Hotel in Killarney, Co. Kerry to Countess Bridge between Killarney and Kilcummin. The prisoners are told to remove a barricade but, when they start, the pro-Treaty troops lob hand grenades at them and spray them with machine guns.  Four anti-Treaty prisoners are killed but, as at Ballyseedy, one prisoner (Tadgh Coffey) escapes. 

The names of the four prisoners killed are Jerimiah [O’] Donoghue, Stephen Buckley, Daniel [O’]Donoghue and Tim Murphy. (Jerimiah O’Donoghue and Buckley are from Killarney while Daniel O’Donoghue and Tim Murphy are from Kilcummin.)

As at Ballyseedy, the Free State side put out the story that the men died when clearing a mine placed by the anti-Treaty side.

Another attempt to get prisoners to ‘clear’ a mine at Castlemaine is foiled when some of the prisoners escape. 

 See Mar-12-23/1.

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xxiv; Hopkinson (1988), pg 241; Macardle (1998), pgs 20-25; Doyle (2008), pgs 274-275

Mar-07-23/4

In a reply to Lynch’s letter of February 28th (See Feb-28-23/1), de Valera says that the army should either “leave all political matters to the Government” or “If they want to deal with the political situation … they will have to think intelligently along political lines”.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 234

Mar-07-23/5

A Free State soldier (Private Christopher Green from Dublin) is shot dead while on sentry duty at Barraduff, Co. Kerry.

 

Doyle (2008), pg 275

Mar-07-23/6

A CID officer fires at a wanted man at the corner of Grafton St and Nassau St in Dublin.  He misses but mortally wounds 67-year old George Fitzhenry from Fairview.

 

Dorney (2017), pg 243

Mar-08-23/1

Joe Baker’s anti-Treaty column of 14 men is captured at Buckagh Mountain near Skerdagh, Co. Mayo.  An anti-treaty man, Captain Jim Moran, is killed during this engagement.  The captured men are badly treated by Free State officers.

 

Price (2012), pg 253

Mar-08-23/2

Three anti-Treaty volunteers are captured near Grange, Co. Waterford.  One is Bill Lennon who had joined the pro-Treaty army but subsequently left them to join the anti-Treaty side.  As his comrades knew that he could be shot as a deserter, they conducted a raid on the hospital in which he was recuperating and rescued him.

 

McCarthy (2015), pgs 118-119

Mar-08-23/3

Seamus Taylor, an anti-Treaty prisoner from Killorglin Barracks, is being taken to Tralee, Co. Kerry when he is killed at Ballyseedy Wood.  The Free State side say that he was killed in an ambush but the anti-Treaty side say that he was killed by his captors.

 

Macardle (1998), pg 33; Doyle (2008), pg 276

Mar-08-23/4

The anti-Treaty Army Executive issue General Order No. 17 saying that any anti-Treaty soldier who surrendered himself or his arms should be treated as a traitor.  He should be tried by court martial and, if found guilty, he should be shot.

 

Power (2020), pg 122

Mar-09-23/1

Kevin O’Higgins reiterates that the pro-Treaty government will take no steps towards setting up the Boundary Commission until such time as ‘stable conditions’ are in place.

However, the Irish News continues its campaign against the delays. The North-Eastern Boundary Commission in Dublin send former Belfast journalist Hugh A. McCartan to Derry, Belfast and Down to gauge nationalist feeling.

 

Phoenix (1994), pg 278

Mar-09-23/3

During a large sweep by pro-Treaty troops trying to capture an anti-Treaty column in south-east Kilkenny, a gun battle breaks out resulting in the death of Free State soldier, Gerald Jeremiah Comerford.  The anti-Treaty column escapes through Inistioge.

 

Walsh (2018), pg 235

Mar-10-23/1

A young anti-Treaty volunteer, Thomas Greehy from Lismore, Co. Waterford, is killed by a mine explosion at Kilwatermoy near Tallow.  The mine had been planted in an anti-Treaty arms dump by the Free State army. 

(A comrade of Greehy’s later reported that he had “searched for the body and found that of Volunteer Greehy with head and right arm partly blown away. I tied the body up in his trench coat and put it on my back and brought it to [the] graveyard and buried it without any coffin”.)

 

McCarthy (2015), pg 119; Ferriter (2021), pg 103

Mar-10-23/2

Anti-Treaty volunteers attempt to raid the house of James Buggy in Ballyouskill, near Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny.  However, when he refuses to open the door, they shoot into the house.  Buggy fires back killing a 19-year attacker called Thomas Mealey.

 

Walsh (2018), pg 236

Mar-10-23/3

The Free State army moves into the gas works in Waterford City and evict the striking workers (See Jan-26-23/4).  However, strike continues until August when the workers are defeated and have to return to work on management terms.

 

McCarthy (2015), pg 122

Mar-10-23/4

Free State Captain Bernard Cannon is shot dead in Creeslough Barracks in Co. Donegal.  While there are unanswered questions about who carried out this killing, Free State officers assumed that anti-Treaty volunteers were responsible.  This killing led to the executions in Drumboe – see Mar-14-23/2.

 

Ozseker (2019), pgs 191-192; Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs 225-227

Mar-11-23/1

The Freeman’s Journal reports that the Cleeve creamery at Pallasgreen,  Co Limerick was destroyed by fire.

 

O’Callaghan (2018), pg 127

Mar-11-23/2

A captured anti-Treaty army man (Frank Grady) is shot dead by Captain Michael ‘Tiny’ Lyons at Mountain Stage (between Behaghs and Killorglin, Co. Kerry) before, it is claimed, numerous witnesses.

On the same day, anti-Treaty man, Tim Keating, died of his wounds.  Doyle says that he might have been wounded at the Gurrane ‘encirclement’ on March 5th – See Mar-05-23/1.

 

Macardle (1998), pgs 33-35; Horgan (2018), pg 257; Doyle (2008), pg 277

Mar-11-23/3

On a major swoop on anti-Treaty sympathisers and activists in Britain, 114 men and women are arrested.  They are brought by special train to Liverpool and brought to Dublin on a British Navy cruiser.   On arrival, they are interned in Mountjoy jail.

McMahon notes “This crack down was carried out mainly to assist the Free State government in its prosecution of the Civil War.  It was the culmination of Anglo-Irish security co-operation during this period.”

However, the deporting of British citizens to Ireland for internment gave rise to a lot of protests in Britain, especially by the Labour Party. One of most prominent deportees, Art O’Brien, applied for a writ of habeas corpus to the British courts. This case made it way to the House of Lords who granted the writ. In May 1922, all the deported were released (but six were rearrested and imprisoned on charges of criminal conspiracy). The deportees demanded compensation and eventually got it – at the rate of £475 each for their two months internment.

McMahon comments “despite the legal complications and the release of the deportees after two months, the deportations had the desired effect”.  See Apr-05-23/1.

 

McMahon (2008), pgs 107-108

Mar-11-23/4

Hugh Haughton is shot dead on Donore Avenue, Dublin.  It is suspected that he is shot by pro-Treaty Intelligence officers for carrying anti-Treaty literature.

 

Dorney (2017), pg 237

Mar-12-23/1

Five anti-Treaty prisoners (Daniel [O’]Shea, Mike Courtney, John Sugrue, Willie Riordain and Eugene Dwyer) who were being held in Behaghs Workhouse (near Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry) are taken out supposedly to clear mines but the mine explodes and they are all killed. 

A report from the O/C of the anti-Treaty Kerry No. 3 Brigade states that they laid no mines in the area and none of their troops were in the area.  A military inquiry is set up by the Free State army under Paddy O’Daly, O/C Kerry Command, Col J McGuinness (Deputy O/C) and Michael Price but they deny that the killings were reprisals. 

However, Free State Lieutenant McCarthy, who was in charge of the Behaghs Workhouse, goes public and calls the perpetrators of the killings as a ‘murder gang’. 

To ensure that no one escaped this time (unlike Ballyseedy and Countess Bridge – see Mar-07-23/2 and Mar-07-23/3), the prisoners were shot in the legs before being placed on the mine.  Three of the bodies were unrecognisable after the explosion.

 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xxiv; Hopkinson (1988), pg 241; Macardle (1998), pgs 39-44; Doyle (2008), pgs 278-279; Ferriter (2021), pg 137

Mar-12-23/2

Pro-Treaty soldier, Patrick McCormack, is accidently shot dead by a comrade in Cashel Hospital, Co. Tipperary. 

Walsh (2018), pg 237

Mar-13-23/1

Three anti-Treaty prisoners - John Creane (from Taughmon, Co. Wexford); James Parle (Clover Valley, Taughmon, Co. Wexford) and Patrick Hogan (William’s St., Wexford) - are executed in Wexford. 

Also William Healy (from Donaghmore, Co. Cork) is executed in Cork and James O’Rourke (1 Upper Gloucester St., Dublin) is executed in Dublin for his part in an attack on Free State soldiers in Dame St on  February 21st – see Feb-21-23/1.

 

O'Farrell P (1997), pgs 222 & 223 & 224; Macardle (1999), pg 985; Dorney (2017), pg 246

Mar-13-23/2

An anti-Treaty prisoner, John Walsh from Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford, receives a gunshot wound in a fight with a Free State soldier in Kilkenny Jail and dies the following day.  McCarthy says that he died after being badly beaten and shot.

 

Walsh (2018), pg 237; McCarthy (2015), pg 111

Mar-13-23/3

Eight anti-treaty men are captured, including their leader Philip Rooney, after a two-hour gun battle with pro-Treaty forces in Kiltyclogher, Co. Leitrim.

McGarty (2020), pg 128

Mar-13-23/4

The Irish Times quotes Kevin O’Higgins as saying, with regard to the Neutral IRA, that those who are neutral are either “moral cowards” who knew that the anti-Treaty campaign was wrong and were afraid to say so or were “physical cowards” who thought that it was right but were afraid to participate.

 

Kissane (2005), pg 143

Mar-13-23/5

Two Free State soldiers, Captain Michael Cleary and Lieutenant Alfred Glynn, are experimenting with throwing grenades into the river Neale near Listowel, Co. Kerry.  It goes wrong and leads to both of their deaths.

Doyle (2008), pg 276

Mar-14-23/1

Anti-Treatyites Luke Burke (from Keady, Co. Armagh) and Michael Greery (Athenry, Co. Galway) are executed in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. 

(These executions are not listed by Macardle and so are not numbered among her 77.  O’Farrell does say that Burke and Greery were executed for a bank robbery in Oldcastle, Co. Meath so the question arises as to whether this robbery was sanctioned. Grant says that Burke was a civilian and that he had lived for a time in Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry where he had been involved with the IRA.)

 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg 222 & 146 & 161; Grant (2018), pg 139

Mar-14-23/2

Four anti-Treaty prisoners are executed at Drumboe, near Ballybofey/Stranorlar, Co. Donegal.  They are Charles Daly (from Knockaneacouree, Firies, Co Kerry); Daniel Enright (from Listowel, Co. Kerry); Timothy O’Sullivan (from William’s St., Listowel, Co. Kerry) and Sean Larkin (from Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry). 

A strong campaign had been mounted by his old south Derry comrades who had joined the pro-Treaty army (such as Dan McKenna and Johnny Haughey) to get a reprieve for Sean Larkin and it was claimed that a lastminute message from Richard Mulcahy was improperly relayed.  Joseph Sweeney, head of the pro-Treaty forces in Donegal, is reported to have later said that Larkin was shot by mistake.

See Mar-17-23/4.

 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg 222 & 223; Macardle (1999), pg 985; Grant (2018), pg 139; Ozseker (2019), pg 192; Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs 227-229

Mar-14-23/3

In response to the renewal of executions, Liam Lynch issues an ‘Amusement Order’ stating “that a time of national mourning be proclaimed, all sport and amusement be suspended, all picture houses and theatres and other places of public amusement be closed … Anyone refusing this order will be treated as an enemy of the Republic.” But see Mar-17-23/2.

 

Dorney (2017), pg 247

Mar-14-23/4

An anti-Treaty intelligence report says that Oriel House (pro-Treaty CID) is “receiving dozens of anonymous letters giving information on our troops, meetings, dumps, etc., most is unfortunately correct”.

 

Dorney (2017), pgs 240-241

Mar-14-23/5

Free State soldier, Private Donal McGuiness, is shot dead while on sentry duty outside Mountjoy Prison and Private Henry Kavanagh is killed outside Portobello Barracks.

 

Dorney (2017), pg 246

Mar-15-23/1

An anti-Treaty captain (John Kevins) is killed while in captivity in controversial circumstances at Carrinahone near Beaufort, Co. Kerry.

Macardle (1998), pg 35-39; Doyle (2008), pg 278

Mar-15-23/2

Pro-Treaty Private Nolan of the Railway Maintenance Corps is shot dead while off-duty outside Wellington (Griffith) Barracks in Dublin.

 

Dorney (2017), pg 246

Mar-15-23/3

A Free State patrol in the Windgap area of Co. Kilkenny is ambushed at Coolhill.  A young pro-Treaty soldier, Michael Brown, is killed.

 

Walsh (2018), pg 238

Mar-15-23/4

An anti-Treaty prisoner, Captain Nicholas Corcoran, is shot dead at close range near Ballina, Co Mayo.  It emerged at a subsequent court case in November, at which Free State Sergeant Daniel Boyle was accused of Corcoran’s murder, that Corcoran was one of four prisoners brought to a railway track near Ballina and ordered to clear a suspected mine. 

When the prisoners refused, Sergeant Boyle said that he intended to scare the prisoners by pointing a rifle at Corcoran and pretending to shoot him by pulling the trigger not realising that there was a bullet in the breech.  Sergeant Boyle was found not guilty.  (Power says that this occurred in Co. Clare.)

 

Price (2012), pgs 257-258; Power (2020), pg 108; Ferriter (2021), pg 107

Mar-15-23/5

Anti-Treaty Volunteer Stenson of Charlestown, Co. Mayo shot dead by Free State forces.

 

Price (2012), pg 259

Mar-15-23/6

Free State soldier Private Hayes is accidently killed by one of his colleagues at Newtown Sandes in Co. Kerry.

 

Doyle (2008), pg 276

Mar-16-23/1

A CID man (22-year old Patrick Kelly) is killed and another is wounded when anti-Treaty volunteers detonate a bomb outside the Customs and Excise Office on Beresford Place in Dublin.

 

Dorney (2017), pg 246

Mar-16-23/2

Writing to a man called O’Brien, de Valera said that it was his special role to mediate “the vast fundamental differences between men like Cathal Brugha and Arthur Griffith”.

 

Kissane (2005), pg 46

Mar-17-23/1

Austen Chamberlain says that “No citizens of Britain would grudge the use of British credit to assist the Irish Government to discharge its obligations”.

 

Macardle (1999), pg 837

Mar-17-23/2

Despite Lynch’s ‘Amusement Order’ (see Mar-14-23/3), a world heavyweight boxing match between Mike McTigue and Louis Mbarick Fall goes ahead in La Scala Theatre, Princes St, Dublin.  Anti-Treaty volunteers try to disrupt the fight but a heavy security presence prevents them. 

A Free State soldier, Private John Little, is accidently shot in Collins (Royal) Barracks and Colonel McDonnell, O/C of the Free State Dublin Brigade is seriously wounded by his own troops at Kingsbridge. 

Frank Bolster, a pro-Treaty army Intelligence Officer, is wounded at the Theatre Royal in Hawkins St, Dublin.

 

Dorney (2017), pgs 247-248

Mar-17-23/3

An anti-Treaty man, James Donovan (said to be an ex-RIC man) dies of his wounds near the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks in Co. Kerry.

 

Doyle (2008), pg

Mar-17-23/4

Four anti-Treaty men, held in Drumboe Castle in Co. Donegal, who had been arrested with Charlie Daly on November 2nd 1922 [see Nov-02-22/3] and sentenced to death but not executed on March 14th, write a letter calling on their comrades not to engage in any further acts of violence “for such acts brought about the execution of Daly and comrades”.

 

Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs 234-235

Mar-18-23/1

Dr Paddy Muldoon is shot dead in Mohill, Co. Leitrim. It would appear that this killing was not politically motivated but he was killed by a local priest trying to cover up his misdeeds.

Ken Doyle and Tim Desmond have written an excellent book called The Murder of Dr Muldoon (Mercier Press, 2019) on this killing.

 

McGarty (2020), pg 129

Mar-19-23/1

A young woman is removed from her home in Jerpoint near Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny by anti-Treaty men.  They take her four miles away where they shorn her hair for “her association with a member of the National army”.

 

Walsh (2018), pg 283

Mar-20-23/1

An anti-Treaty man (Jeremiah Casey) is killed while in custody in Beaufort, Co. Kerry.

Doyle says that the killing of Casey, along with Kevins (See Mar-15-23/1) and Donovan (See Mar-17-23/3) might have been the work of members of Collins’s old Squad who were now part of the Free State forces in Kerry.

 

Macardle (1998), pg 39; Doyle (2008), pg 276

Mar-20-23/2

The Teehan family home at Kilmanagh, Co Kilkenny was burnt by pro-Treaty soldiers after the Teehan family were given only five minutes to leave. 

Bill Quirke, O/C of the 2nd Southern Division of the anti-Treaty forces described the Teehan home as a “Field GHQ” and the night before it was burnt de Valera, Frank Aiken, Austin Stack and Tom Derrig had called to the house.  In retaliation, anti-Treaty men burnt the house, grocery and bakery of James Walsh of Templeorum, Piltown.  Walsh was an outspoken pro-Treaty county councillor.

 

Walsh (2018), pgs 229-230

Mar-20-23/3

Three prominent members of the anti-Treaty Kerry No. 1 Brigade (Tadgh Brosnan, Michael Duhig and Dan Rohan) are captured in a dug-out near Castlegregory, Co. Kerry.  According to the Free State army this completed “the capture of the principal ‘wanted men’ in west Kerry”. 

 

Horgan (2018), pg 90

Mar-22-23/1

Most members of the anti-Treaty Dalkey column are arrested after being cornered in a safe house in Albert Road, Glenageary.  One volunteer, Michael Neary is killed and two other volunteers and one member of Cumman na mBan are wounded.  One Free State soldier, Corporal Michael Baker, is also killed and two wounded – see Mar-23-23/1.

 

Dorney (2017), pg 253

Mar-22-23/2

A firefight takes place at the newly established Free State army post near Blessington, Co Dublin in which it is claimed a Free State soldier is killed. 

 

Dorney (2017), pg 317

Mar-23-23/1

Following what happened the previous day, the leader of the anti-Treaty Dalkey Column, Paddy Darcy, and two of his men surrender in an attempt to save the lives of two of the captured men.

 

Dorney (2017), pg 253

Mar-23-23/2

Three Free State soldiers – Lieutenant Thomas Jones, Sergeant Edward Gorman and Private Patrick Horan – are captured in Ballagh, Palace East, Co. Wexford by anti-Treaty volunteers.  Their bodies are found the following morning in the outhouse of a farm in the village of Adamstown.  It is thought that these killings were in retaliation for the executions of the three anti-Treaty prisoners in Wexford on March 13th – See Mar-13-23/1.

Walsh (2018), pgs 238-239; Ferriter (2021), pg 104

Mar 23 to 26-23/1

Executive of anti-Treaty army meets in James Cullinane's home in Blianta which is three miles east of Ballinamult, at the foot of the Monavullagh Mountains. They had to move to John Wall’s in Glenanore in the Nire Valley on March 26th due to National Army activity in the area. (Macardle says that they moved to Pierce Wall’s home in Knocknaree, Ballymacarbery, Co. Waterford.)

According to O’Donoghue, in attendance were Liam Lynch, Frank Aiken, Tom Derrig, Sean Dowling, Austin Stack, Tom Barry, Tom Crofts, Sean MacSwiney, Humphrey Murphy, Bill Quirke and Sean Hyde.  (Macardle gives the same list but says that neither Sean Hyde or PJ Ruttledge had made it from the West in time for the meeting.) 

De Valera was also asked to attend but without voting rights. Executive debated continuing struggle vs dumping arms but could not agree.  Peace proposals (presumably Archbishop Harty’s proposals – See Feb-10-23/2) defeated by six votes to five.  Afterwards, they decide to meet again on April 10th.

(Doyle says that John Joe Rice, O/C Kerry No. 1 Brigade, was also in attendance.)

 

O'Donoghue (1986), pg 299; Hopkinson (1988), pg 237; Doyle (2008), pg 283-284; Kissane (2005), pgs 115-116

Mar-23-23/3

The body of an anti-Treaty Volunteer, Thomas O’Leary, is found outside Tranquilla Convent, Upper Rathmines, Dublin with at least 14 bullet wounds.  He had been seen by witnesses being arrested by soldiers in uniform but the Free State army denied having any record of his arrest.

 

Dorney (2017), pgs 249-250

Mar-24-23/1

An anti-Treaty IRA Volunteer (Bob McCarthy from Monaree) is captured in Co. Kerry and brought to Dingle Workhouse.  Shortly afterwards, while being transferred to Tralee, he is shot dead. 

 

Macardle (1998), pgs49-50; Doyle (2008), pg 284

Mar-24-23/2

Anti-Treaty volunteer, Patrick O’Brien, is shot dead while trying to lay a bomb at the Carlton Cinema on O’Connell St., Dublin. 

Also, an anti-Treaty volunteer, William Walsh from The Coombe, is badly wounded during an ambush at Whitehall, Dublin on a Free State troop lorry.  He presents himself to the Mater Hospital but dies that night.

 

Dorney (2017), pgs 249 & 252

Mar-24-23/3

Writing to Lynch, Joe McGarrity (leader of Clan ns Gael in the US) says that he had “a small army of detectives or maybe thugs covering all his movements”.

The curtailment of anti-Treaty activities (in particular, the supply of guns to Ireland) was apparently due to co-operation between the British intelligence operatives and those of the Free State government in the States.  The Free State government’s representative in Washington, Professor Timothy Smiddy, had set up his own ‘secret service’ in December 1922. The co-operation between the British and Smiddy’s people led to them receiving greater co-operation from the American authorities.

 

McMahon (2008), pgs 116-117

Mar-25-23/1

Ned Bolfin and many of his anti-Treaty column (including his brother Paul) are captured in the Arigna mountains, Co. Leitrim.

(McGarty says that Bolfin was captured with three of his men at Riverstown, Co. Sligo on this day. He also says that his brother had been captured earlier in the month.)

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 244; O'Farrell P (1997), pg 144; Farry (2012), pg 106; McGarty (2020), pg 128

Mar-27-23/1

In a memo to cabinet, O’Higgins argues that it was wrong for Mulcahy to be both Minister of Defence and Commander-in-Chief.  (This is part of O’Higgins’s ongoing criticism of the performance of the Free State army - Mar-27-23/2.) 

Hugh Kennedy, the Attorney General, argues for the Minister of Defence and Commander-in-Chief being the same person at this point.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pgs 223-224

Mar-27-23/2

The Executive Council of the Free State Government decide to set up a Supreme War Council (or Council of Defence).  This Council had a civilian majority and was ‘to exercise a general supervision and direction over strategy’.  It also had the power to enquire into the administration of any military department, and had a veto over all military appointments.  Members of Council were Cosgrave; O’Higgins (Minister of Home Affairs); Joe McGrath (Minister for Industry and Commerce) and Richard Mulcahy (Minister of Defence). 

In the debate over its setting-up, O’Higgins says ‘I believe that the present Head Quarters staff has not given to the people the result which they are entitled to’. Mulcahy and the other members of the Army Council tender their resignations but they are not accepted – see Mar-28-23/1.

Dorney indicates that it is part of O’Higgins’ on-going efforts to rein in Mulcahy’s power.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 226; Valiulis (1985), pg 30; Dorney (2017), pg 238-239

Mar-27-23/3

An anti-Treaty prisoner (James Walsh from Currow) is shot dead while being moved from Castleisland, Co. Kerry. (Doyle says that he was killed during an exchange of fire between a Free State army patrol and three anti-Treaty men.)

 

Macardle (1998), pg 51; Doyle (2008), pg 284

Mar-28-23/1

Mulcahy writes to Cosgrave resigning from the Army Council because of the implications of the setting up of the Council of Defence.  Rest of Army Council (Chief-of-Staff Sean MacMahon; Adj-Gen Gearoid O’Sullivan and QM-Gen Sean O’Murthuile) also submits their resignations.

Cosgrave persuades Mulcahy to withdraw his resignation and on April 9th orders the Army Council to carry on with its duties.  However, the Council of Defence goes ahead.

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 227; Valiulis (1985), pg 29

Mar-28-23/2

An anti-Treaty army man (Jack Fleming from Tralee) is captured and brought to Ballymullen Barracks in Tralee, Co. Kerry.  During the night, he is brought to the prison a short distance away and killed.

 

Macardle (1998), pgs 51-52; Doyle (2008), pg 184

Mar-28-23/3

Anti-Treaty volunteers (Neil ‘Plunkett’ Boyle’s column) ambush pro-Treaty troops at Valleymount, Co. Wicklow in which a Free State soldier, Private John Pender (from Derryoughta, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare) is killed and another pro-Treaty soldier is badly wounded.

 

Dorney (2017), pg 317;

Durney (2011), pg 156

Mar-29-23/1

Acting O/C of the 4th Battalion of the anti-Treaty Dublin Brigade, Bobby Bonfield, is arrested on St Stephens Green in Dublin by members of the Protective Corps, including Joe O’Reilly.  He is taken to Clondalkin and shot dead. 

 

Dorney (2017), pg 250; Ferriter (2021), pg 104

Mar-29-23/2

A Free State army patrol on its way from Sneem to Kenmare in Co. Kerry is ambushed resulting in the death of Sergeant George Copeland and the wounding of three other pro-Treaty soldiers.

Doyle (2008), pgs 284-285

Mar-31-23/1

A Free State army report from Claremorris, Co. Mayo states “Despite their very considerable numbers, and ample equipment in Mayo, the Irregulars have not been inclined to indulge in military action.  Extensive destruction of roads, raiding, looting, and the burning of the houses of supporters of the Government is the form their warfare continues to take.”

 

Hopkinson (1988), pg 242

Mar-31-23/2

Education Bill in Northern Ireland rejected by the RC bishops.

Phoenix (1994), pg 282

Mar-31-23/3

The two northern divisions of the pro-Treaty IRA (2nd and 3rd) are formally disbanded.  (Up until this date, GHQ of the Free State army had continued to pay the divisional staff.)  Many of the approximately 300 northern IRA men in the Curragh had joined the pro-Treaty army.

 

Phoenix (1994), pg 259

Mar-31-23/4

The Kilkenny People report the Free State’s projected revenue and expenditure for the year.  Expenditure was estimated to be £42 million (£10.8m on compensation; £10.6m on the army) and estimated revenue was £26 million.  This left a large deficit.

 

Walsh (2018), pgs 234-235

Mar-1923/1

O/C of the anti-Treaty Dublin Brigade, Frank Henderson, is captured.

Dorney (2017), pg 244

Mar-1923/2

According to Hopkinsion, the Free State Supreme Council (see Mar-27-23/2) set up the Special Infantry Corps (SIC) with a brief to re-establish order in the countryside, reverse land seizures, seize cattle and other property in lieu of debts and break strikes. (In his article on the Special Infantry Corps, Dorney says that it was set up in January as does Ferriter.  For Dorney’s article, see Here.) There were to be 4,000 men in the SIC in eight units.

 

Dorney (2017), pg 233; Hopkinson (1988), pg 227; Ferriter (2021), pg 110

 

 

 

Mar-1923/3

Ex-Squad member, Frank Teeling (veteran of Bloody Sunday and break out of Kilmainham Goal) shoots dead CDF officer, Richard Johnson at the Theatre Royal in Dublin in a drunken brawl.  Teeling serves 18 months for this killing.

 

Dorney (2017), pgs 262-263

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