Just saw this today, it looks great. It's basically an archive of material from the war of independence, with witness statements, pictures etc. Type in a place name or surname and search, and have a read of the witness statements. I just read a narrative from a man from Roscommon who acted as a lieutenant in the Ferbane Company of the IRB. It's gas to see accounts of actions in places so familiar to you.
http://photogallery.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/ (http://photogallery.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/)
Ill look forward to see this!!
Interesting stuff.
A fair bit of Longford stuff there. A fairly rebellious county at the time. Outside of Munster it was one of the most troublesome for the Crown Forces.
Thanks for that AZ, I'm into history and really enjoy this kind of resource. Btw is there a history thread on the board?
I read the account of the successful attack on Ballytrain barracks, Monaghan Feb 20 1920, Ernie O'Malley and the 'Generalissimo' O'Duffy himself also took part.
The witness John McGahey
"When the. R.I.C. surrendered and the excitement
of the attack had somewhat abated,
We made a check on our rifles and found that two were missing.
I realised that some person or persons had made love to them and that it would be a difficult matter to locate them."
;D
I'didn't make it up, it's there in black and white
http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0740.pdf#page=3 (http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0740.pdf#page=3)
On page 5
Give a new meaning to the relationship between a Monaghan man and his rifle.
Must check that out. My great uncles were in the Knockatallon Company during the war of independence. Wouldn't be surprised if it were their guns went missing.
Thanks AZ. Amazing resource.