The Battle For Limerick City Documented In New Book

Arts and Entertainment - Books

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 20:21

Written by Mark Dunphy

A new book by Clare author Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc providing a fresh perspective on the Civil War in Limerick City has been published by Mercier Press.

‘The Battle For Limerick City’ recounts the full story of the fierce battle between Republican and Provisional Government forces, which featured many men from The Banner County, for control of Limerick city in the early days of the Civil War.

The Civil War arrived in Limerick with a whimper rather than a bang. Outnumbered and out-gunned, the pro-Treaty commander of the city, Michael Brennan, negotiated a truce with the Chief-of-Staff of the much stronger anti-Treaty force, Liam Lynch.

The benefit of this lull in fighting accrued almost entirely to the pro-Treaty side. They gained time for reinforcements and weaponry to arrive and when they did, the city became a battleground of extreme viciousness. Several buildings were shelled by 18-pounder guns at point blank range. The fighting around the Strand barracks was particularly heavy.

In this new book on the victory of the Free State troops in Limerick, Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc offers a fresh perspective on the struggle that reduced the viability of the Republican's hoped for ‘Munster Republic’ and set the stage for the battle of Kilmallock, which turned the tide of the Civil War in favour of the pro-Treaty forces.

A large number of Clare men were prominent on both sides in the battle for control of Limerick City. The Free State forces in the city were Commanded by General Michael Brennan, from Meelick who had commanded the East Clare brigade flying column during the fight against the Black and Tans.

Members of the I.R.A.'s Mid Clare Brigade including Commandant Peader O Loughlin formed part of the Republican garrison at the Strand Barracks where the fighting was fiercest, as the barracks held out against repeated machine gun, mortar and artillery attacks. Captain Gerard Quinn from Corbally.  Other Claremen Private Francis Cassidy from Killaloe, Captain James Hannon. from Ardsollus, and Captain  Con O Halloran from Ennis all serving with the Free State Army were wounded in the fighting.

Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc is originally from Meelick. His first book was Blood On The Banner: The Republican Struggle in Clare 1913-1923 and his second book is part of the Military History of the Irish Civil War series. More information about the period is available from his website www.warofindependence.net

The Battle For Limerick City is published in paperback at €12.99 and will be launched in O’Mahonys Booksellers, Limerick, on 16 April at 7pm.