Cork man’s book tells tales of ordinary people who contributed to cause of Irish freedom

'Land War to Civil War 1900-1924: Donoughmore to Cork and Beyond', written by former correspondent of The Corkman Gerard O'Rourke, sheds light on the many "ordinary people" who risked their lives during the revolutionary period to further the cause of Irish freedom.

The book paints the author's parish of Donoughmore as an "epicentre" of republican activity in the early 20th century. It tells of how the area was where the IRA executed Mary Lindsay, who provided information to British forces which led to an volunteers being ambushed at Dripsey in March 1921, and how it provided the backdrop to British General Compton Smith's execution the next month.

The mid Cork village was also where the Wallace sisters, who owned a shop in the city that also functioned as the unofficial HQ of the IRA's Cork No 1 Brigade, also hailed from and it was also where the IRA brought stockpiled ammunition seized from the British warship Upnor.

The story of William Healy, the last person to be executed by firing squad in Cork County Gaol, is another character highlighted in the book, which also delves into stories that played out in Cork City and across the county during the 24-year period it covers.

The north Cork areas of Kanturk, where Irish nationalist politician DD Sheehan originated, Mallow, where the IRA carried out a daring attack on the local barracks, as well as Bweeng and Mourneabbey also feature in histories recalled in the book.

Author Gerard told The Corkman that much of his motivation for writing the book came from feeling obligated to ensure that the ordinary people from his locality, Cork and all over Ireland who contributed to ridding British rule are remembered.

"It gives a greater understanding of what exactly happened on the ground at parish level and local level," Gerard said.

"There was a time in Ireland when you couldn't go past your gate without being searched or couldn't go to the local shop without people spying on you. You had to be very careful with who you associated with, so it was very restricted in that time."

The writer said he was also inspired by his late wife, who passed away in August of last year, to write the book, which is the third historical work he has published.

"She was the inspiration for all my books. She was fully behind me," he said.

Gerard said he struggled to write after his wife's death but was inspired to finish it in her memory.

He plans to donate €15 from every book sold to cancer care services in Cork.

The book is being sold at locations all over Cork including Kanturk Bookshop, the James O'Keeffe Institute in Newmarket and Philip's Bookstore and Dano's Supervalu in Mallow.