Fascinating new book on a cave IRA men used while on the run during Civil War in Sligo wins national award

"An Irish Civil War Dugout: Tormore Cave, County Sligo. Archaeology, History, Memory" was written by Dr. Marion Dowd (ATU Sligo), Robert Mulraney and Dr James Bonsall (Fourth Dimension Prospection Ltd).

The trio are archaeologists with a specific interest in caves. In 2022, with funding from ATU Sligo, they carried out a one-week excavation of Tormore Cave, located in the mountains overlooking Glencar Lake.

"We really had no idea of what we might find in the cave," said Marion Dowd.

'This was the first time a Civil War site in Ireland had been archaeologically excavated, so it broke new ground in more ways than one."

The excavation proved very fruitful.

The cave had been used as an IRA dugout during the War of Independence and Civil War. Arms were concealed there during the earlier conflict. But the site was prepared as a place for men to stay while living 'on the run' during the Truce period.

It was during the Civil War, in September 1922, that the cave witnessed its most intense period of usage.

As the National Army took over Sligo town, the IRA moved their headquarters to Rahelly House in North Sligo.

The National Army closed in on the base, forcing over 120 IRA men to abandon the house and depart into the mountains. Their intention was to cross the mountains in small groups and make their way to Manorhamilton.

Two of these groups were captured.

Divisional Adjutant Brian MacNeill, Brigadier General Seamus Devins, Lieutenant Paddy Carroll and Volunteer Joe Banks were surrounded and executed on King's Mountain on 20 September 1922.

Later that same day, two of their comrades, Captain Harry Benson and Volunteer Tommy Langan, were killed by the National Army on Benwiskin. This was the single greatest loss of life during the revolutionary period in Sligo.

In 2022, Bonsall, Dowd and Mulraney published a book on the men: The Six: The Lives and Memorialisation of Sligo's Noble Six.

The book was a huge success, with copies finding their way to all corners of the world.

Over 30 IRA men who had been on the mountains at the time of the killing of Sligo's Noble Six escaped to the refuge of Tormore Cave where they stayed for over six weeks.

"Conditions in the cave were very harsh'" James Bonsall explained.

"September 1922 was particularly wet and cold.

"The men could not light fires as this would have attracted attention.

"Food was scarce and the space was very cramped. Trench foot, a horrendous condition, affected several of the men."

Following the one-week archaeological excavation in 2022, the team of archaeologists began piecing together the story of the cave.

'The cave had never been mentioned in history books or official records, but knowledge of its existence was preserved in the memories of local people, particularly the Branley family," explained Robert.

The Branleys lived on the hillside at Tormore about 15 minutes walk from the cave. Theirs was the closest house to the cave, and it seems likely that it was the Branleys who first discovered the cave and realised its hideout potential.

It was also probably the Branleys who carried out works at the cave to make it more habitable.

Sarah Branley was widowed when the Civil War broke out. She lived in the house with her adult sons, three of whom were in the IRA – Paddy, Dominic and Thady.

Sarah was originally from Leitrim and came from a strong Republican family.

She was a pivotal figure in the success of the Tormore Cave dugout, not least because at least two of her sons were in hiding there in September 1922. At nighttime, some of the men came to Sarah's house when it was safe to do so, and she prepared hot food for them and tended to their feet and injuries.

Though over 30 men are remembered to have stayed in the cave in September 1922, the identities of only four of these could be ascertained.

Marion Dowd explained: "When we started this project we had the names of eight men who were supposed to have stayed in the cave in September 1922.

"However, after detailed research it turned out that only four of these could be verified: Paddy Branley, Dominic Branley, Jack 'Trooper' McHugh and Billy Pilkington."

Robert Mulraney explained what was discovered during the archaeological excavations: "We found that the IRA had moved a massive boulder to block the entrance so the cave is almost completely concealed from view from the valley below. "A mortar floor was laid down, and walling was built to make the space more comfortable". The team recovered sherds of three pottery dishes and a glass bottle that would have been brought to the cave containing food and drinks. There was also an iron three-legged pot that seems to have functioned as a portable toilet.

Billy Pilkington was General Officer Commanding of the 3rd Western Division IRA during the Civil War.

He has risen through the ranks quite quickly as an astute and intelligent strategist, who looked after the men under his command.

A deeply religious man, his men regularly said the rosary before or after a 'job', were not allowed to drink or smoke, and could not use bad language. Pilkington was held in great respect by those in his division. He had broken his collar bone crossing the mountains after the departure from Rahelly House, and spent his time recovering in Tormore Cave.

In 1924, he left the IRA and joined the Redemptorists in England and devoted the remainder of his life to the priesthood and missionary work.

The story of the cave and of the men and women associated with it have been skillfully brought together in "An Irish Civil War Dugout: Tormore Cave, County Sligo. Archaeology, History, Memory".

This is the first book of its kind in Ireland, a book that combines archaeology, history and family memories.

At over 400 pages, it is comprehensive in its coverage of many aspects of Sligo's involvement in the Civil War and the key players.

A Story for Historians and the general public alike

One of the reasons that sets An Irish Civil War Dugout apart is its appeal to diverse audiences.

Whether you're a historian, caver, or someone interested in Sligo, the book has something for everyone.

Its detailed examination of geology, landscape, and human experience makes it an engaging read, while the interdisciplinary approach ensures that the book contributes to both cave archaeology and the broader understanding of Ireland's past.

Literary Award

In just a few weeks since publication, An Irish Civil War Dugout has already scooped a prestigious national Literary Award at SUICRO 2024.

This annual symposium, hosted by the Speleological Union of Ireland (SUI) and the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation (ICRO), recognizes outstanding contributions to cave exploration in Ireland.

An Irish Civil War Dugout covers uncharted territory in Irish history and cave exploration.

By combining archaeology, military history, community memory, and landscape studies, the authors have created a highly detailed examination of a little-known aspect of guerrilla warfare.

Tormore Cave, high in the mountains of County Sligo, provided a hidden sanctuary for IRA fighters during one of the most tumultuous periods in Irish history.

Unlike most Civil War sites, Tormore Cave was never mentioned in official records, but its significance was preserved in local memory.

The award was presented on Sunday October 27 2024 at SUICRO's Caving Symposium in Doolin, Co. Clare. Each of the three authors—Dr. Marion Dowd, Robert Mulraney, and Dr. James Bonsall—received an individual framed certificate in recognition of their outstanding contribution to both cave studies and Irish history, with Robert Mulraney accepting the award on behalf of the research team.

Book launch and lecture

"An Irish Civil War Dugout: Tormore Cave, County Sligo. Archaeology, History, Memory" will be officially launched by Chief Archaeologist with the National Monuments Service, Mr Michael MacDonagh. The launch will take place at ATU Sligo from 7-8.30pm Friday 8th November. The three authors will give a one-hour lecture, followed by the official launch. The event is FREE and all are welcome. Any queries van be directed to: