Clonbanin Ambush centenary group seeking support
A CEREMONY to mark the centenary of the Clonbanin Ambush has been confirmed for Saturday March 6, 2021.
With plans at an advanced stage, the newly established Clonbanin Ambush Centenary Commemoration Committee are appealing to the people of Duhallow and beyond for donations towards a commemoration fund.
The committee is a community-based, non-political group of volunteers from the greater Duhallow region, who wish to mark the centenary of the historical event.
“The aim of the committee is to renovate the existing monument and to erect an information board at Clonbanin on the original site of the ambush on the main Mallow Killarney road,” said spokesman David Crowley.
“Due to health-and-safety regulations and in keeping with NRA guidelines, new structures are not permitted on the main road, meaning it will not be possible to hold events on the original site of the Ambush,” he added.
It is proposed to erect a new monument and information boards in the Derrinagree Church car park, a site supported by Cork County Council.
The Ambush took place on March 5, 1921, during the height of the War of Independence.
Sean Moylan, Commandant of the Newmarket column of the Old IRA, made the decision to ambush a British party of senior officers and their military guard, who were returning from an inspection tour in Kerry.
The position he selected was at Clonbanin, near Derrinagree about five miles from Kanturk, where there was a strong military post, and five miles north of Millstreet, then garrisoned by a force of Black and Tans and RIC.
“Historically, it has been recorded as a victory for the volunteers of the IRA. The proposed project also involves our committee producing a publication outlining this significant local event”, said Mr Crowley.
“To assist and support our committee in achieving our objectives, we would be most appreciative in receiving any financial contributions that can be made towards this project”, he added.
The commemoration next March will start with a concelebrated Mass in the Derrinagree Church and afterwards in the adjoining church car park.
Donations can be lodged to the committee account at Kanturk Credit Union.
The account name is ‘Clonbanin Ambush’; BIC is KCRUIE21XXX; and IBAN is IE52KCRU99216796946493.