Local group critical of Cúl na Cathrach ambush ‘Story Map’
COUNTY COUNCIL DEFENDS ATTEMPT TO WIDEN DEBATE AS CENTENARY OF KEY ENGAGEMENT IS COMMEMORATED
A LOCAL history group in the Múscraí Gaeltacht has greeted with disappointment the publication of a ‘digital story’ giving an account of a key ambush in the War of Independence.
The centenary of the Cúl na Cathrach ambush takes place today (Thursday, February 25) and this is being marked by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, which is responsible for the building of the N22 bypass of Baile Mhúirne and Macroom which controversially traverses the location of the engagement.
The Story Map sets out the historical context of the ambush and provides information on how the ambush site was selected, the ambush strategy and how the ambush unfolded, including suspected betrayal by a saboteur. The Story Map includes historical photographs, interactive mapping and links to further reading and resources, as well as a noteworthy vignette of Irish film history.
Cork County Council mayor, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, welcomed the launch of the digital resource, saying it would provide people ‘with a way to engage with our rich history from home’ at a time when we can’t be physically present at commemorations.
“Marking this centenary, this story map will help us to remember this historic event and will raise awareness of the ambush at Coolnacaheragh, both locally and internationally. resource provides us all,”
she said.
While the ‘Story Map’ gives an account of the happenings on February 25, 1921, and the context of time, Peadar Ó Riada of Acadamh Fódhla’s Dáimh Staire, a local history group which contested the decision to route the bypass through the site, said the group was
disappointed not to have been consulted and that publishing an English language-only version only of the Story Map didn’t take into consideration the area’s Gaeltacht status both now and a century ago.
“This account downplays the importance of the Cúl na Cathrach ambush in the context
of the War of Independence.”
The Dáimh Staire has gathered a considerable archive of documents and recordings of accounts from participants in the ambush. With the aid of Cork County Council, it has erected a bilingual information board near the site of the ambush to give a full account
of what happened and what resulted.
Mr. Ó Riada pointed to the omission of any reference in the Story Map to the reaction of the British Cabinet to the Cúl na Cathrach ambush. According to records secured from the British archives, the ambush at Cúl na Cathrach was top of the agenda at the next Downing Street Cabinet meeting.
It is understood that the Cúl na Cathrach ambush led the British Government to change its policy by aiming at securing a truce and a permanent settlement.
A spokesperson for Cork County Council said the Cúl na Cathrach story map had been published “to reach both a domestic and international audience, to raise the profile of the War of Independence event to as wide an audience as possible”.
“Cork County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland are finalising the Irish Language version which will be published as soon as possible.
“The Story Map itself provides an account of the historical event based on published research, and acknowledges the many differing and often contradictory accounts of what happened on that fateful day of 25 February 1921.
“The specifics of the ambush will continue to be a matter of debate in the years to come and it is hoped that the Story Map will bring that debate to a wider audience. The Story Map provides further reading which offers the reader an easy way to engage with a far greater depth of information than can be contained within this brief format.”
The Cúl na Cathrach Story Map is at https://storymaps. d7e5d00d05b842f58c87d176d5b9a192