1918 AMBUSH REMEMEBRED

DESCRIBED as the ‘spark that lit the fuse’ of the War of Independence, the IRA attack on Gortatlea RIC barracks on April 13, 1918 was the first outside Dublin to be ambushed following the 1916 Rising.

Exactly a century later a crowd of over 200 people gathered in the rain at Ballymacelligott to witness the unveiling of a monument where the historic incident happened in which two Republicans were killed, John Brown and Richard Laide.

The project was spearheaded by three local men, Jack Crowe, Billy Leen and Dr Tim Horgan who felt the site was too important, historically, to be ignored. Billy made the monument himself and Kerry County Council also played a part by filling in a drain at the site which has made access easier for the public.

Historians cite the Dan Breen-led ambush at Soloheadbeg on 21 January 1919 as the first shots of the War of Independence. But this little known episode in Ballymacelligott served as the catalyst for events that followed across the country as the strikes against British rule intensified.

“The attack was the first in the War of Independence and we felt it was important to mark it,” said Billy Leen.

Seven local Republicans took part in the attack, including Tom McEllistrim who led it and later became a Fianna Fail TD. The foundations of the barracks can still be seen and Billy said the incident was forgotten for generations which was a shame given it would have influenced others in the country to take up arms.

Republicans later returned to burn the barracks to the ground, while the two RIC men involved in the attack, Boyle and Constable Fallon, were later shot and wounded in an attack in Tralee. Both survived but the incident caused a sensation.

“This commemoration is long overdue and I must also commend the Crowe family, who own the land, as they have helped in every way possible.

“They did the landscaping and painted the fences and couldn’t have been more helpful. The idea for the monument was put together without any political objective involved. It belongs to local history and therefore it belongs to everyone. That’s the way we wanted it,” said Billy.

Kate Herlihy, Tom Galvin, Michael Brosnan with John and Annette Galvin at the ceremony in Gortatlea on Sunday.

John and Lisa Browne, Tom McEllistrim, Maria Browne, Tom Cronin, Pearl and Tom Browne.

The McEllistrim Family at the Unveiling of the plaque at Gortatlea Barracks, Ballymacelligott on Sunday; Murty, Thomas, Marie and Ann McEllistrim, Diarmuid, Oisín and Aodán O’Shea.

Relatives of Richard Laide who died in the ambush at the new monument unveiled at the site of the old RIC barracks on Sunday.

Tim, Therese, Maeve and Paula Collins attending the special commemorations in Gortatlea on Sunday.

Rose O’Connor, Thomas and Collette Laide, Jack Nolan and Betty Foran at the Centenary commemoration of the 1918 ambush.

Margaret and Derry Fleming with Cllr Pat McCarthy at the commemoration in Gortatlea.

Dr Tim Horgan (centre) who unveiled the bright new monument at Gortatlea with organisers Billy Leen (left) and Jack Crowe.