Irish War of Independence records

mrkdips · 18-03-2012 10:39am #1

Hi there. I have medals at home from My grandfather from Tallow Co waterford . My mother and I believe that they are from the Irish War of Independence. I have struggled for years to find any records or roll of honour for this period. Would love to know a bit more history. I do recall stories of him having to cycle to Youghal bridge in the mornings. Anyone know anywhere I could find this info? Thanks

yam123 · 18-03-2012 10:58am

i got my grandfathers records it takes a year or so they have that many enquirys you have to ring the army office in renmore galway

xflyer · 18-03-2012 11:45am

If you post up some pictures of the medals. I'm sure someone here will tell you exactly what they are. There are guys who can identify even the most obscure medals.

As for his involvement, sometimes a local historian may have written something on the subject. It might be worth checking online or actually in the local library for books.

Sometimes you get surprising results. For example my wife's Grandad was locked up in Kilmainham He would tell the story of seeing several of his friends and comrades taken out and shot. They always believed, by the British. I spoiled their story somewhat when after a little research. It was clear he had been on the losing side of the civil war and his comrades were indeed shot but by the Irish! Clearly that aspect was glossed over in the family history.

It could be very interesting indeed.

Maoltuile · 25-03-2012 5:20am

xflyer wrote: »

Sometimes you get surprising results. For example my wife's Grandad was locked up in Kilmainham He would tell the story of seeing several of his friends and comrades taken out and shot. They always believed, by the British. I spoiled their story somewhat when after a little research. It was clear he had been on the losing side of the civil war and his comrades were indeed shot but by the Irish! Clearly that aspect was glossed over in the family history.

You'd be surprised by the ignorance out there. I've had Brits confidently telling me online that Roger Casement was landed by the Nazis on Banna Strand during WWII (and other similar howlers). Most people are unfortunately "low information".

johnny_doyle · 25-03-2012 9:28pm

"Dublin Voices An Oral Folk History" by Kevin Kearns contains a passage from a born and bred Dublin lady who believed that the British bombed the Custom House in 1920. Very proud that her father was involved in the restoration but obviously not that interested in the finer details despite living in the vicinity and having family connections.

for info re Waterford in WoI, Waterford County Museum might be worth a shot

http://www.waterfordcountymuseum.org/exhibit/web/Display/article/22/2/

Frank Ryan from Tallow, Co Waterford (though born in Fermoy) was Commandant of the West Waterford Brigade.

Dungarvan Museum has some info about this Brigade, with Tallow being in the 4th Battalion

http://www.dungarvanmuseum.org/exhibit/categories/historicalarticles/article151/struggleforfreedom.pdf

Might want to check if he is among those listed as having written a witness statement

http://www.militaryarchives.ie/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/The_Bureau_of_Military_History_1913-1921_Index_to_Contributors_01.pdf

For info re the medals generally in circulation linked to 1916 and the WoI :

http://www.theeasterrising.eu/010The1916med/16Med.htm

http://www.theeasterrising.eu/020_1917-1921/1917-1921.htm

Irish War of Independence records

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