Projects & Events
Taking of Carrigtwohill RIC Barracks
A General Overview
On the night of Saturday, 3rd January 1920, a contingent of 30 to 40 IRA men from Cobh and Midleton of the
Cork no 1 Brigade, supported by the volunteers from Knockraha, took part in an operation to destroy the Royal Irish
Constabulary barracks in Carrigtwohill.
The barracks, long since demolished, consisted of a sergeant and five constables, located at the corner of Well Lane
and Main Street at what is now O’Donovan’s truck yard.
The village was completely isolated having been secured at eastern and western ends, and from Belvelly of Great Island,
with all telephone communication cut by the IRA men to ensure no RIC reinforcements may come to the rescue of the Carrigtwohill
barracks.
The battle commenced at approximately 11 that night, and continued through the early hours, finally coming to its conclusion
when the barracks eventual fell with the officers captured and held handcuffed after an explosion blasted a hole through the barrack’s wall on the
eastern gable adjoining a small stable owned by local businessman, O’Grady; through which the assailants entered.
The IRA volunteers and the RIC officers did not suffer any casualties during the attack, which was the first successful
assault on RIC barracks in Ireland during the War of Independence, signalling the commencement of the all-out war on the RIC,
in rural Ireland. However, a number of these IRA men later took part in the battle of Clonmult, during which several would
not survive.
The barracks was never repaired, or rebuild, but was allowed to fall to ruin, eventually being completely demolished.