Ballydrohane Ambush

Honouring The Volunteers: Councillors Bernard and Michael Moynihan were amongst the attendees of the Ceremony

The Volunteers who fought at Ballydrohane Ambush were honoured at a Commemoration Ceremony in Kanturk Square last Sunday.

Councillor Bernard Moynihan who organised the event and delivered the Oration said that it is vitally important to acknowledge the importance of the Ambush which took place on a bend on the road between Newmarket and Kanturk in October 1921.

A Commemorative Wreath was laid by Vincent Guiney from Kiskeam whose father Dan Guiney played a key role in the Ballydrohane ambush. Councillor Moynihan said “This was a significant engagement which was the first since the capture of Mallow barracks. A Hochkiss machine gun, which was a much more powerful weapon than the volunteers had previously used, was deployed. Senior Freedom Fighters Seán Moylan, Ernie O’ Malley, Liam Lynch and Paddy O’ Brien were involved along with several of the local Volunteers”. Dan Guiney from Kiskeam was selected by Moylan to put a farm cart on the road to block the Lorries carrying crown forces who regularly travelled between Newmarket and Kanturk.

Councillor Bernard Moynihan, pictured with Councillor Ian Doyle and Michael Moynihan TD, organised the commemoration event

Councillor Moynihan continued; “It required exact timing to move the cart into position to block the Lorries. After the road was blocked, a gun fight took place for up to 8 minutes. The one casualty was the British Solder driving the lorry. The volunteers captured 8 Revolvers, 12 Rifles and a significant amount of Ammunition”. The usual procedure at the end of Ambushes was to burn out the Lorries but Moylan decided not to do this because of the dead Soldier and said a prayer over him.

Councillor Moynihan added “We should salute the people who came

before us and who achieved the peace we have today. We should also salute the women who provided safe houses and fed and tended to the volunteers who were on the run from the British. We hope to hold an event annually in October to mark this ambush”

Councillor Moynihan added that he was particularly happy to be invited to deliver the Oration as his Grand Uncle Jim Riordan from Kiskeam took part in the Ambush.

Vincent is the son of Dan Guiney, a member of Seán Moylan’s Battalion, lays a Wreath at the monument