On the 28th Nov 1920, a group of hastily trained IRA volunteers, led by Tom Barry, ambushed & annihilated a raiding party of British Auxiliaries who were travelling from Macroom and Dunmanway in two Crossley Tender lorries. The skilled & cunning manner in which Barry planned & executed this operation has been lauded as one of the most successful in the War of Independence. Historians agree that this victory played a significant part in challenging, demoralising & ultimately defeating the hitherto unchallenged tough & regularly brutal British Auxiliary Force.

Kilmichael - “A story of a Century”

In the absence of a public Centenary Commemoration for the Kilmichael Ambush, due to Covid-19 restrictions, we in Coppeen Archaeological, Historical & Cultural Society produced a commemorative film which premiered online on November 26th 2020 - 100 years after the ambush took place.

The film was been produced largely during Level 5 lockdown, with some remote online interviews as well as on-location interviews in key locations related to the Ambush. We take a fresh look at the ambush story, primarily from a local perspective and we plan to present the story marking this momentous, history-changing event and honouring the amazing heroes who participated. Of note also are Father Chisholm audio recordings with surviving members of the Flying Column, which have never before been aired on TV or other media and are included in an analysis of the ambush.