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Guerilla Days in Ireland
Guerilla Days in Ireland is the extraordinary story of Tom Barry’s War of Independence. One of the IRA’s most legendary commanders and leaders of the West Cork flying column, Barry was a courageous and tenacious soldier. In a fight that, on paper, the Irish should have lost – a badly armed force whose number never exceeded 110 men, pitted against the combined might of the British Army, RIC, Auxiliaries and Black and Tans – Barry led his men to the now infamous victories at Kilmicheal and Crossbarry. Chronicling the events of these and other smaller engagements with enemy forces from 1920 to the Truce, this book is an invaluable account o the bravery of the men of the column told by their incomparable leader.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1949
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About the author
Tom Barry
22 books4 followersTom Barry was an Irish Republican Army (IRA) guerrilla leader during the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War. A former British Army soldier, he applied his military experience to train and lead IRA fighters, becoming a key figure in the war against British forces. He commanded the IRA’s West Cork Brigade flying column, orchestrating major engagements such as the Kilmichael and Crossbarry ambushes. Opposing the Anglo-Irish Treaty, he fought in the Civil War on the anti-Treaty side and later served as the IRA’s Chief of Staff in the 1930s. Barry authored Guerrilla Days in Ireland, recounting his experiences.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
March 7, 2013
Someone got me this book for my last birthday; I first read this book twenty years ago when divisions in Ireland were still raw due to the violence in the north.
This is a very personal account of Tom Barry's role fighting the British army in the Irish rebellion. A leader of one of the 'flying columns', he recounts the guerilla campaign in the Cork and Kerry countryside, that eventually led to the withdrawal of British forces from the South of the country, and the creation of the Irish Free State, later the Irish Republic. It's a fascinating David v Goliath story, of how a small band of untrained and poorly equipped Irish volunteers, took on 'the might of the British Army.' In military terms, what Barry and his comrades achieved was a remarkable example of guerilla warfare at his most effective.
The book itself is well written and easy to read, but the only real reason to read it is if you have an interest in Irish nationalism. If you are looking for a St Patrick's day book present for someone who is interested in 20th century Irish history, then this could be a good choice.
This is a very personal account of Tom Barry's role fighting the British army in the Irish rebellion. A leader of one of the 'flying columns', he recounts the guerilla campaign in the Cork and Kerry countryside, that eventually led to the withdrawal of British forces from the South of the country, and the creation of the Irish Free State, later the Irish Republic. It's a fascinating David v Goliath story, of how a small band of untrained and poorly equipped Irish volunteers, took on 'the might of the British Army.' In military terms, what Barry and his comrades achieved was a remarkable example of guerilla warfare at his most effective.
The book itself is well written and easy to read, but the only real reason to read it is if you have an interest in Irish nationalism. If you are looking for a St Patrick's day book present for someone who is interested in 20th century Irish history, then this could be a good choice.
June 1, 2017
An outstanding first-hand account of the lives and times of the 3rd (West) Cork Brigade's "Flying Column" during the 1919-1921 Irish War of Independence (here and often referred to as the Anglo-Irish War), in which (most of) Ireland finally won full independence from English rule.
Tom Barry, the commander of the Flying Brigade -- a constantly on-the-move guerrilla strike force -- proves to be as good a writer as he was a rebel commander. Even though written a quarter of a century after the events, Barry's vivid descriptions bring his readers into the center of the action, and often convey the fear, anger, exhaustion and exhilaration that he and members of his unit felt at different points of their struggle.
In addition to being a compelling personal history, Barry's book also serves as a lesson in leadership. Barry -- who was only in his early 20's during these times -- is courageous in taking risks, generous in distributing credit, and motivational in focusing his forces on the larger objectives of the IRA during their fight for independence. Anyone seeking a position of leadership would do well to learn Barry's lessons.
A few of my favorite passages:
On Imperialism: "The British Imperialists down the ages owe in the main, their successful conquests of many peoples to the technique of "Divide and Conquer." They have consistently urged class against class, district against district, creed against creed, and in the resultant chaos of warring sects and factions, they established themselves and maintained their rule of exploitation. So in 1920 and 1921, they fanned the flame of religious intolerance between Catholics and Protestants." [Reviewer's addition: In so doing, the British exacerbated the tensions that led to the ongoing conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland. And this technique is of course not theirs alone; conservatives in the U.S. practice it with great success today, tragically.]
On the Essex Regiment of the British Army: "Their brutalities when killing defenceless I.R.A. prisoners were incredible. They never showed mercy to the wounded, the sick or the unarmed. There was never a unit in any army in any campaign which had disgraced the profession of arms as did those vulgar monsters who were the dregs of the underworld of London." [Reviewer's note: this is not likely true, as there have been all too many disgraceful armies ... but I appreciate the passion nonetheless. ;)]
On the need for guerrilla tactics: "Excluding naval personnel, approximately twelve thousand, six hundred armed British troops, Auxiliaries and Black and Tans occupied the County of Cork seven weeks before the Truce between Ireland and Britain. Standing against this field force was that of the Irish Republican Army, never at any time exceeding three hundred and ten riflemen in the whole of the County of Cork, for the very excellent reason that this was the total of rifles held by the combined three Cork Brigades."
On the importance of taking up arms against oppressors: "Since the Treaty of Limerick in 1691 down to and including 1916 the British terms to the defeated Irish soldiers had always been unconditional surrender followed by a massacre of the Irish leaders. But now they had to deal with an Army that was capable, not alone of fighting back but of actually threatening to smash their military power in Ireland in the not far distant future. While the Army survived and fought on, nothing under God could have broken the Nation's will to victory. Patriotic and brave men might die on the scaffold, on hunger strike or endure in British jails; mass meetings might demand our freedom; electors vote for a Republic; writers and poets cry aloud of British tyranny and of Ireland's sufferings, but none of those would have induced the lords of the Conquest to undo their grip or even discuss our liberation. The only language they listened to or could understand was that of the rifle, the revolver, the bomb and the crackling of flames which cost them so dearly in blood and treasure."
As these excerpts show, this book is not an unbiased account of these times ... but if an impartial history is what you're looking for, you ought not be looking in the Memoir section. If instead you want to read a true and stirring account of a ragtag band of rebels challenging the mighty British Empire, pick up this book!
Tom Barry, the commander of the Flying Brigade -- a constantly on-the-move guerrilla strike force -- proves to be as good a writer as he was a rebel commander. Even though written a quarter of a century after the events, Barry's vivid descriptions bring his readers into the center of the action, and often convey the fear, anger, exhaustion and exhilaration that he and members of his unit felt at different points of their struggle.
In addition to being a compelling personal history, Barry's book also serves as a lesson in leadership. Barry -- who was only in his early 20's during these times -- is courageous in taking risks, generous in distributing credit, and motivational in focusing his forces on the larger objectives of the IRA during their fight for independence. Anyone seeking a position of leadership would do well to learn Barry's lessons.
A few of my favorite passages:
On Imperialism: "The British Imperialists down the ages owe in the main, their successful conquests of many peoples to the technique of "Divide and Conquer." They have consistently urged class against class, district against district, creed against creed, and in the resultant chaos of warring sects and factions, they established themselves and maintained their rule of exploitation. So in 1920 and 1921, they fanned the flame of religious intolerance between Catholics and Protestants." [Reviewer's addition: In so doing, the British exacerbated the tensions that led to the ongoing conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland. And this technique is of course not theirs alone; conservatives in the U.S. practice it with great success today, tragically.]
On the Essex Regiment of the British Army: "Their brutalities when killing defenceless I.R.A. prisoners were incredible. They never showed mercy to the wounded, the sick or the unarmed. There was never a unit in any army in any campaign which had disgraced the profession of arms as did those vulgar monsters who were the dregs of the underworld of London." [Reviewer's note: this is not likely true, as there have been all too many disgraceful armies ... but I appreciate the passion nonetheless. ;)]
On the need for guerrilla tactics: "Excluding naval personnel, approximately twelve thousand, six hundred armed British troops, Auxiliaries and Black and Tans occupied the County of Cork seven weeks before the Truce between Ireland and Britain. Standing against this field force was that of the Irish Republican Army, never at any time exceeding three hundred and ten riflemen in the whole of the County of Cork, for the very excellent reason that this was the total of rifles held by the combined three Cork Brigades."
On the importance of taking up arms against oppressors: "Since the Treaty of Limerick in 1691 down to and including 1916 the British terms to the defeated Irish soldiers had always been unconditional surrender followed by a massacre of the Irish leaders. But now they had to deal with an Army that was capable, not alone of fighting back but of actually threatening to smash their military power in Ireland in the not far distant future. While the Army survived and fought on, nothing under God could have broken the Nation's will to victory. Patriotic and brave men might die on the scaffold, on hunger strike or endure in British jails; mass meetings might demand our freedom; electors vote for a Republic; writers and poets cry aloud of British tyranny and of Ireland's sufferings, but none of those would have induced the lords of the Conquest to undo their grip or even discuss our liberation. The only language they listened to or could understand was that of the rifle, the revolver, the bomb and the crackling of flames which cost them so dearly in blood and treasure."
As these excerpts show, this book is not an unbiased account of these times ... but if an impartial history is what you're looking for, you ought not be looking in the Memoir section. If instead you want to read a true and stirring account of a ragtag band of rebels challenging the mighty British Empire, pick up this book!
June 17, 2017
This was very interesting and informative book concerning the obstacles that the Irish people faced during the years of occupation by the British Military during the time period of around 1918 to 1921. It centered around the author's experiences during the war in which he was a major contributor. His straightforward approach to the telling of his brave comrades who gave their lives to be free from the oppressive rule of Britain. One of the facts I learned was that Britain has gone to war 77 times in the last 450 years in which they 90% of those victories were the slaughter of unarmed tribesman from Africa to China.
December 5, 2018
The overwhelming impression here, at first, is that Tom Barry is not a man given to great self-reflection. Only in particularly fraught recollections does he describe the fears and doubts he faced in incredible circumstances. His men, apparently, respected and followed his orders without question or complaint. This is particularly important, Barry is not a man with any patience for complaints. The greatest mark of decency to him is to bear great suffering without complaint. A man is good if he is competent and does his duty above all else. For an experienced soldier with what seems like a good military mind such as himself, the task at hand was clear and there were few probing questions to be asked. This is seemingly true almost from the moment he learned of the 1916 rising, thousands of miles away fighting for the British army in Mesopotamia. How did Barry feel about fighting for the British in a bloody war of imperialism for years? Who knows!
He often seems easily impressed. "X was the greatest Quartermaster in Ireland". "If there was a finer battalion leader than Z I'd never met him". Eventually this extends to all the more famous Irish republican figures as well. DeValera, Collins, Mellows, Mulcahy and so on all are subject to glowing reviews. The one figure that comes in for any sort of criticism is Cathal Brugha, who is described as less than a genius and terse in person. But even here Barry makes it clear that he was a man of undoubtable conviction and courage who died a hero. This last applies to many figures he encounters. It becomes almost impossible to recall the differences between many of the people Barry meets and fights alongside, so frequently are they described as fine dashing men. By contrast, out of a sense of honour and to spare the victims families, those Irish who are the subject of open contempt (a man who panics and almost wrecks a mission, informants and traitors) aren't so much as named.
It's only by the time we get a chapter towards in which our hero meets both DeValera AND Collins and bestows upon them the expected effusive praise, that the political intent behind the book comes out most clearly. Pointedly, he argues against the image of Dev as a scheming cold man, and provides his only real memory of the civil war to follow when he recounts how the IRA prisoners in Mountjoy said the rosary for Collins upon his death. It emerges Barry's goal here is to try to heal the wounds of the civil war by harking back to a simpler and more noble time. By heaping praise on all of those involved in the struggle, and withholding scorn for or ignoring those he clearly disdained by avoiding names and details in those cases, he makes the case for Ireland as a united and noble country whose noble warriors were merely momentarily led astray. And that may be a fine sentiment, but it makes this frustrating as a historical document. Did he truly think all of these men were the finest Ireland had to offer? Did he at no point suffer real doubts about their capabilities and leadership? I suppose it's admirable that his recollections aren't clouded by the bitterness of what follows. And of course, he manages to dodge that bitterness rather neatly by not including any of the guerrilla days he spent fighting the Free State government. This just compounded my own disappointment that Barry avoids the more difficult questions of the time by nostalgically appealing to the old days, when they all fought together against the true enemy.
Where the book truly excels is in describing the military terms. Barry is a military man above all else, and perfectly outlines the tactics used in specific engagements, the failures and successes of particular decisions, the constant fears of encirclement. Over and over he emphasises the importance of working with and for and being supported by the people, swimming in the sea as does a fish as Mao would say. This is the bulk of the book, and the primary reason to read it. All by itself it makes Guerrilla Days a fine book. But those looking for serious depth should look elsewhere.
He often seems easily impressed. "X was the greatest Quartermaster in Ireland". "If there was a finer battalion leader than Z I'd never met him". Eventually this extends to all the more famous Irish republican figures as well. DeValera, Collins, Mellows, Mulcahy and so on all are subject to glowing reviews. The one figure that comes in for any sort of criticism is Cathal Brugha, who is described as less than a genius and terse in person. But even here Barry makes it clear that he was a man of undoubtable conviction and courage who died a hero. This last applies to many figures he encounters. It becomes almost impossible to recall the differences between many of the people Barry meets and fights alongside, so frequently are they described as fine dashing men. By contrast, out of a sense of honour and to spare the victims families, those Irish who are the subject of open contempt (a man who panics and almost wrecks a mission, informants and traitors) aren't so much as named.
It's only by the time we get a chapter towards in which our hero meets both DeValera AND Collins and bestows upon them the expected effusive praise, that the political intent behind the book comes out most clearly. Pointedly, he argues against the image of Dev as a scheming cold man, and provides his only real memory of the civil war to follow when he recounts how the IRA prisoners in Mountjoy said the rosary for Collins upon his death. It emerges Barry's goal here is to try to heal the wounds of the civil war by harking back to a simpler and more noble time. By heaping praise on all of those involved in the struggle, and withholding scorn for or ignoring those he clearly disdained by avoiding names and details in those cases, he makes the case for Ireland as a united and noble country whose noble warriors were merely momentarily led astray. And that may be a fine sentiment, but it makes this frustrating as a historical document. Did he truly think all of these men were the finest Ireland had to offer? Did he at no point suffer real doubts about their capabilities and leadership? I suppose it's admirable that his recollections aren't clouded by the bitterness of what follows. And of course, he manages to dodge that bitterness rather neatly by not including any of the guerrilla days he spent fighting the Free State government. This just compounded my own disappointment that Barry avoids the more difficult questions of the time by nostalgically appealing to the old days, when they all fought together against the true enemy.
Where the book truly excels is in describing the military terms. Barry is a military man above all else, and perfectly outlines the tactics used in specific engagements, the failures and successes of particular decisions, the constant fears of encirclement. Over and over he emphasises the importance of working with and for and being supported by the people, swimming in the sea as does a fish as Mao would say. This is the bulk of the book, and the primary reason to read it. All by itself it makes Guerrilla Days a fine book. But those looking for serious depth should look elsewhere.
November 28, 2012
I picked up this book while in Ireland. I have relatives there whom we have managed to keep in touch with since my Great Grandfather immigrated to the US in 1893. I wanted to get a better understanding of the divide between the Irish Republic and the British. This certainly did it! A courageous stand against the occupying British, many great sacrifices made to keep the Irish independent and proudly so. Thomas Barry takes us inside the IRA. Its a situation that I don't believe will ever be truly over until we have a unified Ireland.
May 5, 2024
Absolutely required reading for any Irish American, particularly those whose ancestors hail from the Western edges of County Cork.
Tom Barry published his first hand account from the front lines 28 years after the war for Irish independence in 1949.
For those of us who learned the tales of our forefathers on our grandpa’s knee it is tremendous to hear actual dates, battles, outcomes and heroes with the same last name as myself.
Heady stuff
Please read it and enjoy it
Spoiler alert…WE WIN
Tom Barry published his first hand account from the front lines 28 years after the war for Irish independence in 1949.
For those of us who learned the tales of our forefathers on our grandpa’s knee it is tremendous to hear actual dates, battles, outcomes and heroes with the same last name as myself.
Heady stuff
Please read it and enjoy it
Spoiler alert…WE WIN
Read
October 17, 2025Nearly impossible book to rate, as it’s a man’s true experience of leading a war of independence that was centuries in the making. There were so many moments in the book where I just couldn’t believe that despite almost all the odds being stacked against them, facing a waning empire coming off the heels of its most powerful century, that they actually won. Yes, they won at a cost and the victory wouldn’t (and still hasn’t really…) reached its end point, but that doesn’t make what they accomplished between 1920-1921 any less incredible. I would read chapters upon chapters of military brilliance and true guerilla warfare and then Barry would spin around and say that the most important factor that led them to victory against the British was the ever present desire for freedom of the common people, the civilians who had been under oppressive rule for centuries, who never gave up the fight or saw it as untenable.
Truly remarkable, impossible to “rate” because I’ve honestly never read anything like it.
Truly remarkable, impossible to “rate” because I’ve honestly never read anything like it.
July 15, 2015
It's not often that one finds a well-written book about guerrilla warfare written by one of the main participants. During the hostilities with England in the period 1919-1921, the most active IRA fighting group was the West Cork Flying Column headed by Tom Barry. In his Guerilla Days in Ireland, Barry discusses the movements of his IRA fighters against the British regulars, the mercenary Black & Tans, and the Auxiliaries who were pitted against him in a vain attempt to hold onto Ireland for the British.
One thing that distinguished Barry from other, more self-involved military leaders is the tribute he pays in the book to each and every one of his fighters who died at the hands of the enemy. He memorializes them in place, when discussing the individual battles, and reserves an appendix in the back summarizing their names and origins. Barry would have been a good man to fight for: He cared for his men.
Reading this book, I was surprised how little I knew about recent Irish history. There have ben a couple of John Ford Films (most notably The Informer and The Rising of the Moon that popularized the conflict) and a biopic of Michael Collins. Other than that, this is all new material for me.
One thing that distinguished Barry from other, more self-involved military leaders is the tribute he pays in the book to each and every one of his fighters who died at the hands of the enemy. He memorializes them in place, when discussing the individual battles, and reserves an appendix in the back summarizing their names and origins. Barry would have been a good man to fight for: He cared for his men.
Reading this book, I was surprised how little I knew about recent Irish history. There have ben a couple of John Ford Films (most notably The Informer and The Rising of the Moon that popularized the conflict) and a biopic of Michael Collins. Other than that, this is all new material for me.
Read
September 10, 2010the inside story of the Anglo-Irish war of 1920-21, from the man who led the most succesful Irish flying column. The book is a quick and engaging read, balancing details of each battle and operation with the big-picture view of the Irish struggle for freedom. But above all the value of this book is its political lessons; the final chapter in particular should be required reading for all revolutionary activists. In demonstrating his own journey to political consciousness and the consolidation of a national determination to see the battle to its finish, Barry shows the dialectical relationship between armed struggle and constitutional politics. When political remedies at the ballot box were denied, support for armed resistance climbed to new heights. When the military effort was in jeopardy, new political ratification for the cause reenforced their strength. In the end the outmanned, outgunned IRA became an unbeatable force because they were on the side of the Irish people, and the Irish people were on their side. Activists looking for a strategy for revolution in the twenty-first century would do very well to study the political insights of this military man.
July 6, 2013
If you are interested in the history of Irish nationalism or have a broader interest in the history of guerrilla warfare, then this book is a must read. It's an easy reading autobiography of Tom Barry's days as part of a "Flying Column" in West Cork, Ireland, and follows his exploits against the British forces supporting British rule in Ireland.
The basic strategy of the guerrilla is to hit and run, using surprise and avoiding at all costs set piece engagements when the superior firepower of a conventional army can be brought to bear. The guerilla wins by avoiding direct confrontation, and by outlasting the will of the enemy to bear losses and to pursue him. So we see that in Iraq and Afghanistan, for example, conventional forces fight a losing battle because they are unable to sustain the will to fight a more determined enemy. This was the strategy successfully followed by Tom Barry and his small band of lightly armed and untrained volunteers, who saw off the much larger and much better armed British army.
In case you are interested, as far as I know I have no direct bloodline connection with the author, though my family is from the same part of Ireland.
The basic strategy of the guerrilla is to hit and run, using surprise and avoiding at all costs set piece engagements when the superior firepower of a conventional army can be brought to bear. The guerilla wins by avoiding direct confrontation, and by outlasting the will of the enemy to bear losses and to pursue him. So we see that in Iraq and Afghanistan, for example, conventional forces fight a losing battle because they are unable to sustain the will to fight a more determined enemy. This was the strategy successfully followed by Tom Barry and his small band of lightly armed and untrained volunteers, who saw off the much larger and much better armed British army.
In case you are interested, as far as I know I have no direct bloodline connection with the author, though my family is from the same part of Ireland.
December 28, 2020
With the support of their people, the IRA were able to resist an overwhelming British force, especially in West Cork. Tom Hardy, lists in detail, names, actions, helpers and the dead, he must have been a prodigious and canny operator. The insight into guerrilla warfare before the internet and communications adds to the extremes they went to, to win. The womens army where as brave, here’s a snippet:
Well worth a read.
At noon on the 14th we arrived at Anna Hurley’s of Laragh. This lady, the leader of the Cumann na mBan (womens army) of the Bandon district, was a sister of Frank Hurley, who had been murdered by the Essex Regiment during the previous week. She was asked to leave immediately for Bandon and to remain there until two o’clock to observe the movements of the murderers of her brother.
Well worth a read.
October 28, 2017
I think I was looking for an insight into the story behind the war. The motivations, the politics and what drove people to such extremes, although this is all touched upon, this book is more a military and tactical record. And for this, it's quite a success.
February 20, 2020
Brilliant. Erin Go Bragh
November 27, 2024
Recommended to us as students in school by our Leaving Cert history teacher, this is the story of the Irish War of Independence as related by General Tom Barry, one of the most accomplished I.R.A. guerrilla war commanders. The text is well written, visual and flows with considerable pace throughout. Barry had served in Iraq with the British Army against Turkish-German forces during W.W.I. and this experience aided his organisational and strategic ability to become a fearsome adversary in West Cork during 1920-21. The book provides an account of the most important I.R.A. Flying Column engagements against the British Army and the mercenary Auxiliary Division of the R.I.C. (The Auxiliaries and Black and Tans were referred to as mercenaries by the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr. Gilmartin, a noted pacifist but also anti-republican). Barry’s account of the organisation and training of his Column with meagre resources is not propaganda but realistic and grim. This is reflected in the subsequent confrontations in Cork in which neither side gave any quarter. Cork, along with Tipperary, Limerick and Clare were placed under martial law in 1920 and bore the brunt of the War of Independence against, as Barry describes, the crown forces. Barry’s men could not have survived were they not resolute, determined and well led. Many of them were only teenagers. Some did not make it through the conflict and were killed in action. Others were mortally wounded and died in great pain of their wounds and were buried secretly at night. Historians have raised doubts about some of Barry’s testimony especially at Kilmichael. The men themselves never spoke about it except for one of the O’Sullivans who wrote an account of the ambush for his son before he died. The account has never been published. To anyone who has been out in the mountains in Ireland in the cold winter rain of November, Barry’s account of his Flying Column lying in the heather, thoroughly soaked and chilled to the bone while awaiting the arrival of the 'Auxies’ deports one back in time to the hillsides of West Cork. Analysing a battle in the relaxed atmosphere of peace and free thought is very different to the atmosphere in the heat of bitter conflict. All war is bloody and assumes a momentum of its own once engaged. Barry’s account brings that home. As a volunteer army, ill equipped and short on ammunition the I.R.A. achieved the impossible in the departure of an occupation force from most of Ireland in 1921. This book is a must read written a man who led one of the units in the witch’s cauldron which was West Cork 1920-21.
January 4, 2023
When I first started to learn about Irish history and the IRA, one of the things that I found most interesting was the practical aspect to how they were carried out operations so effectively. Everything I learned about the overall strategy of the flying columns made me more curious about what that looked like in practice. Barry provides plenty of information in this aspect, going into detail about why different operations were carried out, what considerations were made in planning, how it played out in practice, and reflections after the fact. Exactly what I was curious about.
While most of the book focused on this aspect, the parts that were more personal were touching and interesting in their own way, particularly when talking about certain comrades. While he clearly has a lot of respect the other men fighting alongside him, and while he is very sincere in this respect as well as in his conviction for Irish freedom, unfortunately the writing can be dry and impersonal. The whole book isn't like this, but he writes in a very technical way that comes across more as a history book than a memoir.
While he criticises certain members of the IRA and certain divisions where applicable, overall there is such emphasis on the righteousness of the IRA's cause that the information provided comes across only as filtered through this lens that will not show his people in anything but the brightest light. The same criticism applies to the way that he talks about the British soldiers - the facts speak for themselves, but Barry doesn't allow them to do so, likely because to provide such details of British attrocities would contradict how he wants to present his people. While I don't believe that all sides are owed the same weight or perspective, particularly in a personal memoir, this weakness in the writing colours the way that everything else is written.
Despite this, Barry's account of the courage of his people, particularly the men he knew, who were so committed to their cause as to fight and die for it, was quite moving. The respect he had for courage as an attribute came through very clearly, in a way that led me to consider certain things in a different light.
While most of the book focused on this aspect, the parts that were more personal were touching and interesting in their own way, particularly when talking about certain comrades. While he clearly has a lot of respect the other men fighting alongside him, and while he is very sincere in this respect as well as in his conviction for Irish freedom, unfortunately the writing can be dry and impersonal. The whole book isn't like this, but he writes in a very technical way that comes across more as a history book than a memoir.
While he criticises certain members of the IRA and certain divisions where applicable, overall there is such emphasis on the righteousness of the IRA's cause that the information provided comes across only as filtered through this lens that will not show his people in anything but the brightest light. The same criticism applies to the way that he talks about the British soldiers - the facts speak for themselves, but Barry doesn't allow them to do so, likely because to provide such details of British attrocities would contradict how he wants to present his people. While I don't believe that all sides are owed the same weight or perspective, particularly in a personal memoir, this weakness in the writing colours the way that everything else is written.
Despite this, Barry's account of the courage of his people, particularly the men he knew, who were so committed to their cause as to fight and die for it, was quite moving. The respect he had for courage as an attribute came through very clearly, in a way that led me to consider certain things in a different light.
September 22, 2024
I find the narrator to be a little unreliable, but the book is important to read if you want to understand (1) The IRA and its structure, (2) attitude of the IRA conducts their attacks, and (3) the transition of fighting from a non-permissive to a permissive environment.
(1) This book captures how the IRA as a "military" is a misnomer. Page 160, "Indeed the Divisional Unit and the Guerilla Army of the Irish Republic were... a contradiction in terms. The functions of a divisional staff, if it were to be an instrument of control and direction, should be to make new appointments, [promote, demote, and relieve officers, plan military operations], ensure suffiecient supply of arms and ammunition, and coordinate operations." This was not the case as (1) each echelon elected their officers democratically and were not appointed, (2) there were no communications equipment so no orders could be issued from "higher", (3) each locality was so unique that central planning could not have had as timely and accurate information as the guerilla fighters on the ground, and (4) there was no budget with which to purchase arms, clothing, or food and each IRA member spent much time begging, borrowing, and stealing from Irish and British civilians in order to operate.
(2) The attitude of the IRA attacks were almost on a personal/honor level. Targets for attack and execution were not "strategic", they were based on that unit or that persons actions. Judges, policeman, etc. were assissinated or kidnapped and executed after compiling "evidence" of their crimes against the Irish. This method of warfare is targeted and reduces civilian casualities and apparently highly effective.
(3) The author recounts stories of the transition from fighting in a non-permissive environment to a permissive environment.
(1) This book captures how the IRA as a "military" is a misnomer. Page 160, "Indeed the Divisional Unit and the Guerilla Army of the Irish Republic were... a contradiction in terms. The functions of a divisional staff, if it were to be an instrument of control and direction, should be to make new appointments, [promote, demote, and relieve officers, plan military operations], ensure suffiecient supply of arms and ammunition, and coordinate operations." This was not the case as (1) each echelon elected their officers democratically and were not appointed, (2) there were no communications equipment so no orders could be issued from "higher", (3) each locality was so unique that central planning could not have had as timely and accurate information as the guerilla fighters on the ground, and (4) there was no budget with which to purchase arms, clothing, or food and each IRA member spent much time begging, borrowing, and stealing from Irish and British civilians in order to operate.
(2) The attitude of the IRA attacks were almost on a personal/honor level. Targets for attack and execution were not "strategic", they were based on that unit or that persons actions. Judges, policeman, etc. were assissinated or kidnapped and executed after compiling "evidence" of their crimes against the Irish. This method of warfare is targeted and reduces civilian casualities and apparently highly effective.
(3) The author recounts stories of the transition from fighting in a non-permissive environment to a permissive environment.
September 6, 2021
"Patriotic and brave men might die on a scaffold, on hunger strike or in British Jails; mass meetings might demand our freedom; writers and poets cry aloud of British Tyranny and of Ireland's sufferings, but none of those would have induced the lords of the Conquest to undo their grip or even discuss our liberation. The only language they listened to or could understand was that of the rifle."
Incredible insight not only into the history of the Tan War, but to the military and tactical prowess of the West Cork IRA between 1918 - 1921.
A book studied by the likes of Che Guevara and Mao Tse Tung, it shows a masterclass in the tactics of Guerilla Warfare by a band of 300 men against an empire of 12,000.
Incredible insight not only into the history of the Tan War, but to the military and tactical prowess of the West Cork IRA between 1918 - 1921.
A book studied by the likes of Che Guevara and Mao Tse Tung, it shows a masterclass in the tactics of Guerilla Warfare by a band of 300 men against an empire of 12,000.
May 10, 2025
Perhaps not the most unbiased account ever given of Ireland's great struggle for independence, but what Barry lacks in impartiality he more than makes up for in is ability to recount a story with meticulous detail.
Barry's fiery passion for his country and his unwavering commitment to the Irish cause shine through in the commander's autobiographical retelling of events. The General, as he was known, demonstrates an admirable reverence for both his superiors and the men whom he commanded.
The book offers an insight into what life was like for the soldiers on the ground, and is a must read for anyone interested in understanding the struggle at the heart of Ireland's fight for independence.
Barry's fiery passion for his country and his unwavering commitment to the Irish cause shine through in the commander's autobiographical retelling of events. The General, as he was known, demonstrates an admirable reverence for both his superiors and the men whom he commanded.
The book offers an insight into what life was like for the soldiers on the ground, and is a must read for anyone interested in understanding the struggle at the heart of Ireland's fight for independence.
August 11, 2020
To me this book was an eye opening account of the activities of the West Cork fly column. The sacrifice and commitment these lads had was something else, and to think a lot of people in Ireland would look down on the IRA of old is beyond me. I seriously feel like this book should have been read or looked into at secondary level education in Ireland. In my opinion most people my age couldn't care less about our rich history and seem to forget the struggle and commitment of times gone by. This book would certainly rekindle that respect for this generation of freedom fighters!
September 12, 2021
Well written, with clear and concise reasoning about why they were fighting and how they were able to overcome a far superior force. Barry's recollection of every engagement and operation against the enemy is flawless and their part in the bigger picture explained. A superb book on one man's part in a fight for freedom against a brutal and merciless enemy told without any embellishment or nostalgia attached the greater goal of freedom is always foremost in the author's mind.
October 12, 2021
Obviously this is a personal memoir and recounting a war at that, so I understand that there would be no sympathy for the British, however, I did find the lens a bit too far lop-sided in favour of the IRA in this book. The book acts like partial history and partial memoir account, with a good amount of tactical detail included. Barry's stories are engaging and brief enough to keep the attention of the reader.
December 10, 2024
Incredible. For a man with surely very little education Barry writing style is eloquent but yet simple. Provides a great insight into the Republican struggle in West Cork. Many funny moments, (especially Ernie O’Malley’s “topographical” talk). Barry gives many reflections on the greater Nationalist movement which helps ground the conflict in the wider context. A most read for an aspiring nationalist.
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March 16, 2025I loved some passages but overall aired heavily on military strategy/formation which just isn’t my passion. If you are into that kind of thing then this would be a great book. Also fascinating and so mature that he’s all “in the dark of war the lights are civilians and British people fighting diplomatically against British colonialism” the USA could never.
April 12, 2018
Just finished this great read.Tom Barry seems like he was a great bloke,loved his people & fought for them.This book is no stuffy read but a great account of how the Irish who were willing to fight finally got free after 750 years.Well at least in the South.Highly recommended.
February 15, 2025
An incredible first hand account of the War of Independence in West Cork by one of Ireland's finest patriots. Superbly written. It keeps your attention from start to finish. A must read for anyone with an interest in Irish history.
January 2, 2018
Fascinating and passionate account of what was going on in Ireland after Easter Rising. Excellent book by someone who was there.
December 12, 2019
Very interesting account of the actions of the IRA brigades in west Cork in the lead up to the Anglo Irish war truce of 2021.
February 26, 2020
She's slow, a day by day kind of format, a diary. But loved it. Hard men in a hard time. Very intimate and personal, feels like you're in it.
September 28, 2021
recommend tom barry had an advantage being a ww1 veteran fighting FOR the crown
March 31, 2022
Cracker 🍘
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