Dublin Guard
Encyclopedia
The Dublin Guard was a unit of the Irish Republican Army
, in the Irish War of Independence
and then of the Irish National Army
during the Irish Civil War
1922-23.
's Dublin Brigade and the "Squad" assassination unit were amalgamated. The Guard was created due to the heavy losses sustained by the Dublin Brigade in their assault on the Customs House
on May 26, 1921. Five IRA volunteers were killed in the operation and eighty three captured. Paddy Daly
, previously head of the Squad, was put in command of the new unit.
The Guard became part of the new National Army of the Irish Free State
in January 1922. They were supportive of the Anglo-Irish Treaty
which split the IRA, in large part because of their personal loyalty to Michael Collins
. At this time, its numbers were greatly expanded from a core of IRA veterans to a battalion sized unit, and eventually a brigade. The Dublin Guard provided most of the ceremonial parties that took over barracks and installations from the British, wearing a dark green uniform with brown leather webbing. When the Free State Army was expanded to over sixty thousand men, most of its troops were equipped with dyed British uniforms and webbing. The Guard however retained its original distinctive uniform, and was sometimes nicknamed the "Green and Tans" by hardline IRA men.
in June 1922, the Dublin Guard were heavily involved in securing Dublin for the Free State (see Battle of Dublin
).
These troops were among the most experienced and motivated men possessed by the Irish Free State
in the civil war. For this reason, they were to the forefront in the Free State offensive of July-August 1922 which took the Munster Republic
and secured most of the territory of the new state for its government. Among the officers were Brigadier Paddy Daly
, as well as David Neligan
& James McNamara
, both of whom had been spies for Collins in the G Division of the Dublin Metropolitan Police
. They landed in Fenit
in County Kerry
in August 1922 and rapidly took Tralee on the same day, which culminated with the capture of Ballymullen barracks which was burnt by the retreating anti-Treaty forces. Over the following days it linked up with troops that landed in Tarbert
, other forces moving towards Kerry from Limerick
and captured other major towns in the county such as Killarney
and Castleisland
.
In the later stages of the war, the Dublin Guard still stationed in Co. Kerry, had become a mix of IRA veterans loyal to Collins and ex-Royal Dublin Fusiliers who earned a fearsome reputation in Kerry for brutality that persists to this day, was charged with putting down the guerrilla activities of the local anti-treaty IRA. The Dublin Guard were perhaps embittered by the killing of their erstwhile commander in chief, Michael Collins
, and of their comrades in several ambushes. As a result, they acted with great severity in Kerry. Over 40 republicans died in custody during the war or were summarily shot when captured. On at least three occasions in March 1923 Dublin Guard troops massacred republican prisoners after five of their men had been killed by booby trap bomb at Knocknagoshel
. Particularly notorious was the Ballyseedy Massacre, where nine republican prisoners were tied to a landmine which was then detonated. One of the prisoners survived to recount the incident (see Executions during the Irish Civil War
). However, reprisals by the Dublin Guard against local civilians were rare. One recorded instance came in February 1923, when three individuals later identified as National Army officers shot dead two railway drivers whom they suspected of republican sympathies. Another feature of the Dublin Guard was the high number of combat injuries sustained by its senior officers.
Irish Republican Army
The Irish Republican Army was an Irish republican revolutionary military organisation. It was descended from the Irish Volunteers, an organisation established on 25 November 1913 that staged the Easter Rising in April 1916...
, in the Irish War of Independence
Irish War of Independence
The Irish War of Independence , Anglo-Irish War, Black and Tan War, or Tan War was a guerrilla war mounted by the Irish Republican Army against the British government and its forces in Ireland. It began in January 1919, following the Irish Republic's declaration of independence. Both sides agreed...
and then of the Irish National Army
Irish National Army
The Irish National Army or National Army was the army of the Irish Free State from January 1922-1 October 1924. Michael Collins, its Chief of Staff from June 1921 until his death in August 1922, was the last Chief of Staff of the IRA that had fought the Irish War of Independence...
during the Irish Civil War
Irish Civil War
The Irish Civil War was a conflict that accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State as an entity independent from the United Kingdom within the British Empire....
1922-23.
Foundation
It was founded in May 1921, when the Active Service Unit of the Irish Republican ArmyIrish Republican Army
The Irish Republican Army was an Irish republican revolutionary military organisation. It was descended from the Irish Volunteers, an organisation established on 25 November 1913 that staged the Easter Rising in April 1916...
's Dublin Brigade and the "Squad" assassination unit were amalgamated. The Guard was created due to the heavy losses sustained by the Dublin Brigade in their assault on the Customs House
The Custom House
The Custom House is a neoclassical 18th century building in Dublin, Ireland which houses the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government...
on May 26, 1921. Five IRA volunteers were killed in the operation and eighty three captured. Paddy Daly
Paddy Daly
Paddy Daly sometimes referred to as Paddy O'Daly, served in the Irish Republican Army during the Irish War of Independence and subsequently held the rank of Major-General in the Irish National Army in the period 1922 to 1924.-Easter Rising:...
, previously head of the Squad, was put in command of the new unit.
The Guard became part of the new National Army of the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
in January 1922. They were supportive of the Anglo-Irish Treaty
Anglo-Irish Treaty
The Anglo-Irish Treaty , officially called the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty Between Great Britain and Ireland, was a treaty between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and representatives of the secessionist Irish Republic that concluded the Irish War of...
which split the IRA, in large part because of their personal loyalty to Michael Collins
Michael Collins (Irish leader)
Michael "Mick" Collins was an Irish revolutionary leader, Minister for Finance and Teachta Dála for Cork South in the First Dáil of 1919, Director of Intelligence for the IRA, and member of the Irish delegation during the Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations. Subsequently, he was both Chairman of the...
. At this time, its numbers were greatly expanded from a core of IRA veterans to a battalion sized unit, and eventually a brigade. The Dublin Guard provided most of the ceremonial parties that took over barracks and installations from the British, wearing a dark green uniform with brown leather webbing. When the Free State Army was expanded to over sixty thousand men, most of its troops were equipped with dyed British uniforms and webbing. The Guard however retained its original distinctive uniform, and was sometimes nicknamed the "Green and Tans" by hardline IRA men.
Civil War
On the outbreak of the Irish Civil WarIrish Civil War
The Irish Civil War was a conflict that accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State as an entity independent from the United Kingdom within the British Empire....
in June 1922, the Dublin Guard were heavily involved in securing Dublin for the Free State (see Battle of Dublin
Battle of Dublin
The Battle of Dublin, a week of street fighting in Dublin from 28 June to 5 July 1922, marked the beginning of the Irish Civil War. The fighting began with an assault by the Provisional Government of the proposed Irish Free State on the Four Courts building which had been occupied by a hard-line...
).
These troops were among the most experienced and motivated men possessed by the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
in the civil war. For this reason, they were to the forefront in the Free State offensive of July-August 1922 which took the Munster Republic
Munster Republic
The Munster Republic was an informal and affectionate term used by Irish republicans to refer to the territory they held in the province of Munster at the start of the Irish Civil War...
and secured most of the territory of the new state for its government. Among the officers were Brigadier Paddy Daly
Paddy Daly
Paddy Daly sometimes referred to as Paddy O'Daly, served in the Irish Republican Army during the Irish War of Independence and subsequently held the rank of Major-General in the Irish National Army in the period 1922 to 1924.-Easter Rising:...
, as well as David Neligan
David Neligan
David Neligan , known by his soubriquet "The Spy in the Castle", was an important figure involved in the Irish War of Independence 1919-1921, and subsequently became Director of Intelligence for the Irish Army after the Irish Civil War -Early life:David Neligan was born at Templeglantine, Limerick,...
& James McNamara
James McNamara
James McNamara may refer to:* James B. McNamara, one of the McNamara brothers who pleaded guilty to the 1910 bombing of the Los Angeles Times building* James A. McNamara, American orthodontist...
, both of whom had been spies for Collins in the G Division of the Dublin Metropolitan Police
Dublin Metropolitan Police
The Dublin Metropolitan Police was the police force of Dublin, Ireland, from 1836 to 1925, when it amalgamated into the new Garda Síochána.-19th century:...
. They landed in Fenit
Fenit
Fenit is a small village in County Kerry, Ireland, located on north side of Tralee Bay about west of Tralee town, just south of the Shannon Estuary. The bay is enclosed from the Atlantic by the Maharee spit which extends northwards from the Dingle peninsula...
in County Kerry
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
in August 1922 and rapidly took Tralee on the same day, which culminated with the capture of Ballymullen barracks which was burnt by the retreating anti-Treaty forces. Over the following days it linked up with troops that landed in Tarbert
Tarbert
Tarbert is a place name in Scotland and Ireland. Places named Tarbert are characterised by a narrow strip of land, or isthmus...
, other forces moving towards Kerry from Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
and captured other major towns in the county such as Killarney
Killarney
Killarney is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland. The town is located north of the MacGillicuddy Reeks, on the northeastern shore of the Lough Lein/Leane which are part of Killarney National Park. The town and its surrounding region are home to St...
and Castleisland
Castleisland
Castleisland is a town and commercial centre in County Kerry in south west Ireland. The town is renowned for the width of its main street. Castleisland has a population of 2,170....
.
In the later stages of the war, the Dublin Guard still stationed in Co. Kerry, had become a mix of IRA veterans loyal to Collins and ex-Royal Dublin Fusiliers who earned a fearsome reputation in Kerry for brutality that persists to this day, was charged with putting down the guerrilla activities of the local anti-treaty IRA. The Dublin Guard were perhaps embittered by the killing of their erstwhile commander in chief, Michael Collins
Michael Collins (Irish leader)
Michael "Mick" Collins was an Irish revolutionary leader, Minister for Finance and Teachta Dála for Cork South in the First Dáil of 1919, Director of Intelligence for the IRA, and member of the Irish delegation during the Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations. Subsequently, he was both Chairman of the...
, and of their comrades in several ambushes. As a result, they acted with great severity in Kerry. Over 40 republicans died in custody during the war or were summarily shot when captured. On at least three occasions in March 1923 Dublin Guard troops massacred republican prisoners after five of their men had been killed by booby trap bomb at Knocknagoshel
Knocknagoshel
Knocknagoshel, officially Knocknagashel , is a village in County Kerry, Ireland. According to the 2006 census, the population of the village was 760.-History:...
. Particularly notorious was the Ballyseedy Massacre, where nine republican prisoners were tied to a landmine which was then detonated. One of the prisoners survived to recount the incident (see Executions during the Irish Civil War
Executions during the Irish Civil War
The executions during the Irish Civil War took place during the guerrilla phase of the Irish Civil War . This phase of the war was bitter, and both sides, the government forces of the Irish Free State and the anti-Treaty Irish Republican Army insurgents, used executions and terror in what...
). However, reprisals by the Dublin Guard against local civilians were rare. One recorded instance came in February 1923, when three individuals later identified as National Army officers shot dead two railway drivers whom they suspected of republican sympathies. Another feature of the Dublin Guard was the high number of combat injuries sustained by its senior officers.