Decade of Commemorations

A Timeline of the War of Independence in Co. Kildare 1919-1922 was published on 10 May 2021 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the burning of the Custom House, Dublin, on 25 May 1921. ​ On the same day (25-26 May),​ the I.R.A. fired shots at Kilcullen R.I.C. Barracks at three different times during the night. The police in the barracks replied with rifle fire. Roads from Kilcullen to the Curragh Camp had been blocked or trenched and telegraph wires cut. ​ It details many of the events that took place throughout the county during the War of Independence period.

The book is available to download below.

It will be of interest to anyone curious about the history of Co. Kildare, particularly local history groups and secondary school students. It will help them navigate the period of the Irish War of Independence as it happened in Co. Kildare. The main incidents on the national stage are included to give context. Much of the information comes from the local and national newspapers of the day, and while an event may be noted in brief, there may be further information in the newspapers and other sources. Not every arrest or raid for arms is recorded; not every incident involving the cutting of wires, roads being trenched or bridges being damaged is documented, so researchers are encouraged to go back to the sources and history books and look for more. This is a Timeline, a listing of notable events by date, not a comprehensive history, but it will bring new events and information to light which hopefully will lead to further research.

This publication was supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries 2021-2023 initiative, Kildare County Council and Kildare Library Services. The support of the Chair and members of the Co. Kildare Decade of Commemorations Committee is gratefully acknowledged.