-RIC,
-IRA,
-The Squad,
-Guerrilla warfare,
-Flying Columns,
-Ambush
-Leaders of Flying Columns, (2)
-Black and Tans,
-Auxiliaries.
-Government of Ireland Act 1920.

• Sinn Fein in control. Set up the Dial.
• Volunteers now known as the IRA, official army of the state.
• Although SF was a peaceful party, some members had been a part of the
IRB and Irish Volunteers. They believed independence had to be achieved through violence. (e.g. Michael Collins)
• 1919, the day of the first Dail. Two RIC soldiers were killed. This marked the beginning of the War of Independence,

• Collins= Director of Intelligence of IRA.
• Had a network of spies throughout the country to find out about British plans.
• Set up The Squad. They murdered anyone suspected of being a British spy.
Squad members: L to
R: M. McDonnell, Tom
Keogh, Vinnie Byrne,
Paddy Daly, Jim
Slattery

War
• IRA adapted Guerrilla warfare (surprise attacks and ambushes).
• Did not wear uniforms, mixed in with ordinary people. Knew the countryside well.
• Surprise attacks on British convoys of lorries, then back to hiding again.
• Small groups of Volunteers using these tactics known as Flying Columns.
• Leaders: e.g. Dan Breen, Tipperary. Tom Barry, Cork.

• Throughout 1919, the flying columns continued with their ambushes, mostly on members of the RIC.
• In 1920, help came to the RIC: Black and Tans.
• Later, groups called Auxiliaries (soldiers from WW1) came to support the RIC.
• New forces very unpopular, very brutal= more support for the IRA.

• British tolerated the Dail for a while. In 1920, introduced the Government
of Ireland Act. Six counties in Ulster to have a parliament. South Ireland to have a parliament.
• War of Independence ongoing.

• Ambushes continued.
• March 1920: British murdered Lord Mayor of Cork, Thomas MacCurtain.
• 1 st Nov 1920: Kevin Barry executed for taking part in an ambush in Dublin.
Public protested.
• 21 st Nov: Collins’ squad found out that British spies were coming to Ireland.
Sent ‘Squad’ to the men’s homes. Thirteen of them killed.
• Evening: Match in Croke Park. Black and Tans entered, opened fire. Killed twelve people. Later two Volunteers and another man killed in Dublin Castle.
• 28 th Nov: Tom West and West Cork Brigade ambushed and killed 18 Auxiliaries in Kilmicheal.
• Dec: Cork burned by Black and Tans as revenge.
• 25 th May: IRA burned Custom House in Dublin.
• By summer, both sides wanted a truce.