The Burning of CorkOn the night of 11 December 1920 Cork City was to experience an unprecedented night of terror and destruction at the hands of the British forces of law and order. The Irish War of Independence was raging out of control and Cork was in the eye of the storm. It was a guerrilla war fuelled by reprisal and counter reprisal - the city streets became the battleground of a bloody and personalised war of attrition. With over five acres of the city destroyed and an estimated 20 million pounds worth of damage, the burning of Cork is recognised as the most extensive single act of vandalism in the entire period of the nationalist struggle. The burning of Cork cannot be regarded as an isolated incident. In the nine months leading up to the night, Cork city witnessed an ever escalating cycle of violence as attacks by the Volunteers were answered by the predictable reprisal by the crown forces. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
action ambush appeared armed army arrived asked attacks attempt authorities Auxiliaries barracks Bishop Black British building burning of Cork Cadet called carried church citizens City Hall civilian command Company Constable continued Cork city Cork Examiner County crown forces death December Dillon's Cross direction door Dublin duty evidence fact fire brigade forces going Greenwood hands head held House immediately inquiry intelligence Ireland Irish issued killed later lives looting lord mayor lorries MacCurtain MacSwiney Major March meeting Michael military morning murder night notice November O'Donoghue officer opened operation organisation party passed person police premises Quay received remained reprisals republican responsible returned revolver Road Seán searched sent shot side Sinn Féin soldiers St Patrick's Street stop Strickland taken told took turned Victoria Barracks Volunteers wounded