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The Irish Volunteers were formed in 1913. They organised in local companies, many of which formed the basis for IRA companies during the War of Independence.  In 1917, the Knockraha Company of Irish Volunteers was founded in this building...

Ballinagoul Cross and the surrounding area had active members of the IRA. Jack Ahern, of Ballinagoul was the Company Quarter Master.

Roache’s house in Knockraha East was used as a safe house. It had a long avenue, which gave the occupants time to escape British military raids. It was a favourite place for Sean Hegarty OC first Cork brigade to...

The IRA volunteers relied on a network of friendly safe-houses among the local population from which they could base themselves. Canavan’s pub–today O’ Donoghue’s Bar – was one of the most important in East Cork.  The War of Independence...

Knockraha was an important storage area for the entire 4th Battalion area. Volunteers hid weapons everywhere they could–in dug outs, archaeological sites, and even the local Church. Members of the company were on good terms with the chapel woman who...

In October 1920, Sean Hegarty of O.C., Cork No. 1 Brigade came out to Knockraha to meet Martin Corry, Captain of the Local Company to instruct him to setup a bomb factory. Sean Hegarty said, “In Knockraha, between Kilquane...

As the Royal Irish Constabulary withdrew from the countryside in 1920, an alternative legal system run by the Dáil with assistance by the Volunteers took its place, settling local disputes and issues.  From late 1919 the RIC began to...

On the 29th of March 1922, the British arms ship the Upnor was seized by members of the Cobh company . The ship was returning to England with its second load of of arms out of Cork harbour and...