Nearly one-third of the British army and the Black and Tans in Ireland were stationed in West Cork. They were opposed and out-witted by a small band of daring and resourceful men.

Tom Barry, the leader of the famous Flying Column, became a legend in his lifetime. 'They said I was ruthless, daring, savage, bloodthirsty, even heartless. . . the clergy called me and my comrades "murderers". But the British were met with their own weapons. 'They had gone down in the mire to destroy us and our nation, and down after them we had to go.'

Tom Barry was always a controversial figure. There were those who thought 'there was no one like Tom Barry' -- but there were others who said, 'he was an individual, a gift from God when wanted, but a bloody nuisance when he wasn't.'

The Tom Barry Story traces the career of one of Ireland's greatest guerrilla leaders during the War of Independence, his involvement on the Republican side during the Civil War and his rebellious attitude to the on-going conflict up until his death on 2 July 1980.

Meda Ryan was educated at Drishane Convent in Co. Cork, University College, Cork and New York City College. She is a freelance journalist and writer.