In the War of Independence, military leaders such as Michael Collins, Liam Lynch and Liam Deasy secured Irish independence from a country that had seemingly limitless resources of men, money and arms. The British, however, lacked the one thing which the Irish possessed in abundance: a burning conviction in the justice of their cause.

First published in 1973, Towards Ireland Free is the story of one of these leaders. Liam Deasy was just twenty at the time of the 1916 Easter Rising. He enrolled in the Volunteers in Bandon in 1917 and by 1921 was in command of the West Cork Brigade. In this account of the War of Independence in west Cork, he vividly recreates the tense and hope-filled atmosphere of those years and provides a rich gallery of portraits of those alongside whom he fought. Best of all, he recounts in great detail famous episodes such as the successful attack on the British Naval Sloop in Bantry, Howes Strand and Ballycrovane Coastguard Stations, the ambushes at Kilmichael and Crossbarry and the raid on Fastnet Rock.

Liam Deasy was born near Bandon in County Cork in 1896. He joined the Irish Volunteers in 1917 and on the formation of the West Cork Brigade of the IRA was appointed adjutant. He later became Brigade Commander. He took the Republican side in the Civil War and after it ended returned to civilian life, setting up a successful weatherproofing business. He did not subsequently take part in the public life of the country although he served with distinction in the Irish Army during the Emergency. He died in August 1974, while still working on his civil war memoir Brother Against Brother.

PREFACE

This book is my humble tribute to the memory of the men and women who gave their lives in the fight for Irish independence, and in particular to the Volunteers, Cumann na mBan, and the people of West Cork who fought so gallantly and worked so hard in the struggle between 1917 and 1921.

My aim in the record has been to tell the story of the resistance to foreign rule that was made in the area in which I was born and reared, and in which I had the good fortune to play a part as a Volunteer, namely, my native district of West Cork. Published material dealing with the events that occurred in the area of my special interest was incomplete, and in consequence what I have written is almost entirely from my own memory and from the memories of over sixty comrades who took part with me in the struggle. The account is factual, and all temptation to alter the facts or to exaggerate them has been rigorously avoided. What may be lost as a result in romance will, it is hoped, be more than compensated for by an honest, unadorned narrative of heroic deeds that occurred in fact rather than in fancy.

From the many people to whom I am indebted for assistance in compiling my story I must single out for special mention the late Major Florence O'Donoghue who spent much time with me on the locations of the military actions and from whose notes and books I have freely drawn. To Father Tim Lyne, S.D.B., a very close friend since 1921, I am deeply indebted not only for the fact that he prompted the undertaking of writing the story, but also for the ceaseless efforts he made to encourage me in the task, for the moral pressure he exerted to ensure my perseverance, and for his constant assistance in assembling the facts. I am particularly grateful to the Rev Dr John Chisholm, C.S.Sp., University College, Dublin, who in 1969 showed interest in my work and volunteered his assistance. I gladly accepted the offer, and on my request he kindly consented to edit the work. While the facts narrated are entirely my own and those of my comrades, the form and general presentation of the story are the work of Dr Chisholm. My thanks are due to him for the work of research he spontaneously undertook to supplement my efforts, and for the meticulous care he took to ensure accuracy down to the smallest detail in the narrative. For any factual errors or omissions that may be found to occur in the record my memory is responsible, and I offer my sincere apologies in advance.

I wish to express my gratitude to all my comrades and the many other collaborators who made this story possible. It is my regret that it was impossible to make mention of them all, and I .offer my sincere apologies to the many dedicated men and women whose names do not appear. At any rate, it is my hope that this record will perpetuate the memory of the wonderful effort made against immense odds by an amazing and very fortunate generation of young Irishmen and women to win freedom for their country. If this hope is fulfilled then the work of all my friends and myself will not have been in vain.

Liam Deasy,

2nd November 1972.