Death of Volunteer Michael Galvin at Lissarda.

(Irish War of Independence - Third Cork Brigade)

The memorial to Michael Galvin just outside the village of Lissarda, on the main Cork to Macroom road.

After the killing of RIC Sergeant Maunsell at Macroom on Saturday 21, August, 1920 a lorry load of police, including the RIC county inspector, drove to Macroom from Bandon the next morning to investigate the incident. They passed through the village of Lissarda on the way. After this was noted a group of local volunteers made preparations to engage them on their return. 

As the police drove through Lissarda on their return journey they were forced to stop by a cart which had been positioned across the main road. They were ordered to surrender but immediately opened fire on the ambushers. In the ensuing gun battle a number of the RIC were hit with Sergeant Runane being the most seriously wounded. The attackers lost Michael Galvin, quartermaster of 'H' Company, who was shot through the head while leading the attack. Father of two Galvin was a brother of Ned Galvin, future Bishop of the Maynooth Mission to China.  

His death took place at a location not more than five miles from where Michael Collins was shot dead in an ambush at Beal na Blath exactly two years later on 22 August, 1922.