Kilmichael Parish

Dromleigh National School is one of three schools in the parish of kilmichael in Co. Cork. Kilmichael is a sprawling country parish between the rivers Lee and Bandon and on the road between Macroom and Dunmanway. One side is bordered by the Gearagh or wooded river; an extraordinary area of the River Lee which has now been partially flooded as part of the that river's hydra-electric scheme.

The parish's main claim to fame is the Kilmichael ambush; a skirmish between Tom Barry's Flying Column and British Auxilaries on 28th November 1920.

The Kilmichael Ambush

The War of Independence was in full swing in 1920 and west Cork was in the grip of terrible upheavel. Tom Barry was only one of leaders of the I.R.A operating in the region. As a result of this the government sent in units to counteract this. One of these groups was a particularly savage one sent to Macroom Castle and sent to terrorise the surrounding countryside.