Ba é cath Phártraí an Cath ba mhó a tugadh i gConnachta i gCogadh na Saoirse, ionchurtha leis an gCath ag gCrois an Bharraigh i Máirt 1921 mar ar chuir gaiscíoch eile, Tom Barry, ruaig iomaraig ar sheacht gcathlán saighdiúirí agus dúchrónach. Bhí céad agus ceathrar óglach páirteach i gCath Chros an Bharraigh agus níor mhair sé ach dhá uair i Tuar Mhic Éadaigh roimh nóin agus fearadh an cath ar na sléibhte ag a 4 iarnóin agus lean sé go crónachán ag 10.30.

Rinne na hóglach faoi Thomás Maguidhir oirchill ar dhá lorraí dúchrónach ag tíocht amach as Baile an Róba le hearraí do bhearaic an RIC i gCeapach na Creiche. Maraíodh cúigear den námhaid sa luíochán seo agus goineadh cuid eile. Chaill na hÓglaigh duine amháin, Pádraic Ó Finní, driotháir le Christina, a gabhadh ag cuid den RIC gur chaith siad é agus é ina phríosúnach.

In éis an luíocháin sin i dTuar Mhic Éadaigh chúlaigh na hÓglaigh go dtí sléibhte Phártraí ach chuir garrastún Cheapach na Creiche Phártraí teachtaireacht ar a ngléas craolacháin go dtí Baile an Róba go rabhtas in éis na lorraithe soláithair a ionsaí.

Ba ghairid go dtáinig ceithre lorraí fichead agus iad luchtaithe le saighdiúirí, dúchrónaigh, RIC agus cúntóirí as Clár Chlainne Mhuiris; Tuam; agus Baile an Róba, tuairim is trí chathlán móide ceathrar is fiche tiománaí (iad armtha chomh maith) agus tuilleadh RIC agus saighdiúirí Shasana as Cathair na Mart agus Caisléan a’ Bharraigh, 600 a líon go léir.

Chaith siad tródam thart ar an gcnoc ar a raibh an tríocha óglach daingnithe agus thoisigh orthu ag loscadh lei le raifil agus le Lewis-ghunnaí. D’fhreagair na hÓglaigh iad lena gcuid gunnaí fobhlaerachta agus an dornán raifeal a rug siad ón namhaid sa dá luíochán ag Cill Fáil agus Tuar Mhic Éadaigh.
(Críochnaithe)
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The book is entitled Dílseacht: The Story of Comdt-General Tom Maguire and the Second (All-Ireland) Dáil by Ruairí Ó Brádaigh.

Dr Maguire, who is a son of Tom Maguire, said his father came to Limerick in March 1922 at the head of a strong party of Volunteers when Ernie O’Malley had called for assistance from the Second Western Division of the IRA.

The British were evacuating barracks in the city and the Free State brought in its men from Clare rather than allow local Volunteers who were staunchly Republican to take them over.

Ernie O’Malley as senior officer of the Second Southern Division sought help and with Tom Maguire’s men and others the Free State was downfaced for the time being.

Dr Brian P Murphy of Glenstal Abbey, the noted historian, said that Tom Maguire, whom he had interviewed personally, and Padraig Pearse strongly opposed sectarianism in any form. For Pearse “nationality was a spiritual thing” and “to the Irish mind for 1,000 years” the national demand was fixed and determined: “Ireland’s historic claim is for separation [from England]”.

In claiming Ulster belonged to Ireland he quoted the poet Tom Kettle, killed at the Battle of the Somme in 1916 fighting for what he firmly believed was the cause of democracy and small nations:

Ulster is ours, not yours,
Is ours to have and to hold;
Our hills and lakes and moors
Have shaped her in our mould.

Derry to Limerick Walls
Fused us in battle flame;
Limerick to Derry calls
One strong-shared Irish name.

The author, Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, said the book told the story of the uncompromising Republicans who continued the All-Ireland Dáil of 1921 – even after Fianna Fáil was formed – until 1938 when it delegated its powers of government to the Army Council of the IRA.

In this work Tom Maguire – the hero of the Kilfaul and Tourmakeady Ambushes – was associated with such stalwarts as Count Plunkett, Mary MacSwiney, Brian O’Higgins, Professor Stockley of University College, Cork and Cathal Ó Murchú of Dublin. They were all faithful Deputies of the Second (All-Ireland) Dáil and their story outlines the basic Republican position. This proposition is thoroughly documented in the book which also contains many photographs.

An appreciative audience of 50 from Limerick, Clare and Tipperary was present and the author signed copies of the book at the conclusion.
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Dan Hoban, Newport presided and Dr Seán Maguire and his daughter Róisín represented the family. Seán Mac an Iomaire, Gaillimh said a decade of the Rosary in Irish.

Pat O’Brien, Veteran Republican and a native of Ballinrobe, laid a wreath of natural Easter Lilies on the grave. Pat’s brother Terence was a member of Tom Maguire’s Flying Column and took part in the Tourmakeady Ambush. Peter Spellman, Newport also laid a wreath on behalf of Republican Sinn Féin. Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, author of the recently-published Dílseacht — the Story of Comdt-Gen Maguire and the Second (All-Ireland) Dáil was present and signed copies of the book after the ceremony.
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