Jersey commemorating centenary of Kilmichael Ambush attracting interest from USA

A JERSEY commemorating the 100th anniversary of Kilmichael Ambush by a local GAA club has attracted attention from as far away as the US.

The centenary of the ambush is on November 28.

The ambush which took place between Macroom and Dunmanway was the largest of the War of Independence, with 17 Auxiliary soldiers killed by a flying column led by Corkman General Tom Barry.

Three members of the column were killed — Pat Deasy, Michael McCarthy and Jim Sullivan.

They are buried in Castletownkenneigh, near Enniskeane.

In recent months, a sub committee of Kilmichael GAA club have been working on designing a jersey to commemorate the centenary. 250 jerseys have now been sold, with more now on order. The club’s junior football team wore the jersey for their first-round championship game this year.

Mícheál Masters, who has been working on the project, said: “There has been a pile of interest in it — from the US, the UK, Cork, Kerry and a lot from around Northern Ireland.”

Among those interested in getting one of the jerseys was a relative of one of the flying column who defeated the Auxiliaries at Kilmichael.

The front of the jersey features the Kilmichael Ambush monument, while the back features a photograph of the members of the flying column who survived the ambush, including General Barry.

Although General Barry was the most well known of those involved in the ambush, Mr Masters said Kilmichael GAA wanted to ensure that the jersey commemorated all those who took part.

Mr Masters said the company which produced the jersey, Masita, will now make the jersey available through their website in the coming weeks.

Mr Masters said the proceeds from the sale of the jersey by the club itself will be used to fund the purchase of new jerseys for the club’s underage teams.