Taoiseach praises new book on war of independence by Cork authors 

A new book has opened up “the lives, dreams, and remembrances of those who risked their lives” for Ireland’s independence, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.

Mr Martin was speaking at the launch in Courtmacsherry of The Journey to Irish Independence by Diarmuid Begley, Trevor Collins, and Nuala O’Farrell.

The Taoiseach said the three authors had gone deep into the archives to give readers a comprehensive and enthralling presentation of the country’s struggle for independence and the unique and irreplaceable role in this by the men and women of Cork.

“I have always believed that it is not the job of historians to tell us what to think about the past — their role is to open up the past and empower us to develop an informed and balanced understanding,” Mr Martin said.

A great service had been done by Mr Begley and Ms O’Farrell, Mr Martin said, to the memory of their “heroic kinsman” Flor Begley and the role he played during the Battle of Crossbarry.

“As the bullets and explosions sounded all around him in Crossbarry, he proudly played his pipes, rallying his comrades and instilling fear in their opponents.

“It seems like Flor never liked being called ‘the Piper of Crossbarry’ because he thought it would have been nobler to have been holding a rifle and fighting with others.” 

In this, the Taoiseach said, Flor Begley had missed the importance of his role in history.

“Flor Begley’s fighting airs inspired those who heard them, and also those who heard of them.”

Mr Martin said that the stories of the men and women of County Cork who had “risked and so often sacrificed everything for their ideals” showed the strength which had protected Irish democracy for more than a century.

“The voices we hear from this wonderful book speak to us of a sense of community, a sense of fraternity, and absolute belief in self-determination and independence as an opportunity and not an end in itself,” he said.

“Diarmuid, Trevor, and Nuala have done us a great service in keeping their voices and spirit alive here in the community which they loved so dearly.”

The Journey to Irish Independence is on sale in Bandon Books, O’Farrells of Bandon, Ó Murchús of Innishannon, and Kerrs of Clonakilty.