Today – September 22nd – marks the 100th anniversary of the Rineen Ambush. The ambush was carried out by the IRA during the War of Independence and took place at Drummin Hill in the townland of Drummin, near the hamlet of Rineen. The IRA’s Mid-Clare Brigade attacked a Royal Irish Constabulary lorry, killing six officers.
Shortly after, the IRA volunteers were attacked by ten lorry-loads of British Army soldiers, who had been sent as reinforcements. However, they held off this attack long enough to flee the scene and sustained only two wounded. In reprisal for the ambush, the RIC Auxiliaries and British military raided three local villages, killed five civilians and burnt 16 houses and shops in the surrounding area.
While celebrations aren’t possible due to public health guidelines, people are still encouraged to visit the Rineen monument, where this morning a wreath was laid and the national flag was raised.
On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Gavin Grace spoke to Mary Crawford, Chairperson of the MidClare Brigade Commemoration Committee and
Joe O’Neill, the grandson of Ignatious O’Neill who was Commanding Officer on the day in 1920.
