Description
Book SynopsisLiam Lynch joined the Irish Volunteers after the Easter Rising of 1916 and quickly rose through its ranks. He reorganised the Cork Brigade in 1919 and in 1921 became the commanding officer of the First Southern Division which controlled all the Volunteer Brigades in the south of the country. A prominent opponent of the Treaty of 1921, he became chief of staff of the anti-Treaty IRA, leading the fight against the pro-Treaty forces until his death in 1923. With the aid of Liam Lynch’s personal letters, private documents and historical records, 'Liam Lynch: The Real Chief' traces the turbulent career of one of Ireland’s greatest guerrilla commanders from his birth in 1893 until his death twenty-nine years later in the Civil War when he was killed in action on the Knockmealdown mountains. This book demonstrates Liam Lynch’s importance in Irish history, including his efforts with Michael Collins, Richard Mulcahy and others to avoid a civil war, and his unwavering efforts to achieve a thirty-two county republic, rather than a partitioned state. Part of the 'Irish Revolutionaries' series being published in the run-up to the centenary of the 1916 Rising.
Trade ReviewNo tag line - Brief Summary * Books Ireland *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements 7 Introduction 1 The Fatal Shot 2 Early life and vision of Ireland 3 Declaration for an Irish Republic 4 Love and marriage postponed for Roisin Dubh 5 Military activity continues 6 Talks with Michael Collins and GHQ 7 Arrested with Tomas MacCurtain 8 Hostilities intensify - death of a true friend 9 More comrades shot 10 Intelligence 11 Spies 12 Formation of First Southern Division 13 GHQ's lack of consultation with Cork brigades 14 Truce - hope for full settlement 15 Collins' offer - commander-in-chief position 16 IRB's allegiance to the Republic 17 First indication of Treaty split 18 Army conventions - Executive chief-of-staff appointment 19 Efforts for army unity 20 Arms exchanged in northern offensive 21 Disunity and Civil War 22 Compromise Limerick agreement Memo on Michael Collins' death Determination and hope of victory With Executive members Death on the Knockmealdowns Inquest and Final Resting Appendix I Appendix II Appendix III Appendix IV Notes Bibliography
