Youghal

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THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE IN EAST CORK: A LANDMARK BOOK LAUNCHED IN YOUGHAL

A new and meticulously researched history book, The War of Independence in East Cork, was launched to much acclaim at The Red Store, North Main Street, Youghal, on Sunday, November 2nd, 2025. The launch brought the three dedicated authors—Tom O’Neill, MA, Paul Busteed, and Eugene Power—together with a keen and appreciative local audience for an event that reflected the importance of East Cork’s turbulent past and the enduring local interest in its complex story.

AN AUTHORITATIVE RECORD OF EAST CORK'S WAR
The 400-page volume is the result of four years’ committed collaboration between O’Neill, Busteed, and Power. All three, with backgrounds in military and heritage research, have delivered what reviewer Noel Cronin described on CRY104FM’s Rural Report as “one of the most impartial books I’ve picked up in my time.” “It’s written by men of the street for the men of the street,” Tom O’Neill told Noel in a wide-ranging interview the previous day, highlighting their collective ambition to make the book “very, very readable,” with every corner of East Cork and each of its 17 historic IRA company areas represented through lists, personal accounts, and contemporary sources.

HIGHLIGHTING CLONMULT AND YOUGHAL'S HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT BAND ATTACK.
Two of East Cork’s most significant events receive careful attention in the book: The Clonmult ambush, in which IRA volunteers from the East Cork flying column were almost entirely wiped out by British forces in February 1921. O’Neill described it as “the worst tragedy in the area,” underlining how deeply the event marked the local population and shaped the course of the conflict.​

On a similarly impactful scale, the book recounts the May 1921 roadside mine attack in Youghal that killed seven members of the British Hampshire Regiment band, including the youngest crown forces fatality, a band boy named Hestaman. The explosion, triggered prematurely, profoundly shocked the town and symbolises the savage nature of the conflict in the area. The book recalls the scale and precision of the operation: a mine—created using a large artillery shell recovered as ballast and refilled by local IRA volunteers—was detonated as the regimental band passed by, leading to three immediate and four subsequent deaths and approximately twenty wounded. Such tragedies, O’Neill emphasised, are presented in the book with accounts from both the Irish and British perspectives, including the British army’s detailed report on the incident, to achieve a level of historical balance seldom seen in previous retellings.

COLLECTIVE SCHOLARSHIP AND COMMUNITY RELEVANCE.
The authors’ commitment to including every significant engagement—from headline-making ambushes and barracks attacks to lesser-known incidents in smaller townlands—marks this as the most comprehensive and accessible record yet. “Nothing was left out—our plan was to cover every corner of East Cork,” O’Neill remarked, crediting the teamwork with Power and Busteed as “the difference between the book being written and not written—there’s no way any of the three of us would have written that book on our own.”

A LIVING HISTORY FOR EVERYONE
Beyond its scholarship, the book has already resonated with readers. O’Neill proudly recalled one early reader’s response: “He started the book when he went home about 4pm and read it till 4 a.m. that morning before he went to work. He couldn’t put it down. That’s an indication. It’s written by the men on the street for the men on the street.”

As the launch drew to a close, those gathered at The Red Store left with a deeper appreciation of their area’s role in Ireland’s struggle for independence and with copies of a book that promises to remain a reference point for years to come.

Copies are available locally and promise to be an essential resource for anyone interested in East Cork’s history during the War of Independence.

Picture: Eugene Power, Paul Busteed, and Tom O’Neill, at the launch of The War of Independence in East Cork, on Sunday, November 2nd, 2025 at The Red Store, Youghal.

Picture: People at the book launch in Youghal.

Picture: The British Hampshire Regiment Band based in Youghal

Picture: The IRA volunteers

Picture: Cover of the book 'The War Of Independence in East Cork ... See MoreSee Less

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Remembering Lives Lost at Sea: A Solemn Gathering at Youghal RNLI

The annual Remembrance Service at Youghal RNLI Lifeboat Station on Sunday, 16th November 2025, was a solemn tribute to those who have sacrificed their lives at sea. Volunteer crew members, led by Liam Keogh with Alan Revins, Eddie Hennessy, and Rhys Thomas, launched the lifeboat from The Mall to lay a wreath in memory of those who died in the line of duty, reminding the community of their bravery and commitment.

Inside the station, volunteers and officials gathered for reflection, with Christy McCarthy's bagpipes adding to the solemn atmosphere at the water’s edge as he played the slow Scottish air "The Bell of Dunblane".

Reverend Andrew Orr led prayers and readings, drawing from the Gospel of Mark to offer hope and comfort, highlighting Jesus calming the storm—a powerful metaphor for the challenges faced at sea.

Prayers were offered for all who work on the sea, including naval personnel, fishermen, RNLI crews, and coastguards, asking for their protection and strength. Environmental stewardship was also a theme, with calls to care for the sea and those who work to keep it clean.

The service remembered those lost in tragic events, including the 2017 Irish Coastguard Rescue 116 crash and the 2023 Ironman incident. A moment of silence honoured their sacrifice and the risks faced by all who serve. The ceremony closed with the Lord’s Prayer and a blessing for the community, reflecting the enduring bond between Youghal and the sea.

Pictures:
1. Under the measured leadership of Liam Keogh, crew members Alan Revins, Eddie Hennessy, and Rhys Thomas launched the lifeboat from The Mall, Youghal, where they laid a wreath in memory of those whose lives have been claimed by the sea.

2. Some of the RNLI officials and volunteers included: Mark Nolan and Sean Slattery (Youghal RNLI Launch Authority), John Hearne (Deputy Launching Authority)

3. Christy McCarthy's bagpipes added to the solemn atmosphere at the water’s edge.

4. Inside the Youghal RNLI station at The Mall, Youghal. The service closed with the Lord’s Prayer and a final blessing for those “who have died at sea in time of war,” and those who continue to serve in the RNLI, Naval Service, coastguard, and air-sea rescue—each one forever part of the living memory of Youghal’s coastal community. In the quiet aftermath, the assembled mourners stood together, bound by reverence, pride, and steadfast hope. ... See MoreSee Less

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MEMORIES OF A BUSY TOWN by Mike Hackett

This piece is especially for folk in the seventy to ninety age group who were reared in Youghal. It should bring back some happy memories of what was a fine large thriving town in the middle of the 20th century. When you think that the South Main Street shop numbers go to 62 - while the North Main Street goes to 165. And we haven't included Friar Street or Tallow Street. Of course not all were shops - you had a few like the three banks - the Red House and Tyntes Castle in the line. Still the number of retail outlets must have been over two hundred.

A kind native of our town recently gave me a large amount of receipts and bill-heads that were given by so many shops - now just a memory. The only one still in business is Willie Neville's drapery at 11 North Main Street - founded in 1945 and now run by his daughters Anne and Pauline. Speaking from a personal viewpoint - Willie Neville's was where my mother had her account for clothes for six children. Then a half-crown a week was paid regardless of what was purchased and over the whole year it balanced out.

Albert Cole was another nice gentleman in his chemist shop. One time when I had a bad abscess in a tooth - he concocted a mixture for me that cured me overnight - and he didn't take any money from me. Good deeds like that are not forgotten - even after seventy years. Bobby Chapple was another great character. An electrician by trade - he also knew about T.V. sets and erected a high mast at the home of his friend Robin Atkins on the hill of Knockaverry that could get the B.B.C. reception from Wales - long before R.T.E. came to us.

Fowke's shop at 72 North Main St. sold vinyl music records - 45s and 78s - before John Kennedy started up at 135 North Main St.. Then Kevin Hennessy opened a shop selling bicycles at 59 South Main St. before he moved up to where Justin Condon Auctioneers had been at number 68 North Main Street. He helped to start the Saint Christopher Cycling Club in town that became very popular with young adults. The likes of Frankie Lynch and Gerry Kelly were keen members - cycling to Ardmore or maybe to Mount Mellerary on Sundays. Kevin's shop then struck lucky when the Gas Works ceased operations and everybody had to buy electric cookers. He also provided T.V. sets when the coverage came to town in 1962. A lot of people could not afford the price of a set and would hire it. Payment was by way of a money-box metre attached to the set

Friday was 'fish day' of course and Jim Condon remembers delivering fish for his Dad around town before going to school. Kay's Stores was run by the Long sisters and sold children's clothing. It was the only shop (in the 1950s) where you could meet Santa on Christmas week. They gave gift parcels for boys and girls and one time when I was brought to meet Santa in his grotto at the back of the shop - I got a girl's parcel by mistake. It was hair clips and ribbons. My mother returned it for a boy's one.

Not forgetting Kitty Troy (later Mrs. Mattie Coakley of the Youghal London Assoc.) who sold us the broken chocolate at Pasley’s for a penny. She was so kind to poor kids that she would often break a perfect bar of chocolate so as not to refuse us.

Paddy Morrissey had the garage selling petrol - located between the Bank of Ireland and Tomey Connery's butcher shop. Paddy - always in good humour - liked to smoke and would have to go away from his own petrol-pump premises and stand outside Tomey's before lighting up.

Joe Treacy of the Nook had a grocery shop out front with a small bar inside. The bar later became famous and bigger while the grocery shop was closed. My mother told me a story of how she was minding Richard Leo as a small child on the day that his father Dick was being buried. We were living in Cork Lane at the time and Richard (at a very young age) managed to escape out of the house. My mother ran and found him down town. She managed to bring him into Joe Treacy's shop just as the funeral of his Dad was approaching up the street. The shop doors were then closed in respect to the passing funeral. Richard was too young to be aware of what was happening and Mrs. Treacy (Joe's mother) then gave him a bar of chocolate.

Going back to the South Main Street - you had Pyne's little shop below the Clock Gate that sold small toys like dinky cars, toy soldiers and jig-saws. Mague-Jeffs was another small shop at number 38 that sold cigarettes like Gold Flake, Sweet Afton and Woodbines. The Woodbines were in a paper packet of five for four pence. Mague would sell a single one to poor people for a penny. And we cross the street to Bridgie Quirke's sweet shop at the corner of Windmill Lane - this was our stop for slab toffee on the way to the cinema matinee on a Wednesday or Sunday to see Old Mother Reilly or the Three Stooges.

Happy innocent days and we have yet to go to Friar Street and Tallow Street in a follow-up piece later. However we have such a supply of material that a lot more attachments will be included then.
My gratitude goes to the donor of the invaluable bill-heads who wants to remain anonymous.
Mike Hackett - November 2025.

Images includes: Cattle and horse trading at the Fair Field (The car park beside Bertie Dempseys Pub); A busy North main street with Merricks to the left and Pasleys on the right; The busy salmon fishing season at the Market dock full with fishing boats. ... See MoreSee Less