For Ireland and Freedom: Roscommon's Contribution to the Fight for Independence

From Athlone in the south-east of the county to Boyle in the north-west, Roscommon was the site of many critical engagements in Ireland's War of Independence. This classic text, first published in 1964, opens with an account of the victory of Count Plunkett, father of the executed 1916 leader, Joseph Plunkett, in the February 1917 bye-election in North Roscommon. This was the first opportunity the Irish people had to show their support for the ideals of the 1916 leaders electorally. The book concludes with an account of the assassination of Sergeant King of the 'Castlerea Murder Gang' of the Black and Tans on the morning of the Truce in July 1921. In between it details raids, ambushes, reprisals and escapes at Rockingham, Ballymote, Knockcroghery, Ballaghaderreen, Teevnacreeva, Ballinlough, Frenchpark, Fourmilehouse, Carrick-on-Shannon, Elphin, Keadue, Scramogue, Loughglynn, Athlone and Boyle. It tells the story of key figures in the area, such as Fr Michael O'Flanagan, Paddy Moran, Fr Malachy Brennan and Joe Tormey, and of the many brigades and companies of the North and South Roscommon Volunteer battalions and the companies from the neighbouring countries with which they worked.