ROINN COSANTA. BUREAU OF MILITARY HISTORY, 1913-21 ...

33.During the first week in March 1921, I travelled toCastletowubere to select 12 replacements for men who were tobe demobbed from the column. I travelled in a small boatacross Bantry Bay to Ardrigole. over the road now known as theHealy Pass to Lauragh in Kerry and then on to Eyeries. HereI met Sean O'Driscoll, Christy O'Connell, Michael O'Sullivan,and nine others whose names; I cannot recollect.The whole party, armedwith rifles, then travelled to Ardrigoleby the same route. We now loaded a large s took of guncottonon a boat and travelled with it to Gearhies Pier nearKilcrohane. Here we unloaded our supply of explosives and tookit by horse and car to brigade H.Q. which, at 'the time, wasnorth of Dunmanway at Coo].mountain.This party from Castletownbere joined the column at Ahakeeraand, within a week, were at Shippool in the vicinity ofInnishannon. It was now 16th March 1921. On the morning ofMarch 17th the column, to the number of about 100, took uppositions at Shippool with the intention of ambushing amilitary convoy which was expected to travel through theselected position, on the Innishannon-Kinsale road. The columnremained in position from daybreak to dusk on a cold wet day,but there was no appearance by the enemy.While the column were in the Shippool area I was instructeto proceed to Cork I Brigade H.Q. and to endeavour to obtaina supply of .303 ammunition which was getting scarce at thistime. I made contact with some officers of Cork I Brigadein the Cork City and obtained 2000 rounds from Sean Mitchell.This ammunition •was dispatched by rail to Wm. Barrett, Killeady.It was packed in a butter .box and consigned as parts for a stearengine. It was delivered to the column before Crossbarry on19th March 1921.