ROINN COSANTA. BUREAU OFMILITARY HISTORY, 1919-21 ...

3.The arms obtained were mainly shotguns, to the number ofabout a dozen. They were dumped in Baurgorm area.Similar action was taken byan other units in the battalionSometime during March, 1918, several members of the unit(Bantry) took part in a raid for explosives at thebarytes mines in Derrygrinaugh. A large quantity ofgelignite, together with fuse and detonators, was obtainedin this raid and removed to a safe dump. Theseexplosives were later used in the manufacture of mines andbombs. As I was specifically detailed for intelligenceduties at this time, I was not permitted to take an activepart in the public activities, of the company.There was no unusual activity in the area inconnection with the general election in December, 1918,as the Sinn Féin candidate for the area Seán Hayes wasreturned unopposed. However, the overwhelming successof Sinn Féin throughout the country gave a boost to theVolunteer organisation, which gradually grew strongerand more determined from now on.Early in 1919 Cork Brigade, which consisted of sometwenty battalions and extended over Cork County. wasdivided into three. brigades. Bantry Battalion nowbecame a unit of a new brigade Cork 111 whichcontrolled West Cork area. The other battalions in thebrigade were: Bandon, Dunmanway, Clonakilty, Skibbereenand Castletownbere. The first Brigade 0/C was Tom Hales,but I cannot recollect the names of the other officers.Normal training continued throughout 1919, andabout August I was appointed Adjutant of the Bantry Companyas Michael Harrington was appointed to a post on theBattalion Staff about the same time. Con O'Sullivan wasappointed Q/M, as the previous holder of the post Jack