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THE BRIGADE ***New***

Liam Murphy - The Brigade Image Name: Liam Murphy - The Brigade
The Brigade Hayshed - The Brigade RTE One Image Name: The Brigade Hayshed - The Brigade RTE One Description: The Brigade RTE One
Joey & Ken - The Brigade Image Name: Joey & Ken - The Brigade
Alan Quirke & Liam Murphy Image Name: Alan Quirke & Liam Murphy
Stephen Maloney - The Brigade RTE One Image Name: Stephen Maloney - The Brigade RTE One
Shoulder Arms Image Name: Shoulder Arms
Declan Image Name: Declan
Declan, Joey, Dáire, Ken, Tómas, Michael Image Name: Declan, Joey, Dáire, Ken, Tómas, Michael
Mentors - THE BRIGADE Image Name: Mentors - THE BRIGADE
Sean Murphy & Alan Quirke 2 (1) Image Name: Sean Murphy & Alan Quirke 2 (1)

A two-part documentary series exploring the War of Independence in West Cork and, most notably, the actions of the 3rd Brigade. The series is a living history project, assembling a new Flying Column to live as the column did back in 1920 / 1921. 

The Flying column were chosen from all attendees at the Open Day in Clonakilty GAA grounds last February.  The Brigade members (12 local men mostly in late teens and early 20’s) are put through your paces by ex members of the Irish Defence forces (Alan Quirke, Niall Twomey, Sean Murphy, Conor Kingston) who instructed in drilling, shooting, military tactics, night trekking, weapons handling and cleaning, signals and general military tactics as well as imparting historical facts about the flying column

The recruits sleep in either a tent or hay barn each night. All locations for night time are related to the exact locations the Brigade and Tom Barry would have slept back 100 years ago. One such place is O’Brien’s farm in Clonbuig near Kilbrittain which was a secure safe house back during the War of Independence and the small shed they slept in here had not been occupied since the last days the Tom Barry and his men slept in it.  LThe Brigade recuits are Stephen Maloney, Eoin Sexton, Tómas White, Declan McCarthy, John O’Flynn, Michael Crowley, Ken O’Neill, Dáire O Ceallacháin, Joey Tawardos, Evan Kelleher, Liam Murphy, Joseph Twomey.

The programme makers also bring brought 6 students studying History at Essex University to Cork to study the effects, tactics and explore the stories as related by living relatives to the old IRA flying column men.

Mentor biogs

Alan Quirke “I spent 13 years in the Irish Defence Forces – all of that service was as an Engineer in the Army Ordnance Corps which specialises in Munitions. This service included multiple appointments in Ireland and 2 trips overseas – Lebanon & Liberia. I retired at the rank of Captain. I now work in a Training & Development role in Stryker NV in Cork. I am involved in coaching underage GAA players with Cork and my Club – Valley Rovers in Innishannon – 3 West Cork Brigade Territory.”

Sean A Murphy Sean Murphy is a native of Skibereen and served as a Commandant and Unit Commander in the Defence Forces. During his service he was a recognized marksman, the All Army senior rifle champion and Coach/Manager to the Defence Forces combat shooting team. He has a deep interest in the activities of the IRA in West Cork and authored the critically acclaimed “Kilmichael; A Battlefield Study”, a forensic account and analysis of one of the most controversial engagements of the War of Independence. Sean finished his service as a barrister in the Defence Forces Legal Service and is currently employed as a senior legal advisor in the public service.

Niall Twomey “Born in Bantry, Co Cork. I joined the Defence Forces in 1992, and served for 19 years as an Infantry and Engineer Officer. Military history presentations delivered on Kilmichael and Crossbarry ambushes. Interest in history developed from my father Tom Twomey, Customs Officer, Bantry. I was a Platoon Commander UN mission to Lebanon 1999 and Operations Officer UN mission to East Timor 2001.”

Conor Kingston Conor Kingston is a Galway native, now resident in Cork. He has served in a variety of roles at home and with overseas units of the Irish Army (Africa, Balkans and the Middle East) over a 19-year career. Previously involved in leadership development with numerous GAA County teams. Involved in Disaster Response Team Ireland (DRTI).