The Carrowkennedy Ambush

'All history is bunk' said Henry Forde. Do you agree? If so, what about the famous Carrowkennedy Ambush?

On the 22nd of June 1921, a convoy, consisting of Black& Tans and members of the Royal Irish Constabulary left Westport for Leenane. They were on patrol, searching for the IRA. On their way, a broken bridge near Carrowkennedy, about ten miles from Westport impeded their progress. Local farmers, returning from the bog were forced to fill the gap in the bridge with their carts of turf. The tans then proceeded towards Leenane. But, while they had been delayed, the active service unit of the West Mayo Brigade, of the IRA under Michael Kilroy, which was in the local area, had been watching the convoy passing through. They knew also that a bridge between Leenane and Louisburgh had been cut and that the convoy, consisting of three lorries and a motorcar would have to return via the same route.

Kilroy and his men took up position about 150 yards, from the road at Carrowkennedy. They were in three parties, one to deal with each lorry, which usually travelled about 200 yards apart. All were ready and anxiously awaiting action at about 3.45, when the signal was given that the convoy was approaching about ¼ mile away. Minutes later the leading lorry lumbered round the corner. The men waited until all three lorries were within ambush position. At the first volley from their rifles the district Inspector Stephenson, who was the driver, and his companion were shot dead. The English jumped from the lorry and with a 'Lewis' machinegun opened fire on the IRA positions. After three of their men had been killed, the Tans gave up the attempt to operate the machine gun. Meanwhile the other lorries were fired on from both sides of the road. The Tans escaped from the lorries and burst their way into a roadside cottage. From their position they defended themselves and attacked the IRA with rifles, revolvers and hand- grenades.

Approaching further back, the last car of the convoy halted on hearing the shots. Five policemen jumped out, one-dropped dead from an ambushers bullet and the remaining four surrendered peacefully. Their weapons and ammunition were collected and were a welcome addition to the first lorry the battle was raging fiercely. Fire was exchanged with rapid intensity. A grenade, which was thrown from the English lorry accidentally fell back into it, killing two policemen and seriously wounding a sergeant. A white flag was seen from the lorry, they were surrendering. The IRA closed in and found one policeman lurking dangerously under a bank. He was the sole survivor of the leading lorry.

The IRA collected the weapons and the machine gun was aimed at the cottage where the occupants of the second and third lorries had taken over. Flying bullets shattered Windows and doors and thatch was ripped from the roof. The IRA called on the Tans to release the occupants of the house, but this request was ignored. The battle raged for some time and the Tans were running short of ammunition. Machine gunfire was again directed to the house and shortly the white flag appeared from a window. The battle was over; the Irish were victorious.

Nine tans were killed and four wounded in the ambush. Two of the wounded died subsequently. The survivors were allowed to go free. The IRA who escaped without one casualty had and arms haul consisting of 25 rifles, 28 revolvers, one machine gun and five thousand rounds of 303 rifle ammunition. The three lorries were later burnt.

So ends a gallant fight, which in no small way helped to put out the British at least from the twenty-six counties. This ambush holds a special place in the hearts of many Mayomen, and has been famed in song and story.