General Liam Lynch was one of the most important republican leaders of the Irish revolutionary period in the early 20th century. Hailing from rural Limerick, Lynch proved himself an accomplished guerrilla commander of the IRA’s Cork No. Two Brigade in north Cork, masterminding some of the most important operations against British forces during the Irish War of Independence. Following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, Lynch soon established him as a chief opponent to the settlement, seeing it as a betrayal of the republican cause. On becoming leader of the anti-Treaty IRA at the outset of the Irish Civil War, Lynch was a major driving of republican resistance to the emerging Free State, with his death in April 1923 ultimately signalling an end to the military fighting of the conflict.
Lynch is a fascinating and influential figure, who remains one of the most commemorated and celebrated figures of his era.
Gerard Shannon is a public historian of the Irish revolutionary period and resident of Skerries in north county Dublin. His recent book, Liam Lynch: To Declare a Republic, was released to critical acclaim in March 2023 and charted on the Irish non-fiction bestseller lists. He recently co-organised, along with historian Liz Gillis and the Irish Military Archives, a conference marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of Cathal Brugha, and is currently writing a new biography of the IRA leader Rory O'Connor. He has an MA in History from the DCU School of History and Geography and works as a civil servant in Dublin city. His official website, along with information how to purchase his books, can be found here.
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This event is in collaboration with the American Irish Historical Society.