What Was Happening in Cobh in 1920?

America 2020 – Ireland 1920, Who Learned From Who?

November 3rd, 2020 and the weeks leading up to it will go down in American and World history as the time when the people of that nation went to the polls to decide the direction of their country.

But a century earlier, Cobh — then still known as Queenstown — was living through its own seismic upheaval. The War of Independence was at its height, and the town was a crucible of resistance.

The British military presence in Cobh was substantial. The naval base at Haulbowline, the army barracks, and the RIC stations meant that the town was, in effect, under occupation. Yet the people of Cobh, many of whom depended on the British military for their livelihoods, found ways to resist.

The Ambush at the Park

In August 1920, an RIC Inspector was shot outside the Park at the Top of the Hill. This bold action sent shockwaves through the British administration and demonstrated that even in a town so closely watched, the Volunteers could strike.

The Black and Tans

The arrival of the Black and Tans brought a new level of terror to Cobh. They ransacked homes, intimidated civilians, and carried out reprisals. The home of the Town Chairman was targeted — they called out his name, demanding he face his would-be executioners.

These were dark days, but the spirit of resistance in Cobh never wavered.