About the Book
During the Irish Civil War, between the 15 and 20 July 1922, the Republican-held Strand Barracks in Limerick, on what is now Clancy’s Strand, came under constant ferocious attacks from Free State troops.
They attacked the barracks repeatedly with armoured cars, and a non-stop bombardment of sniper, machine gun and mortar fire. All attempts to capture the barracks were resisted fiercely by the brave men inside. Finally, when everything else failed to dislodge these gallant men, the Free State turned an 18-pounder Artillery Gun on the barracks. This was the only time a siege gun was used in Limerick since the siege of 1691. The officer in charge was told to surrender the barracks or be held responsible for the loss of life. His response was “he would not surrender while he still had ammunition”.
This man was Captain Cornelius McNamara of ‘A’ Company, 2nd Battalion, Mid-Limerick Brigade, but was known to his men as Connie Mackey. An intimate friend of the former Irish president Sean T. O’Kelly, Connie was part of a golden generation of unselfish Irishmen with high ideals who were prepared to risk and endure everything for the sake of their country and countrymen. This is his story.
The men inside were surrounded, cut off from the rest of their comrades, outgunned and outnumbered. They had withstood everything the Free State had thrown at them; realistically, there was no real point in continuing as further resistance would have led to needless loss of life.
In order to spare the lives of his men, the officer in charge surrendered.
After he surrendered, he was complimented by the Free State Officer in charge Commandant General Michael Brennan on the magnificent defence he put up, and was offered third in command on his staff should he come over to the Free State side.
Reviews
‘A concise, well-written tale of struggle, hardship, love devotion to a cause by a man of high standards and respected by both his peers and enemies alike.’
Sgt David Nagle, An Cosantóir, The Defence Forces Magazine
“The amazing story of an idealist who heroically fought against overwhelming odds. Well told and generously illustrated throughout.
Dr. Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc PhD, Author of ‘The Battle for Limerick City’
This volume will be especially appealing to anyone interested in the history of the period 1916-1923.
Terrance J. Kenneally, Irish American News
‘Compulsory reading for anyone interested in the Irish Revolution.’
Dr Matthew Potter, curator of Limerick Museum
‘A fine biography … well written and densely researched.’
Dr Ruan O’Donnell, University of Limerick
‘Compulsory reading for anyone interested in the Irish Revolution.’ – Dr Matthew Potter, curator of Limerick Museum
To order a signed copy please visit http://www.conniemackey.com
About the Author
Author Jim Corbett was born and educated in Limerick City. He left Limerick after secondary school and moved to Croydon, England in 1988, where he still lives. He briefly studied Business in London and has spent the past twelve years working in the telecommunications industry in London.
He is the author of the 2008 Hardback edition of Not While I Have Ammo, since it was written it has become a reference work itself and it has been used as source material in other historical books and TV documentaries of the period. He is very much interested in history and is a lover of sport, especially rugby and football.
While working for Vodafone, he wrote the Vodafone Music Club Weekly Magazine. He began writing in 2005 and is very much interested in twentieth-century Irish history.
