Crossbarry ambush | |||||||
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Part of the Irish War of Independence | |||||||
Crossbarry memorial | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
British Army (Essex Regiment) Royal Irish Constabulary (Auxiliary Division) |
Irish Republican Army (3rd Cork Brigade) | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Arthur Percival | Tom Barry | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
1,200 British troops 120 Auxiliaries | 104 volunteers | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
10 killed 5 wounded[1] |
3–6 killed 3 wounded | ||||||
The Crossbarry ambush, also known as the Battle of Crossbarry, occurred on 19 March 1921 and was one of the largest engagements of the Irish War of Independence. It took place near the small village of Crossbarry in County Cork, about 20 km south-west of Cork city. About a hundred Irish Republican Army (IRA) volunteers, commanded by Tom Barry, escaped an attempt by about 1,200 British troops to encircle them. During the hour-long battle, ten British troops and three IRA volunteers were killed.