Headford Ambush

Headford Ambush
Part of the Irish War of Independence

British soldiers searching a train in County Kerry, 1921
Date21 March 1921
Location
Headford Junction railway station (near Killarney), County Kerry, Ireland
52°02′28″N 9°20′38″W / 52.041°N 9.344°W / 52.041; -9.344
Result Indecisive
Belligerents
Irish Republican Army  United Kingdom
Commanders and leaders

Tom McEllistrim

Danny Allman  
C. F. Adams  
Strength
32 volunteers 30 soldiers in first train, more arrive in a second train
Casualties and losses
2 killed 9 killed (British sources)
25 killed (IRA sources)
3 civilians killed, 2 wounded in ambush
1 alleged informer killed by the IRA in the aftermath
Headford Ambush is located in island of Ireland
Headford Ambush
Location within island of Ireland

The Headford Ambush was carried out by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) on 21 March 1921, during the Irish War of Independence. The IRA's 2nd Kerry Brigade ambushed a train carrying British troops of the Royal Fusiliers at Headford Junction railway station near Killarney, County Kerry. This sparked a battle lasting almost an hour, in which at least 13 people were killed – nine British soldiers, two IRA volunteers and three civilians.[1] The IRA withdrew after another train carrying British troops arrived.

  1. ^ O'Halpin, Eunan & Ó Corráin, Daithí (2020), The Dead of the Irish Revolution. Yale University Press, pgs 350-352.