Cork's Kilmainham Ep. 4: The Firing Squads Return

Cork's Kilmainham continues.

In Episode 4, the story moves into the darkest period yet for Cork Military Detention Barracks.

Following the death of Terence MacSwiney and the introduction of martial law, the barracks moves to the centre of the conflict in Cork. Men captured across the county are brought here, court martialled here and, increasingly, condemned to death here.

This episode tells the story of Con Murphy, the first man executed in Cork under the new martial law regime, before moving to the failed Dripsey ambush and the five IRA prisoners who were sentenced to death.

We also look at Maria Lindsay, whose warning to the British helped expose the Dripsey ambush, her extraordinary letter to General Strickland, and the unlikely figures who came forward to speak on behalf of the condemned men.

The episode culminates on 28 February 1921, when six men were executed by firing squad at Cork Military Detention Barracks while their families and supporters gathered outside the walls.

This is also the story of how one building became a physical link between some of the most important moments in Cork's revolutionary history.

If you're new to the series, start with the earlier episodes:

Episode 1 explores the origins of Cork Military Detention Barracks, its links to Fenian prisoners and the extraordinary story that eventually connects Cork with the Catalpa rescue.

Episode 2 follows the story of Thomas Kent, executed here after the 1916 Rising, his secret burial and the later discovery of his grave.

Episode 3 tells the story of Terence MacSwiney, his arrest as Lord Mayor of Cork, his first night in the detention barracks wearing the mayoral chain and the hunger strike that would eventually shake the world.

And now, in Episode 4, the firing squads return.