Organisation : | Waterford County Museum |
Article Title : | The Struggle For Freedom In West Waterford |
Page Title : | The Piltown Ambush (1 Nov. 1920) |
Page Number : | 15 |
Publication Date : | 11 October 2010 |
Expiry Date : | Never Expires |
Category : | Irish War of Independence 1919 - 1921 |
URL : | https://www.waterfordmuseum.ie/exhibit/web?task=Display&art_id=316&pagenum=15&lang=en |
"The roar of the guns it was glorious This is a verse from the song "The Cross of Old Piltown", which was composed by Pat Keating of Killrossanty (and who was later killed in the Burgery Ambush) and it recalls for us the Ambush at Piltown Cross on all Saints Night, 1st November, 1920. The R.I.C. in Ardmore Barracks and the Marines in the Coastguard Station were attacked simultaneously by a small party of Volunteers. The phone wires were left uncut, so that messages for assistance could be sent from the R.I.C. to the military in Youghal. These were only mock attacks to lure the military and police out from Youghal, as one particular policeman was required. The A.S.U. (Active Service Unit) and local company volunteers had taken up their positions at Piltown Cross, on the Youghal/Ardmore road. The road was trenched, and a tree felled, just at the Cross. When the mock attack in Ardmore commenced, Verey Lights and signals were sent up by the R.I.C. and this brought a combined force of military and R.I.C. out from Youghal, as expected. When they reached the road blockage, the lorry had to stop and the Volunteers opened fire. The driver of the lorry was shot, and others wounded, and an officer jumped over the fence, in an effort to get away, but fell into the hands of the shotgun men. The Volunteers charged the enemy, who very quickly surrendered, due to the surprise element attack. |
© Waterford County Museum 2014. All rights reserved. Please read our Terms of Use |