Donal McSweeney (b. 1931) (part 2)

Donal McSweeney’s home at Gurtnafuinsion is the venue for this second recording with the man of the house. The recording was compiled as Donal sat at his old oak dining table, which has stood witness to many extraordinary events. On June 11 1921, the morning on which the Truce was signed bringing to an end the War of Independence, a meeting took place of some of the local volunteers around the oak table, headed by Sean O’Hegarty, Brigadier General of the mid-Cork area. The second section of this recording was compiled at Kilmichael, between Macroom and Dunmanway. Donal McSweeney describes in minute detail, as he understands it from oral sources, the events as they unfolded on the day of the ambush on November 281920.