Remembering Tourmakeady: 105 Years on, a community honours its past
A quiet South Mayo village will next week become the focal point for remembrance, reflection and renewed appreciation of a defining moment in Ireland’s struggle for independence.
The unveiling of a long-awaited memorial to the volunteers of the Tourmakeady Ambush will take place on May 3, marking 105 years since one of the most significant engagements of the War of Independence in South Mayo.
The ceremony, beginning at 6pm, will honour those who took part in the ambush of May 3, 1921—an operation widely regarded as the largest strike against British forces in the region during that period.
Organised by the Tourmakeady Ambush Committee, the event represents years of effort to ensure that the memory of those involved is preserved for future generations.
Speaking ahead of the commemoration, committee member Pádraig Ó hÉanacháin described the ambush as “a very brave undertaking” by local volunteers, carried out with limited communication and important risks.
“This was a very brave and strategic operation at a time when communication was limited and the risks were immense,” he explained. “The volunteers relied heavily on local knowledge, careful planning and the support of the surrounding communities. Without that support, the ambush would not have been possible.”
The carefully coordinated attack saw IRA volunteers across South Mayo— including Cross, Ballinrobe, Robeen, Srah and Glenmask—take up positions at key spots along the route between Ballinrobe and Tourmakeady, anticipating the movement of British supply convoys to a local barracks.
Despite the challenges of the time, the operation was carried out with determination and remarkable precision.
The new memorial, located in Srah, stands not only as a tribute to those who fought but also as a permanent reminder of the sacrifices made during the struggle for independence.
The names of all participating volunteers will be inscribed, and the crucial role played by Cumann na mBan will also be acknowledged.
Three benches have also been installed in memory of those who lost their lives on the Republican side: Michael O’Brien of Kildun, Pádraig Feeney of Ballinrobe, and Tom Horan of Srah. Their stories, along with those of their comrades, remain central to the legacy of the ambush.
“There’s a tendency to focus only on those directly involved in the fighting,” said Ó hÉanacháin, “but the reality is that entire communities played a part. People risked their lives to help—hiding volunteers, sharing food, and passing on information. Their contribution cannot be overlooked.”
Following the unveiling, a wreath-laying ceremony and the sounding of the Last Post will take place at Srah Bridge, offering a moment of reflection for attendees.
The evening’s events will continue at Tourmakeady Hall, where historian Sinead McCoole will deliver a talk on the role of women in the struggle for independence, highlighting the often underrepresented contributions of the women of Cumann na mBan.
The evening will also feature the launch of The Tan War in Ballyovey: Partry/Tourmakeady South Mayo by Ultan Lally, whose grandfather was involved in the events of 1921.
For Ó hÉanacháin, the memorial is about more than remembering a single event—it is about ensuring that the stories of those involved are not lost to time.
“105 years is a long time,” he said. “Without something tangible like this, there’s a danger these stories could fade. We want people, especially younger generations, to understand what happened here and the sacrifices that were made.”
He also emphasised the role of the wider community during that time, noting that the success of the ambush—and the survival of key figures afterwards—depended heavily on local support networks, often at great personal risk.
As the anniversary approaches, organisers invite the community to attend the ceremony at 6pm on Sunday, May 3 in Srah.