Thursday, June 13, 2019

In 1867 forty Irish American freedom fighters, outfitted with guns and ammunition on Erin’s Hope, sailed to Ireland to join the effort to end British rule. Yet they never got a chance to fight. British authorities arrested them for treason as soon as they landed, sparking an international conflict that dragged the United States and Britain to the brink of war.

'The Brigade', a living history documentary exploring the lives of the ordinary West Cork men and women who fought for Irish freedom during the War of Independence will air on RTÉ1 on Thursday June 13th and Thursday June 20th. In the documentary, a group of 12 Volunteers were chosen after an open day at Clonakilty GAA. They then spent a week training as a flying column in locations in Kilbrittain, Enniskeane and Kilmichael.