By the sixth week of the Irish Civil War in 1922, all eyes turned to
Cork, as the National Army readied its climactic attack on the 'rebel
capital'. At 2 a.m. on a Bank Holiday Monday, Emmet Dalton and 450
soldiers of the National Army landed at Passage West, in one of the most
famous surprise attacks in Irish military history. Their daring
amphibious assault knocked the famed Cork IRA onto the back foot, though
three more days of stubborn fighting was required for the National Army
to secure the city. The retreating IRA left destruction in their wake,
setting the stage for Michael Collins' fatal final visit to his home
county. For the first time, 'The Battle for Cork' tells the full story
of the battle for Cork, showing all the chaos, bravery and misery of the
largest engagement of the Irish Civil War and the final defeat of
Republican Cork.