The RIC V IRA Altercation at Ballyboughal 18th April 1921

View the the video trailer above -read about viewings of the film here: Who Shot Sergeant Kirwan Commemorative Film viewings

On 18th April 1921 what began as an uneventful afternoon in the small sleepy village of Ballyboughal, North Dublin ended with a RIC Sargent and an IRA Volunteer receiving fatal gun-shot wounds in what would appear to have been an unplanned altercation between the two sides. The fatal shootings lead to a high-drama pursuit in which shots were fired between the Black and Tans and three other local IRA volunteers across local fields and dikes.  News of the shootings and the pursuit spread quickly to neighbouring villages and heightened the already growing tension between the local people and RIC as a result of arrival of the Black and Tans auxiliary policing unit to Ireland. 

 “By the winter of l920, things were beginning to get very hot. The Black and Tans and auxiliary police had arrived in the country. The Tans established a depot or headquarters at Gormanston aeordrome, just north of Balbriggan, and some thousands of them were stationed there. From there, drafts were sent out to reinforce the R.I.C. garrisons remaining throughout the country. The Tans were a motley lot” 

“Hold-ups, searches and raids on houses by thus force became a daily and nightly occurrence., and, for safety and to avoid being arrested, all the active Volunteers did not stay in their homes at night”. - eye witness report W. Brown, Officer Commanding, 4th Battalion, Fingal Brigade, 

With support and funding  from Fingal County Council and the Commemorations Unit of the Department of Tourism Culture Arts Gaeltacht Sports & Media, the Fingal Old IRA Commemorative society have, in partnership with the families of the victims and the community of Ballyboughal, produced a high-quality re-enactment film that recreates the events that took place and commemorates those who lost their lives on that  afternoon.

The film depicts an event that was repeated across the nation of Ireland at that time but is unique in its productions as many of the actors playing characters in the film are relatives of the victims and the scenes of the film were shot in the actual locations where the event took place.  Who Shot Sergeant Kirwan? Is a strong community collaborative project that has produced a record of local history that the all involved are proud to share with future generations for many years to come.

Mayor of Fingal, Seána Ó Rodaigh will launch the Who Shot Sergeant Kirwan? to an invited audience on Friday 27th August 2021. Public viewings will be held in Ballyboughal National School on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th August 2021. All public viewings are free of charge however booking is essential as access will only be granted ticket holders.  To find out more information and to book tickets visit facebook.com/fingal5thbatt.

Read about viewings of the film here: Who Shot Sergeant Kirwan Commemorative Film viewings