19 July 2016: Dublin launch of ‘The Hales brothers and the Irish Revolution’, Richmond Barracks, Dublin 8

On Tuesday 19 July 2016 Richmond Barracks, Inchicore, Dublin 8, hosted the Dublin launch of Liz Gillis’ new book The Hales brothers and the Irish Revolution. The Hales brothers were from Cork, and were involved from the establishment of the Irish Volunteers in West Cork and were closely associated with well-known revolutionary figures, including Michael Collins, Tom Barry and Liam Deasy. Both Seán and Tom Hales were company commanders in the IRA in the area. The signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in December 1921 split the family and led to the two brothers taking opposing sides in the Civil War that would follow (their story provided some of the inspiration for Ken Loach’s The wind that shakes the barley). Tom Hales was the most senior Republican officer on the scene of the chaotic ambush at Béal na mBláth that led to the shooting of Michael Collins. Seán Hales was himself assassinated in Dublin by Republicans. The story of these brothers who fought together in 1916 and the War of Independence only to fight against each other in the bitter Civil War that followed gives a unique insight into life in Ireland in this period.

The book was launched by Mícheál Ó Doibhlin.

Read the statements given to the Bureau of Military History by three of the Hales brothers: Donal, Tom, and William.