By James Durney

This book looks at the violent mark the Irish Civil War left on County Kildare. The county had the highest number of IRA volunteers executed during the war. The two internment camps located in the county held over 3,000 prisoners and were the scene of mass hunger strikes and mass jail-breaks, including one where 112 prisoners escaped. This fascinating historical account covers the many military actions to take place in County Kildare during the turbulent years of the Irish Civil War.

The Untold Story of Kildare. The Irish Civil War's Forgotten Battleground.

Discover the harrowing tale of County Kildare during the Irish Civil War (1922-1923) in this meticulously researched and captivating book. While the War of Independence left its mark on Kildare, the Civil War truly shook the county to its core. With military barracks strategically positioned along major roads, Kildare found itself at the heart of the conflict, resulting in a staggering forty-three deaths – a stark contrast to the fifteen lives lost during the preceding war.

See how Kildare's IRA battalions transformed into formidable fighting units and uncover the tragic stories of the eight volunteers executed during the war, including the devastating loss of seven men from the Rathbride column in a single day. Follow the gripping accounts of ambushes, hunger strikes, and daring escapes from the internment camps that held thousands of prisoners.

For the first time, the untold story of the Rathbride column is brought to light, revealing the shocking disparity in the treatment of prisoners across the country. This book offers a poignant and eye-opening exploration of a county caught in the crosshairs of a brutal conflict, shedding light on the lives lost and the scars left behind. A must-read for anyone seeking to understand the true impact of the Irish Civil War on the people and places it touched.