Two Members of Royal Irish Constabulary Are Shot Dead by Irish Volunteers in an Ambush, Tipperary

On January 21, 1919, a significant event took place at Soloheadbeg, County Tipperary, during which two members of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) were shot dead by members of the Irish Volunteers. The ambush at Soloheadbeg is often considered the catalyst for the Irish War of Independence.

During the ambush, Seán Treacy and Dan Breen, along with other Irish Volunteers, intercepted and attacked two RIC officers who were transporting gelignite explosives. This act was a clear escalation in the struggle for Irish independence, marking the beginning of the armed conflict between Irish republicans and British authorities. The two RIC officers, Constables James McDonnell and Patrick O’Connell, were killed in the ambush.

The Soloheadbeg ambush is significant in Irish history as it symbolizes the start of the armed resistance against British rule and was a precursor to the broader conflict known as the Irish War of Independence, which lasted from 1919 to 1921. It was also the same day that the First Dáil Éireann (Irish Parliament) met in Dublin to declare Irish independence.