3. National Monuments & Registered Monuments
All historical sites, buildings and structures relating to the War of Independence should be protected and maintained in order to preserve and document this influential time in our history for generations to come.
Some are neglected and forgotten and in some cases demolished, never to be seen again. These sites, buildings and structures need to be identified, protected and where possible restored. One such example is the Headford Ambush site which has been neglected by a state body in recent years. This example should be protected before it completely disappears under new development.
On the 21st March 1921, the most successful I.R.A. ambush in county Kerry occurred at Headford junction. Headford, now an abandoned railway station, in 1921 connected Kenmare with Killarney and also was on the major line that connected Cork with Kerry.
A column from the Second Kerry Brigade of the IRA raked a train carrying British troops with bullets and grenades and by the time the firing had stopped, at least thirteen people on all sides lay dead at the scene.
The ambush was, quite possibly, the largest single engagement between the I.R.A. and the regular British army in the War of Independence.
Visiting the site today, one is greeted by two portaloos, a container box and mast on what resembles an abandoned construction yard with very little, or no trace of the historical events of that day.
The site leaves little to stir one’s imagination, which is deeply upsetting for the visitors, some of which of relatives of the fallen heroes.