My Fight for Irish Freedom

My Fight for Irish Freedom is a first-hand account of the Irish War of Independence written by IRA leader Dan Breen. The memoir covers the period from 1919-1921, chronicling Breen's experiences during the guerrilla campaign against British forces. The narrative begins with the Soloheadbeg ambush in County Tipperary and follows Breen's activities as a key figure in the Third Tipperary Brigade. Through detailed descriptions of military operations, strategy sessions, and close escapes, Breen provides an insider's perspective of the independence struggle. Breen recounts the personal costs and practical challenges of maintaining a volunteer army against a superior military force. The book includes accounts of safe houses, intelligence gathering, and the support network of civilians who aided the IRA fighters. The memoir stands as both a historical document and a testament to the determination of those who fought for Irish independence. Without romanticizing violence, Breen presents his rationale for armed resistance and illustrates the complexity of choices faced by those who participate in liberation movements.

Readers describe this as a raw, firsthand account of the Irish War of Independence from a key participant. The straightforward writing style and personal details make the history feel immediate and real. Readers appreciated: - Direct, unfiltered perspective from someone who was there - Details about day-to-day guerrilla warfare tactics - Insights into the personalities and relationships between IRA members Common criticisms: - Strong political bias and lack of objectivity - Glosses over controversial actions - Limited context about the broader conflict - Writing can be dry in sections From reader reviews: "Reads like sitting down with a veteran telling war stories" - Goodreads "Makes no apologies for his actions or beliefs" - Amazon "More of a personal memoir than proper history" - Goodreads Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (246 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (168 ratings) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (21 ratings)

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🔹 Dan Breen's memoir became one of the most popular books about the Irish War of Independence, selling over 100,000 copies since its first publication in 1924. 🔹 The author participated in the first armed action of the Irish War of Independence, the Soloheadbeg ambush in 1919, which resulted in the deaths of two Royal Irish Constabulary officers. 🔹 Despite having a £1,000 bounty on his head (equivalent to roughly £50,000 today), Breen survived multiple gunshot wounds throughout the war and went on to serve as a TD (member of parliament) for 33 years. 🔹 The book was temporarily banned in Ireland during World War II because authorities feared its content might inspire resistance against potential British occupation during the "Emergency." 🔹 While writing his memoir, Dan Breen worked as a cinema manager in Dublin, and later used his earnings from the book to help establish a cinema business in Killarney.