Michael Fitzgerald (Irish Republican)

Michael Fitzgerald also known as Mick Fitzgerald, (December 1881  – 17 October 1920) was among the first members of the Irish Republican Army and played an important role in organizing it. He rose to the rank of Commandant OC in the First Battalion, Cork Number 2 Brigade. He died in the 1920 hunger strike at Cork Gaol. His death is credited with bringing world-wide attention to the Irish cause for independence.

Born in Ballyoran, Fermoy, County Cork, Fitzgerald was educated at the Christian Brothers School in the town and subsequently found work as a mill worker in the locality. He joined the Irish Volunteers in 1914 and played an important role in building the local organisation which was soon to become the Irish Republican Army (IRA). He soon rose to the rank of Battalion Commandant, 1st Battalion, Cork No.2 Brigade.

On Easter Sunday, April 20, 1919 Michael Fitzgerald led a small group of IRA volunteers who captured Araglin, Cork Royal Irish Constabulary Baracks located on the border with Tipperary. He was subsequently arrested and sentenced to three months imprisonment at Cork Jail. Fitzgerald was released from prison in August 1919 and immediately returned to active IRA duty. He was involved in the holding up of a party of British Army troops at the Wesleyan Church in Fermoy. The troops were disarmed although one of them was killed.

Michael Fitzgerald, along with Terence MacSwiney and nine other IRA volunteers, was arrested on 8 August 1920. On August 11, 1920, MacSwiney began a hunger strike. Fitzgerald and the other nine volunteers joined in. Fitzgerald was the first to die on October 17, 1920 as a result of the fast He was followed by Joe Murphy and Terence McSwiney. Their deaths are credited with bringing world-wide attention to the Irish cause for independence.

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