Geograph - photograph every grid square

With the IRA's struggle for independence increasing, during 1919, the British court system was at breaking point all across Ireland. A system of court procedures was formed by the IRA to maintain law and order. British Forces, spies and informers were being rounded up by the IRA and the safe imprisonment of these parties became a problem. It was suggested that a vault in Knockraha graveyard could be used for such a purpose and it became the official prison of the Cork No.1 Brigade.


The prison became known as ‘Sing Sing’ after the famous American prison of the same name. Many members of the British Forces were held in Sing Sing.


It is believed that 17 members of the Cammerons regiment, 7 Black and Tans and 11 other spies and informers were ultimately taken from Sing Sing and executed.