The night of November 1, 1920, All Souls Night, was extremely cold in the west of Co. Waterford. The members of the West Waterford Volunteers flying column huddled along the road at Piltown Cross were not only shivering because of the temperature. Most of them were also trembling slightly as they tensely awaited their baptism of fire in Ireland’s War of Independence. George Lennon is one of the most fascinating and intriguing leaders of the Irish War of Independence. Not only was he the youngest commander of a flying column, but he also had one of the most wide-ranging experiences of any major figure in the Volunteers organization. By his own count, he participated in 17 engagements with Crown forces. George also came in contact with many of the most famous leaders in the fight for Irish freedom before and during the war.

George Lennon & the Piltown Cross Ambush