James Donoghue

James' father died in Ballincollig from TB a month after he was born. He was only 22. He never knew the man and it's safe to presume that his father never met him either as his illness had begun one month prior to his birth. James spent his childhood life with his mother's family, the McCarthys. His mother, Margaret, was a cook and general servant in Mountmassey Rd., Macroom, so she was near enough to visit him.

During the fight for Irish independence, James was part of the IRA Cork 1st Brigade, 8th Battalion, B Company, out of the Kilnamartyra area. He was attached to 2 & 3 Section.

Battalion Commander: Dr. Padraig O'Sullivan - Vice Btl Commander: Patrick O' Sullivan - Company Commander: Captain Pat Lynch - Company 1st Lieutenants: Dan Sullivan & Con Lynch - Company 2nd Lieutenants: John Sheehan & Michael Leahy.

James received the 1917-1921 Service Medal.

When the Irish Government was established following the General Election in December 1918, his Battalion became part of the Army of the Government of the Irish Republic. The I.R.A. (Irish Republican Army).

Between 1939 and 1946 he was a member of the LSF - Local Security Force, which was set up under the control of the Garda (Irish Police Force). It was responsible for local security and its duties included replacing members of the Garda when required, monitoring Irish Republican Activity (IRA), and assisting the Garda in maintaining law and order. James served for over 4 years and received the WW2 "An Caomnoiri Aitiula" Emergency Medal, with the 1939-1946 service bar.