Cork has never experienced such a night of horror as that of Saturday. The residents in every part of the city were terrified by the rifle and revolver firing, bomb explosions, extensive outbreaks of fire, the breaking and smashing of windows and business premises, and crashing of walls of buildings. 

These alarming incidents were to progress until the break of dawn, and it was then found that portions of the city were masses of smouldering ruins.

Valuable business premises had been razed to the ground, while many other establishments were brought to a state of ruination. It was an indescribable experience for residents throughout the city, and it is indeed miraculous that the results of the devastating fire that raged in the principal thoroughfare were not more acute and destructive.

In view of recent occurrences, the principal streets were not paraded by such large numbers as is customary on Saturday nights, but many people were out of doors when they were startled by the discharge of revolver and rifle shots.

This firing, which was intermittent, continued until close to ten o’clock, when curfew began.

As soon as the firing commenced the thoroughfare quickly cleared, pedestrians having proceeded with all haste to their homes, and with the exception of the armed parties, the flat of the city presented a deserted appearance in a very brief period of time. Between half-past nine and ten o’clock volleys of musketry reverberated through the city and created considerable alarm, and when several explosions followed a feeling of intense anxiety was created.

The people sought their homes, extinguished all lights, and then passed through many hours of terrible suffering and fear.

It was hoped that when curfew hour was reached there would be a cessation of the firing and explosions, but such hopes were not realised; in fact, as the night advanced the situation became more terrifying, and the people, especially women and children, were rendered helpless amid fire and shot.

It was an awful experience, and will forever be remembered by all who passed through it. Ten o’clock had only arrived when a serious conflagration broke out in the fine business premises of Messrs A Grant and Co on Patrick Street.

The flames raged with great intensity, and within an hour the building was reduced to ruins. Every effort was made by the fire brigade to deal with the outbreak, and it was indeed creditable that the firemen, notwithstanding the many trying ordeals through which they were forced to pass, succeeded in confining the flames to Messrs Grant’s premises.

The fire has only been a short time in progress when rifle and revolver firing was renewed along Patrick Street and other thoroughfares in the flat of the city, and the firemen had to conduct their operations under such extraordinary conditions.

It was evident that the affected premises could not be saved from the destruction, and the Fire Brigade devoted their energies towards preventing the spread of the flames to the adjoining premises. In these efforts they were successful, though the buildings on each side of Messrs Grant’s establishment, and particularly that of Messrs S Haynes and Sons, was considerably damaged.

It was impossible to subdue such outbreaks, military and brigade joined in working at the flames in the hope of confining them to a limited area, and though they were successful in this respect, havoc was caused to numerous fine and valuable buildings within the area mentioned.

The premises from Messrs Cash and Co to the New York House were completely destroyed, as were also the establishments between Winthrop Street and Cook Street and running into Oliver Plunkett Street and Merchant Street and Maylor Street.

It was only when dawn arrived that an idea of the terrible devastation could be obtained.

As a matter of fact, with few exceptions, the establishments from Cook Street to Merchant Street were reduced to ruins.When dawn came an appalling spectacle presented itself. 

Residents of Cork were then able to see the picture of Saturday night’s work of devastation.

A portion of the city, embracing valuable business premises had been devastated, and nothing but smouldering ruins could be seen.

It was an appalling and terrifying spectacle.

Fine buildings, with highly valuable stock, had been wiped out, and thousands of people had been rendered idle.

The total loss must reach a few million.It was approaching six o’clock when it was found the work of destruction continued.

At that time the City Hall and Carnegie Library became ablaze. Both of these buildings were gutted, only the walls being left standing.

The upper portion of the City Hall, including the clock tower, fell in.

Notwithstanding the fact that these fires, each of which assumed most extensive proportions, took place in different areas, the firemen worked in a most energetic fashion, and it was solely due to their efforts that the entire of the flat of the city was not demolished.

In their work they received all assistance from the military.

However, the fires raged with such fierceness and intensity that it was only to be expected that the devastation should have been enormous.

The curfew troops remained on duty around the smouldering buildings until a late hour on Sunday.

Along Oliver Plunkett Street, Grand Parade, South Mall, Patrick Street, Bridge Street, MacCurtain Street, and other thoroughfares many premises were forcibly entered and valuable stock was removed.

In this respect, very large losses were sustained by the proprietors, as the establishments were fully stocked with Christmas goods.

Patrick Street, the principal thoroughfare of the city, has been subjected to terrific havoc, and the numerous ruined establishments bear testimony to the fierceness with which the fires must have raged.

One can form a good idea of the intensity of the flames when it is stated that the woodwork on the premises on the opposite side of the street was considerably damaged.

When the conflagrations were first discovered the frightened inhabitants in the danger zone made their escapes as best as possible and proceeded to other parts of the city and suburbs, where they were accommodated.

It was indeed miraculous that numerous lives were not lost.

It is generally believed that some persons must have perished in the flames, but no definite information can be provided as regards loss of life until a few days.

Many of the premises destroyed were still on fire on Sunday, and firemen were kept busily engaged in pouring water from hoses on the flames.

Their operations were watched by large crowds, but the entire scene was one of absolute desolation.

During Sunday, from early morning until late at night, many touching and affecting scenes were witnessed.

Residents in flats in the vicinity of the destroyed buildings were to be seen removing their household goods in all kinds of vehicles for transfer to some other part of the city or suburbs, where they intended to make their abode during the present appalling times.

Business premises that had escaped destruction were also attended to by many willing helpers, and their stocks were removed to other districts.

The plight of the residents in a humble walk of life who resided in apartments within the scene of desolation was indeed pitiable.

Everything possible was done by all classes to provide for their comfort.

The shock created by such awful happenings was tremendous, and must have most serious effects on many residents in the city, particularly women and elderly people.

Throughout Sunday, many willing helpers rendered assistance to the firemen in their arduous duties, while members of the Royal Irish Constabulary were engaged in preventing anxious people from gaining too close access to the destroyed buildings.

Some soldiers were stationed outside the premises of Messrs Grant and Co during the afternoon, and were most helpful. During Sunday afternoon armed soldiers were posted along Patrick Street.

Pedestrians were warned “to keep their hands out of their pockets,” and they were also notified not to congregate in the streets.

The presence of the military was welcomed, and their warnings were generally observed. The soldiers were withdrawn after a few hours.

It is estimated that the total losses sustained as a result of the destruction of the different buildings must reach between two and three million pounds.

* First published in Cork Examiner, December 13, 1920

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