Tomás MacCurtain, a dedicated family man, took an active role in the War of Independence. Originally from Ballyknockane in County Cork, his love of the Irish language and culture led him to become involved with the Gaelic League, the Irish Republican Brotherhood and the Irish Volunteers. A dedicated father and husband, he was in command of the Irish Volunteers in Cork during the 1916 Rising in Dublin. He was shot dead by British forces on 20 March 1920.&newpara;This short biography will open up this fascinating figure to younger readers.