Rolls Royce Armoured Car - The History of "Tom Keogh"

Rolls Royce Armoured Cars were instrumental in the establishment of the independent Irish State. This is the history of one surviving vehicle, "Tom Keogh", as documented in 1923.

This car was formerly known as "Danny Boy", the name being changed to "Tom Keogh" in memory of the late colonel, Commandant Tom Keogh, who was killed in a mine explosion in Macroom. During the hottest periods of fighting in Limerick and Kerry, "Danny Boy" as the car was then named, was ever in the vanguard and assisted in the capture of the following places in Limerick, Limerick city, Kilmallock, Bruree, Patrick's Wells, Adare, Rathkeale, Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale.

Lieutentant O'Brien has been one of the crew since the war came south and was present when the car broke through three columns of irregulars at Kilworth camp, and inflicted several casualties to the enemy. The car was completely hemmed in, and barricades and broken bridges had to be negotiated before the gallant crew won through, after ignoring several calls to surrender.

The car was taken to Kerry in September 1922, at the formation of the Kerry command, and took part in some stirring fights, notably the encounters at Killorglin and Castlemaine, and several ambushes in Tralee and Killarney.

First Published in "The Volunteer" June 30, 1923

For more history of the Rolls Royce Armoured Car, please check back shortly, as we will shortly be adding further photographs and information.