On 4 November 1920, Seán Mac Eoin and local Volunteers confronted Crown forces at Ballinalee. The cottage was associated with Mac Eoin’s headquarters during the defence of the village.
Longford County Council and Ballinalee community partners restored and adapted the building for public use. The War of Independence Centre was officially opened in November 2023.
The centre contains an interpretation of the battle and includes a café. These are useful reasons to start here before tracing the events through the surrounding streets.
The exhibition is about real lives in a contested period of history. For opening times and admission, use the current centre or council information rather than old launch notices.