The Munster Republic

But their dream of a defensive line running from Limerick in the north-west to Waterford in the south-east was undermined by four events: the fall of Limerick and Waterford cities, the failure of the republicans to hold Kilmallock in the Civil War's most intense set piece battle, and the inspired decision of the Free State to land forces by sea in Kerry and Cork, making a mockery of the defensive line adopted by the anti-Treatyites. Despite these setbacks, anti-Treaty forces remained active until 24 May 1923, when IRA Chief-of-Staff Frank Aiken issued an order warning all officers to obey the ceasefire he had instituted or face court martial. --