Regarded as perhaps one of the most formative and vital periods in Irish History, we are currently in the midst of marking the centenary of the events of the War of Independence (1919 - 1921). Local archaeologist Barry Lacey from Ferns has been looking at some of the key events in Co Wexford, looking at ambushes, raids, the burning of police barracks and other activities. On this occasion he looks at the attack on Foulksmills Barracks, which took place in December of 1920, and saw a huge firefight between RIC officers and IRA volunteers. At about 2.45 a.m. on Saturday the December 18, 1920, members of the South Wexford brigade IRA launched an attack on the RIC Barracks in Foulksmills, a quiet rural village located some 22km west of Wexford town.