Michael Brennan (Lieutenant-General)

Lieutenant-General Michael Brennan (1896 –24-10-1986) was the Irish Defence Forces Chief of Staff 1931-1940.

Brennan was born in Meelick, County Clare, and joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood in 1911. Two years later, he helped form the Volunteers in Limerick city and soon he was training men in and around Meelick. He took part in the Easter Rising and spent the next five years in and out of prison, danger and trouble, becoming the first O/C, East Clare Brigade, and later in charge of all three Clare Brigades of the IRA. This became the First Western Division, which De Valera president of the Irish Volunters described as the best in the country.