Commandant Hurley, IRA

Commandant Hurley, IRA

Commandant Hurley, IRA. The photograph is marked "Sologheadbeg" on the reverse (possibly indicating the loaction the photograph was taken.
Hurley is shown dressed in full uniform of the Irish Volunteers, with a standard green tunic, belt, riding breeches with puttees, and an Irish Volunteers hat with Oglaigh na hÉireann badge. This photograph of Hurley may have been taken before 1916, when drilling and training in uniform was common. After 1916 the Volunteers / IRA did not uniform, due to the nature of guerrilla warfare, but men sometimes wore their Irish Volunteer uniform for photographs or special events during the years of the War of Independence.