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44 Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:16 Page 45 3 The Rise of Nationalism

Main Street, Doon, (Limerick Museum). 45 Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 46

Three strands of

In 1916, parliamentary, physi- cal force and cultural nation- alism were all part of the Irish political landscape.77 The parliamentary tradition, which sought full or partial inde- pendence by peaceful means, appeared to be the strongest. By 1914 the Irish Party led by John Redmond seemed to have finally achieved the goal of Home Rule for and had massive popular support. All of Limerick’s parliamentary seats and local authorities were under its control.78

Limerick, like the rest of Ireland, was in two minds about where it stood on the national question. On the surface at least, people seemed content with being part of the .79 Democrati- cally elected county councils had been set up in 1898. The Wyndham Land Act (1903) had transferred most of the land

46 Limerick as a Fenian stronghold: John Daly, Tom Clarke and a temporarily bearded Sean MacDiarmada (Limerick Museum). Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 47

from landlords to tenants. 1916 that physical force psychologically as well as Education was under church nationalism, which aimed to legally, like Scotland, an control. Home Rule was prom- gain full independence by force integral part of the ised once the war was over. of arms, seemed almost dead. United Kingdom.82 In 1966, Garret Fitzgerald At the same time, a strong noted that the 1916 Rising had Since 1858, its torchbearers undercurrent of extremism been: had been the Fenians, officially and anti-English sentiment known as the Irish Republican was widespread, partially due planned by men who feared Brotherhood (IRB). Republi- to the legacy of the Land War.80 that without a dramatic canism was marked by a series Limerick Volunteer Liam Forde gesture of this kind, the of rebellions: the United Irish- later stated that ‘the tales of sense of national identity men (1798), Robert Emmet the evictions and the suffer- that had survived all the (1803), the Young Irelanders ings endured prior to and hazards of the centuries (1848) and the Fenians (1867). during the earlier years of my would flicker out These gave rise to the myth of life were principally responsi- ignominiously within their the ‘Pheonix Flame’; that ble in arousing my rebel life time, leaving Ireland republicanism was always instincts and in the shaping of my national outlook.’81

It was clear that Irish nation- alists wanted ‘independence’ but were vague about what form it should take. Few were prepared to fight for it, and were content with Home Rule, a limited form of self-govern- ment. The Fenian Flame

Home Rule was so strong in

The funeral of O’Donovan Rossa, Glasnevin Cemetery, 1 August 1915 (National Library of Ireland). 47 Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 48

48 Photograph taken by Roe McMahon after the Union Pipers Competition in the Rotunda, , 2 July 1912; the only woman is Mrs J J Murphy of Limerick (Limerick Museum). Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 49

dying and being reborn, as the war ended: ‘England’s diffi- cultural nationalist, who every Irish generation struck a culty is Ireland’s opportu- produced the first modern blow for freedom. nity.’83 English-Irish dictionary (1904).85

After a long period of decline, The Joyce brothers from Bally- the IRB was reformed from An Irish Ireland organ, in East Limerick were 1907 by young recruits such as important contributors to the and Sean Cultural nationalism was movement. Patrick Weston MacDiarmada, who had the inspired by Ireland’s unique Joyce (1827-1914) was a support of Fenian veteran Tom heritage - its language, litera- pioneer in Irish place names, Clarke. Having expelled many ture and sports. From the traditional music, history and elderly, apathetic members, 1880s onwards new move- many other fields. His brother they shaped the IRB into a ments emerged that aimed to Robert Dwyer Joyce (1830-83) tightly organised and highly revive and promote Irish wrote many poems and songs, disciplined force. In 1915, it culture. The Gaelic Athletic including ‘The Boys of emerged into the open when Association (GAA), Gaelic Wexford’ and ‘The Wind that Padraig Pearse delivered his League and the Irish Literary Shakes the Barley’ (which gave famous oration at the funeral Revival all helped to shape a its name to the 2006 film 86 of IRB leader Jeremiah sense of Irish identity.84 directed by ). O’Donovan Rossa in Glasnevin Cemetery. His ringing conclu- By 1916, the majority of Limer- ZZZZZZZ sion, ‘the fools, the fools, the ick people had re-imagined fools!- they have left us our Ireland as a nation with its Fenian dead, and while Ireland own history and rich culture in The GAA holds these graves, Ireland a way that they had not before Founded in 1884, the Gaelic unfree shall never be at peace’ the 1880s and 1890s. This was Athletic Association (GAA) was a call to arms aimed at the largely due to the flourishing aimed to preserve and revive current generation of young state of the GAA and Gaelic traditional Irish sports includ- . By 1916 the IRB League in both city and county. ing , football, handball was well organised, had infil- and athletics.87 Among the first trated the GAA, Gaelic League Timothy O’Neill Lane (1852- clubs to be established in and and was 1915) from , Limerick were South Liberties, committed to a rebellion before County Limerick, was a major St Patrick’s and Commercials in

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the city and , Castle- efforts to oppose them.89 As a total participants) took part in connell, Ballylanders and result, Limerick GAA went into the . However, Boher in the county. In 1887- a steep decline and rugby took many GAA members also 88, Limerick, represented by hold in Limerick city.90 After joined the British armed Commercials Club, won the 1900, the GAA underwent a forces. In 1916, ‘there were- first All-Ireland Football great revival. The City Board many more GAA men fighting final.88 was established in 1902 and in British army uniforms in the number of clubs increased France, than there were in the For the first twenty years of its steadily.91 GPO.’ Later it continued ‘to existence, the GAA was divided engage with the British by bitter disputes, mostly The GAA provided many authorities to safeguard the caused by the IRB’s efforts to recruits to the Irish Volun- organisation’s sporting opera- use the GAA for recruits and teers. In total, 302 of its tions’ going so far as to meet the Catholic Church’s strong members (20 per cent of the with General Maxwell after he had presided over the execu- tions of the 1916 leaders.’ After the Rising, the GAA even issued a statement denying any involvement in the fight- ing.92

On 18 April 1916, only a week before the outbreak of the Easter Rising, the death occu- red in Dublin of Frank Dineen (1863-1916), the only person to be both president (1895-98) and secretary (1898-1901) of the GAA. A native of Ballylan- ders, County Limerick, he had also been responsible for the GAA’s acquisition of Croke Park in 1913.93

50 Cultural nationalism in action: pipers and hurlers from College on a 1910 hurling tour to Belgium marching to the site of the Battle of Fontenoy (Jesuit Archives Dublin). Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 51

£ £ £ £ £ The declined Limerick, although Eamon de sharply in the nineteenth Valera’s grandmother was a century, mainly because native Irish speaker, she never English was the language of spoke Irish with him, and he The Gaelic League government, economic life and had to learn it as an adult in in the eyes of many, of the Gaelic League. Founded in in Limerick progress. In County 1893 by a group of scholars,

List of official collectors of Gaelic League subscriptions in Limerick, organised by parish and ward, 1916 (Limerick Museum). 51 Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 52

the League was a desperate In 1902 the Limerick City Cultural nationalism had deep- attempt to preserve and revive branch of the Gaelic League ened and widened a sense of the Irish language. By 1916 it came up with the idea of Irish separateness. The grow- had become part of the cult- making St Patrick’s Day a ing importance of the Catholic ural and social life of Ireland.94 national holiday. As a result of Church with its heritage of a national campaign, led by persecution during the Penal Inspired by the centenary of two Limerick men, James era also helped create an image the 1798 rebellion, the first O’Mara MP, whose family of Britain as being anti- branch in Limerick city was owned one of Limerick’s four Catholic, anti-Irish and alien. established in 1898. Branches bacon factories and the fourth sprang up all over the city and Earl of Dunraven, St Patrick’s county, as a new generation of Day became the official men and women took part in national holiday in 1903.95 the celebration of Irish culture. Travelling teachers called Although timirí held Irish language wanted to keep the League classes in the city at the Town non-political, it encouraged Hall, CBS Sexton Street and many to regard Ireland as a Bridge Street and in the county distinct nation with a separate in and other history and culture, which towns. They also taught Irish should therefore be an inde- music and dancing, creating a pendent state. Many major new lively social scene for figures from Limerick or asso- many people. Josephine ciated with Limerick, active in Vaughan was one of many the national movement young girls from Limerick who between 1916 and 1921, were attended Irish classes and won involved with the Gaelic The Irish medals for Irish language League, including Eamon de proficiency at feiseanna, Valera, Con Colbert, Edward Volunteers which began to be held regu- Daly, Sean Wall, Michael larly at this time. O’Callaghan, Kate O’Callaghan, While the GAA and Gaelic Maire O’Donovan and George League developed nationalist Clancy. sentiment, the Irish Volun-

An official booklet of Irish Volunteers marching songs that once belonged to Commandant Michael Colivet. By 1916, the 52 people of Limerick were accustomed to seeing official and unofficial armies marching in public to the accompaniment of stirring martial music (Limerick Museum). Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 53

In 1902 the Limerick City branch of the Gaelic League came up with the idea of making St Patrick’s Day a national holiday. As a result of a national campaign, led by two Limerick men, James O’Mara MP, whose family owned one of Limerick’s four bacon factories and the fourth Earl of Dunraven, St Patrick’s Day became the official national holiday in 1903. (Limerick Museum)

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This image of an Irish Volunteers gathering at Athenry, County Galway, on 29 June 1914 gives some idea of the huge numbers that had joined since the organisation’s establishment only seven months previously. Note that very few are in 54 uniform (Limerick Museum). Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 55

A group of Irish Volunteers at Laffan’s Field, Killonan, c. May/June 1915 (Courtesy McSweeney family). 55 Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 56

teers provided the army with afford it wore civilian clothes national revival, the Limerick which the IRB were able to with a brown belt with ‘Irish IRB had been reorganised finally stage their long- Volunteers’ written on it.96 under the leadership of future awaited rebellion. However, at Mayor of Limerick, George the instigation of Eoin The Limerick branch was Clancy (who was to be killed MacNeill, the Volunteers were launched with great enthu- by the Black and Tans in 1921) founded in 1913 for entirely siasm on 25th of January 1914 and James Ledden. Due to different reasons, to oppose at a meeting attended by their efficiency, the Limerick the Ulster Volunteer Force and hundreds of people at the IRB quickly took control of the to insist on Home Rule being Athenaeum Hall on Cecil local Volunteers. When the granted. A Volunteering craze Street. Among the attendance Irish Volunteers split in 1914 swept the country and 150,000 were , Padraig over the question of part- joined up. The uniform was Pearse, future murdered icipation in the war, 7,000 of grey-green in colour, with the Mayor of Limerick Michael the Limerick branch supp- harp on both buttons and cap O’Callaghan and IRB member orted Redmond and became badges, but those who couldn’t James Ledden.97 As part of its part of his National Volu-

Some of the Limerick Irish Volunteers who camped at Killonan, near Limerick city, on the night of Easter Sunday/Easter 56 Monday 1916. They are holding imitation rifles, which illustrates how the lack of arms was a major factor in Commandant Michael Colivet’ s decision to obey Eoin MacNeill’s orders not to participate in the Rising (Limerick Museum). Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 57

Group of Volunteers officers, taken on 26 July 1914, before the split in the organisation. Robert Monteith is in uniform on the left. Notice that two of them are in civilian clothes, including Ned Daly wearing light grey hat. The Volunteer uniform was grey-green in colour, with the harp on both buttons and cap badges. Limerick Clothing Factory produced the Irish Volunteers uniforms including those worn by Pearse, De Valera and Ned Daly (Limerick Museum). 57 Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 58

nteers, while 500 opposed him teers in Limerick City, but Irish Volunteers gained more and remained with the Irish we were also to make use of support, while the security Volunteers, who continued to his services in the county, forces were lulled into a false be strongly linked with the and, on the nights he was sense of security. 101 IRB. not engaged in training with the city Volunteers, he In contrast, the National The first secretary of the travelled to the outlying Volunteers were in decline by Limerick Volunteers was Con towns and villages, begin- 1916, their numbers depleted Cregan (1880-1966), a native of ning with Ballylanders, and by recruitment to the British Newcastle West who was a Newcastle West and later army. Some of its members staunch Redmondite and editor Galbally. Training revived began to doubt the wisdom of of the Limerick Leader from as a result of Monteith’s Redmond’s commitment to the 1910 to 1960.98 efforts. Some time later in war effort. James Maloney 1915, we were able to from remained a member After the split, the Irish parade over three hundred until after the Rising but Volunteers in Limerick men in Ballylanders.100 recalled that ‘somehow his prospered. Critically, the light faded in our minds. We former mayor John Daly and The recruiting agent for began to question among his family sided with the Irish County Limerick was future ourselves his wisdom and to Volunteers providing their cabinet minister Ernest Blythe, relate his mouthings with what home as a meeting place while who held weekly officer train- we knew of Ireland’s past.’102 his niece Madge Daly, as ing courses in Ballylanders president of the Limerick attended by men from On one occasion in Ballysimon, branch of Cumann na mBan, Galbally, , Kilf- a body of well armed Irish raised much funding for the innane and as Volunteers marching with Volunteers.99 Liam P Manahan well as Ballylanders itself. Monteith at their head passed later remembered how recr- some National Volunteers, who uiting agent Robert Monteith: Both the general public and the had just one rifle between RIC became familiar with the them. Disillusioned, the came to Limerick to take sight of an alternative army National Volunteers promptly charge of the training and openly drilling and parading on changed sides en masse.103 organisation of the Volun- a regular basis. As a result, the

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The Whit mistaken belief that they Daly); two future Lord Mayors Sunday would receive an enthusiastic of Cork who were to die in the welcome similar to that acco- War of Independence (Tomás Riot (1915) rded the local branch when MacCurtain and Terence they marched through the city MacSwiney); a future Mayor of The Irish Volunteers were on St Patrick’s Day, 1914. Limerick (George Clancy) and deeply disliked by the families two future anti-Treaty leaders of the many Limerick soldiers Prominent Irish Volunteer who died in the Civil War fighting in the European war. leaders from all over Ireland ( and Liam This culminated in an ugly arrived in Limerick by train. Mellows).104 confrontation on Whit Sunday These included six of the 23 May 1915. The scene was future 1916 leaders (Padraig 1,100 Volunteers and 220 set when Limerick was chosen Pearse, , Tom members of the Fianna took as the venue for the 1915 Clarke, Sean MacDiarmada, part in the march through the Volunteer national rally, in the Thomas McDonagh and Ned city centre which passed

Some nationalist Jesuits in the Crescent College organised their students into an Irish Volunteer Corps. Here, they are parading in Mungret, outside Limerick city, on St Patrick’s Day, 1915 (Jesuit Archives, Dublin). 59 Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 60

without incident. However, the country. In May 1912, the they were attacked twice, first RIC reported that it had a as they marched through the membership of 210 and that Irish-town area, and secondly Fianna Limerick was the only centre as they approached the of significant Fianna activity railway station. During the in the country. The Limerick branch even had its own riot, bottles and stones were Fianna Hall in the back garden hurled at the marchers. Eireann of the Daly residence on 15 Large numbers of soldiers’ Barrington Street, opened in families lived in both areas Although traditionally, the 1912 which was ‘capable of and the wives, sisters and Irish Volunteers have occupied seating some hundreds... mothers of men serving on the centre stage in the historiogra- [with] additional space for Western Front and Gallipoli phy of the Rising, two other exercises and drill.’ 106 were furious at what they organisations in Limerick, regarded as the disrespect to Fianna Eireann and Cumann Heuston seems to have been a their men shown by the anti- na mBan also played a very strict disciplinarian and war Volu-nteers. On the other important, though often over- superb organiser. Madge Daly hand, the Volunteers and their looked role. later recalled that he ‘planned supp-orters accused the rioters each year’s Fianna programme Fianna Eireann was founded in advance, arranging classes, of being ‘intoxicated rowdies’, in 1909 by Countess lectures, marches and exami- drunk with alcohol provided Markievicz and Bulmer nations for the boys. He by pro-British elements.105 Hobson as a sort of Irish realised that the success of the nationalist boy scouts on the Fianna movement depended model of Baden-Powell’s on keeping the boys fully occu- ZZZZZZZ recently established scouting pied and interested. Sean movement. They were called himself took charge of drill, after the mythological Irish signalling and general scout warriors led by Fionn Mac training.’107 Not surprisingly, Cumhaill. The Limerick Fianna Eireann was thor- branch was founded in 1911 oughly infiltrated by the IRB, and under the direction of of which Heuston himself was Sean Heuston, became the a member. largest and most dynamic in

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A group of prominent separatists outside the Fianna Hall, behind John Daly’s residence, 15 Barrington Street, Limerick 61 (Courtesy Des Long). Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 62

Group of Fianna Eireann taken outside the Fianna Hall, at the back of John Daly’s residence, 15 Barrington Street, in 1913. 62 Sean Heuston, who is seated in the centre, holding a walking stick, had moulded the Limerick Fianna into the largest and strongest branch in Ireland (Limerick Museum). Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 63

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Robert Monteith (1879-1956)

From Newtownmountken- In 1915, Monteith went to was a wanted man, Monteith nedy, Co. Wicklow, Robert Berlin to assist Sir Roger Case- was hidden by the Laffans in a Monteith served with the ment in recruiting an Irish ditch beside their farmhouse. British Army (1895-1903) and nationalist brigade from He was fed and looked after by later the Ordnance Survey among the Irish prisoners of the family and somehow Office. A convert to radical war. However, their plans managed to avoid detection, nationalism, he came to Limer- were changed when they despite numerous police ick with Ernest Blythe and learnt of the impending rebel- searches. The growing radical- worked at reorganizing and lion in Ireland. Casement and isation of County Limerick is training the Irish Volunteers. Monteith secured a shipment demonstrated by the manner Although Monteith had to deal of arms to be delivered by the in which former Redmondite with innuendoes that he was a Aud in County Kerry. They Laffan concealed Monteith for British spy, he successfully arrived by German submarine so long and with the knowl- recruited men from Castlecon- and came ashore at Banna edge of his family and farm nell, Killonan, Limerick city Strand. Casement was workers. In December 1916 and Meelick. Training was arrested, but Monteith found Monteith escaped via Liver- usually carried out on the farm his way back to Laffan’s farm pool, to the USA where, except of wealthy local farmer Batt in County Limerick.109 for a brief return to Ireland in Laffan (1878-1947) in Killo- the 1950s, he spent the rest of nan.108 Here, throughout Easter week his life.110 and for months after when he

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Robert Monteith in the uniform of a Volunteer officer, 26 July 1914. Note the similarity of the uniform to that of a British 65 army officer (Limerick Museum). Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 66

of the period. Passionately while Mary’s cousins Conor Mary interested in the Irish lang- and Kitty O’Brien from uage, Mary’s friend Erskine brought their yacht the Spring Rice Childers, an English author Kelpie.114 Having taken and civil servant sympathetic delivery of the arms off the and the to Irish independence, enco- Belgian coast, they made it uraged her to become involved safely to Ireland, despite a Howth Gun in radical nationalism. During naval spot-check in Spithead, a the War of Independence, she brief encounter with the HMS - Running established a branch of Forward and terrible storms. Cumann na mBan in Foynes, The Asgard arrived into Howth When the Ulster Volunteers sheltered IRA men on the run Harbour on 26 July, 1914 successfully imported arms in and organised First Aid where they were met by a 112 April 1914 many had agreed classes. large party of Volunteers, with Padraig Pearse that ‘the including Ned Daly. The arms only thing more ridiculous By contrast, her cousin Sir on the Kelpie were transferred than an Ulsterman with a rifle Cecil Spring Rice (1859-1918) to another yacht which arrived is a Nationalist without one.’111 was British Ambassador to the in Kilcoole, County Wicklow, This prompted Limerick USA (1912-18). He was author on 1 August. woman Mary Spring Rice into of the British patriotic hymn ‘I suggesting that arms should Vow to Thee my Country’ and In total, 1,500 Mauser rifles also be imported for the Irish played a major role in bringing and 49,000 rounds of ammu- Volunteers. America into the war on the nition from a Hamburg-based Allied side.113 munitions firm were brought Daughter of Lord Monteagle, into Ireland, thus proving the Mary Spring Rice (1880-1924) The gun-running was vast majority of the arms used was from Foynes, County organised and two yachts in the 1916 Rising. The Limerick. Her aristocratic sailed to Belgium to pick up shipment was a huge coup- 115 family provided one of the the arms. On board the Asgard militarily and politically. most unusual examples of the were Mary Spring Rice, political and cultural divisions Childers and his wife Molly

66 (left) and Mary Spring Rice (right) on board the Asgard during the Howth Gun-Running (National Library of Ireland). Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 67

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68 The Howth Gun-Running was instigated by a Limerick woman, Mary Spring Rice and among the Volunteer officers who organised the landing of the arms at Howth was Limerick man Ned Daly (Limerick Museum). Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 69

Cumann na The Limerick branch of or other members of the organ- Cumann na mBan was founded isation.117 mBan on 5 June 1914 in the Gaelic League rooms, 18 Thomas Madge Daly was elected as the Street, with over 100 women first president of the Limerick Cumann na mBan’s very active joining.The national organisa- branch, a post which she was part in the nationalist move- tion had been established two to hold almost continuously ment was largely forgotten months previously in Dublin. until 1924. Other prominent until recently. Once independ- Most of the Limerick Cumann members of the first commit- ence was won, they became na mBan came from families tee were Maire O’Donovan ‘the invisible army’ in a state steeped in the republican (vice president), Mollie Killeen whose women were expected tradition, and were related to (secretary) Annie O’Dwyer to be wives and mothers.116 Volunteers, Sinn Féin activists (treasurer), Tessie Punch,

Cumann na mBan membership card, setting out the aims of the organisation, belonging to C. O'Neill, Abbey Bank Row, 69 Limerick (Limerick Museum). Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 70

Group of Limerick City Volunteers and Cumann na mBan at Batt Laffan’s Field, Killonan, near Limerick city in 1915. Back (left to right): Ned O’Toole, James O’Driscoll, Alphonsus O’Halloran, John Grant, James Ledden, Liam Forde, George Clancy, David Hennessy, James Kirby, James McInerney, Stephen Dineen, Commandant Michael Colivet, James Dalton, Patrick Walsh, Robert Monteith. Front (left to right): Mrs Bermingham, Mary Clancy, Miss Downey, Mrs McCormack, Eileen Crowe, Eileen O’Donoghue, Siún O’Farrell, Madge Daly, Carrie Daly (Haselbeck Collection).

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Maggie Tierney, Una proceeds were used to fund the During this period, the O’Donoghue, Kate O’Cal- Volunteers, na Fianna and principal centres for IRB laghan, and Madge’s younger Cumann na mBan them- activity were Clarke’s sister Laura Daly. Committee selves.119 tobacconist shop at 77 Amiens meetings were held in the Daly Street, Dublin and Daly’s bakery premises on 26 William Planning house at 15 Barrington Street and public events in the Street.120 Fianna Hall on Barrington the Rising Street.118 By December 1915, the police in Limerick were informed Having acquired a potential Madge Daly recalled that that local republicans were army through infiltrating the ‘classes were started immedi- planning to strike a blow for Irish Volunteers, the IRB were ately for first aid, home nurs- Irish Independence.121 As the now in a position to create an ing, drilling, signalling, and Military Council worked in opportunity from Britain’s instruction in the care and use secret, the actual contents of current difficulty. In 1915, of arms.’ Military training was their plans remain vague even MacDiarmada and Clarke provided by Robert Monteith, to the present day.122 started planning a potential while local doctors and nurses rebellion, and set up the IRB’s ‘gave first aid and nursing It seems clear that as late as Military Council, which was lectures voluntarily.’ The two months before the Rising, even more secretive than the branch organised Irish dances, a major role for Limerick was IRB itself. Later all seven concerts and lectures given by envisaged. This was largely signatories of the 1916 a variety of speakers, including due to John Devoy, head of Proclamation were mem- Padraig Pearse, Roger Case- Clan na Gael, the IRB’s sister bers of the Council. ment, Terence MacSwiney and organisation in the USA, which Subsequently, other IRB Sean MacDiarmada. Madge funded Irish separatism before members on both sides of the Daly proudly spoke of the 1916. He favoured landing Atlantic would be made aware sound business sense of the arms and German troops in of the plans. To plan the branch: ‘we always charged Limerick city, both because of Rising, a series of meetings admission to these functions, its strategic location and as the were held in Dublin and John and all members, except the home of a strong Volunteer Daly’s home in Limerick. Fianna had to pay.’ The organisation.123

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In 1924, the aged Fenian leader John Devoy (1842-1928) made his first visit to Ireland for forty-five years. A supporter of 73 the Treaty, he is pictured here entering Government Buildings, Dublin to meet W.T. Cosgrave (National Library of Ireland). Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 74

From the start, the plan and join the City Battalion in consisted of the seizure of £ £ £ £ £ its attack on the city.125 strongholds in Dublin, and the delivery of German arms to The revised plan also envis- As Roger Casement and Robert the West of Ireland, the distri- aged a major role for Limerick. Monteith prepared to board bution of which would lead to Once the German arms ship- the submarine on route to a rising throughout the coun- ment arrived in Kerry, they Kerry, Casement was given a try. In the early stages, the would be moved via a hijacked flag of Limerick by Thomas St. possibility of the German arms train to Limerick, where the John Gaffney, a Limerick man and German soldiers arriving local Volunteers were to take of strongly anti-British views, in Limerick, was seriously delivery of their portion of the who had been in the US diplo- considered. The German arms. The West Limerick matic corps in Germany. troops would distribute the battalion would be responsible Gaffney ‘commissioned him, in arms and join the Volunteers in for arms distribution around the event of the capture of my the fighting. Limerick would Newcastle West. The remain- native city, to raise the flag be surrounded by the Limer- der of the shipment would over King John’s Castle.’126 The ick, Clare and Kerry Volun- continue on the same train to flag was seized by the RIC teers. In January 1916, Count Clare and Galway. The Limer- when Monteith and Casement Johann von Bernstorff, ick City and came ashore in Banna Strand German ambassador to the battalions were to join the and was later produced as USA, was informed by Devoy train as it passed through to evidence at Casements trial for that arms should be delivered Galway. Meanwhile, the City treason in .127 to Limerick between 20 and 23 Battalion was to assemble at of April. Bernstorff then Killonan on Easter Sunday and forwarded a message to Berlin launch an attack on the mili- entitled ‘Arms to Limerick, tary and police barracks in the West Coast of Ireland.’ city. The Galtee Battalion, However, the German Army Tipperary Town Company, refused to send troops and units from Doon and Castle- changed the location of the connell and the Clare units arms delivery to Ballyheigue were to overpower Crown Bay, North Kerry.124 forces in their respective areas

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This flag bearing the Limerick city coat of arms was given to Sir Roger Casement by Thomas St John Gaffney before Casement and Robert Monteith left on a submarine for Kerry. The flag was seized when Casement was arrested at Banna Strand. It was presented as evidence at his trial in London and remained in the Imperial War Museum in London since. In 2016, the flag was on loan to Limerick Museum from the Imperial War Museum for the exhibition ’They Dreamed and are Dead - Limerick 1916’. © Imperial War Museum (FLA 867 (A)) 75 Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 76

Madge Daly (1877-1969)

The Daly sisters, whose central role in Irish republicanism at this time is described in chapter 6, were at the heart of Cumann na mBan in Limerick. Madge Daly was the second eldest of the Daly family and like all of them, was a staunch republican. She worked in the millinery (hat) department in Cannock’s department store before taking over the daily running of her uncle’s bakery on William Street in 1898. A born entrepreneur, Madge turned it into a lucrative business and in 1912, acquired another premises on Sarsfield Street, which she turned into a confectionery shop. She also acquired a great deal of property all over Limerick city. By creating this source of funding for the republican movement, Madge Daly can be truly described as one of the architects of the 1916 Rising.

As president, Madge administered Limerick Cumann na mBan with the same vigour as her businesses, and was admired by many senior republicans, particularly Robert Monteith and Padraig Pearse, who was initially wary of having women trained in military drilling. Robert Monteith regarded Cumann na mBan as vital to the Irish Volunteers in Limerick, stating that:

not only did the women learn to use firearms, but they showed a lead to the men in many ways. They organised an efficient Red Cross service, collected funds, were active recruiters, and relieved the monot- ony of hard work by social affairs, dances, outings etc. In fact without their help the Volunteer movement could never have been the success it was.128

Madge was furious with Michael Colivet and the Limerick City Battalion of the Irish Volunteers (which the Dalys had financed and equipped) for not fighting in 1916. After the Rising, she was involved in setting up and financing a second Limerick City Battalion. She also played a major role in caring for the families of the executed and imprisoned. The Daly family was always under surveillance during the War of Inde- pendence and their house was raided by the Black and Tans. During the Civil War, the Dalys took the anti- Treaty side and the bakery was damaged by pro-Treaty forces. Compensation was later paid and the business continued to flourish.

Madge lived for the rest of her life with her mother (who died in 1937) and her sisters Agnes and Carrie who worked with her in the business. They owned one of the first motor cars in Limerick and flew regularly to Germany where Madge underwent treatment for her severe arthritis. All three are buried in Mount Saint Lawrence Cemetery, Limerick.

76 Cheque signed by Madge Daly on behalf of her uncle John, made payable to Tom Clarke. Although John Daly was nomi- nally in charge of the family bakery, it was actually run by Madge (Limerick Museum). Project5 b sample a OMG.qxp_Layout 1 02/03/2016 18:17 Page 77

This letter was written by John Redmond from his shooting lodge in County Wicklow to Limerick Leader editor 77 Con Cregan who was a strong admirer of his (P115 Con Cregan Collections, Limerick Archives).