firing shots at random, cursing loudly, and laughing at the plight of the people of Knockcroghery. The people were terrified, particularly the children, whose cries of fear added to The Burning of the terrible scene. The homeless people of the village were given shelter in the houses of friends, neighbours and relations Knockcroghery in the district and some of them, along with Canon Kelly, found temporary accommodation with Canon Humphries at by F. Coyne the Rectory. Next morning the extent of the devastation was seen with the advantage of daylight. The sight was horrible to behold. All The burning of Knockcroghery Village on 19th June 1921, that was left of each building was a smoking shell. Very little, if followed wrong information gleaned by British Intellilgence anything, could be salvaged from the ruins. Canon Kelly and Agents in Athlone. At that time Sean MacEoin "the Canon Humphries resolved to do everything in their power to blacksmith of Ballinalee" - was under sentence of death and a help relieve the plight of the homeless. They set up a relief plan was made by volunteers in Westmeath to capture General committee and sent fund raisers far and wide to collect as much Lambert, who was then the officer commanding all British money as they could. In spite of having very little money to troops in the Western Command, hold him as a hostage, and spare the people of the area responded magnificently. One then bargain for Mac Eoin's release. good woman gave the only thing she could, a gold sovereign. General Lambert's movements were watched and it was When the collector was handing in his collection to the joint known that he frequently visited friends near the village of Chairmen, Canon Humphries spotted the gold coin. Turning Glasson, Athlone. An ambush was laid near Glasson and on to Canon Kelly he asked if he might have it. To which Canon the evening of June 17th, General Lambert travelled in a car, Kelly replied "You can have that one, I have plenty of them". driven by his wife, to pay a social call at the house of a friend in Canon Humphries thanked him and put it in his pocket having Glasson. When the car approached the scene where the first replaced it with a pound note. The total amount collected Westmeath Volunteers lay in wait, a volunteer officer stepped has long since been forgotten but it went a long way in relieving out on the road and signalled to the driver to halt. The car the hardship of many families. slowed down and then suddenly gathered speed and attempted Rebuilding did not begin for at least another two years until to drive through the cordon of volunteers. Shots rang out and the compensation agreed in the 1921 Treaty came through. General Lambert was killed instantly. His wife, who was Most of the building work was carried out by the Hessions of unhurt, drove on towards Glasson and the Volunteers Roscommon with the Foley's of Ballymurray employed as dispersed. stone masons. Many of the houses were never rebuilt, the In the course of their inquiries British Intelligence Agents original owners, either having died in the meantime or gone were told that the Volunteers who laid the ambush had come away for good. The claypipe industry which once thrived in the directly across Lough Ree from the Knockcroghery or Gailey village was never restarted. The families involved set up Bay side. This information was not COfl!Cct,but in the early alternative businesses as the claypipe was in rapid decline due hours of the morning of the 19th June, four lorry loads of Black to the increased popularity of the brier pipe and manufactured and Tans, police and auxiliaries arrived from Athlone in the cigarettes. The memory of that terrible night will live on in the Village of Knockcroghery. All of them were "under the minds and hearts of Knockcroghery people for a long time to influence" . come. They fired shots into the air, banged on the doors of the houses in the village and ordered the inhabitants to get out. The residents of Knockcroghery-men, women and children in their night attire, were driven out into the street. The raiding TO OUR LADY forces then spilled petrol on the vacated houses and set fire to I put my trust forever, them, having first looted each house for anything they o Mary pure in thee, considered of value. Many of the houses had thatched roofs Then show thyself a mother and daily succour me. and in a very short time the village was a ablaze from end to And when death's hand shall touch me, thy pity I implore, end. 0, lead me, dearest Mother, to Godforevermore. One of the first houses to be visited was that of Parish Priest Canon Bartley Kelly. BEFORE GOING ON A JOURNEY The Canon, who was in bed, refused to leave and the Tans Show me, 0 Lord, thy ways and teach me thy paths. immediately set his house on fire. Neighbours, who saw his Direct my steps according to They word, plight, went to the Canon's assistance and rescued him That no injustice may rule over me. through an upstairs window. They then helped to bring the fire Make perfect my walking in They paths under control, but not before considerable damage was done. That my steps may not be moved. The Canon crossed the fields and sought refuge with his friend the Church of Ireland Rector, the late Canon Humphries. Only two houses, side by side, were untouched. One NEW YEAR PRAYER building, which was owned by the Feeney family, housed John May the Christ Child bless our labour, S. Murray's Pub and Grocery Shop. The fact that it also housed May His grace dispel allfears, the local Post Office saved it from destruction. The other Richly crown us with His favour, building, a small Pub and Grocery owned by Mrs Mary "The Guide us through the coming years. Widow" Murray was also left alone. She gathered her children around her in the kitchen near the door and refused to leave her home. The Tans threatened to burn the house with her in ON SEEING A NEW MOON it. One of the officers took pity on her, ordered his men out and I see the moon and the moon sees me. told them to leave her and her family alone. They left the God bless the moon and God bless me. building, helping themselves to some money, cigarettes and Grace in the kitchen; grace in the hall, tobacco as they went. The grace of God about us all. Meanwhile the raiding forces drove up:arid down the village, 28