A t i c O s I a c

Edited by Major General Piaras Beaslai.

Vol. 1., No. 2. SUMMER, 1961 6d. PAST AND PRESENT MOUNTJOY PRISON 1919

O patriotic Irishman, and, in particular no old I.R.A. man, can A Poetical Picture N regard without the deepest concern the depletion of the Irish countryside by the emigration in excessive numbers of the most N March 16th, 1919, Robert Barton escaped at night from Mountjoy Prison, having sawed through a bar in the window of his cell healthy and vigorous young men and women. Excessive emigration has O in the Prison Hospital near the canal bank wall. He scaled the been an Irish problem for several generations. Under British rule, or wall with the aid of assistants outside, who threw over a rope ladder, rather misrule, the cause of it was largely economic necessity, the same and caught him in a blanket. cause which produced periodic famines in the West of Ireland. In the early Thirteen days later, on March 29th, twenty prisoners escaped from Sinn Fein days, at the beginning of this century, excessive emigration Mountjoy, in broad daylight, by the same method and with the same assistance from outside. These included Patrick Fleming, “ the prison was listed as one of the national evils to be combated, and an Anti- breaker”, who had demolished a special cell built for him in Maryborough Emigration Society was started, with branches all over the country. Prison, of “unbreakable” material; J. J. Walsh, T.D., and the editor of AN tOGLACH. Prior to this escape the last-named scribbled a parody It is a puzzling and disturbing yearly to sweep the rich harvest of Fitzgerald s Omar Khayyam”, which gives a fair idea of conditions fact that in an independent Re­ of the Irish seas and make much in the prison at the time. At this time Paddy Fleming was Commandant public of our own, under a wealth at our expense. England of the political prisoners, and had contrived to keep the prison authorities democratically elected Govern­ and France do not hesitate to use in hot water. ment, in a country where the their navies to protect the in­ standard of living is now higher terests of their fisheries. Our “Awake, for morning comes with iron Say, would we let them out at half-past than ever before, with expanding fishers and fisheries properly equip­ clang, four The keys grate in the locks, the cell- And bring them in from exercise at fiv e ? commerce, the evil of excessive ped and protected could prove one doors bang emigration is worse than for many of the most important sources of And see ! a warder brings me in my food Yes love ; but if the Prisons Board years past, and indeed threatens national wealth. I rise and seek my garments where they conspire hang. the continued existence of the * * * The rights we claim to rob us of entire Irish nation. The apparent in­ Would we not smash our cells to bits The first number of our new and then difference of politicians of all “Dreaming while night was interblent Oglach has met with a favourable with day Create disturbance to our hearts’ desire. parties to this fundamental na­ reception from old I.R.A. men I thought I heard a surly warder say tional problem is one of the worst ‘Arise, my hardy boys, and ate your For some we know, the bravest and the everywhere. The historic value features of the situation. It is grub ; best, of the various contributions has Smashed up their cells at Fleming’s high the duty of every patriotic Irish­ Surely there is no hunger-strike to-day !’ been generally acknowledged, and behest, man to use his influence to focus we have received- a number of And as the bells rang those who stood They played the devil with the prison public attention on the problem. rules contributions of a similar nature. before In a matter of this kind the old Their spyholes shouted ‘Open, then, the And looked upon the handcuffs as a We thank our contributors, but jest*. I.R.A. men can be very effective. door we do not wish our pages to be They gave an example of practical You know how short our hour of confined to the chronicling of the exercise O keeper of my soul, for whom I sigh, patriotism in the past, when, The keeper of my body’s passing by, past. If anybody has anything And once locked in they let us out no resisting all temptations to better more !’ How oft hereafter passing shall he look to say on current matters of Through that damned spyhole watching their conditions by leaving Ireland, interest and concern to old I.R.A. where I lie. they preferred to stay at home and A book of verses in a prison cell, men generally, we shall welcome risk the danger of the fight with A mug of tea, a junk of bread as well, But when at length, my dearest, all is a letter or article from him on A neighbour felon singing rebel songs, England. They felt that emigra­ well, the subject. Suggestions, recom­ And prison is — a cross ’twixt heaven And I’ve escaped to you, my tale to tell, tion was a cowardly desertion of and hell ! mendations or complaints of griev­ Like Barton’s warder shall my warder their post of duty. To-day their ances will be freely given a voice. turn, example should urge young men to O love, could you and I with Fate And, shaking head, pass by an empty We should be glad, also, to show their patriotism by living contrive cell. receive some contributions in Irish. To lock our enemies in here alive, *A fact and working in their own country. * * * One lamentable feature of the situation is that the places hardest hit by the excessive emigration are the Irish-speaking districts of the Western and Southern coasts. If the present trend con­ tinues another generation will see the end of Irish as an everyday spoken language, and any attempt to “revive” it by teaching it in the schools will become futile and foolish. The evil here is largely an economic one. There is no part of Ireland so poor in natural resources—apart from the sea fisheries—as the Gaeltacht—and there has been no part of Ireland more neglected by successive Gov­ ernments, since we won self- Government, than the same G aeltacht. * * * Incidentally the sea fisheries of Ireland represent a potential source of income which has been wholly neglected by all our Gov­ ernments. While our fishermen struggle to earn a living wTith small boats and defective equip­ ment, vessels from France, Holland, Spain and other Con­ tinental countries fitted out in the most up-to-date way, come Major General Piaras Beaslai, Editor of An tOglach, Andrew Clarkin (Lord Mayor of Dublin), and Robert Barton. 2 An cOgtac Summer, 1961

28th. Got into position at 7 a.m. A BUSY BATTALION COMMANDANT Cars arrived at 12.30 p.m. Open­ PICTIUIR ed fire on them and stopped 4 Bealtaine, 1916 URING the later stages of the Anglo-Irish War (the Black-and- both cars at trench cut in road. Tan period) copies of all dispatches received by G.H.Q. were Fight lasted exactly fifteen min­ JpUAIREAMAIR roint mhaith D forwarded to the Editor of AN tOGLACH. The Director of Training utes. No casualties on our side. aisti agus altanna Bearla o J. J. O’Connell (“Ginger”) later Colonel O’Connell also received reports Enemy losses, one killed, two shean-(5glaigh. Bhi cuid aca an- which he used in his Training Notes for AN tOGLACH. A number severely wounded, three others inspeise, agus taimid buioch de of these were in hands at the time of the Truce, and, in consequence wounded. We captured three sna sgriobhnoiri da gcionn. Ach of the Truce, never saw the light. One of these contributions, now rifles, one repeating shot-gun, is oth linn a ra nar rainig oiread published for the first time after 40 years, will be read with interest. four Webleys and one Para- is aon aiste amhain Gaeilge chug- It is the “diary’’ for January 1921, of a Battalion Commandant in a bellum, 165 rounds of .303, 66 ainn. Is truagh linn son, agus is very active area, forwarded to the Director, who perhaps asked for it rounds of .45, 9 rounds for Para- iongna linn e, mar bhi Gaeligeoiri as an example to less energetic officers elsewhere. The Director has bellum, and 5 Mills bombs, one go fluirseach san troid fad o. Da made some deletions, apparently to give no indication of the locality of those severely wounded was chomartha san fein, seo dan do but it is practically certain that the report is from a Battalion of Cork (passage deleted. The name ceapadh i bPriosun Mount joy i No. 3 Brigade, whose area was near the Kerry border. No doubt some appears to be “Colonel Holland”) mi an Mheithimh 1919, ag tagairt of our readers could guess the Commandant’s identity. Some dispatches found on him do bhas an Phluinceadaigh, Liam and a large quantity of bank Mac Piarais agus Eamuinn Ui JANUARY 1921 being in Battalion area on 18th notes, which later were returned Shala. owing to a fair in E Co. area to him. We destroyed one car Triur fe ghlas i gcillin beag 1st. Discussed Intelligence re­ that day. This caused me to after removing magneto batter­ I gCill Mhaighneain seal go tlath? ports with O.C. “C” Co., and decide that that date would be ies and tools. Took away the Triur do rainig saor on eag also the possibility of ambush­ a more certain one to bring off other car, a Crossley. Sceal dob iongantach le each. ing enemy troops in his area. ambush than any other date. 30th. Remained in bed till midday, Dismissed squad for three days Triur sinte i dtoirchim suain Decided to arrange ambush Therefore I had all lorries and Ar urlar cruaidh go lag faon for the 4th. motors likely to be used for tour­ leave, as the men were tired from hardship and overwork. Gur mhuscail gleo gunnai iad 2nd. Sent dispatches to all men ing purposes put out of action. On gel os thiar le breacadh lae. of Active Service section on 17th. Mobilised Active Service 31st. Arranging correspondence. Christmas leave, mobilising them Section. Proceeded at nightfall Reports to Brigade H.Q. Plan­ Arsa fear den triur fe cheas for the 3rd. to proposed ambush area. ning further activities. “Ta an bheart deanta, mo lean I 3rd. Mobilised men and inspected 18th. Got into position at 8 a.m. (To the above Col. O’Connell ap ­ “Beannacht De le hEamonn fial arms and ammunition. Secured Three lorries arrived and stop­ pends a note :— “We publish “Le Liam is le Seosamh trean.’r cars & transferred all men and ped at derelict car for ten min­ this “diary” without any criticism. Triur eile d’eis bhais go moch— staff to “C” area. utes. Owing to actual circum­ It might easily pass as a chapter Triur mathair ag gol go fras— 4th. Waited for patrol from 6.30 stances it was impossible to en­ from General Lettow-Vorbeck’s Eire lag ’s a clann ar ceal— a.m. to 2 p.m. Day very cold gage the enemy. ‘Reminiscences of East Africa.’ ” Triur i gcillin beag fe ghlas. & wet and I decided, after con­ (The last sentence was inserted sulting other officers, that the in the handwriting of Colonel patrol would hardly come out O’Connell, in place of a deleted after that hour. Therefore I passage. As far as the deleted dismissed the men with orders passage is legible it seems to be to mobilise the following day. to the effect that the enemy had At the moment of dismissal a local civilians as hostages, and it WHEN THE SWEEPSTAKES BEGAN scout reported that lorries had was impossible to fire on the left “ D ” Co. area. I got men lorries without endangering these together at once and rushed mens’ lives. Why Colonel O’Con­ them into the best position nell expunged this passage I can­ available. Attacked lorries, first not guess. Perhaps he thought it one of which got through. The irrelevant to his purpose in pub­ occupants of the second dis­ lishing the “diary”. — Editor.) mounted & took .cover, from 19th. Went to (name deleted. It which I failed to dislodge them seems to “East Kerry”) Brigade before re-inforcements arrived. area for Ford motor lorry and We retreated to a safe position, to negotiate with the Brigade I dismissed men in turn for Quartermaster for mines. grub. Got back to village inside 20th. Got back to Battalion area one hour, and found enemy had with car and a promise of mines. left. They had burned a house 21st. Went to 4th area to discuss and taken some civilians prison­ joint action with O.C. 4th. Sent ers. Waited, expecting further O.C. B Co. to Brigade H.Q. for reprisals. stuff promised me. The 5th. Dismissed men and went 22nd. Got home to my own Bat­ to bed. talion area. Book barrows 6th. Secured stuff for the manu­ 23rd Sunday. Overhauled old can­ facture of explosives. non. Arranged to have climber Thirty years ago, 7th. Made gunpowder and filled raising and lowering gear made when the Sweepstakes began, cartridges. for it. Ordered parts for Ford 8th. Made small mine for experi­ car. the booksellers with their mental purpose. Carried out 24th. Arranged with Battalion barrows were a feature of the experiments with electronic bat­ Quartermaster to send some stuff tery, detonators and mine. Res­ from Dublin (“Dublin” is del­ Dublin scene. It was on Saturday afternoons that they really blossomed ult fairly satisfactory. eted and “Brigade H.Q.” sub­ forth; the old streets and lanes off the Quays, which during the week 9th Sunday. Attended funeral of stituted by another hand) with bustled with commercial activity, then became filled with barrows civilian shot by enemy on the Vice-Commandant for training day of ambush in “C” area. of E and F Co.s piled high with books and bundles of old magazines. Here, if you were 10th. Unwell, owing to working 25th. Visited E Co. area to look lucky, you might have picked up a valuable first edition for a few at gelignite. In bed all day. up alleged spy. Arranged my 11th. Attended meeting of Brigade own system of espionage on him. pence, or caught a glimpse of one of Ireland’s great literary figures Council. 26th. E Co. reported th a t a local browsing thoughtfully from barrow to barrow. 12th...... landowner and shopkeeper had 13th. Went to 4th Battalion area wired to the military in D area for gelignite and detonators. that the Martial Law Proclama­ 14th. Attended Company Council tion was destroyed. Decided to “5” area, Discussed plans with fine him £50. Visited E Co. area Battalion Engineer. and collected fine. Reported to 15th. Received intelligence of Brigade H.Q., and hold cash enemy car broken down in “5” and goods for instructions. SWEEPSTAKE area. Went to tow it away and 27th. Arranged ambush in G area £ 5 0 , 0 0 0 destroy it. Found it to be for a party of armed men dressed commandeered civilian property. as civilians and travelling in two TICKETS £1 EACH Thought it better to arrange an powerful touring cars. Waited IRISH HOSPITALS’ SWEEPSTAKES, BALLS BRIDGE, DUBLIN 4 ambush of the enemy fatigue from 6.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. No BRANCH SWEEP OFFICES AT CORK, SLIGO, GALWAY AND AT 9 - I I GRAFTON STREET, DUBLIN 2 party who should come to take result. Placed scouts and asked Irish Hospitals’ Golf Tournament Woodbrook Dublin 21-23, July it away. 7th and 5th Battalions to watch 16th. Possibility of enemy lorries other roads. Caps Summer, 1961 An CO5 IAC 3

secondary roads which should be tackled next, or where he may INTERESTING possibly be ambushed success­ LECTURES GREAT SUCCESS OF fully. Finally he will be forced into boherins and lanes which the at the 1916-1921 Club weight of his heavy motors will destroy by themselves. Thus road For no particular reason I might ROAD-CUTTING demolition should be general and first mention the paper read by continuous : the main roads should Sean Kavanagh, Club Vice-Pres­ HE following tactical notes by the Director of Training, Com­ be broken in several places. Some­ ident on the “Visitors’ Book”. mandant (later Colonel) J. J. O’Connell were written for AN times it will be possible to kill two As Sean read down the list of pat­ TtOGLACH in 1920, but for some reason never published. They birds with one stone—by road- riots’ names that appeared in the will be read with interest by old soldiers, illustrating as they do, the mines. These, if used effectively, official gaol records in Dublin, back outlook of “Ginger” and his excellent instructions on guerilla tactics. will help to ambush an enemy thro’ the last century and a half, party and at the same time to put one really felt that not alone should The systematic road-cutting op- will stop his lorry column which the road out of action. This is the Kilmainham Gaol be restored as ations now being carried out by is a far greater military achieve­ method to adopt whenever the a national memorial but the other our troops are having a great effect. ment. When the Germans in 1916 circumstances admit of it. official “Guest Houses” should One of our Brigade Commands launched their great Verdun attack also be preserved. Indeed photo­ reports the following results : General Petain said : “On ne Stategically, Road-Cutting can static copies of certain entries “Night raiding completely stopped passera pas”—“They are not to be applied in “an imperturbable should find a worthy place in any owing to danger of running into pass”. We say the same in the offensive spirit” of the most dec­ National museum. trenches during dark ; lorries same words about the English ided kind. Take an important However, to move further along travel slowly in daytime ; lorries lorries— They are not to pass. enemy centre which is used for the line we had Mr. L. O’Hora often completely sink when pass­ raiding in all directions—Athlone, lecturing to a packed house on ing over filled-in trenches owing to The reason why road-cutting Curragh, Limerick, for example. “John McHale — Archbishop of soft earth, causing delay some­ is making the enemy frantic is By thoroughly destroying all the Tuam”. The rapt attention and times for hours ; lorries have to th a t he has deliberately made this roads leading from such a centre the subsequent thunderous app­ lose a lot of time going around by­ a Motor War—which is a very we stop his motor raids and pin lause of his listeners paid full trib­ roads and run greater risk of gett­ expensive kind : for every one of him within infantry marching ute to a wonderful lecture on a ing into better ambush positions”. these he stores 30 days supply of distance—less than a quarter of wonderful person, wonderfully del­ These are splendid results due petrol and oil allowing for 50 his former radius. By steadily ivered. To speak so enthrallingly altogether to liberal use of pick denying him the roads in this for more than an hour on a subject and shovel. manner wide areas can be won that went so far back into history back from him, and he will every­ dealing with persons and events Besides these general results where be forced on the defensive. in their strict chronological order the enemy has suffered consider­ It must be fully realised by our without having to refer to notes, able direct loss. Take the follow­ local commands that the enemy demonstrated clearly the enthus­ ing from the daily paper : “A has nothing like enough troops to iastic idealism of the research Mr. party of R.I.C. escorting Division­ hold the country effectively, un­ O’Hora put into his subject. al Commissioner Marrinan, R.I.C. less he can move them quickly Incidentally one of the guest ran into a trench on the Mullingar- from point to point—that is to speakers was Dr. C. Macken, a Longford road, their motor being say if he is once deprived of his veteran of the old Western Divis­ damaged.” In another case a free motor transport. It should ion. Why not a more regular large touring car was hurst up on a be remembered that in warfare attendance, Christy ? trench, an important officer in­ today the pick and shovel play as Amongst the star studded list jured, and important dispatches important a part as the rifle and of Feis Ceoil promoters, operatic captured : while there have been grenade. producers, R.D.S. instrumental­ several instances of lorries break­ ists etc., is there a more able and ing up and many enemy soldiers Col. “Ginger” O’Connell Road demolition may be a enthusiastic adherent of Irish Mus­ being injured. Brigade Operation : the Brigade ic, than Martin Walton ? His The enemy is quite unable to Commandant orders each Battal­ lecture to us on Irish Music, so repair the damage done no matter miles per day. Apart from all ion to destroy the roads in its own well illustrated by recordings and how much civilian labour he im­ other troops he has 3,000 exclus­ area on a given night. Each Bat­ renditions by Leo Maguire made presses. We can break faster than ively for motor transport duties talion Commandant then details a most entertaining and instructive he can mend. In any case mend­ —drivers and mechanics. A few his Companies— one to each road, night’s entertainment. ing is only a make-shift business : months ago he set aside two mil­ or if necessary two or three to the Is there anything can be said an enemy report states : “The lions for motor purposes alone, most vital roads. Each demolition in this journal that has not already trenches have all been filled up the other day he set aside another party will post covering parties of been said everywhere about Kevin roughly, but care has to be exer­ two millions, probably for the the best trained men who will Danaher’s lectures? The talk he cised by drivers of motor cars same purpose. He thought to drive off small enemy parties and gave to us on “Artillery in Ireland” when crossing, otherwise the springs finish the Irish people with fast- delay larger bodies until the work­ illustrated so profusely with his would not stand the strain caused moving columns of lorries enab­ ing parties withdraw with their camera slides was surely, one of by the sudden jolt.” It should ling him to shift troops about at tools and equipment. The Brigade the highlights of the seasons activ­ be remembered also that as time will with great speed, and thus Staff & Battalion Officers should ities. Even the supporting re­ goes on, and our troops make greatly increase the effectiveness beforehand work out the entire marks of Dick Hegarty and Dom more and more frequent demoli­ of his numbers. In short, he held operation on the map : this saves Mackay, tho’ about more contem­ tions the situations of the enemy as he thought the King of Trumps time enormously and makes for a porary weapons, were most enjoy­ will become considerably worse. and felt he was certain to win. far better system. able particularly the history of As one road is put definitely out But we can beat him with the Ace Dick’s entry into big time gunnery of commission the next should be —the Ace of Spades. intrigue. tackled systematically. Demolitions should be effective : slight damage is no good. The All in all, the Club has had an­ The enemy is urging through THE STRATEGY OF enemy lorries now carry planks other good year. The attendances his Engineer Officers the immed­ for bridging, and plates for rein­ at the lectures and socials were iate repair of roads, and as usual ROAD-CUTTING forcing filled-in trenches. It must well up to standard. The demands tries in this to strike at the civil The first roads to destroy are be made impossible for them to of Eamon Morkan on the mem­ population. He impresses labour those in most frequent use by the pass the broken parts with the bers were fairly well met with the and bullies the inhabitants of the enemy—the big main roads. When help of any equipment they can result he was able to present a areas in question, he threatens to these are made impassable the carry. The best way of all is to balance sheet in black instead of stop fairs and markets ; but we enemy must have recourse to the split the road at a raised part— red. One item of comment must a bridge, a causeway over a bog etc. be mentioned. One of our founda­ —leaving only about five and a tion members has for many years half feet of surface—just wide been unable to be present at any When the time comes enough to lead a horse and cart of our functions. Owing to physic­ across it. This is a fairly big task al disability he is not able to be aro­ TO TAKE IT EASY/ on some roads ; but if the road is und as much as he used to or as he Make use of New Ireland Assurance ! very solidly built the pick and would like to be. But his regular FOR HOUSE PU RCH ASE- shovel work can be made easy by notes to the Hon. Sec. with the New Ireland offers liberal loan ad­ first blowing a hole in the road usual enclosure shows a sense of vances to suitable applicants. with explosives. Raised roads in loyalty to us, his friends, that FOR YOUR RETIREMENT - O u r boggy districts, on the other hand makes “Associations” worth­ Specialist Advisory Service is avail­ able for individuals and employers break very easily having a soft while. I refer of course to Joe who seek a sound Pension Scheme. bottom. Just after a frost is an Reynolds. If and when you are ideal time to tackle the roads— able to be with us again in person NEW IRELAND ASSURANCE CO., LTD before the thaw has made the as you are in spirit, I can assure H e a d Office: 12 Dawson St., Dublin. Managing Director: M..W. O 'Reilly, r.C.I.l.,P C. roads muddy. But there is no you, Joe, of a most hearty recep­ time as suitable as the present. tion. 4 An c Oj Iac Summer, 1961 The Old Gate — Kilmainham Jail PASSING OUT

The following list of recent deaths of old I.R.A. men has been forwarded to us by the Hon. Secretary of the Old Dublin Brigade. He says that owing to his absence from Dublin for a while it is probably incomplete.

Guimld beannacht De le n-a n-anm anna.

Halpin, Robert; B Coy. 3rd Batt. Cooper, Joseph; B Coy. 3rd Batt. Fleming, James; B Coy. 3rd Batt. Kelly, Richard; B Coy. 3rd Batt. Lynam, Peter; A Coy. 3rd Batt. Sartini, Joseph; 4th Batt. Fianna. Duffy, Thomas; B Coy. 3rd Batt. Keogh, Peter; L. & Cyclists 3rd Batt. Carr, Alec; D Coy. 3rd Batt. Byrne, Michael; D Coy. 3rd Batt. Kane, Alexander; D Coy. 3rd Batt. Ellis, James; E Coy. 3rd Batt. Adamson, Joseph; K Coy. 3rd Batt. Dunne, James; K Coy. 3rd Batt. O’Neill, Ignatius; B Coy. 3rd Batt. The above were members of the Dublin Brigade.

Lally, Stephen; Chairman Connaught Rangers Mutineers. Gray, Michael; 3rd Western Division. Butler, Patrick; Fingal Brigade. Grady, Patrick; Kerry No. 1 Brigade. O’Farrell, A.; Longford Brigade.

O’Reilly, Charlie ; Collinstown, Co. Dublin ; on 14th June, 1961 late of 2nd Batt. Dublin Brigade.

O’Dwyer, Tom; Pallasgreen, Co. Limerick on 12th June 1961 late of First Batt. East Limerick Brigade.

Keegan, Charlie formerly of S.C.R. Dublin, on 13th June 1961 late Cyclists Company, 1st Batt. Dublin Brigade.

Byrne, Michael L. ; Old Leighlin, Carlow : on 7th June 1961 at St. Dymp- nas Hospital, late O/C of First Batt. of Carlow Brigade.

Hamill, Eugene ; Mount Argus Road, Crumlin on 31st May 1961 late of G B y LEO MAGUIRE The Kilmainham Jail Restora­ Company, First Batt. Dublin Brigade. tion Project is urgently in need Kilmainham ! Dark Kilmainham ! What a tale your stones could tell of Subscriptions and Volunteers Dwyer, John ; Ballydonnell, Mullin Of bodies bowed in anguish and of souls in living hell : to work any evening between ahone, on 1st June 1961, late B Company Of brave, unbroken spirits standing proudly and alone 6.30 and 10 p.m. or Saturdays 7th Batt. Kilkenny Brigade. Within your iron cages and your brooding walls of stone : 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Of men who left what all hold dear, their wives—their children—home O’Hogain, Cathal; Wellington, New To fight and starve and suffer, and like hunted beasts to roam : Volunteers please report to the Zealand, May 1961, late of C. Company, Of terror and of torment, of glory and of shame : Jail any evening. Subscriptions 4th Batt. Dublin Brigade. What an echo of the storied past is in your very name ! to : Forristal, James ; Clonmel, Tipperary Kilmainham ! Grim Kilmainham ! you who held the proud Parnell, The Hon. Treasurer, on 29th May 1961, late Fifth Batt. Third The peerless one! The lion-heart who loved old Ireland well. Kilmainham J ail Restoration Tipperary Brigade. You tried your best to break him, but yours was not the power : Project, His great soul grew in grandeur thro’ every weary hour. Gough, Peter ; Baldoyle, Co. Dublin To-night do you remember that flashing eagle eye ? 110 Grafton St., Dublin. on 19th May 1961, late of 2nd Batt. The body tall and stately and the massive head on high ? Dublin Brigade. The voice that brought new courage to broken, beaten men ? Kilmainham ! Ah, Kilmainham ! We’ll not see his like again. Murphy, Jerome T. ; Rathdown Villas, COLLINS - GRIFFITH Terenure, late member of Coachford Kilmainham ! Grey Kilmainham ! When the moonlight gilds your walls COMMEMORATION Company, 6th Batt. Cork No. 1 Brigade And straggles thro’ your shattered roof into your ruined walls and brother-in-law of the patriot priest Do the shades of poor Joe Brady and Tim Kelly walk again The Annual Commemoration of the late Father Dominic, O.F.M. And the rest of that devoted band of dauntless Fenian men ? Arthur Griffith and General Is that the night-wind sighing thro’ the windows stark and bare Shelly, Charlie ; Kilworth Rd. Drime Or an echo from the gloomy past of many a dying prayer ? Michael Collins will be held on nagh. 5th Batt. (Engineers) of the How many a soul, Kilmainham, rests in Paradise to-night Sunday, August 20th. Mass for Dublin Brigade. Who thro’ your ghastly hell on earth passed on to Heaven’s light ! the repose of the souls of the dead Byrne, Seamus R. ; St. Michael’s Rd. leaders will be said at St. Joseph’s, Kilmainham ! Lone Kilmainham ! Do you think, as dawn comes grey, Glasnevin, on 17th June 1961, late of Of fourteen gallant men and true whose lives you took away ? Berkeley Road, at 11 a.m. After­ C Company, 1st Batt. Dublin Brigade. Of rifles crashing loud and harsh, of blood-bespattered earth ? wards there will be a parade to Kilmainham ! Ah, Kilmainham ! ’Twas then Freedom found new birth. Glasnevin and wreaths will be O'Moore, Eamonn ; Upr. Gardiner St. Dublin,, on 17th June 1961 late of Yes, might may triumph for a while ; injustice has its day : laid on their graves. All who But truth and fath and valour are the things that stand for aye. H. Coy, Fourth Batt. Dublin Brigade And all things elsie shall pass away and valueless be found. wish to honour their memory As your stout walls, Kilmainham, fall slowly to the ground. will be welcome. Summer, 1961 A n c Oj I a c 5

in his book remarked that Lynch “succeeded in enlisting about 150 Transvaal Irish Brigade, 1899-1902 “Irishmen” from several European nationalities not hitherto reckoned TTlHE following account of the Irish Brigade who fought for the Republican records at the Arch­ as subordinate members of the Celtic racial family.” |_ Transvaal Republic against England sixty years ago has been ives also show names, home ad­ The Second Brigade fought with forwarded to us from South Africa. It is the work of David Conroy, dresses and regimental numbers of 125 members of the Irish great courage and dash during the an old I.R.A. man, who is now a Major in the South African Defence Brigade. war and was often in action. Force. He has been to great pains to verify his facts from the existing Mention must also be made of Under No. 3314 is recorded : records. Major Conroy was a Battalion Adjutant in Clare in 1919- the 58 Irish Americans who enter­ “T. F. Byrne, No. 14 St. Vincent ed the Transvaal through Lour- Str., North Dublin”. enco Marques as an Ambulance The recent emergence of South State Republic) authorised the Unit. They promptly “took up Africa as an independent Republic establishment of an Irish Corps No. 3335 is “J. MacBride, West­ port, Co. M ayo” . the Mauser” when they joined the reminds us of that small but of 750 men. However, when war did break out the Government Republican Forces. Their names gallant body of Irishmen who appear in the Union Archives. fought so bravely in the defence was unable to arm, equip and mount this number and at first about 125 Their five Doctors were Herbert of two small nations—The South McAuley, A. F. Conroy, Jeremiah African Republic in the Trans­ men went on active service. Also to be seen in the Union Slattery, George Aderhald and vaal and the Orange Free State Ross Swug. Apart from the two Republic, in the Anglo-Boer war Archives are MacBride’s appoint­ ment by the State Secretary as a Brigades several Irishmen fought of 1899 to 1902. with the regular Commandos com­ In the 1890’s many Irishmen Major in “the Irish Corps”, his appointment as a Special Justice prising the Republican Forces. were employed on the gold mines Here in South Africa the Irish in and around Johannesburg— of the Peace to enable him to Brigade is not forgotten. Under Arthur Griffith for a short time attest other members of the Brig­ ade, his renunciation of British the patronage of many disting­ was one of them. uished South Africans and Irish­ It was obvious—particularly af­ citizenship and the grant to him of full franchise rights in the men a Committee has been found­ ter the Jameson raid—that war ed and funds are being collected between the South African Repub­ South African Republics. The four documents are dated 2nd to erect a suitable memorial to lics and England was inevitable them on Brixton Ridge overlook­ and a large number of Irishmen October 1899—10 days before war was declared. ing the city of Johannesburg. determined that when the time The memorial will take the form came they would fight for the of an Irish Round Tower. land of their adoption. The Honorary Treasurer of the There was at that time but one Fund is Mr. R. I. C. Scott- Irish Society in Johannesburg— Commandant Tom Byrne was an officer in the Hayward, Johannesburg, Hon. the Irish National Foresters— Irish Brigade in the Boer War 1899-1901. He Consul for Ireland in South Africa. and under cover of that organisa­ was Commandant of the First Battalion, Dublin tion Irishmen on the Rand planned Brigade from 1917 to 1921. Later he was, for many years, Captain of the Guard in the Dail. the formation of a Brigade to FAlLTE 6 GHAEILIGEOIR fight for the Transvaal. The driving force behind this THE REGIMENTAL FLAG Fuaireamair na linte seo leanas movement was John MacBride, The Brigade Chaplain was No. o n-ar gcara Liam O Riain, who had come to South Africa in 3367, Father A. Baudry, O.M.I., sean-Oglach :— 1895 and was working on the a Frenchman, whose successor “Gulm adh agus amhantur ar Langlaagte Mine. He was an Father Van Eck, O.M. I., safe­ an bhfoillseachan nua so. Tosach energetic man of great moral guarded the regimental flag on maith leath na hoibre ! courage. He was ably assisted by disbandment of the Brigade. Liam O Riain Tom Byrne, happily still hale and This flag was presented to the hearty in his native Dublin and Brigade by Maud Gonne and her the last surviving officer of the Inini na hEireann and through Irish Brigade. the instrumentality of a Mr. K. MICHEAL 0 FOGHLUDHA Early in 1899—but particularly Wappenaar of Pretoria and of during July and August of that Cathal Brugha’s eldest brother Is mor an meala linn has year—Byrne and Dick MacDonagh Eamonn it was sent to Dublin in Mhichil Ui Fhoghludha, fear do of Listowel were given the task of the early 1920’s and may now be dhein cion fir Seachtain na Casca visiting all mines where Irishmen seen in the National Museum. agus do dhein breis is dicheall were employed to recruit volun­ On the outbreak of the war the cead fear i n-obair na Gaeilge teers for the proposed Brigade. Brigade promptly went into action agus in ngach obair eile mar Fearing victimisation by the in Natal distinguishing itself in mhaithe le Naisiuntacht na mine owners the work had to be many engagements around Colenso hEireann, ar feadh a shaoil. Bhi secretly done and each Sunday se laghach chun chairde agus Major John MacBride (Boer War.) and Ladysmith. It then fought in they reported the results of their the Orange Free State and Trans­ borb dana chun namhad na hEireann. Trocaire De ar a anam! activities to MacBride. vaal. Sufficient recruits having res­ ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING After the fall of Pretoria it was ponded favourably a letter was On 1st October 1899 a meeting disbanded in the Eastern Trans­ CAPT. JOHN KEEGAN sent to President Paul Kruger under MacBride’s chairmanship vaal—members escaping into Port­ offering the services of a body of was held on Von Brandis Square, uguese territory from where most Capt. John Keegan, Calderwood Irishmen willing, and anxious, to Johannesburg, when it was res­ of them eventually got to the Road, Drumcondra, died on 9th fight for the Republic should the olved to form an Irish Brigade. United States and Europe. February, 1961. He was late of necessity arise. Colonel John G. Blake, a graduate Michael Davitt in his excellent E Company, 2nd Batt., Dublin This letter is preserved in the of West Point and a former United book “The Boer Fight for Brigade 1919/22. Joined the Army Union Archives, Pretoria. It was States Cavalry officer was elected Freedom” has recorded many on its foundation and was Liaison signed by S. Gillingham, J. Ger- Commandant with Major John details of the Brigade in action. Officer in the taking over of aghty, B. J. Oates, J. Connolly MacBride as Second-in-Command. So far we have been dealing military barracks from the British and J. Stone all of whom were MacBride told the gathering of with the 1st Irish Brigade only. until 1924 when he resigned and well-known in the Transvaal. arrangements made with the Gov­ In January 1900 a second one entered the Civil Service. Was An endorsement in Dutch by the ernment and the meeting closed under command of Colonel Arthur Minor Staff Officer, Patents Office State Secretary—F. W. Reitz, (an with great enthusiasm and cries of Lynch was formed. Its members up to the time of his death. ex-president of the Orange Free “To the front !” represented many lands. Davitt

M A D A M E A D MSA M^TME LADIES’ WEAR SPECIALISTS W BLOUSES, KNITWEAR, LINGERIE HANDBAGS, HOSIERY, GLOVES, Etc. 1 UPPER O’CONNELL STREET, DUBLIN TELEPHONE: 43223 6 An c Oj Iac Summer 1961

officer through the chest. He got following activities : BRIGADES IN JUNE 1921 back to his own men under heavy “An explosive charge was placed fire. The enemy suffered 4 casual­ on a destroyer lying in Haul bow­ MONG unused “copy” for AN tOGLACH of Black-and-Tan days, ties from the one bullet. The line Dockyard, and successfully probably held up from publication by the Truce, is the following enemy officer (Lieut. K. C. Warren exploded. A large plate in the A summary of Brigade reports from various parts of Ireland:— M.C.) has since died from his destroyer was blown away, causing A report of the South Wexford Brigade for June shows that during wound. It is stated that on several damage of £1,000. This destroyer the month 8 bridges were destroyed in the area and roads were trenched occasions he brutally ill-treated was being used to patrol the coast. or blocked on 18 occasions. Enemy mails were seized 8 times and wires unarmed civilians. A land-mine was exploded under were cut 3 times. Belfast goods were seized and destroyed on 2 occasions The Official Report from Cork an enemy lorry of soldiers at and the enemy courthouse at Wexford was burned down. No. 1 Brigade of the Youghal Carrightwohill wrecking the engine landmine operation on June 1st of the lorry and wounding one differs materially from that which officer and private. The three The diary of the Mid-Clare prepared within the fortnight’ appeared in the Public Press. It young women arrested and court- but the enemy would not come Brigade for May shows incessant says : An Armed party of military martialled in this connection were out”. It is very hard to get them Volunteer activity and increasing about 250 strong, left Youghal thinning turnips in an adjacent in this area. On June 26th, an enemy demoralisation in that area. accompanied by a band, on the field at the time and were not R.I.C. patrol was attacked at The barricading and trenching of morning of the 1st June, for the aware of the presence of a mining Milltown within 150 yards of their roads all over the area was carried Rifle Range situated less than 2 party. On June 24th, at 1 p.m., Barracks and lost 2 dead and 2 out almost daily. The report says miles from the town. An armed an enemy column, 200 strong, that no sooner had the enemy seriously wounded. Our troops advance guard preceded the Band, encam ped near Ballinagree, Co. cleared a road than our men suffered no casualties. Owing to who were followed by an armed Cork were sniped. Much confusion the fire from the barracks and rendered it impassable again. All main body. About one mile from was created amongst the enemy, road, which was lighted up by the Rate Books for the County the town a land-mile had been who replied wildly and ineffec­ wrere seized and deposited in a Verey Jights from the Barracks, laid. This mine was successfully tively with machine gun and rifle it was not possible to capture safe place. Ambushing parties exploded under the main body, fire. They broke camp about were frequently in position but the enem y’s arms. the advance guard and band being 2.0 a.m. same morning.” the enemy rarely came out, show­ Athlone Brigade reports that allowed to pass over. In all there North Roscommon Brigade re­ on July 2nd, 3 Volunteers attacked ing an increasing disinclination to were 15 killed and 45 to 50 ports an attack on an enemy patrol come out. The Active Service Capt. Tully and 4 R.I.C. men who wounded. It may be remarked outside Tarmon Barracks on July were in a private car near Drum- Unit marched openly through a that some band boys were killed 2nd, resulting in a loss to the raney Chapel. After a fight lasting Battalion Area in broad daylight and others wounded by flying enemy of 2 dangerously wounded 15 minutes the enemy retreated but failed to come in contact shrapnel (stones) at a distance of and one slightly wounded. Our into the Chapel yard and the with the enemy anywhere. On 300 yards from the scene of the troops had no casualties. The men had to cease firing for fear the 19th, Tiermaclane R.I.C. explosion”. Sergt. (Special) was one of the Barracks was sniped at. The of the bullets entering the Chapel Cork No. 1 Brigade reports the badly wounded. R.I.C. kept sending up Verey or the Parochial House. “Another lights for 3 hours after and enemy obstacle in the way of our men Verey lights were also sent up was that the enemy had two from Ennis, Clare Castle, and hostages on the car so that they Kildysart but no reinforcements had to fire with great caution came out until 11 a.m. on the and judgment”. It is believed following day—a striking example that 2 of the enemy were seriously of enemy timidity. In an encounter wounded. We had no casualties. on the 22nd and 27th one Black On the 3rd July in a conflict (gtUnstirr (gEramnpIimtt J^ rn riis and Tan was killed and a soldier between Black and Tans and and four Black and Tans wounded. Volunteers at Ballymore one of On the 21st a patrol of 12 marines the former was seriously wounded. OFFER IRELANDS BEST was attacked in Ballyvaughan. The reports adds : “A bomb was Their casualties were 8 killed and placed by Military between stones SONGS BY IRELAND’S BEST four wounded. Our troops captur­ that were taken off the road near ed 4 rifles, 4 bayonets and 200 Tang. Some Volunteers discovered SINGERS AND CEILI MUSIC rounds of ammunition. Our troops it, placed their fingers on the suffered no casualties. lever and removed the stones. A report from the Tipperary They then put the pin in the No. 3 Brigade shows that on the bom b” . I9th June, 3 armed officers (enemy) A report from East Clare shows WALTONS’ PIANO and were captured by 4 Volunteers, that the O/C 6th Battalion while one only of whom was armed. engaged on an operation accident­ Tuam Brigade reports wire- ally came in contact with an MUSICAL INSTRUMENT cutting and road-trenching all enemy military patrol of 12 men. over the Brigade Area, during the Mistaking them for Volunteers last fortnight in June* Mails were he got within 3 yards of the party GALLERIES raided throughout the area 3 when the enemy officer fired at times during the fortnight. The him and missed. He immediately report says : “we had 6 ambushes levelled his rifle and shot the 2, 3, 4 and S NORTH FREDERICK ST.,

90 LOWER CAMDEN ST., DUBLIN

“ THE MUSIC SHOP ” LUDLOW ST., NAVAN

Record Service for Gt. Britain THE WALTON HARP from P. Ryan, 38 Maplin St., From 29 Gns. Bowe, London, E.3. MOUNTJOY PRISON— See page 1.

To insure successfully consult — BRENNAN INSURANCES, Ltd. INSURANCE BROKERS 1, 2 and 3 WESTMORELAND STREET, DUBLIN C. J. BRENNAN, B.L., F.C.I.I., Managing Director Telephone : 7 8 3 6 8 (5 lines) Summer 1951 An c Oj Iac 7

coming as it did, from one of his bury, avowed Socialists and wild THE ORANGE CARD” senior colleagues in the Govern­ “bottom dog-ers”, and there was ment. that pestilential little attorney ORIGINS OF IRISH PARTITION “THE ORANGE CARD” from Wales whom they feared This threat he followed up six and hated. However, for the first HIS story of English political trickery is contributed by Kevin R. weeks later in his famous Letter years of the new government they O’Shiel, Senior Land Commissioner, who played a prominent part to Lord Justice Fitzgibbon in lay low and gave little trouble Tin the struggle for independence, and helped the fight with pen Dublin wherein he declared that mainly because of their own inter­ and voice. It is interesting to note that the first English politician to if Gladstone “went for Home Rule nal dissension. But when their play the “Orange Card” was the father of Winston Churchill. the Orange Card would be the one “bete noir”, Lloyd George, was When the General Elections of to play”. And the potential rebel made Chancellor of the Exchequer 1885 gave Parnell and his Irish added, somewhat guiltily, “Please the Tories were so chagrined tfigt Party the balance of power at God (sic!) it m ay tu rn out the ace they came together and decided Westminster English public opin­ of trumps and not the two.” to make his first Budget the issue ion was surprised and staggered. Somewhat later Gladstone was on which to renew the big struggle The incredible had happened and returned to power and Churchill for the restoration of Tory suprem­ the “Mother of Parliaments.” was prepared to carry out his threat acy. It is not possible here to go in the virtual control of “Irish with the covert backing of the into the details of that famous rebels and gangsters”. The Tories, Conservative Party. He crossed contest ; suffice it to say that it in particular, were flabbergasted over to Ulster and proceeded to led to two significant events,—a and dreaded what they thought agitate the Protestants there, not, new general election and the pass­ the return of the Liberals and indeed, for their benefit but to ing of the Parliament Act. The their Irish allies would lead to. defeat the Liberals and maintain former had resulted in the return Was that overwhelming triumph Tory ascendancy. “The end justi- of the Liberals but deprived them of their enemies the writing on fieth the means.” The rousing of of their over-riding majority, and the wall for them and their order ? evil passions and bigotted preju­ the latter limited the powers of Was their historic party, composed dices in the best of us is easy the Lords by providing for the of England’s prime ruling stock, to accomplish. See how success­ automatic enactment of any bill the class, whether Tory or Whig fully Hitler worked that line and passed by the Commons and vetoed that had held the government of the ease with which he was able by the Lords after a space of two the country in its hands for centur­ Mr. Justice Kevin R. O’Shiel. to recruit any number of sadistic years. The Liberals had lost 103 seats and were, as in Parnell’s ies—was that elite at last to get informing him, rashly disclosed guards and wardresses for his its conge and lose for ever its prisons and internment camps. days, dependent on the Irish his father’s decision whereupon Party which, once again, was rightful and traditional hegemony? the Tories at once broke off their Randolph Churchill took on his That awful possibility and its assignment with his eyes wide given the balance of power at negotiations with Parnell and Westminster with a much greater consequences obsessed their minds sought another course. open, fully realising the nature and bit into their souls and was and import of his action. He strength than then. intensified by their horror at the LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL swept through the Northern The Tories had badly over­ type of legislator the electors had With their minds full of such Counties like a cyclone rousing played their hand. Their initial commissioned to fill their shoes. sombre thoughts the Tories looked the worst passions in the Orange mistake was to have elevated a Instead of good-class people with round for some bold, unscrupul­ bosom and declaring that if Parlia­ far from revolutionary measure the authentic public school back­ ous man to give them a lead. ment passed Home Rule they to the height and importance of a ground, maintaining the traditions Someone other than the heads of must resort to “the supreme major constitutional issue ; and and carrying out the government the Conservative Party who were arbitrament of force.” He was they added to that mistake by of their ancient Kingdom, whose too hidebound in parliamentary addressing, as he well knew, aud­ forcing the passage of the Parlia­ “language” they spoke and under­ constitutionalism to be of any use iences reared on the strong meat ment Act right up to the threat of stood, there was a crowd of up­ in such a predicament. Such a of Torquemada’s Inquisition and the royal appointment of peers to starts” from the detestedJ.imiddl- man wasjorthcoming, Lord Rand­ Fox’s “Book of Martyrs” and secure its passage. In this the ing” classes, dissenting ministers’ olph Churchill, the son of the they reacted to his speeches ex­ Tories were stupidly shortsighted sons, chapel people and the like great Tory magnate, the Duke of actly as he had anticipated. He for it is certain that if the Budget whom that “old Spider”, Glad­ Marlborough, and an existing Min­ left Ulster in the grip of one of its had not been thrown out by the stone, had thrown open the doors ister of the Crown. bitterest and bloodiest pograms Lords there would have been no of parliament to by his Reform Lord Randolph had been one that took several weeks of big Parliament Act, or any other Act of that year. What country of the Tory negotiators in the police and military reinforcements attempt to interfere with the could be safe in the hands of such abortive Parnell talks. He had to allay. The “Orange Card” powers and privileges of the hered­ a “rabble” ? Was it not their duty been thinking hard on the new certainly proved the ace of trumps itary House. Looking back on to Queen, Church and Empire to situation and had come to two on that occasion when an elector­ that period and, having regard to rescue the country from Glad­ conclusions, one that the Tory ate, alarmed by wild speeches and the personalities involved, it is stone’s “riff-raff” and keep the problem could only be settled by mob violence inflicted a crushing unthinkable that anything in the House of Commons, if no longer unconstitutional means and two, defeat on Gladstone and his Home nature of a Parliament Act would quite “a gentleman’s club,” at that those means, if necessary, Rule policy and re-established the have been called into existence least controlled by gentlemen ? must be adopted. Now, for the Tory firmly in power for years. for the sole purpose of clearing In their bewilderment the first justification of such means a very the way for the passage to the reaction of the Tories was a cur­ powerful raison d’etre was essent­ “A TURN IN THE TIDE” Statute Book of a mere Irish Home ious one ; they actually contacted ial ; and the fertile mind of his The Tories remained solidly in Rule Bill. And had there been no Parnell, to see if they could secure Lordship soon found that. On the saddle until the General Elec­ Parliament Act the Home Rule the Irish vote to restore them to December 22, 1885 he wrote to tion of 1906 swept the Liberals Bill, 1912, would certainly have power in consideration of some the Prime Minister, Lord Salisbury, into power with the unprecedented been thrown out by the Lords and settlement in Home Rule. This “If the Government went out and m ajority of 157 over all other Asquith would have had no alter­ is significant as showing that they Gladstone introduced a Home parties. History had repeated it­ native but to appeal to the were less fearsome of Irish auto­ Rule Bill I should not hesitate, if self ; once again the Tories found country, with, judging from the nomy,—subsequently the great circumstances were favourable, to themselves and their friends out in way the general election and by- casus belli,—than they were of agitate Ulster even to resistance the wilderness, devoid of power elections were going, the almost a Liberal-Radical hegemony. beyond constitutional limits.” and badly damaged in prestige. certain result of his defeat. A Whilst their talks with Parnell There was no mealy-mouthed­ It was bad enough to have Tory Government would have were in progress it so happened ness about that threat, nor was it, suffered such a deadly blow but succeeded him and Home Rule that Gladstone had decided for in any sense, the hot-blooded, what made it harder to bear was would, once more, have gone into Home Rule but did not make his impulsive decision of a rash man. the type of their supplanters, even the moth balls without there hav­ decision public as he was hoping Nor, indeed, did the Prime Minis­ worse than those of Gladstone’s ing been a gun landed in Ireland. to make it a non-party issue. ter repudiate that deliberate inten­ era. There were impossible fellows Gladstone’s son, however, without tion to spurn the constitution, like Maxton, Smyllie and Lans- K e v in R . O ’S h ie l

GWitfi compliments .... DAVID COUGHLAN, BRAY. 8 An c Os Lac Summer, 1961 bably the first person to let him Rule” among themselves since know that the majority of the Gladstone’s time, but of course a AN ANECDOTE OF Irish people were frankly and strictly moderate measure of wholeheartedly with the I.R.A. “Home Rule” with, of course and not “terrorised” by them. the British Army still in the SIR ALFRED COPE country, a man like him could have COPE S BACKGROUND said: “Why keep the troops in Cope, I was told had been pre­ rwiHIS anecdote is by Professor Liam O’Briain, who for many years Ireland at all when the airforce viously engaged in tracking down can fly over after breakfast, bomb I was Professor of Romance Languages at University Coll. Galway. the drug trade in London. It Dublin and be back for lunch ? He fought with the Dublin Brigade in 1916, and has written a very had been his business to frequent And why not let them have their interesting book in Irish on his experiences at the time. The Alfred Cope, clubs, greenrooms, and dressing own army ? They will never be later Sir Alfred mentioned was Assistant Under-Secretary for Ireland rooms in theatres and keep his able to afford the cost of really in 1920-21 and was one of the British signatories to the Truce of July eyes open. He had probably been modern land, sea and air forces?” 11th, 1921. Subsequently he acted as a kind of British liaison officer at home in the West End Bohem­ As we know, Cope took greatly in regard to the observance of the Truce and had many friendly contacts ian life where often there was less to Mick Collins. I have heard it with I.R.A. leaders. prejudice about Ireland than any­ said they met first in the house of where else in England. In addition, the late Dr. Bob McLaverty in In the Autumn of 1920, herself Her sister was the danger°us he would have brought to Ireland Merrion Square. Cope was report­ and meself, as the song says, were person. She had on one occasion, the post war mind, influenced by ed to have burst into tears at thinking of it; I mean of course when Asquith was over here, aerial warfare. To the older the news of his death. thinking of getting married. I broken a window in the G.P.O. politicians fighting about “Home L ia m 0 ‘B r ia in wasn’t long out of Belfast Gaol with a hammer—th(^ first attack where I had spent the previous on that historic^; building—and winter. I had been appointed a wras fined 40 shillings—or a month professor in Galway some time and was preparing to go on hunger before that. Things in the country strike when to her speechless rage, “Secret” Service in were getting hotter and hotter, her brother Charlie Lawler of with plenty of prospects of more Fowmes Street came in and paid Gaol or other trouble ahead. So the fine. But the “G” men could Dublin Castle we were thinking of “snatching a never distinguish betw een one sister TPHERE was a very large attend­ whether influenced by remorse or fearful joy”, possibly a week or and the other and so followed both ance in the Hall of the Associa­ angered against the British Gov­ so away from the British Flag, impartially round the town. tion of the Old Dublin Brigade ernment who, he thought, had in Paris or Switzerland while the on Friday, March 3rd, when not adequately provided for him, chance offered. I looked at an old PLAIN SPEAKING Mr. Leon O Broin, Secretary of endeavoured to secure publica­ passport I had and found it quite “Oh yes” continued Mr. Cope the Department of Posts & Tele­ tion of the facts, which are, in out of date. “we have you down as quite a graphs, delivered a lecture en­ effect, a damning indictment of I applied for a new passport dangerous person. Now that I titled “Secret Service in Dublin the British administration in and after some close questionings look at you, however, I know that Castle from the Inside”. He Ireland. The lecturer gave many b y the newly appointed police a refined, educated young lady dealt with the revelations of a interesting details which were commissioner for Connacht, like you would have no sympathy police official who occupied a high followed with the keenest atten­ (Cruise) and satisfactory answers with those awful things that are and important position in the tion by all, and a number of on my parts, to the effect that I going on, those terrible murders British administration in Ireland, pertinent questions were asked would be travelling at my own of policemen by this brutal during the period of the Parnellite at the conclusion of the lecture. expense—quite true—and for pro­ Chicago-inspired murder gang call­ Agitation, and, as such, was a The chair was occupied by the fessional purposes—foreign langu­ ing itself the I.R.A.” witness to and participant in a President, Major-General Beaslai. ages were my business—I was She looked at him in frank great deal of dirty work, dishonest Other speakers were Mr. Martin granted the passport. astonishment. and treacherous tricks against all Walton, Mr. Michael Noyk, Cathal I then told herself to apply to “No sympathy with the shooting who supported the national cause. O’Shannon, Professor Liam Dublin Castle for one also. She of policemen, Why, I think shoot­ In his old age the same man, O Briain and Mr. Sorahan. ing is too good for them . . . boiling oil . . . slow fire . . .” On she went for about half an hour. DROGHEDA STREET She gave him all the history of LATER Ireland. She said things to him, the recital of which to me, a few SACKYILLE STREET days later, made my hair stand NOW on end. But Cope’s reactions are the interesting thing. The more O’CONNELL STREET she went on, the more violent she became and instead of sending Made Famous by for the guard, the more attentive The Makers of Ireland’s Best Shirts and astonished was Mr. Cope. Prof. Liam 0 Briain “I had no idea . . . I never Prize of <£1 1 0 to the competitor with Correct Name of this Firm thought that there were people whose letter is opened first. Editors decision is final. Winner’s name did so and there was quite a delay. like you in sympathy . . . stop, will be published in next issue After some weeks she was invited . . . do you mind if I get in Sir to call to Dublin Castle. John to hear this”. (Sir John w^as Sir John Anderson, an even higher “A DANGEROUS PERSON” official who had come over along There she was ushered into the with him to estimate, I think, office of a very courteous English­ the progress accomplished by Sir WINDER’S man who introduced himsell as Hamer Greenwood)., “But I have Mr. Alfred Cope. He was profuse been told that this I.R.A. gang in his apologies for having brought were terrorising the Irish people”. her to the Castle before giving TAXI SERVICE And so on. her her passport. “But you see” he explained “we had to have a look at you. We have your name THE RESULT on our books as a dangerous Mr. Cope walked down to the person.” Castle gate in his bare head, “Dangerous ? ” she said in thanked her for the enlightenment astonishment. She ran over in she had given him and promised her mind rapidly some of the sins her the passport. It arrived in of her past life. Could it be that due course. But we didn’t use it now, in 1920, they had heard then. Instead I went into Galway something of certain trips to Gaol, and other places and only England, returning with very when on a parole in September ’21 heavy luggage—small arms for did we finally take the plunge. TELEPHONE 41433 DAY OR NIGHT the Volunteer companies in 1914? Mr. Cope on hearing of it extended No; she was quickly re-assured. my parole to a fortnight ! He was referring to the suf­ I think this incident may have fragettes ! She and her sister had a bearing on the attitude of belonged to the Women’s Fran­ Cope, which in due course led to 94 ST. IGNATIUS ROAD chise League. In the days before the truce. He was only in the there was a gun in the country, country six weeks, he had been DRUMCONDRA, DUBLIN 7. the “G” men had nothing better completely in the hands of the to do than follow the suffragettes. “right people”, my wife was pro­

Published by the Association of the Old Dublin Brigade, Oglaigh na hEireann, 51 Parnell Square, Dublin and printed in the Republic of Ireland by— Fodhla Printing Co., Ltd., Dublin.