The Old Journal Spring Edition 2016 Roger Casement: the Limerick Connections

by Angus Mitchell

n March 1916, Roger Casement for high treason and was executed in with the passage of the Home Rule Bill. summarisedI in his Berlin diary the . Monteith remained on the run Casement followed on from Pearse and outline of a guarded conversation with for many weeks, holed up on a farm in was more brazen in his approach. The the German spymaster, Rudolf Nadolny. County Limerick, until he escaped back appearance of ‘Sir Roger Casement’ on Plans for an insurrection in were to America. a platform would certainly have excited now prioritised at the highest political talk in many different quarters of the level in the German Foreign Office. In Despite the significant reference to city and provided an exotic touch to the the course of their exchange, Nadolny Limerick in this early plan for the Home Rule discussion. read out a letter he had received from Rising, the city is not mentioned again the IRB chief John Devoy, dated in Casement’s diary, which is surprising Born in in 1864, Casement 16/2/1916. The communication set as both Casement and Robert Monteith had distinguished himself after many out plainly the requirements for the were familiar with Limerick and the years of service in sub-Saharan Africa planned rebellion. Devoy asked for surrounding region. When Casement and Brazil as a British consular official. 100,000 rifles, trained artillery-men, was eventually arrested, however, a His investigations carried out on behalf officers and plenty of cannon. Then flag of Limerick was found among his of the Foreign Office, into outrages Casement noted the following: ‘He possessions, which had been given committed against indigenous people suggested Limerick as the best place to him on the eve of his departure by enslaved to supply rubber for a new for landing—and said that the ‘rising’ the Limerick-born, Thomas St John age of western manufacturing, brought would take place on Easter Sunday.’1 Gaffney. This unique possession would him respect and international renown. indicate that Limerick was still part He was held up as a symbol of the The idea that Limerick was the of some imagined scenario among the moral authority of the British Empire. preferred landing place for the arms various contingent plans that Casement With the journalist and activist E.D. shipment, just two months before was considering as he disembarked from Morel, he founded the Congo Reform the final plan was activated, is a detail that submarine on 21 April 1916. Association. In 1911, he was knighted that appears to have been overlooked for his courage and integrity in the in much of the mainstream analysis of While Limerick is mentioned in various conduct of his duties and his name 1916. Unsurprisingly, Dublin has come historical essays written by Casement and reputation were associated with to dominate the narrative, but certainly over the years, there is no surviving the long struggle against international in the early preparations for a rising, record of his visiting the city before slavery. Two years later, when Casement circulating between the US, Ireland and his arrival here with at emerged into the open in support of Germany, Limerick was considered of the end of January 1914 to address the Irish sovereign independence, he added critical strategic importance. Devoy’s . The two men stayed at a defiant anticolonial voice to the preference for Limerick as his chosen Cruise’s Hotel and spent a good deal of intellectual struggle for an independent place for the landing of arms was time in the company of the legendary Ireland. It was an apparent ideological doubtless based partly upon the location Fenian, John Daly and his immediate shift that confused his British Foreign of the city in the tidal estuary of the family, based at their fine Georgian Office colleagues, but Casement . He knew he could house in Barrington Street. Details understood the logic behind this inner depend, too, on a high level of support of their visit were extensively covered evolution and was happy to speak about on the ground from a well trained local in the of 26 January. it in public. Volunteer regiment. Strategists within An editorial statement entitled ‘The the German General Staff eventually Volunteer Movement’ wrote positively As he addressed the Limerick Volunteers decided against Limerick. Instead, of the founding of the movement. This that night in late January 1914, he Ballyheigue Bay and the great sweep was then followed by detailed coverage focused his talk on his experiences of beach at Banna Strand in County of the meeting in the Atheneum, where during the Boer War or second Kerry were chosen as the site for the both men spoke to a capacity crowd.2 South African War (1899-1902). He rendezvous. It was there that the Aud reminded his audience that the Boers conveying the armaments on behalf of Pearse spoke first and his speech focused were a volunteer army and put up the the IRB and the submarine, the U-19, on the responsibility of the Irish citizen ‘greatest fight against the greatest army 3 bringing Casement and his faithful to render service to Ireland. He spoke in the world.’ Casement claimed that comrade, Robert Monteith from of the historical provenance for Irish he had gone into the war in support Germany arrived on Holy Thursday. independence and the long genealogy of the empire but had emerged by the But various unfortunate circumstances of resistance to foreign rule. He end as a supporter of the Boers. He saw meant that the two vessels failed to link assured the audience that the volunteer Boer sons as young as twelve fighting up. Casement was captured, stood trial movement would in no way interfere and felt that this should inspire the The Old Limerick Journal Spring Edition 2016

Irish Volunteers in their own cause. The various pseudonyms.6 One might only Boers now had self-government and guess at the kind of conversations the were at peace. He went on to admit that two men had, but Casement doubtless his experience of that war [where he had felt enormous admiration for Daly worked mainly as an intelligence officer and his long revolutionary pedigree. reporting on the movement of arms into He would have enjoyed, too, listening Boer territory] had sown inside him the to Daly reminisce about his friendship seeds of doubt. It set him on a path with the legendary Young Irelander, leading to his rejection of the oppressive John Mitchel, and his life of sacrifice forces of empire and to embrace and adventure.7 instead the dreams and aspirations of an independent and sovereign Ireland, Casement sent a second letter to Daly where a new form of international that same day thanking him for copies compassion might flourish. of the Limerick Leader and adding that he had seen Tom Clarke the previous But his first experience of Limerick as night. Clarke, of course, was central to a spokesperson for the Irish Volunteer organizing the movement from the cover movement was a positive one. He was of his newsagent’s shop in Dublin, an highly impressed with this inaugural outlet familiar to Casement and through meeting and the impressive turnout of which he organized his subscriptions local citizenry. That night he scribbled a to various advanced nationalist note to Joseph Mary Plunkett: ‘Tonight’s newspapers.8 In a letter from Clarke meeting was a great success. Pearse spoke to Daly, Clarke made reference to that splendidly – a real orator. The Mayor Roger Casement (1864-1916) meeting with Casement commenting, visited Limerick with Patrick Pearse in presided & all went magnificently. The ‘Sir Roger Casement called this evening January 1914 to address the Irish Volunteers. finest audience I’ve seen yet in Ireland – & told me of the meeting yesterday from the faces – all handsome, strong, P.S. I have lost a “Cash” book – just and how delighted he was with his stay good, young men mostly, but many a little paper backed red a/c book with you. Both he and Pearse say your old and middle aged & the respectable *(cost 1d.!) which has some items of Limerick meeting was the best in many and well to do prominent & to the fore cash expenditure for January in it – a respects of anything they have been at 9 – most enthusiastic throughout. The few odds & ends. If it was left in your yet. That’s grand.’ Volunteers have been given a good start home might I beg that it be sent to – & if no “political” pronouncement is me by post to this address. I should be Over the following weeks, the made against the movement, Limerick much obliged. atmosphere in Limerick for the will raise the siege!”4 movement heightened. On 4 February, Don’t forget some copies of Limerick there was a large demonstration in The following morning, Pearse and Leader of y’day with the report of the support of the attended Casement left Limerick and on reaching meeting.5 by Douglas Hyde and Limerick’s his rooms in Malahide, Casement Bishop O’Dwyer. Behind the scenes, scribbled a letter to Daly on Irish Trade Addressing Daly as ‘my dear old friend’ Casement helped to link Limerick Mark paper: would suggest that the two men were into wider national networks working already well acquainted. By 1914, for the common end of independence. My dear old friend, Casement had been moving within He returned to Limerick, this time republican and advanced nationalist without Pearse, for the St Patrick’s Day I want to thank you and all your circles in both Ireland and US for well celebrations in March 1914. nieces and your sister for your great over a decade. His appearance at the kindness and hospitality to me at Feis na Gleann, in County Antrim Limerick. in June 1904 is generally accepted by It was a real pleasure to see you Casement’s many biographers as the St Patrick’s Day 1914 again and so much better than I had occasion for his first public display According to the press accounts, the expected to see you. I hope this change of support for the spirit of cultural weather was desperate – cold, blustery for the better will continue, and that nationalism. Over the next decade and ‘driving showers of sleet’. Irish you may soon indeed be able to ‘hobble and sustained by his Foreign Office National Volunteers gathered in and after’. salary, Casement discreetly supported around the Milk Market. Mass was I shall be glad if fate brings me a series of causes associated with the held in St Michael’s church. At 11.30, to Limerick again, and to see you once independence movement. He funded the column of Volunteers began their more. Meantime, a hundred thanks to and attended Irish language initiatives march. The Limerick Leader reported: you and yours for your welcome to the and radical newspapers and his early ‘...... the principal feature of the day old grey city. contact with John Daly may well have was the vast and inspiring procession resulted from the fact that Daly had of the Limerick Corps of Irish National Yours very sincerely, helped to both found and finance the Volunteers … Several hundreds took publishing of Irish Freedom (Saoirse) – part in the march, and it must be said Roger Casement. an advanced nationalist publication that without exaggeration the turn out Casement would contribute to under would do credit to a fully drilled first The Old Limerick Journal Spring Edition 2016 class regiment.’10 The Volunteers were chivalric code is debased for imperial led by two bands. Their route took intentions then its very essence is them via William Street, O’Connell eroded and lost. He went on to claim Street and Ballinacurra on to Raheen chivalry as the core value of both the Church, where they were inspected by Fianna and the Fenian tradition and the Casement. martial spirit that inspired successive generations of Irish men and women to That evening nearly 150 boys of the resist English rule. Sluagh Lord Edward Fitzgerald of Na Fianna Eireann, congregated at 8.30 His argument ranged unselfconsciously under Capt. Dalton at the Fianna Hall across time and space. He drew in Little Barrington Street.11 Casement comparisons to the Japanese spirit of was introduced by James Ledden of the sacrifice embodied in ‘Bushido’: the Wolfe Tone Club. Ledden, too, was code of moral principles observed by an IRB man and the gathering began Samurai warriors. He then related with an impressive display of exercises various stories from Irish mythology in signaling, squad and company in an effort to capture and explain the drill.12 Once the demonstration was martial spirit encoded into the stories over, Casement was introduced to the of ancient Ireland and the ‘heroic age’. assembled and after applauding the He upheld such myths as the purveyors display he spoke briefly of his work of the true and ancient values of the in Africa and South America before people: concentrating the main part of his discussion on the ‘Fianna of old’.13 The legends give us the imagination of the race, they give us that kind of From the newspaper reports, Casement’s history which it intends to exhibit, Fianna membership tag: detail. address appears to have been based and, therefore, whether semi- [Photography by John O’Brien] extensively on his essay published, a few historical or mythical, are prophetic. months later in the Fianna Handbook, They unveil, if obscurely, the ideals ‘fact’ and ‘known history’ take over. under the title ‘Chivalry’. The opening and aspirations of the land and The argument ends with a defense of lines of the essay: ‘Chivalry dies when race which gave them birth; and so the Fenian spirit: ‘Would you have a Imperialism begins’ captures the essence possess a value far beyond that of picture of true knighthood, you will of his argument that while chivalry has actual events, and duly recorded find it in the prison cell of the Fenian been appropriated through time by deeds.’ soldiers of 1866,’ and a re-emphais of imperial power structures, this was a the link between the Fianna recruit travesty; the real adherents of chivalry The essay becomes a staunch defense and the spirit of Fenianism. ‘The are more honestly revealed in the long of Irish mythology and the challenge true knight is he who keeps the boy’s tradition of those who opposed imperial of each generation to nurture the heart in the trained body of the man,’ power. Provocatively, Casement pitted values embodied in the ancient myths he claimed. Such comments from a chivalry directly against the forces of and legends in the imagination of the public figure who had been knighted imperialism and argued that once the youth, before the empirical structures of only three years previously by the very authority he now denounced was not merely provocative, but demonstrative of his decision to take the path of open treason. How his words moved the gathering of young Fianna is not known but many would have recognised in his words and argument a familiarity and respect for John Daly’s revered work on Recollections of Fenians and Fenianism.14

Curragh Mutiny: Limerick to Belfast

The bad weather in Limerick over the feast of St Patrick took a toll on Casement’s health and he spent a few days recovering as a guest in the Daly household on Barrington Street. But his convalescence was cut short by the news of the Curragh mutiny, when Na Fianna éireann. A photograph from 1913 showing members of the Limerick Branch British army officers decided to take assembled in front of the purpose-built hall at the back of the Daly household on Barrington a stand against the government’s line Street. [Photograph enhanced by John O’Brien] on Home Rule. On hearing the news, The Old Limerick Journal Spring Edition 2016

Casement left Limerick hurriedly and His influence on the Continent will be too late to get into Belfast headed straight for Belfast in the hope will count for much – and it is essential before the siege begins.’16 of speaking with Sir Edward Carson. the liars should not get him but that His intention was to allay the increasing he should understand that, at bottom, There was no ‘siege’, but Schweriner tensions by trying to persuade both the Ireland is still Ireland. managed to bring about a small scoop Ulster Volunteers and Irish Volunteers by obtaining a personal interview with to unite in common purpose based Today shall be as yesterday, Sir Edward Carson. In his subsequent upon a wider sense of patriotism. It was The red blood flows in Ireland still article, he described how a Mexican a demand for the impossible. On his minder, armed with a shotgun, stood return to his lodgings in Malahide he Show him the Fianna & if possible by Carson throughout the meeting. After Belfast, Schweriner moved via wrote to Daly: the Volunteers. He goes on to Galway Newry to Dublin and there talked with probably Monday night – & has to Casement about his many grievances return to Berlin very soon. to do with the government of the day. He also reported that in the course of Dear Mr Daly, What you tell him may help their conversation, Casement mooted much to give the truth to Europe – to the idea of restoring a monarchy to an I’ve been kept running about ever Germany at any rate. since I left you, without a spare minute. independent Ireland. Although this Up to Belfast at once & only back last possible plan is not reported anywhere Yours always, else in Casement’s immense body of night. This accounts for my failure to writing, it is one that other figures Roger Casement write you earlier. within Sinn Fein and republican circles 17 I am all right again now – thanks proposed at that time. to your sister-in-law’s kindness to me Oscar Schweriner Casement then agreed with Schweriner when I was not well. that they should travel together through You were all so good to me. I shall The identity of the ‘German friend’ the neglected areas of Connemara so not forget it. was Oscar Schweriner (1873-1934), that he could see for himself both the a respected journalist and novelist, of levels of social deprivation and locally- A German friend will be visiting Polish and Jewish extraction. After organised humanitarian relief initiatives. Limerick soon and I am giving him migrating to New York as a fourteen But before they made that journey, a letter of introduction to you, and year old boy, Schweriner had developed Casement persuaded Schweriner to visit I want you to put him in the way of skills as a photojournalist and learned Limerick. seeing the true nationalists of Limerick English. Returning to Europe, he – not the shoneen. worked between Berlin and London, Schweriner boarded a train in Dublin writing for the Daily Mail and various unaware that he was now being closely I’d like him to see the Volunteers German newspapers. From 1908, he watched and followed by secret service too, if that were possible. He will be began to publish fiction for a mainly agents of the RIC. On his arrival into there only a day, or two at outside – German audience. Limerick, he checked into Cruise’s and I want him to realize that Limerick Hotel and during the evening of the is faithful to her ancient fame still in In March 1914, Schweriner was sent to following day he held his interview with 18 the hearts of her people. Ireland by the German newspaper, the Daly. The Vossiche Zeitung published Vossiche Zeitung, and was one of over Schweriner’s copy in their edition of 2 With all kindest thoughts to you fifty foreign correspondents who arrived April. It included a comment from a and your good family. from around Europe and beyond powerful, but anonymous citizen, who to cover the story of the deepening stated: ‘The English fear Germany, Yours always sincerely, tensions in Ireland in the wake of the therefore we love the Germans. And should it come to a war between England 15 Curragh Mutiny. There is an oblique Roger Casement reference to Schweriner in the diary of and Germany and the Germans wanted Elsie Henry that suggests that he had an to land in Ireland, they could rely on 19 established friendship with Casement. every Irishman’s support.’ It was a bold claim. A few days later Casement wrote to On 30 March 1914, Elsie noted: Daly again with further details about Sir Roger Casement came in about On 31 March, Schweriner left his German friend. On the 28 March 11 and sat conversing till 3; he had Limerick for Galway, where he met he wrote: just come back from Belfast, and had up with Casement and the two then travelled through Connemara. Since My dear old friend, found there 54 war correspondents of foreign journals – a greater his resignation from the Foreign Office, in the summer of 1913, Casement My German friend will go to number than had assembled anywhere since the Boer War. He of had actively encouraged a campaign Limerick perhaps Sunday and surely (?) to draw attention to an outbreak of the Vossiche Zeitung had left Berlin at Monday. I’ve given him a letter to you typhus in south-west Connemara. The 20 minutes notice. He had said can & he will call on you at once. Please initiative was supported by various I not go home for my toothbrush? see him and help him to see others in intellectuals involved in the cultural Limerick – the right type to convey to The Vossiche Zeitung replied ‘If you nationalist project, including Douglas his mind a true impression. do no catch this very next train you Hyde and Alice Stopford Green. The The Old Limerick Journal Spring Edition 2016 issue was used as a way of building a Events were now moving very fast. network of nationalist and international Thousands were joining the Irish support. Casement wrote a series of Volunteers each week and Casement letters to the press denouncing British found himself, on the 8 May, in administration and the failings of the London, in the home of Alice Stopford Congested Districts Board. At one Green, at 36 Grosvenor Road, on the point, he had controversially compared Thames Embankment, just a brisk the situation in Connemara to the plight five minutes walk from the House of of the Amazon Indians of the Putumayo Commons. A group had gathered to enslaved in their forest communities discuss plans for running guns into and driven to their death to extract Ireland to arm the Irish Volunteers. latex rubber in order to satisfy market Although the question of arms had 20 demand. been part of the discussion within some circles in the Irish Volunteers for many Casement and Schweriner spent the months, the urgency for an immediate next two days travelling through procurement was prioritized after the Connemara gathering local stories successful landing of weapons for the and capturing images of the poverty Ulster Volunteers at Larne in County and social exclusion. Over the coming days reports ran in the German press Antrim, on 24 April. describing the deepening tensions in In the devising of a strategy for the Ireland and highlighting the plight running of guns into and Alice Stopford Green (1848-1929), the of a community living in intolerable , Limerick would feature nationalist historian had strong connections conditions. It demonstrated Casement’s with Limerick and the surrounding region. talent for maximizing international prominently in both the planning and publicity to drive home his message. execution. In 2014, the work by the support of relatives, most notably her On 4 May 1914, he wrote his last extant Mount Trenchard Memorial Committee cousin, the radical clergyman, Stopford letter to John Daly: marked the centenary of this event with Augustus Brooke (1832-1916), she the unveiling of a memorial plaque met the historian John Richard Green, 21 to this vital Limerick involvement. author of one of the best-selling The occasion recognized the six histories of the late-nineteenth century, My dear friend, individuals from Limerick who were A Short History of the English People. concerned in the successful operation: After two years of courtship, they Yes – I’ll write to the secretary Conor O’Brien, Kitty O’Brien, Mary and offer the flag. Thanks for telling married and would remain inseparable Spring-Rice, George Cahill, Thomas for almost seven years. During that time me. Here are six of the eight articles on Fitzsimons and Sir Thomas Myles. Their Ireland the little German wrote. The much of it spent nursing her husband, names were remembered beside the Alice Stopford Green gained the most one about you is here. I’ll get the other more prominent individuals involved two and send on. Get some Limerick extraordinary apprenticeship in the in the venture namely, Erskine and emerging profession of history and friends to translate them – & when , Roger Casement, The you are done will you send them on grew close to several of the most noted O’Rahilly and Darrel Figgis. But the historians of the age, including W.E.H. to Professor O’Maille, 2 Dean Place, figure who still remains something of a Galway. Lecky, James Bryce and Frederick mystery in the narrative of the Howth York Powell. Following her husband’s The German said he had sent and Kilcoole gun-running is Alice death from TB, Alice inherited a small copies to him, you and another – but I Stopford Green. Stopford Green loaned annual income from the royalties of think he did not keep his word. These most of the money required to purchase his best-selling history and, by careful are the only two copies I believe in the guns and served as treasurer on the management of her personal affairs, Ireland – so I want all interested to see committee established to organize the nurtured a progressive literary and them. venture. A close friend of Casement political salon in London. Her friends since 1904, Stopford Green had strong included the writer, Henry James, Things look very black for “Home connections with Limerick and as the actor Elizabeth Robins and the Rule”. These craven, cowardly gangs one of the forgotten women in the Africanist, Mary Kingsley. In the early of Englishmen, calling themselves a intellectual build up to the 1916 Rising, 1890s, through regular attendance at government, are driven to the ropes her contribution and her connections the Irish Literary Society, she fell under by the Ulsterites! What a gang – and to revolutionary Limerick might be the influence of various intellectuals the poor “party” seeing the Home Rule fittingly remembered here. involved in the Irish cultural revival, bird plucked & cut up before their eyes including Eoin MacNeill, W.B. Yeats for English Tories, English Liberals Alice Stopford was born in Kells in and George Russell. Through these and Ulster “Friendlies” to divide – 1848 into a large Protestant family from influences her literary and historical while “the poor Irish get none.” Meath, where her grandfather served interests turned to Ireland, and in 1908 as Bishop and her father was Rector of she published her most controversial Kells and Archdeacon of Meath. After Yours always, work The Making of Ireland and its the death of her father, strained family Undoing, a social and intellectual circumstances forced her to leave with Roger Casement history of medieval Ireland. But how her mother for England. Through the did such a well connected historian The Old Limerick Journal Spring Edition 2016 resident in London become a key figure The latter part of Annie Brunton’s diary was forced to surrender his job and was in the developing revolutionary politics describes in detail her months living compulsorily deported from Dublin in Ireland? Part of the explanation lies in at Mount Trenchard and the life she under the Defence of the Realm Act. her relationship with the Spring-Rices. experienced in Foynes, and in the west In the memoir he wrote of his life, he of Limerick.26 recalled that while in Dublin he had Stopford Green’s long association with established a strong friendship with the family grew out of their shared Stopford Green’s friendship with the Edward Daly, who doubtless helped social circle in London. Her name family underwent some level of strain him with vital introductions when he appears alongside those of Frederica during the trial of Roger Casement, as arrived into the mid-west region.27 Spring-Rice, Catherine Spring-Rice a more hostile attitude to Casement and Lady Monteagle in the somewhat was taken by many who considered his In Limerick, Monteith collaborated reactionary ‘Appeal against Female efforts to forge an alliance with Germany with Ernest Blythe to organise disparate Suffrage’.22 During the late nineteenth as an unforgiveable act of treason. The groups of Irish Volunteers spread across century fin de siècle and early decade of family’s loyalties were further split by the the county between Limerick and the the twentieth century, various members fact that Cecil Spring-Rice was serving Galtee mountains. Monteith’s work of the Spring-Rice family were closely as British ambassador in Washington training men and building up the in touch with Alice and her social and was discreetly involved in the military capacity among the volunteer circles. In turn, Alice brought friends intellectual subversion of Casement’s movement in the region continued until to stay with the Spring-Rice’s at Mount reputation in the U.S.. Stopford Green the summer of 1915, but then things Trenchard, including Roger Casement. herself confided to friends that she changed dramatically. He would recall Mary Spring-Rice attended soirées found Casement’s mission to Germany how: ‘On the day following the Rossa and dinner parties at Alice’s house in a step too far, she nonetheless stood by funeral, Tom Clarke came to Limerick, London and wrote to her before her him as a loyal friend during his trial and where I met him at the house of John mother’s death at the end of April 1908: the days before his execution, because Daly. In discussing the general situation, ‘She has deeply prized your faithful their friendship was unassailable. the subject of the Irish Brigade came up, friendship growing as it has been for and Clarke spoke of its lack of officers’ years.’23 In the months before the The German chapter of Roger …28 Howth plans were hatched, Alice was Casement’s fifty-one years of life is in involved in building up interest in the many ways the hardest to either defend The Irish Brigade referred to the mid-west of Ireland. In an early edition or explain. Its interpretation still causes initiative to raise a fighting unit from of the Irish Volunteer, she contributed an bouts of mystification and bafflement. among Irish POWs in Germany. article ‘A Warrior Heritage: Limerick’s His Limerick link during this period By early 1915, Casement, who had Voluntary Army’, emphasizing the spirit of isolation was stimulated through originally gone to Germany to initiate of sacrifice shown down the ages by the his association with two individuals this plan, had grown disillusioned with people of Limerick.24 with noteworthy ties to both the city the idea and held out few hopes that and county. The most familiar of these men could be persuaded to desert the Beside her role as treasurer of the individuals is Robert Monteith, who army and risk everything to join a cause Howth gun-running venture, Alice had spent several months training the that was still in a state of formation. shouldered important responsibilities Limerick Volunteers, before he was Little improved following Joseph in the planning. A letter from Erskine dispatched to Germany via the US to Mary Plunkett’s visit to Germany in Childers to Stopford Green, dated 29 train the few recruits who had joined the summer of 1915, when Casement July 1914, and written from Holyhead, the ill-fated Irish Brigade. Monteith learned of the plans to hold a rising the after the guns had been landed, casts had arrived in Limerick to live with following year. But there was still hope some light on the up stream organization his family at the end of 1914 after he that something could be made of the required. Childers wrote fondly: ‘As for you, how can I express what I feel about your serenity and steadfastness & generosity in the whole business from start to finish … I shall never forget the strain of the week prior to our sailing, seemingly insuperable difficulties … in every direction & the time so short. The strain of the actual crossing was nothing to it.’25

After the outbreak of war, Alice remained concerned for Mount Trenchard and the welfare of the surrounding district. In late 1914, she encouraged her niece, Annie Brunton, an able botanist and horticulturalist, (and the sister of Elsie Henry), to travel to Foynes to help teach market gardening skills in an effort to allay the food shortages caused by war. Mount Trenchard outside Foynes, home to the Spring-Rice family and visited by Casement. The Old Limerick Journal Spring Edition 2016 venture. Shortly after his conversation of his consular duties and replaced with in the event of the capture of my with Clarke, Monteith left for America someone sympathetic to the British native city, to raise the flag over with his family in tow and having found war effort. Gaffney’s treatment might King John’s Castle.30 some security for them in New York, he be interpreted as an early instance of planned the next stage of his adventure. how Casement’s allies were being closed There is then a supplementary footnote He linked up with Casement’s down on a number of fronts now that adding clarification to this action: manservant Adler Christensen, who was his treason had been openly identified. on a mission in the U.S. for Casement. Immediately after the incident, Gaffney ‘Mr Gaffney had presented a flag of Christensen helped Monteith to stow- left for the US to defend himself. His Ireland and a flag of Limerick to the away on board a ship bound for Europe. lawyer there was Michael Francis Doyle, brigade. Both these flags were made The plan worked. On his arrival in who would later attend Casement’s trial in Limerick some twenty-five years Germany, he met up with Casement as the representative of Clan na Gael. before. The Limerick flag was found and worked tremendously hard over the by the police concealed on the shore coming months to train the few Irish The diary kept by Casement during with other articles near where Sir Brigade recruits and turn them into his time in Germany, especially the Roger and his companions landed a fighting force. His friendship with entries surviving from March and April in Ireland. The English military Casement was based on deep, mutual 1916, contains frequent references to authorities at first considered the respect. And Casement, who could be conversations and encounters with flag as a revolutionary emblem. It tremendously demanding of those he Gaffney. Occasional criticisms did not was produced during the trial of worked with, never found fault with Roger Casement where Sullivan, his Monteith. Their comradeship remained counsel, announced that it was the steadfast until that fateful Good Friday flag of the ancient city of Limerick morning, when they shook hands for a … The flag is at present in the final time. Tower of London with some of the other Casement relics.31

But Gaffney’s stated optimism for a rebel Thomas St John Gaffney victory in Limerick proved somewhat premature. After the war and without Another key ally during Casement’s the support of the US diplomatic time in Germany was the Limerick- service, Gaffney involved himself more 29 born, Thomas St John Gaffney. Like deeply in IRB conspiracies. Casement, Gaffney was born in 1864, and followed the path of many of that If his experience demonstrates the post-famine generation: leaving Ireland ruthless treatment of Casement’s allies, for America to seek fame and fortune on it reveals, too, the residual hatred aimed new frontiers. Gaffney made his mark at Casement and his support network. with the US diplomatic corps and was In 1930, Gaffney published Breaking the appointed American consul general Silence: England, Ireland, Wilson and the in Dresden during the presidencies of War, a volume of memoirs that promised Theodore Roosevelt and William Taft. ‘Intimate revelation in the exact sense of In 1913, he was relocated to Munich by that much abused term’. In the ocean of President Woodrow Wilson. Thomas St John Gaffney, United States primary and secondary source material Consul-General in Germany published on the Great War, this is a All seemed well with Gaffney’s posting volume that has largely slipped through until the outbreak of war, when his pro- stop Casement entrusting Gaffney the analytical net. It belongs to a genre German and pro-Irish views rendered with important personal papers as well of studies that scrutinized the work of his appointment increasingly tricky. He as substantial responsibilities for the British propaganda during the conflict. met Casement in late 1914, shortly after welfare of the Irish Brigade, once he What Gaffney meant by ‘intimate returning from a short trip to Ireland had left Germany. In the hours before relations’ was a deep and unsettling to visit his brother, who was Crown Casement’s departure with Monteith insight into the manipulation of the Solicitor in Limerick. As their contact and Bailey aboard the submarine, public consciousness about the war deepened, especially after Casement Gaffney handed over two flags; one of by an acquiescent press determined to had relocated to the south of Germany them a flag of Limerick that has survived embed forever a narrative defending the in the summer of 1915, Gaffney to this day, even if its provenance Anglo-American special relationship. found his path increasingly obstructed. remains vague. Years later, Gaffney Gaffney’s agenda was to expose the In September 1915, he organised remembered the moment on the eve of weaponry of propaganda and how a luncheon in Munich at which the departure: news and information was routinely Casement was a prominent presence manipulated. His chapters describing and speeches were made. The matter While we were discussing these his intimate knowledge about Casement so irritated Germany’s enemies that matters Monteith joined us and I is part of a much larger exposé of the discreet complaints were made through asked him to bring the Limerick flag war on truth. diplomatic channels to the U.S. State with him to Ireland. He cheerfully Department and Gaffney was relieved assented, and I commissioned him, The Old Limerick Journal Spring Edition 2016

she divulges about the class and gender issues intrinsic to the remembering of the Rising. In the popular memory of Limerick, Clarke is remembered as something of a complainer; Madge Daly is considered with a much greater level of fondness.34 Her comments, however, are interesting for other reasons. There is still a tendency to read the tragedy of the First World War through the outrages of the Second World War, which is one reason why Casement’s meaning remains so After several months training the Limerick conflicted. Speaking Volunteers, Monteith was sent by the IRB to in 1968, is it possible Germany to help Casement in his efforts to that Clarke’s comments raise and train an Irish Brigade. The two men were tempered by returned to Ireland in April 1916 aboard a the inevitable process German U-boat. of retrospective Gaffney’s account of his wartime detachment that experiences belongs to an alternative occurred as Ireland tried and subjugated narrative of the First to distance its nationalist World War that has been largely past from historic overwhelmed within mainstream alliances with Germany interpretation. The reason for this is after the defeat of not because it is wrong, but because Nazism? the implication of the analysis is so and media historiography proved to be threatening to the maintenance of particularly harsh in their representation Casement’s views on the war were the widely agreed narrative and its of Casement. Instead of trying to largely allied with those who opposed sustaining myths. As Gaffney describes, understand him and his motives, they the war and took the view that the Casement’s final years were entangled in locked him down into an endlessly First World War was an unforgiveable the most malicious propaganda war and repetitive debate on his sexuality. There betrayal of ordinary people by the his argument is convincing because he was a lingering sense of confusion British ruling class; a situation had been both a witness to and victim and embarrassment about Casement’s exacerbated over centuries by England’s of that war. His perceptive critiques intention to return to Ireland to try treatment of Ireland. It was this view of the manipulation of the message and stop the Rising. In the late years that made Casement’s brief volume of of his life, John Devoy assumed an essays attacking the war and arguing for and the role of intelligence agencies in 35 Casement’s treatment by the authorities increasingly negative and antagonistic Irish independence so discomforting. should be read alongside William J. view of Casement and could never But Casement’s anti-war views are yet Maloney’s The Forged Casement Diaries comprehend his intentions. Part of that to return to interpretative fashion. If (1936).32 confusion was due to the fact that most the experiences of Gaffney hint at a people were still unclear and confused special treatment for those who stood While Gaffney’s influence made some about the type of work that Casement out against the governing consensus of small impact in Germany, his views on had carried out while serving as a British the day, he was certainly not the only the war did not apparently circulate consul. That knowledge would take one. E.D. Morel, Casement’s colleague much in Limerick. As the actions of the many years to emerge. Before it did, in the Congo Reform Association, was 1916 Rising alchemised into historical rumour and myth would fill the gaps imprisoned a year after Casement’s narrative, and the event was mythologised which historical fact might have made execution on a technical breach of the and became the founding moment of more certain. Defence of the Realm Act.36 Alice the Irish Republic, Casement’s part in Stopford Green found life increasingly the Rising was gradually contorted and In 1968, Kathleen Clarke gave a hard in London and in her seventies marginalised in the historiography that recorded interview with Fr Louis O’Kane moved back to Dublin to support the appeared over the next century. The (21/10/2015), where she revealed her founding of the new Irish Free State. generation of “Irish Revisionists” that disdain for Roger Casement.33 Clarke’s She was elected as one of only four took control of the reins of academic comments are interesting for what women to the first Irish senate and The Old Limerick Journal Spring Edition 2016 remained close to Mary Spring-Rice, Angus Mitchell contributed a biography 18. Intelligence on Schweriner’s visit to Limerick is held in National Archives (UK) until the latter’s early death. of Roger Casement to the 16 Lives series CO 904/213/370. published by The O’Brien Press. His 19. Quoted in aan de Wiel, op. cit., 66-7. Perhaps Limerick never had the edition of Casement’s war time diary 20. See my article “‘An Irish Putumayo’: Roger intense fascination for Casement as One Bold Deed of Open Treason: The Casement’s humanitarian relief campaign the people of County Kerry maintain Berlin Diary of Roger Casement 1914- in Connemara (1913-14)”, Irish Economic and until today. His life, however, attaches 16 is published by Merrion Press Social History, 31, (2004), 41-60. Limerick and the Shannon region (2016). Much of his extensive body of 21. Mount Trenchard Memorial Committee, to the wider Atlantic world. Tracing Remembering Limerick’s Gun-Runners, 1914- published work on Roger Casement, 2014 (Limerick, 2014). Casement’s footsteps from the Milk Alice Stopford Green and the Irish 22. Nineteenth Century, CXLVIII, June 1889, 781- Market down O’Connell Street through revolution is accessible at https:// 88. Ballinacurra to Raheen connects the limerick.academia.edu/AngusMitchell 23. NLI 15106 / 3, Mary Spring-Rice to AS historical imagination into an expansive Green, 14 April 1908. geography of the wide Atlantic world. (Endnotes) 24. The Irish Volunteer, 1:3, 21 February 1914. It links Limerick’s revolutionary history 25. Archive, Erskine to the rainforests of the Congo and 1. Angus Mitchell (ed.), One Bold Deed of Open Childers Papers, 7847-51, Childers to Green, Treason: The Berlin Diary of Roger Casement 29 July 1914. Amazon, and the archipelagoes of the 1914-16 (Merrion, 2016). Caribbean, Canary Islands, the Cape 26. NLI 13620/ 1&2. This rather interesting 2. All historians of this period are indebted document compliments the diary produced Verdes and Azores. It places the ‘old grey to the research of Thomas Toomey, The by Annie’s sister, Elsie Henry, op. cit. Around city’ to ports of call that once fused the War of Independence in Limerick 1912-1921 1913 and realizing that history was in the (Limerick, 2010) and John O’Callaghan, revolutionary Atlantic in a common cry making, Alice Stopford Green encouraged Revolutionary Limerick: the republican her two nieces to keep diaries to record for justice: Old Calabar, Cape Town, campaign for Independence in Limerick 1913- events. 1921 (Dublin, 2010). Loanda, Liverpool, New York, Buenos 27. R. Monteith, Casement’s Last Adventure Aires, Santos, and Rio de Janeiro. This 3. Brian P. Murphy, Patrick Pearse and the Lost (Dublin, 1953). For a recent biograph see was the world Casement travelled and Republican Ideal (Dublin, 1991). Helen Litton, Edward Daly (Dublin, 2013). Limerick is intrinsic to that pathway 4. National Library of Ireland, MS 5459, Roger 28. R. Monteith, Casement’s Last Adventure Casement to Joseph Mary Plunkett, Sunday (Dublin, 1953), 57. that ended on 3 August 1916 on a night, January 1914. scaffold in Pentonville Prison, a few 29. For a recent article see Des Ryan, ‘Thomas 5. , Madge Daly papers, St John Gaffney, United States Consul- miles from the Palace of Westminster Folder 46, Casement to Daly, 27 January, General in Germany 1905-15’, The Old and the administrative centre of British 1914. Limerick Journal, 47: Winter 2013, 33-38. imperial power in London. 6. See ‘John Bull’s Other Island: Roger 30. T. St John Gaffney, Breaking the Silence: Casement and the Press (1898-1916)’, in England, Ireland, Wilson and the War (New S Potter, ed. Ireland and the Imperial Press, York, 1930), 160. The evidence that Casement’s (Dublin, 2004), 217-233. 31. Ibid. memory lived on in the subaltern 7. Des Long, John Daly: A short history of his life history of revolutionary Limerick can and achievements (Limerick, n/d) 32. Brian Murphy, The Origins and Organisation of British Propaganda in Ireland 1920 (Belfast, still be detected from monumental 8. National Library of Ireland, MS 31,647, 2006). Casement to Clarke, 9 January, 1914. fragments. Many of the books written 33. Reported in Irish Times, 21 October 2015; in the aftermath of independence and 9. Madge Daly Papers, Folder 47, T. Clarke to J. letters 23 Oct. and 26 Oct. Daly, 26 January 1914. supporting Casement’s role in the Rising 34. Sinead McCoole, Easter Widows: Seven Irish still sit on the bookshelves in the room 10. Limerick Leader, 18 March 1914. Women who lived in the Shadow of the 1916 of one of the beautiful Tontine houses 11. On Fianna history see Marnie Hay, ‘The Rising (Dublin: 2014). foundation and development of Na Fianna 35. Roger Casement, The Crime against Europe in Castleconnell, where the nationalist Éireann, 1909–16’, Irish Historical Studies, (Belfast, 2003). revolutionary and founder of Fianna xxxvi, no. 141 (May 2008); also Toomey, op. 36. Donald Mitchell, The Politics of Dissent; A na Eireann, Bulmer Hobson died in cit. and Des Long, John Daly and Na Fianna Eireann in Limerick 1912-16 (Limerick, n/d) biography of E.D. Morel (Bristol, 2014). 1969. Casement’s name is carved in 12. The Irish Volunteer, vol.1:8, 28 March 1914. Irish lettering on the monument on Sarsfield Bridge, along with the other 13. Limerick Leader, March 20, 1914. 14. Owen McGee, The IRB; the Irish Republican executed men. In recent years, a framed Brotherhood from the Land League to Sinn memorial has been erected on a wall Fein (Dublin, 2005). My thanks to Deirdre O’Brien-Vaughan on Little Barrington Street to remind 15. University of Limerick, Madge Daly papers, of Newmarket-on-Fergus for access to passers by of the Fianna hall that once Folder 46, Casement to Daly, 24 March 1914. the papers and photographs of her late stood at the back of the Daly household father Paddy O’Brien, a member of the and where Casement gave his stirring 16. Elsie was the niece of Alice Stopford Green and wife of the botanist, Augustine Henry. Limerick Fianna, who was present when talk on chivalry. Most recently, the artist Both Stopford Green and Casement stayed Casement spoke on St Patrick’s Day David Lilburn’s immense rendering at the Henry’s fine house and garden in 1914. in stone of an imaginary map of the Ranelagh during 1913-14, see Clara Cullen (ed.), The World Upturning: Elsie Henry’s Irish Shannon valley, engraved on an outside Wartime Diaries, 1913-19 (Dublin, 2013), 34. wall of The Lime Tree Theatre, in Mary 17. This story is told in Jérôme aan de Wiel’s Immaculate College, has immortalized indispensible study The Irish factor 1899- in stone the title of that great poetic 1919 – Ireland’s Strategic and Diplomatic Importance for Foreign Powers (Dublin, invocation by W.B. Yeats, 2008). The substantive reference to Schweriner’s visit to Ireland is covered on The Ghost of Roger Casement pages 65-69. Is beating on the Door.