£3.50 ISSN 1743-565X (N0.12) Vol.3 No.4 December 2016 History

 An unprovoked and diabolical murder

 The day ‘Old Blood and Guts’ came to town

’s Sherlock Holmes

 The Armagh woman who sang for royalty and rebels

An Armagh History Group Publication History Armagh No. 12 - Vol. 3 No. 4 - December 2016

History Armagh No. 12 - Vol. 3 No. 4 - December 2016 2

Vol. 3 No. 4- December 2016 History Armagh

This is a publication of Contents Armagh & District History Group “An unprovoked and diabolical murder”: the killing of James Black Chairperson: Mary McVeigh by Catherine Gartland ...... 4 Vice Chair: Stephen Day Secretary: Helen Grimes Uncovering Armagh’s forgotten influences on British and Irish Treasurer: Kevin Quinn culture Press Officer: Eric Villiers by Eric Villiers ...... 8 Web Master: Richard Burns

Some Irish Surnames Editorial committee: by Gerry Oates ...... 10 Mary McVeigh, Eric Villiers, Kevin Quinn, Marjorie Halligan, The Great Wind of 1839 and its impact on Stephen Day, Roy Cummings, by Stephen Day ...... 14 Richard Burns, Helen Grimes, Angela Boylan, Stephen Garvin The Armagh woman who sang for both royalty and rebels: Rosa d’Erina, the Irish prima donna Copyright: by Mary McVeigh ...... 18 No part of this publication may James McLevy: Ballymacnab’s Sherlock Holmes be reproduced without the prior by Eric Villiers ...... 22 consent of the publishers and the relevant author John Stanley: From Armagh to Allahabad by Richard Burns ...... 24 Printers: The Postcard Company Limited C. O’Neill Refreshment Rooms 51 Road by Karl O’Neill ...... 28 BT79 7HZ Tel: 028 8224 9222 The Rev. John Redmond at the Hindenburg Line in 1917 E: [email protected] by W. E. C. Fleming ...... 29

Facing page: The day ‘Old Blood and Guts’ came to town Painting, ‘The City of Armagh (1810)’, by Kevin Quinn ...... 31 by James Black (ACM 156.1958) The Easter Rising, 1916 according to the local press Front and back covers: Details from above showing the Post Office by Mary McVeigh ...... 35 (Market St.) and old St. Malachy’s chapel

All courtesy of Armagh County Museum Armagh Hermes by Nuala Reilly ...... 38

History Armagh No. 12 - Vol. 3 No. 4 - December 2016 3

“An unprovoked and diabolical murder”: the killing of James Black by Catherine Gartland

On the 10th of February 1829, both the Commercial Telegraph and Newsletter carried details of ‘an unprovoked and diabolical murder’ in Armagh. According to the papers, on the night of February 4th, James Black, a ‘painter’, was walking along Lower English Street where he lived when Thomas Feely, a local butcher, had rushed out of his own house across the street and attacked him with a spade. The injured party had been tended to in Feely’s house, but to no avail. By Sunday 8th, Black had succumbed to his injuries. The following day, following a coroner’s inquest, a warrant was issued for Feely’s arrest, but he had already absconded.1 On the 17th of February, a reward of £50 – a sizeable sum at the time – was offered for any information which might lead to the apprehension of the culprit.2

The appeal, published in the Newsletter, provided a fairly detailed description of Thomas Feely: ‘upwards of thirty years of age, 5 feet 8 inches in height, stout made, fresh complexion, red hair and red whiskers, blue eyes, Advertisement for reward (Belfast Newsletter 20 February 1829) round visage.’ As well as his usual attire, two distinctive features were Thomas Feely were born respectively was 32 at the time of his death.7 This specified: his addiction to snuff and the in 1825 and 1828 – shortly before seems unlikely, since the earliest 3 fact that he was left-handed. Feely’s disappearance, to an Anne known picture by James Black, ‘the Mullen.6 The newspapers specified City of Armagh', was painted around We know little else of Feely, as he that Feely was married, so it is possible 1810, nearly two decades before his vanished after the event and was never that the two children were his, the boy death. This would suggest that he was returned for trial. He may have been a having been named after his father. already an accomplished artist by the connection of James Feely, a butcher in 8 4 age of 13. English Street in 1820. The same James Black, ‘portrait painter family was, nearly 20 years later, still and draughtsman’ This oil painting is currently displayed running a slaughter house near the in Armagh County Museum.9 It is one The victim, James Black, was a local Shambles, where butchers offered their of three works by James Black held in artist. According to the newspaper meat for sale at the Tuesday and Friday the Museum. The other two are ink 5 reports, he resided in Lower English markets. drawings on paper, both views of Street and was still ‘a young man’ at Armagh City, completed respectively There is no trace of a Thomas Feely of the time of his death. There is no in 1811 and 1819.10 matching age in the mention of any family connections in records of the Archdiocese of Armagh. the area. The burial records for the We are not sure whether Black had Yet, the births of two children by the Parish of Armagh confirm that he was been living in Armagh since 1810. He same name are recorded: Mary and living in the town. They specify that he

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is not listed in Bradshaw’s 1820 which were numerous in Armagh at the completed the previous year, at either directory, even though another time, but there is no tangible evidence end of the Mall;20 on the far right is 15 landscape painter, John Bell of Thomas that this was the case. part of the Royal School;21 a close look Street, is included. Moreover, Black is at Market Street reveals the Post known to have also painted County The City of Armagh in 1810 Office, situated roughly where the landscapes. These include a Black’s ‘City of Armagh’ is one of the Market Place Theatre now stands, 22 view of Narrow Water Castle, showing earliest known Irish landscape beside the old cross. It is an the surrounding scenery of Mount Hall, paintings depicting a provincial town. industrious, lively town: chimneys are as well as a view of Carlingford Castle This is a genre which only emerged at puffing smoke; farm labourers are hard and the mountains around , the beginning of the 19th Century. As at work on the allotments in the both of which were sold by auction in foreground, leaves drying on the roof 11 the middle classes rose to prominence, 1816. It is not known whether these they were seeking small paintings and of their cottage; cattle are grazing in pictures have survived. Another engravings to decorate their drawing- enclosed fields; a man on horseback painting of and surrounding rooms.16 The choice of subject was and a carriage are passing along the scenery (probably seen from the Glebe) often local sceneries and views. James Mall. A few soldiers on the right 12 23 was sold at an auction in the 1990s. Nicholl’s and John Nixon’s views of suggest the presence of the Barracks. the North Coast were popular choices. The windmill, just rebuilt in 1810, On the back of one of the drawings 24 James Black’s views of Narrow Water dominates the West of the city. held in the County Museum, Black is and Carlingford may have been Passers-by can be spotted along the described as a ‘portrait painter and streets. Some of the wealthier 13 produced to tap into this burgeoning draughtsman,’ suggesting a skilled market, but the newly affluent citizens inhabitants are having a stroll along the craftsman, rather than an artist in the of developing towns also liked to Mall, which is no longer used as a race modern sense. A sort of early official 25 record and display their achievements. course but as a civilised promenade. photographer, he would have painted It is possible that the figure on the portraits of local notables. One of the Unlike the portraits, Black’s painting Clump in the foreground with what few surviving examples is a likeness of would not have been commissioned by looks like a roll of paper under his arm local Presbyterian minister and a wealthy patron. Designed to appeal represents the artist. assistant astronomer at Armagh to the civic pride of the middle classes, Observatory the Reverend Robert it had to be affordable; it was raffled Black’s picture predates the building of Hogg (1770-1830). The picture is between 80 subscribers who had each the Catholic Cathedral, which did not dated 1814 and currently hangs in his paid £1, and was won by Robert Steen, start until 1840, and the congregation’s Church at Cloveneden, a local tanner.17 disestablishment of the Church of beside . The National Ireland (1869): the Established Church Gallery in also holds portraits Like the two drawings in the Cathedral, still crowned with its spire, of Samuel Molyneux (1616-93), Museum’s collection, it depicts dominates the scenery26 but there is a William Molyneux (1656-98) and Sir Armagh from the Clump hill area (now Catholic presence. The old Chapel William Ussher (d. 1657) - also an Dobbin Hill) above the prison. It is a (old St Malachy's, built 1752 in Chapel ancestor of the Molyneux. All are conventional ‘prospect’- a dominating Lane) can be seen to the left of the copies of older works signed by James view aiming at a realistic depiction of picture. By the 1810s, Catholics 14 Black and dated ‘Armagh, 1813’. the city and its landmarks. constituted nearly half the population Although the National Gallery has no of Armagh city but their participation information as to their provenance, it is It is an impression of an expanding, in public life was still restricted by the possible that they were commissioned busy and prosperous town. The Penal Laws.27 In the following by a member of the Molyneux family, population of Armagh had trebled in decades, their presence was to become th most likely Sir Capel Molyneux, 4 size during the previous forty years. increasingly conspicuous, as they Baronet of Castledillon (1750-1832), While the Reverend William Lodge continued to press for emancipation. who shared his time between his enumerated just under 2,000 Armagh demesne and his Dublin inhabitants in 1770, James Stuart A ‘violent paroxysm of party house. Prominent families liked to estimated the population at around feeling’ 18 display their ancestors’ portraits, to 6,700 in 1814. What English traveller It is against the background of Daniel confirm their prestigious lineage and Arthur Young had described in the O’Connell’s campaign for social status. If an original could not be 1770s as ‘a nest of mud cabbins’, was 19 emancipation that the murder of James procured, it would not have been by 1810 a neat, modern town. Apart Black was to take place, and the social unusual to have a copy made. from a couple of cottages, most of the and political context certainly coloured houses depicted in the painting are contemporary reports of the event. According to former curator of built of stone and slate. The roads are Armagh County Museum TGF lined with trees. A number of public The Penal Laws, which curtailed the Paterson, Black may also have buildings are visible: the Gaol, built in rights of non-Anglicans in Ireland (and designed hanging signs for local inns, 1780 and the new courthouse, Great Britain), had already been

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somehow relaxed in the last decades of the Crown had finally convinced him, Newsletter, another anti-Emancipation th the 18 Century. Catholics were now he stood in the House of Commons and newspaper, also suggested a sectarian allowed to own and inherit property, declared that he now supported murder: ‘The deceased individual was join the army, practice law and take Catholic Emancipation, on the an Orangeman, and the person charged degrees in Trinity College. Religious condition that only men ‘of property with having murdered him is a Roman practice and Catholic teaching were and intelligence’ were allowed to vote. Catholic.’34 A few days later, the tolerated with certain restrictions. All Brownlow was soon branded a traitor Newry Commercial Telegraph those owning property of a rental value by his former supporters. His effigy published a more detailed account. 29 of £2 or more, irrespective of religion, was burnt by anti-Catholic mobs, Black was returning from attending an had also been granted the right to vote. and his parliamentary seat was Orange Lodge, and was reported to It had been widely expected that the challenged by a new Orange candidate, have ‘cried out “Verner for ever!- No Act of Union in 1801 would be William Verner, at the general election Surrender!”,’ following which Feely followed by full emancipation, of 1826. The electoral success of had rushed out and replied including the right to sit in Parliament, Brownlow, along with the other “Brownlow!”, and hit him on the head for those who did not belong to the Liberal candidate, was hailed a victory with a spade, ‘exclaiming – “You’ve Established Church. Since 1780, for the pro-Emancipation side, but the long wrought for that, and you have Presbyterians had been allowed to take contest had heightened sectarian got it at last!”.’ The paper made much public office without having to tension in the county. A number of of the fact that the culprit was still at conform to the , but violent incidents – and at least two large, all but suggesting that the Catholics still had not been granted the deaths- resulted from clashes between authorities were turning a blind eye to 28 30 same rights. supporters of the two candidates. the murder of a Protestant by a Catholic: ‘It is considered very The Catholic Association, headed by By 1828, the Catholic Association’s remarkable that the perpetrator of the Daniel O’Connell, had campaigned campaign was gathering momentum. above mentioned was suffered to have since 1823 for full Catholic The election of O’Connell as MP for his liberty not only that night, but the Emancipation. The Association had County Clare spurred the Protestant following day, when (...) he originally been formed by well-off ultras into organising a network of deliberately walked off in the middle Catholics loyal to the Crown, who ‘Brunswick Clubs’ to counter the of day-light (!) and has not since been wished to petition the King for the Catholic movement for reform. The heard of.’35 The anti-Emancipation enlargement of their rights. In 1824, Armagh Club was established in the party felt let down by the government the creation of a new membership autumn of 1828, and armed shows of and Feely’s easy escape all but category of associate member to the strength greeted liberal advance. In confirmed the betrayal. Catholic Association, at a cost of one late September, rumours of an envoy penny per month (which was later to be from the Association being sent to the A gift to the Town known as ‘the Catholic rent’), city resulted in a gathering of ‘large Commissioners encouraged Catholics of all social bodies of well-armed Protestants’ backgrounds to join the movement. marching into Armagh.31 Numerous Over the years, James Black’s painting The active support of the Catholic petitions supporting Emancipation, as of Armagh came into the ownership of Church - with priests collecting ‘the well as counter-petitions, were being the Dobbin family. In 1870, Thomas Catholic rent’ from their parishioners sent to Parliament. Dobbin, JP, a nephew of Leonard and chapels being used for meetings – Dobbin, MP for Armagh, presented the soon turned the Association into a On February 2nd, two days before the picture to the Town Commissioners as 36 formidable force, which the attack on James Black, papers carried a gift. A few days later, a letter was government could not ignore. news that the King’s speech was going published in the Armagh Guardian, to announce a measure of which detailed the story of the Protestants were divided on the issue Emancipation for the Catholics of painting. The author added that the of Catholic Emancipation. In County Ireland, and spirits were running painter had been murdered after Armagh, liberals like Henry Caulfield, high.32 Not surprisingly, the initial interfering in a domestic dispute MP (Earl of Charlemont), George report of Black’s murder in the Newry between Feely and his wife.37 It is Ensor (of Ardress House) and Sir Commercial Telegraph assumed that it interesting that the story differed from Capel Molyneux (of Castledillon) was yet another political and sectarian the version published in the papers at supported reform. Others, like Charles incident. The paper pointed out that the time of the murder. Had the Brownlow -the other MP for Armagh the victim was ‘a quiet and inoffensive particulars of the event long been and a member of the Orange Society, young man.’ The ‘unprovoked and forgotten or was the incident viewed in vigorously opposed the Emancipation diabolical murder’, it stated, a different light 40 years later? campaign. Brownlow was, however, ‘originated in and was committed to radically change his mind in April under the influence of a violent Certainly, much had changed in 1825. Claiming that the Catholic paroxysm of PARTY FEELING. Black Armagh since the late 1820s. bishops’ recent statements of loyalty to was a Protestant.’33 The Belfast Catholic Emancipation in 1829 was

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followed by the development of References was completed in 1780. The Catholic institutions in the town. The Courthouse on the Mall eventually Armagh Guardian (1870) replaced the Old Sessions House in newly appointed Catholic Archbishop 1809 (Stuart, 1819, p529-31). (William Crolly) came to reside in Belfast and Province of 21Built 1774 (Stuart, 1819, p543). Directory. Belfast, 1870. 22 Armagh in 1835. St Patrick’s College The Post Office then moved to Scotch Belfast Newsletter (1829) St, where Bradshaw places it in 1819. opened as a seminary in the 1830s; the As to the Cross, it was damaged in Christian Brothers and Sacred Heart Bradshaw’s General Directory of 1813 and then removed (Stuart, 1819, Newry, Armagh, etc.... for 1820. p509). orders arrived in Armagh in the 1850s. 23 Newry,1819. For a history of the barracks see Started in 1840, the new Catholic Stephen Day: ‘Gough Barracks, Glancy, Michael. ‘The incidence of the Cathedral was being completed. In Armagh’ in History Armagh, 2015. Plantation on the City of Armagh’. 24McCullough, 2007, p15. 1869, the disestablishment of the Seanchas Ardmhacha, Vol.1(2) (1955), 25Previously a common used for Church of Ireland finally put an end to pp.115-160. grazing and horse racing, the Mall was Anglican domination. Hewitt, John. Arts in Ulster 1. turned into a public walk financed by Belfast,1977. public subscription in 1797 (Stuart, 1819, p552-53). Furthermore, Armagh had been MacAtasney, Gerard. ‘”Brunswick 26The original spire was higher than enjoying a period of relative economic Bloodhounds and Itinerant that showing on the painting. It had Demagogues”: the campaign for prosperity. Its connection to the Ulster been modelled on the spire of Catholic Emancipation in County Magdalen College in Oxford but had to Railway network in 1848 and the Armagh 1824-29’. Seanchas be taken down in the 1780s, as it was establishment of a further rail link to Ardmhacha, Vol. 21/22 (2007-2008), too heavy for the building. The pp. 165-231. Dublin in 1864 resulted in the replacement was designed by famous Armagh architect Francis Johnston development of new businesses around McCullough, Catherine and W.H. Crawford. Armagh (Irish Historic Town (Stuart, 1819, p449-50). It was in turn the railway station. The American Atlas No18). Dublin, 2007. removed during the restoration of the Civil War in the 1860s gave a new building in the 1830s. Newry Commercial Telegraph (1829- 273,413 Catholics for 7,010 inhabitants, impetus to an ailing linen industry, 30) 2,000 of which belonged to the with new spinning mills and weaving Established Church (Bradshaw’s, 1819, Paterson, T.G.F. ‘Taverns and inns of p62). factories opening in Armagh. The 28 Armagh’. Pt. 2. Armagh Guardian, 5 From 1780, Presbyterians were development of postal and telegraphic Sept. 1947. dispensed from the requirement to take services and the expansion of banking Stuart, James. Historical memoirs of communion in the Established Church the City of Armagh. Newry, 1819. to take public office. services also contributed to the growth 29McAtasney, 2007-8, p181. of local businesses. By the late 1860s, Young, Arthur. A Tour in Ireland, 1776- 30McAtasney, 2007-08, p189. 31 Armagh boasted over 300 businesses.38 1779. Vol.1 (2 vols). Ed. A.W. Hutton. NCT, 3 Oct. 1828. Shannon,1970. 32McAtasney, 2007-08, p210. 33NCT, 10 Feb. 1829. Catholic businesses were part of this 34BN, 10 Feb. 1829. new found prosperity and the Catholic 35NCT, 13 Feb. 1829. The following 1Belfast Newsletter (BN), 10 Feb. 1829, middle classes were now active year, Richard Dowd - Black’s Newry Commercial Telegraph (NCT), companion on the night of the murder, participants in local public life. 10 Feb. 1829 and NCT 13 Feb. 1829. 2 was tried at the Armagh Assizes for his Changes in local government and BN, 20 Feb. 1829. participation in a sectarian incident 3BN, 20 Feb. 1829. voting qualifications resulted in the 4 which took place in the Irish Street/ Bradshaw’s General Directory of Chapel Lane area during a Twelfth of increasing involvement of better-off Newry, Armagh, etc... , 1819, p68. 5 July parade. This would suggest that Catholics in town affairs. Up until 1839 valuation of Armagh James Black may well have been a (McCullough,2007, p18). 1863, about a third of elected Town 6 supporter of the Verner anti- Records held at the Cardinal Ó Fiaich Emancipation faction (NCT, 3 Aug. 39 Library & Archive. Commissioners were Catholics. 7 1830). NCT 10 Feb. and 13 Feb. 1829. 36 Sectarian incidents still occurred but 8 AG, 9 Dec. 1870. Burial records held in St Mark’s Parish 37AG, 14 Dec. 1870. Catholics, or at least Catholics of a 38 Church, copy at PRONI, MIC/583/13. Belfast and Province of Ulster 9ARMCM.156.1958. certain class, had acquired a new 10 Directory, 1870. ARMCM.92.1937 and 39 respectability. It is possible that in 11 McCullough, 2007, p8. ARMCM.25.1950. this new context, the murder of James 12NCT, 8 Oct. 1816. 13 I would like to thank the following Black was viewed in a different light. Sold Sotheby’s May 96 (information Sean Barden, Armagh County people for their assistance with the Museum). research for this article: Sean Barden In the event, the gift of Black’s ‘City of 14City of Armagh (1811), (Armagh County Museum), Catherine Armagh’ was much appreciated by the ARMCM.92.1937. McCullough (formerly of Armagh 14 Town Commissioners, who decided to NGI.3724, NGI.3692 and NGI.2016. County Museum), Roddy Hegarty 15T.G.F. Paterson, 1947. (Cardinal Ó Fiaich Library and Archive). display it in the Assembly Rooms at 16Hewitt, 1977, p19. the Market House. Eventually, the 17Armagh Guardian (AG), 1 Dec. 1870. 18 painting was taken into the collection 1,948 in 1770 (Lodge’s Census in Glancy, 1955); 6,699 in 1814 (Stuart, of Armagh County Museum, where it 1819, p466); 7,010 in 1819 still hangs as a testimony to a lost (Bradshaw’s, 1819, p62). 19Young, 1970, p119. golden - but turbulent - age in the 20 Previously, the gaol was situated in history of Armagh City. the lower part of the Sessions House in Market Street. The current County Gaol History Armagh No. 12 - Vol. 3 No. 4 - December 2016 7

Uncovering Armagh ’s forgotten influences on British and Irish culture by Eric Villiers

New research based on work done in Armagh decades ago is uncovering the connections that link County Armagh and Armagh City to the Brontë sisters of literary fame.

Between the 1930s and 1950s studies by TGF Paterson, a former curator of Armagh County Museum, first drew attention to the forgotten origins of the sisters, Charlotte, Emily and Anne: their great-grandfather was South Armagh’s Patrick O’Pronntaigh and his son (their grandfather) was Hugh Brontë – it was a branch of Hugh’s family that migrated to Armagh city in the mid to late 19th century.

According to Paterson they were a family of poets, story tellers and “spell binders” who had lived in . The original family name in Gaelic was O’Pronntaigh or O’Prontige, but for various reasons it evolved and was anglicized into the softer sounding Brontë.

In the 1950s Paterson stirred up interest in this literary link and just in the nick of time he saved several crumbling buildings at Emdale, : the church where the sisters’ father Rev Patrick Brontë preached, the school where he taught, and his cottage The sisters pictured with their brother Branwell birthplace now a museum attraction.

That the Brontë Interpretative Centre at Loudan’s interest in the Brontës passed degree at Cambridge University, and Emdale exists today is largely thanks down to his son Colin who became a then settling in Haworth, Yorkshire. to the work of Paterson and another film actor based in London. Sometime The news piqued Cannon’s interest and Armagh man the playwright Jack around the 1980 Colin met Professor he began looking for the fountainhead Loudan, who later became chief John Cannon, CBE, one of Britain’s th of the sisters’ literary talent in Ireland. executive of the Arts foremost historians: his books on 18 It was a subject he returned to time and Council (then known as the Committee century politics are regarded as some again and by the time of his death in for Music, Arts and Entertainment). of the most important commentaries on that subject. 2012 he had published three books on Together with Loudan, who was born the sisters and their Irishness. at the Seven Houses, English Street, At some point in their meeting Colin The Brontë’s Armagh connections Armagh, in 1910, Paterson drummed mentioned his father’s interest in the exemplify the way history can allow up support to commemorate the fact Brontë’s Irish background. Cannon important stories to slip from view. that the original Brontë country was in was surprised to learn that the Rev Among those now being researched are the hills where counties Armagh, Patrick Brontë had lived near forgotten influences on British and Down and Louth meet. before leaving to take a

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Irish culture including up to 20 Royal School Armagh. Robert Matthew Brontë, was born important figures from this locality. above the family shop in Market It’s a list that includes soldiers, heroes, In Australia Daly became the poet Street, Armagh in 1879. After the explorers and scientists, as well as two Victor J. Daley – the antipodean face death of his father at the age of 46, he generations of writers, poets, painters of the Celtic Twilight and the country’s attended the Masonic School, Dublin, and musicians – all neglected or most popular poet. and Royal School Armagh. Later he written out of history. played for Armagh Rugby Club where Meanwhile Harris who thought of his striking looks and flamboyance Since space does not permit us to go Armagh as Ireland’s Canterbury a inspired a local balladeer to into the careers of them all, this article “Wonder City” where he claimed to immortalise him in verse. concentrates on two generations of have climbed every tree on the Mall, writers and cultural figures: seven who found international fame through his In 1894 Thomas E. Reid Junr., came to prominence during the Irish journalism and books. Harris was Secretary of Armagh County Council Cultural and Literary Revival (circa Oscar Wilde’s most loyal friend and wrote an unpublished elegy to Max, 1890 to 1940), which was led by the produced such a notorious memoir that which begins: “No wonder the poets poet WB Yeats, and five who can be it was banned for forty years. sing – Why stands the sun so still? / found gravitating toward the Belfast Why faint the ladies all? / They Regionalist Literary Movement of the After WWII there was a second literary wonder on, until / Emerging from the 1940s and 1950s. flowering led in Belfast by Sam Hanna maul / They see the form of Max / So Bell. The Armagh writers John broad and yet so tall: / Even Magoggy In the early twentieth century Yeats’ O’Connor from the Mill Row; Jack backs / For Brontë has the ball. / If the life-long friend, the poet, painter, Loudan; W. R. Rodgers, the reverend Mall mud could speak / What a tale it mystic and politician George ‘AE’ poet from Loughgall, and his poet- would tell…” Russell, emerged as one of the friend John Hewitt, a son of Kilmore, architects of modern Ireland. Born in all coalesced around Bell and all won After graduating from Ireland’s Royal , Russell was first inspired to international recognition. College of Surgeons Max lived in write poetry and paint by his regular Harcourt Street, Dublin, and during visits to the southern shores of Lough In their role as BBC producers Bell and WWI he served as a captain with the Neagh, to Armagh city, its institutions Loudan encouraged young talent Royal Army Medical Corps. and the . including the acting career of Armagh’s Patrick (Paudge) Magee, In 1918 he became Ireland’s state Two others who worked alongside who would go on to become Samuel pathologist and during the War of Yeats and Russell during the revival Beckett’s favourite interpreter of his Independence gave evidence for the were: William J. Lawrence, a world stage dramas. Magee lived not far from Government against Republicans authority on Shakespeare, who began Loudan in English Street, Armagh. accused of murder. After several death his working life as a drinks salesman threats he left for London, where he in Armagh, and William Brayden, Plans are being put in place to recover quickly found fame as a CSI celebrity. born in , who helped these names and in time it is expected establish the Feis Ceoil in Dublin and that blue plaques from the Ulster As he gave his testimony at murder was immortalised by James Joyce in History Circle will mark their trials reporters had to look no further Ulysses as ‘Godlike’. He is one of birthplaces. The first was unveiled last than his family lineage to explain the several Armagh figures who feature in year on the County Museum building origins of his rich language and the novel. to commemorate TGF Paterson, and in eloquent oratory. time Magee, Loudan et al will be Two musicians whose careers were memorialised. Although history has forgotten Max influential in those years were: Mary Brontë, a couple of generations ago Connolly from Irish Street, a mezzo And now that the birthplace of Max people would have been much more soprano, who took the populist aspects Brontë has been identified another aware of both his celebrity and literary of the revival to the Irish disapora in should be in the pipeline. Max was an antecedents. In 1960 when his sister, Britain; and Barton McGuckin, an utterly fascinating character: born in Kate, who was born in 1876, died aged opera star who trained at St Patrick’s Armagh, he was descended from 83 in Exeter, newspapers reported that Protestant Cathedral in Armagh – he Charlotte Bronté’s uncle Hugh (junior). she left a sequinned cape that had too is featured by Joyce in Ulysses. belonged to one of the Brontë sisters in In the 1920s Max became a celebrity Haworth, Yorkshire. Meanwhile outside of Ireland other pathologist in some of ’s most writers with local links were making sensational murder trials, and today the Max and Kate’s father Matthew was names for themselves including a FBI in America still reference his work founder of the Armagh drapery firm James Daly, who grew up in a cottage as one of the fathers of CSI (Crime “Brontë and Co., Market Square”, at or near the Navan Fort, and Frank Harris, Scene Investigation). near the buildings that later became the a writer who had been a boarder at the Lennox department store. Max, or to give him his full title, Dr

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Some Irish Surnames by Gerry Oates

The following are short accounts of might be the Pat Mc Vaugh (and Neale Mc Veagh in 1747. More four families associated with the Ellen Mc Vaugh) noted as interesting is the charge of ‘assault county and city of Armagh from ‘householders owning gardens’ in and rescue’ brought against medieval times. It includes three the same survey. In a rent roll of Thomas and Patrick Mc Veagh at families of native Irish stock and a 1624-28 Allen Mc Evagh is the summer assizes of 1780 during third of Viking background, and forms described as one ‘of those natives a period of social and agrarian part of a series of essays on local who did dwell in the cottages, unrest in the county. A survey of family surnames published in this within the City of Armagh’. The the parish of Creggan in 1766 journal. All three have contributed in name also occurs in north Armagh, identified six Mc Veagh various ways to the history and social for an inquisition of 1624 to households in the area. One of the background of our society and are an integral part of what we are today. discover the lands still held by more prominent from Creggan was native Irish tenants identified Hugh the Gaelic poet, Fearghas Mac an Carrogh Mc Evagh, Neale Mc Bheatha (Fergus Mc Veigh), who Evagh and Rory Mc Evagh of composed the lament ‘Tuireamh Mac Veigh Derryinver in The Montiaghs Phádraig Mhic a parish on the shores of Lough Liondain’ (‘Lament for Patrick Mac Veigh is nowadays the more Neagh. Mac Alinden’) for his fellow poet usual spelling of this surname on his death in 1733. Fearghas rather than the older variant, Mac Petty’s ‘census’ of c.1659 includes Mac an Bheatha is buried in Veagh, or the less common Mac Mc Vagh among the ‘principall Creggan graveyard. During the Vey /Mac Vea. Mac an Bheatha Irish names’ of Oneilland . sectarian disturbances of the 1780- ‘son of life’ is the Gaelic version The spelling Mc Vaugh occurs in 90s Henry Mc Veagh and six others which most commentators regard the archbishop’s rent rolls of 1661 were charged at the summer assizes as a predominantly Ulster surname; in Armagh city where Ullyne Mc of 1789 with ‘assault and riot, it is also found in Leinster and Vaugh was renting a tenement and carrying arms and being a papist’ in Connacht but is much less garden plot. In the same document contravention of the Penal Laws numerous there. Both Woulfe and a parcel of land in the city, introduced in 1695. Mac Lysaght associate the surname ‘containing 15 acres or thereabout’, with east Ulster, particularly was named Ffarin Mc Ivaugh, The 19th century distribution of the Armagh, Down and Antrim, but which appears to stem from the name is reflected in the Tithe Mac Lysaght also claims that it has Gaelic Fearainn Mhic an Bheatha Applotment Books for Co. Armagh been replaced at times by Mac ‘Mac Veigh’s land’, and implies (1825-40) which recorded Mc Evoy in the area which includes that the site had previously Veigh (31), Mc Veagh (18), Mc Vey south Armagh and north Louth. belonged to the sept before the (13). Griffith’s Valuation (1848- Plantation of 1609. The same rent 64) listed 58 holdings in the county Mac an Bheatha was also the name roll listed a Neale Mc Vaugh of and slightly more than half were borne by one of the hereditary ‘Irish Street’ in the ‘Towne of recorded in the northern parishes of medical families of medieval Armagh’ in 1676. The Hearth Drumcree, Seagoe and Shankill. Ireland and Ó Fiaich refers Money Rolls for the same period These figures and locations were particularly to the obits of three (1664-65) also included Mc approximated in the 1911 census medical men named McVeagh on a Veagh /Mc Vagh in all the baronies which recorded 124 Mac Veighs in tombstone in Creggan dating from of the county except Tiranny. The the county. the 18th century. Franciscan petition of 1670-71 included a Neale Mc Veagh of Tohall in his account of the One of the early anglicised forms of Creggan parish among the migrations from north Armagh to the name, Mac Eveighe, reflects signatories in the diocese of Connacht in the wake of the reasonably accurately the Armagh. sectarian disturbances of the 1790s pronunciation of Mac an Bheatha in includes a number of Mc Vahy the east Ulster Irish of the period. Among the Mac Veighs recorded in (Mac Veigh) migrants and suggests The person referred to was Hugh the 18th century are Owen and Pat that they might represent the origin Mac Eveighe of Creggan parish Mc Veagh of Drumsallan, in of the current surname Vahey of who was listed among those who parish, in 1714, described as south Mayo, which de Bhulbh had been granted pardons in the ‘Catholic sub-tenants’ on Church equates with Mac an Bheatha /Mac Elizabethan Fiants of 1602. A post lands. The Armagh Assizes Veagh. -Plantation survey of the Indictments of the day include a archbishop’s tenants of Armagh number of the name who found It should also be noted that Mac an city in 1618 recorded Pat Mc Vagh, themselves at odds with the law: Bheatha /Mac Veigh is a cognate of dwelling in ‘a cople house and yard Mathew Mc Veagh in 1740 and the Scots Gaelic Mac Bheatha and above the Nun’s church’, who

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its anglicised version, Macbeth. Mac an Mhaighistir informs us that leases ‘for three lives’ to Alex. Mc Black notes that it was common as he was a descendant of the Kittrick of Annaghmacmanus, a first name from the 11th to the Loughgall parish, in May, 1751, th Maguires of Fermanagh. 14 century and meant ‘son of life’ and to James Mc Kittrick of in the spiritual sense with As a surname Mac Shitric /Mac Ballynalack, Killevy parish, in particular reference to ‘a religious Kitterick was first recorded in the Nov. 1795. The name also appears person’ or ‘one of the elect’. 13th century. A calendar of in the Co. Armagh Poll Book of documents relating to Ireland, 1753 when Arthur Brownlow of dated July 11, 1236, states that the Lurgan ran against Francis Mac Kitt(e)rick demesne of Mac Chiteroc, an Caulfeild, brother of Lord Irishman, in the vicinity of Charlemont, for representation of The origin of the surname Mac Waterford ‘shall be delivered to the county in the old Irish House of Kitterick is found in the Norse Geoffrey de Turville to make the Parliament in Dublin. Records of personal name Sigtryggr from the King’s profit’. The name also the voting indicate that Alex. Mc words sigr ‘victory’ and tryggr appears as Mac Shitteruck (with S Kitrick of , Loughgall, ‘true’. It was later Gaelicised aspirate) in a Judiciary Roll of cast his vote in favour of Arthur Sitric to give the surname Mac 1306, again in Co. Waterford Brownlow. In the latter part of the Shitric ‘son of Sitric’ in which century the Armagh Assizes initial S was lost by aspiration and Mac Lysaght claims that Mac Indictments record that John Mc the k-sound of c carried over from Kitterick and its variants, Mac Kitrick appeared as a plaintiff at Mac to produce the current Kittrick, Mac Kettrick and Mac the summer session of 1773, and anglicised form Mac Kitterick. Ketterick are currently more Bryan Mc Kiterick also as plaintiff common in the ancient territory of at the Lent session of 1774. The personal name Sitric has been Oriel, particularly in Cos. Armagh in Ireland since the Viking era and and Monaghan than elsewhere. However, it is the Tithe occurs several times in the Irish The variants Ketterick and Mac Applotment Books for Co. Armagh Annals. Archbishop Simms Gettrick were recorded in Cos. (1825-40) which give us an idea of informs us that a silversmith Mayo, Sligo and also in Co. Louth. the distribution and numbers of Mc th named Sitric left his name on a Arthurs in a study of the early septs Kit(t)ricks in the 19 century. page in the 8th century Book of There were 15 Mc Kitt(e)rick tithe th th of Co. Armagh locates a Sitriuc in Kells. Between the 9 and 11 the genealogy of the Clann payers in Loughgall and another centuries there were four Viking Sínaigh, a well-documented five distributed between Creggan, kings of Dublin named Sitric ecclesiastical family of 10/11th Drumcree, Killevy and Clonfeacle including Sigtryggr Silkiskegg century Armagh. However, Mac parishes. A further two known as (Sitric Silkbeard) at the time of the Kitt(e)rick does not occur in Mc Citterick were recorded in Battle of Clontarf in 1014 when historical records relating to church . Mac Kit(t)rick occurs Brian Boru and the Munster army affairs of the late medieval period again in Griffith’s Valuation (1848- defeated the Dublin Vikings and or in details of the 17th century 64); there were 8 holdings in their Leinster allies. Plantation settlements in Armagh, Loughgall, two each in Drumcree but a survey of residents in and Clonfeacle, and one each in Sitric was also adopted as a given Creggan parish includes a Patrick Tartaraghan, and Kilmore name by the native Irish; the Mac Kitrick in the Co. Louth parishes. Annals of Lough Key report the portion of the parish in 1766. deaths in 1102 of Sitriuc Ua Mac Giolla Domhnaigh, in his Maelfabhaill, king of Carraic In the district of Tyrone study of Ulster surnames (1923), Brachaidhe in Inishowen, and his Alexander Mc Kitterick was listed interestingly notes that Hanson has associate Sitriocc mac Con Raoi, among the early ‘tenant settlers’ in also been used as a synonym for and the Annals of Clonmacnoise 1610 at a time when many planters Mac Kittrick in the record the obituary of Sitric, son of from the Scottish borders arrived in district of Co. Armagh but offers no Cú Meadha Ó Laighechan, chief of Ulster. In Mac Kettrick / explanation. The census of 1911 Síol Rónáin, a district which Mac Kittrick has been recorded in records Hanson in Cloghfin, includes the historic Hill of Galloway since the 14th century. Milford and Armagh city. Uisneagh in Co. Westmeath. An The Dictionary of Scottish entry in the Annals of the Four Surnames suggests that the In Co. Armagh the distribution of th Masters reports the death in 1211 personal name may have been the name and its 17 century of Sitriocc Ó Laighenain, coarb of brought first to Ulster and then references suggest a Scottish St. Comgall in Bangor, Co. Down; across the sea to Scotland about the connection and most probably a later entry in the same annals represent a migration from year A.D. 890. th recounts the election of Sitreacc Galloway during the 17 century mac Ualghaircc Uí Ruairc (‘Sitric References to the name in post- . The source of son of Ualgarg O Rourke’) as chief Plantation Armagh occur in the the name, however, is the Viking of the O Rourke sept. An entry in rent rolls of the See of Armagh personal name Sigtryggr, also the Annals of Ulster under the year which recorded Thomas Mc gaelicised Sitric in Scotland, and 1366 reports the death of one Kitterick as a sub-tenant in 1714, eventually became the surnames Sitriug na Srona Mac an and in the records of the Mac Kettrick /Mac Kittrick in the Mhaighistir (Sitric Mac Master of Charlemont Estate which granted Galloway region. the nose) in which the patronymic

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The census of 1911 recorded Mac Mc Tarsney of Derrycory. Kit(t)rick (247) and Mac Kitterick Mac Anallen th (100) with more than 90% of that In the early part of the 19 century, Mac Anallen is almost exclusively number located in Ulster. Kettrick the parish register of Kilmore for confined to Co. Armagh and within (67) and Kittrick (39) were solely the years 1827-29, includes two the county is concentrated in an confined to Co. Mayo. households named Mac Atasney in area of the cathedral parish of Annaboe , but the Tithe Armagh generally known as Applotment Books for Co. Armagh Tullysaran in the civil parish of Mac Atasney (1825-40) recorded only one entry - Eglish. The census of 1911 a Widow Mc Atarsney of Gallrock Mac Atasney / Mac an tSasanaigh returned 34 entries for Mac townland in Tartaraghan parish. Anallen, 32 of which were located ‘son of the Englishman’ is derived Griffith’s Valuation (1848-64), of from the noun Sasanach and might in Co. Armagh with the remaining the same period, also records Mc two on the Tyrone side of the not actually refer to an ancestor of Atasney in Tartaraghan, Loughgall English origin, but was perhaps Armagh-Tyrone border. and Kilmore parishes, Tarsney in given in a satirical sense. The name Drumcree and an unusual variant, also appears with an intrusive ‘r’, Woulfe refers to Mac Anallen as ‘a Mc Atassan, again in Drumcree. rare surname in Ulster and Mac Atarsney, which seems to suggest an attempt to disguise the Connacht, the origin of which I The rarity of the surname is cannot trace’. He goes on to give original meaning. Something confirmed by the census returns of similar, but in reverse, can be cited the Gaelic version as Mac an Ailín, 1901 and 1911. In 1901 Co. which he claims ‘represents the in the case of the surname English Armagh accounted for 14 of the 16 which in Ulster is at times an pronunciation as I heard it’. He Mac Atasney entries in Ireland, ten also links it tentatively to the Mayo anglicised version of the Gaelic of which were recorded in name Mac an Ghallóglaigh surname, Nallen. De Bhulbh Ballyhagan (Kilmore), four in suggests that Mac an Ailín may be (Gallogly / Gollogly), and based on Annaghmore (Loughgall) and a the first element of the name, gall based on ail ‘rock’. further two in Belfast. Only four ‘foreigner’. entries were recorded for Mac Muhr, in a place-name study of the Atarsney, three of which were in barony of Iveagh, draws attention Both forms, Mac Atasney / Mac Annaboe, Kilmore parish, and one Atarsney, are almost exclusively to the townland of in Belfast. The variant forms Ballymacanallen, in confined to Co. Armagh and the (Mac) Tasney (12) were all located Belfast urban area. Mac Lysaght, parish, which is suggestive of a in Belfast, while Tarsney (7) was surname resembling Mac Anallen / however, maintains that the found in Sligo (4), Monaghan (2), surname has been on record in Co. Mac Enallen. The form of the th and one in Co. Armagh, in place-name in 1609 was Armagh since the 16 century at Tullymore townland, Loughgall. least. Ballyvickinallin which appears to In 1911 a total of 30 persons represent an original Baile Mhic an throughout Ireland were recorded An early anglicised form was Mac Ailín (‘Mac Anallen’s town’), but using a variety of related spellings: there is no further evidence of the Entasny, but examples found in the Mac Atasney (13), Mac Tasney (2), Hearth Money Rolls of 1664-65 name in that particular place. Tasney (2); those with intrusive r show the name without the article included Mac Atarsney (4) and an of the Gaelic version and include The first mention of the name in Mac Tarsney (9). All but seven of association with Armagh city the intrusive r: Donnell Mc Tarsany the above entries were recorded in of Roughan townland in Drumcree possibly occurs in a survey of the Co. Armagh in the parishes of archbishop’s tenants in 1618 which parish, and Torlagh Mc Tarsny of Kilmore, Shankill and Loughgall; Cloncarrish in Tartaraghan parish identified a Bryan Ro Mc Y nellon of the remainder four were in Co. in Mill Street which Glancy has each paid two shillings tax per Antrim and one in Co. Tyrone. hearth. In the following century the interpreted as the present-day Mac At present, within Co. Armagh the Anallen. An earlier entry in the name occurs on eight occasions in name is largely confined to the the Armagh Assizes Indictments in Ulster Plantation Papers dated northern half of the county with 1609, in relation to Co. Tyrone, a variety of spellings most of which most residing in the civil parish of retain the intrusive ‘r’: Edmond Mc states ‘Precincte of … Kilmore and neighbouring natives assigned … Shelan mc Tarsney (1747), Francis Mc . Fearon, in his ‘History Tarsoney (1767) and Phelemy Mac Amallam … 60 acres’, which looks of Kilmore Parish’ (2004) notes suspiciously like a misreading of Tarsan (1768). In some examples that there were 28 Mac Atasneys in the Gaelic ‘an’ of the original (in Mac Anallan, and in the nearby Kilmore parish. parish of the same which the n is silent in normal speech) is partially restored as ‘A’ document refers to a Felim Mc Finally, John Trimble in a recent Anallan who was granted 120 in the following examples: John Mc article (2011) reminds us that John A Tarseny (1785), Margaret Mc A acres in the townland of Mc Atasney of Lurgan is the last Ballinecarrigie, now Scotchtown, Tarsany (1786) and Mart. Mc hand-loom weaver in the area and ATarsney (1787). There is one in the neighbourhood of present- representative of a skill and day . entry without r – Phelemy Mc tradition that contributed so much Tasnagh (1778). An earlier list of to the economy of Co. Armagh for The name also occurs a number of Drumcree parish rent and tithe more than 200 years. payers of 1737 included an Edward times in the following century

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among those who appeared at mentioned sectarian Elizabeth 1586-1603’, Dublin, 1994 th Armagh in the period 1735-97. disturbances of the late 18 S. Mag Uidhir: ‘Pádraig Mac a Liondain James Mc Anallen appeared as a century, but no positive – Dánta’, Dublin, 1977 plaintiff at the summer assizes of evidence has yet emerged. J. Dean (ed.), ‘Rent Rolls for the See of 1751 in a case of assault. Owen Besides, the Fiants of Elizabeth Armagh, Vol. II, 1615-1746’, Armagh, Mc Analon appeared twice at the include two pardons granted to 1934 Lent assizes of 1789 accused of Meyler and Shane Mc Enallen (Armagh Public Library) assault; he was found guilty on the of Connacht in the year 1600, first occasion but subsequently almost two centuries earlier. S. Pender: ‘A Census of Ireland, acquitted the second time. Thomas c.1659’, Dublin, 1939 Mc Anallen, Edward Mc Anallen G. Trimble: ‘Filí, Mionfhilí agus Rannairí and seven others were charged with in Oirialla’ (‘Féilscríbhinn Anraí Mhic assault and found guilty at the Lent Giolla Chomhaill’: R. Ó Muireadhaigh assizes of 1794 during a period of Sources ed.) Armagh, 2011 highly charged sectarian tension in P. Woulfe: ‘Soinnte Gaedheal is Assizes Indictments, Vols. I & II, 1735- north Armagh involving rival Gall’, Dublin, 1923 97 (Armagh Public Library) factions of the Protestant ‘Peep o’ S. de Bhulbh: ‘Sloinnte Uile P. J. Campbell: ‘The Franciscan Day Boys’ and the Catholic Éireann’, Foynes, 2002 Petition Lists, Diocese of Armagh, 1670 -71’ (Seanchas Ard Mhacha, Vol. 15, ‘Defenders’. In less contentious S. de Bhulbh: ‘Sloinnte Uile No. 1, 1992) circumstances the Spinning Wheel Éireann’, Foynes, 2002 Premiums’ list of 1796 included T. Ó Fiaich: ‘Poets & Scholars of E. Mac Lysaght: ‘The Surnames of Creggan Parish’, Journal of Creggan Owen, Edward, Patrick, Peter and Ireland’, Dublin, 1973 Terence Mc Anallin, Rose and Historical Society, 1986. E. Mac Lysaght: ‘More Irish Daniel Mc Anallon, and Peter Mc J. B. Arthurs: ‘Early Septs & Territories Families’, Dublin, 1996 Anallen of Armagh parish among of Co. Armagh’ (Bulletin of the Ulster the recipients of spinning wheels R. Bell: ‘The Book of Ulster Place-Name Society’, Belfast, Autumn granted by the Irish Linen Board in Surnames’, Belfast, 1988 1954 a government-sponsored initiative P. Mac Giolla Domhnaigh: ‘Some K. Muhr: ‘Place-Names of NI, Vol. 6, to promote the local linen industry. Ulster Surnames’ (reprint), Dublin, Co. Down IV – NW Down /Iveagh’, In the neighbouring parish of 1923 Belfast, 1996 Aghaloo in Tyrone Teal Mc G. F. Black: ‘The Surnames of W. R. Hutchison: ‘Tyrone Precinct’, Anallon and the Widow Mc Anallon Scotland’, , 1999 Belfast, 1951 were listed among the flax-growers L. P. Murray: ‘Co. Armagh Hearth D. Ó Corráin: ‘Ireland before the entitled to the same grant. Money Rolls, 1664 (Archivum Normans’, Dublin, 1972 Hibernicum, Vol. 8, Dublin, 1941) th G. O. Simms: ‘Exploring the Book of In the 19 century the Co. Armagh L. P. Murray: ‘A History of the Kells’, Dublin, 1988 Tithe Applotment Books (1825-40) Parish of Creggan in the 17th & 18th Co. Armagh Poll Book, 1753 (Armagh listed three Mc Anallin tithe payers Centuries’. Dundalk, 1940 in Eglish parish and one Mc County Museum Library) F. X. Mc Corry: ‘Journeys in Co. Annals of Loch Cé Analon in Drumcree. Griffith’s Armagh & Adjoining Districts’, Valuation (1848-64) recorded a Lurgan, 2000 Annals of Ulster concentration of twelve holdings in F. X. Mac Corry: ‘The Montiaghs of Annals of the Four Masters the name of Mac Anallen /Mac North Armagh, 1609-2009’, Lurgan, Anallan again in the civil parish of 2011 Annals of Clonmacnoise Eglish with a further two in Assizes Indictments, Vols. I & II, Annals of Tighernach Shankill and one in . The 1735-97 (Armagh Public Library) census returns of 1901 and 1911 Annalecta Hibernica, 8, March 1938 confirmed the distribution outlined B. Fearon: ‘A History of the Parish Calendar of Documents Relating to in Griffith in the previous century of Kilmore’, Monaghan, 2004 Ireland (1) 1171-1251 with 22 entries recorded in the J. Trimble: ‘The Hand-loom of Eglish, Killyquin, Weavers’ Riot at Lurgan’ (Review Tullymore Otra and Larashshankill Vol. 9, No.3 Craigavon, 2010-11) in Eglish parish. Mac Anallen was Griffith’s Valuation (1848-64) also recorded in Loughgall and www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith- Killevy parishes in 1911. valuation nationalarchives.ie Co. Armagh tithe Records (PRONI) Both Woulfe and de Bhulbh M. Glancy: ‘The Primates & the mention a possible connection with Church Lands of the Connacht surname, Nallen, Armagh’ (Seanchas Ard Mhacha, which de Bhulbh suggests might Vol. 5, No. 2, 1970) represent either an original Mac an M. Glancy: The Incidence of the Ailín, or Mac Nailín. It is possible Plantation on the City of that some of the Ulster sept may Armagh’ (Seanchas ArdMhacha, have taken part in the migration Vol. 1, No. 2, 1955) from north Armagh to Connacht in É. de Búrca (ed.) ‘The Irish Fiants of consequence of the above- the Tudor Sovereigns, Vol. III –

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The Great Wind of 1839 and its impact on County Armagh by Stephen Day

At Christmas 1838 people in Armagh one suspected that a natural disaster could look back on a year when the 19 was imminent. year old Queen Victoria had taken part The weather during the day of in the first coronation procession in Sunday 6th January 1839: London since George III’s in 1761. There was optimism that a new age had There was a remarkable calm in the begun. hours before the Big Wind struck Ireland. Many of the eight million In Ireland, Catholic Emancipation had people living in Ireland at the time – a progressed further when Parliament larger population than today - were introduced the 1838 Tithe preparing themselves for the Feast of Commutation Act, effectively bringing the Epiphany. Saturday had seen the closure to the violent aspect of the 1831 first snowfall of the year. By contrast, Small Irish cottage 1800s -1836 Tithe ‘War.’ In the City of Sunday morning was unusually warm, Armagh a decision had been taken to almost clammy. Far away to the west, build a second Cathedral, dedicated to take shelter in stronger buildings or, in rain began to come in from the Atlantic , which would cater for the the country, in ditches away from tall arriving on the Co Mayo coast around spiritual needs of the Roman Catholic trees 3pm. Wind and hail became strong by community both locally and across the 6pm with an exceptionally strong storm Damage to Armagh and the island. Archbishop William Crolly had surrounding area: pounding the coastal areas from 10pm. been the driving force and the Foundation Stone had been laid on St. The storm intensifies: ‘Armagh has suffered very much. Many Patrick’s Day of the same year. houses completely stripped and still In County Armagh, most of the more, partially. The gasworks are Meanwhile, on the Ancient Hill of afternoon had been still and warm with Armagh, St.Patrick’s Church of Ireland greatly injured; the chimney blown ominously heavy low cloud. Some may Cathedral was in the final stages of down and the town in complete have suspected that rain was on the way darkness………..In the countryside Cottingham’s restoration (1834-1840), but as dusk fell and the long night a major repair and remodelling of the great quantities of hay, corn and flax began there was no indication of a interior and exterior of the building. blown away; In short…. the country is storm approaching. Rain and wind nearly ruined.’ (B.C.) The work was of high quality adding arrived in increasing strength after 9pm significantly to the resilience of the but by midnight Armagh people began The gasworks were located close to structure on this highly exposed site. to experience the full force of this Callan Street on the westerly This was soon to prove fortuitous. extreme weather event. approaches to the city. The north- During the past 12 months the first westerly winds also caused A terrifying night: steamships had crossed the Atlantic and considerable damage to the sails and mechanism of the nearby windmill. the rapid developments of railways in One can only imagine the concern and, Great Britain promised an imminent in many cases terror, as the storm Less than 200 yards away to the east revolution in modes of travel in Ireland. reached County Armagh and continued the Ancient Hill of Armagh took a Everywhere scientific and engineering to roar at a great intensity from pounding. However, whilst the City advances seemed to suggest that nature midnight into the early hours of the Infirmary, the Armagh Public Library and natural obstacles to progress could morning. In Armagh itself, where the and the row of houses at Vicars’ Hill increasingly be controlled and people had enjoyed the luxury of gas suffered some damage to their roofs overcome. The New Year promised lighting since 1833, the street lighting mainly falling slates and ridge tiles more opportunities, employment and suddenly failed. In town and country there appears to have been no hopefully a continued improvement in wise people turned off their oil lamps significant structural damage. The same living standards. For many of the urban and doused their household fires lest applied to the Church of Ireland and rural poor it would be sufficient if structural damage occur and set fire to Cathedral, which had been they could keep a roof over their heads the house. This was a particular threat comprehensively remodelled and and be able to keep starvation from the to the small thatched houses, cottages strengthened during Cottingham’s door for one more year. Nevertheless, and cabins. Where people feared recent restoration. Indeed the hill may they hoped for something better. No structural damage many went outside to have provided some protection for

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no small degree, to the distressed situation of those whose dwellings have been laid open to it.’ (N.T.) To the south east – As the storm roared over villages such as and Jerrettspass residents prayed for deliverance. In the surrounding countryside the experience of the Cole family was typical and personal. Norman Cole recorded that ‘the house was thatched, as most were, with rushes tied down with hand twisted ropes. The house was stripped by the wind – every house in the country was….the people left their houses for they were falling in around them. They sought shelter in sheughs and behind banks. If they were OS Map of Armagh 1834 caught in the open they had to hold on to the grass. There was a great deal of many of the main residential and by the root. The village and flying debris – branches, timber – even commercial buildings which were neighbourhood have equally hens. All his days my grandfather largely located on its eastern slopes suffered.’ (D.J.) Andrew Cole (1834-1924) and my stretching down to the Mall. (OS Map ‘At Church Hill, the seat of Colonel father James (1872-1961) dreaded ‘the 1834). However, any poorly built or Verner, the house had its roof Tandragee Wind.’ Misses Minnie and poorly maintained buildings suffered completely blown off whilst thirty Sara Savage recorded a lucky escape, the most damage and many trees were guests sat at dinner.’ (E.B.P.) typical of many that night. ‘Our uncle blown down. James Best lived at in a To the north-east - at Portadown – ‘the Damage in the Wider Area: two story farmhouse. A large stone roar of the wind was like an was dislodged from the chimney. It fell Reports were soon coming in of deaths uninterrupted cannonade and every into the house and rolled down the and damage in the wider area. person in this neighbourhood thought stairs. It knocked a hole in the front Examples, within a 30 mile that this terrible night would have been door!’ (Watters: p.78-79 – Watter’s circumference of Armagh were:- their last. At length the morning article contains many more human dawned on a scene of devastation, To the west – Killilea – ‘great havoc interest accounts of the impact of the unparalleled in the annals of this part has been committed by the combined storm in Poyntzpass and District.) of the country. The scene altogether is elements of destruction.’ (N.T.) a heart-breaking one – but we ought to At Newry, on the County Down/ Caledon, on the / be thankful to Providence for the Armagh border, ‘on Sunday night, Armagh border – ‘Two pinnacles were preservation of our lives.’ (I.R.) about eleven o’clock, the wind, which blown off the abutment of the steeple of had been blowing hard from the north- At Lurgan – ‘the town presents a most the Caledon Church – one of them west, rose suddenly to a pitch of fury shattered array of houses…. With the passed through the roof and rarely paralleled in this latitude, and, suburbs and neighbourhood in gallery.’ (L.S.) resembling the hurricane which so desolation, impressing the mind with frequently spreads devastation and A few miles away the villages of such sensations as one might feel ruin amongst the West India islands, Aughnacloy and Ballygawley were visiting a country ravaged by some continued increasing in violence described ‘as little more than a heap of ruthless enemy. The Church has during the whole night. There is hardly ruins. Some of the houses were blown suffered severely, the spire thundered a single house in the town unstripped, down and others burnt. The inhabitants down with a fearful crash, burying the and a number of cabins have been are in the most deplorable condition. ball deep in the pavement and injuring completely wrecked. In the country, Sir William Somerville’s demesne has part of the roof. In the Brownlow and along the shore, the effects of the been completely sacked.’ (G.P.) desmesne about three hundred trees storm are even more disastrous. were blown down.’ (U.T.) To the north – at Loughgall – Several ships, it is said, have been ‘Loughgall House and desmesne have To the east – Tandragee; ‘The Castle driven on land, more or less damaged; suffered considerably. A vast number of Tandragee, from its exposed Reports add that some dead bodies of the splendid trees adjoining the position, has suffered considerably. have floated in with the tide……..Lofty beautiful house, the growth of at least The tempest, has been succeeded by a and venerable trees, which have two hundred years, have been torn up heavy fall of snow, which has added, in

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probably a century defied the storm, stood in exposed positions, were to secure the roofs of damaged houses. have been torn up by the roots; the literally blown all over the countryside. Newry - ‘On Monday the streets were grain, flax, and hay crops, stacked in One fatal accident occurred in the covered, in some places to a depth of haggards, have been overthrown and neighbourhood of ; a young more than a foot, with bricks, tiles, scattered; and the dwelling and office man, son of a schoolmaster named slates, mortar and other materials of houses, particularly those with Allen, was killed by the falling of his the injured and wrecked houses thatched roofs; much injured…….The chimney, which also severely injured around. The damage done to houses high wind, which still continues, will some other members of the and property throughout the country, render abortive any attempt to secure family.’ (N.T.) is, we understand, extensive and, in the grain’ (N.T.) To the south-east; At Monaghan, Co. many instances irretrievable…We have At Dundalk , Co. Louth,( a few miles Monaghan, (a few miles south-east of not heard of any lives being lost in our south of the County Armagh border) – the County Armagh boundary) – own town; but in the immediate Most of the houses and public ‘Monaghan has suffered. A dreadful vicinity, we believe, the inhabitants of buildings have been denuded of their fire has added its horrors to those of the crazy cottages that are everywhere roofs, and windows to a considerable the gale and the town is nearly to be found, have not been so fortunate. extent destroyed. The Post Office in depopulated; a party of the 38th (N.E.) In the neighbourhood…. a Earl Street has suffered very much, as regiment marched to protect the mother and child were buried in the between twelve and one o’clock (in the property of the unfortunate.’ (L.J.) The ruins of their little cabin.’ (D.J.) night) the chimneys fell, tearing the beautiful plantation in the desmesne of A similar situation existed in Armagh roof and all the intermediate floors in Mrs. Leslie at Castle Leslie, Glaslough and the constabulary, the army and the to the kitchen. (The postmaster and his has suffered to a great extent. In firemen all had a role to play in clerk were waiting up for the arrival of Glasslough itself eight houses were assisting the local authorities to restore mail when the chimney fell and carried burnt to the ground. Several families in some form of normality. Medical staff them with the ruins into the cellar, the village of Middletown have been at the City Infirmary were kept busy. from which they were extricated, much deprived of a roof. Many of all classes had suffered injured. G.W.A). The Barrack also The Aftermath: financial loss and some had lost their suffered very much, and the new homes. In the countryside the loss of chimney of the Gas- house has It is impossible to say how many hay and other winter stores led to measured its length on the ground. people died as a direct result of the hardship in feeding animals over the (N.T.) storm. (Record keeping was not as coming months. Farmers struggled to To the south; Amongst the numerous good in those days.) However, along protect both their livestock and their devastations committed in the the Atlantic coastline across Ireland families from starvation. The Whitecross and itself and in the Irish Sea it is estimated destruction of trees led to a glut in the neighbourhoods ‘the havoc made by that 250-300 people lost their lives. timber market and prices fell through the storm at the demesne of Mr. Most of these were at sea and the the floor. For a time some communities Synot’s Ballymoyer Estate was truly losses to Lloyds (the shipping insurers) were completely cut off by blocked lamentable. At least 10,000 trees have were at least £1 million (NL). The roads. Main roads took priority. ‘The been either separated, broken or so entire island was affected with Mails (Mail Coach) service was completely mutilated as to require their spectacular reports of damage in the ‘greatly retarded’ due to debris and being cut down. Not a tree of any capital, Dublin. In County Armagh felled trees blocking the roads.’ (N.T.) remarkable beauty escaped and it will probably less than a dozen died with Clear beneficiaries of the storm were require a fortnight to clear the avenue many more sustaining injuries. This builders, carpenters, thatchers and alone and to render it passable. At could be considered a blessing, of slaters. Records can still be found of present the public road to sorts, considering that the county had repair bills. In Armagh Public Library Newtownhamilton is blocked up by one of the largest concentrations of the accounts for that year record: - ‘ immense trees which have fallen across people in all of Ireland with at least 50 March 2 – Garland, Slater, for it. Acres of other trees have been and often 100 persons per 100 acres. repairing injury done by the Hurricane levelled with the ground and in many ( Crowley et al: P.14) Many more lived in January £6.2.11.’ (This was places the site of a wood resembles a in the countryside then than now (often approximately half of the fleet after a battle, the trunks of fine in cabins or poor cottages) and the housekeeper’s yearly wage - a trees standing broken off at every county towns and villages were much significant amount in those days) height from the ground, shivered into smaller. splinters and riven as if by lightning. There was much work to be done in the The Legacy: The oldest inhabitants of this part of aftermath of the storm. In main towns Irish Folklore: The Night of the Big the country do not remember such a like Armagh, Newry and Lurgan the Wind became part of Irish folk hurricane and the houses of the priority was to clear the streets and the tradition. Irish folklore held that farmers are, in many places, stripped approach roads of trees and debris and Judgement Day would occur on the of their roofs while corn- stacks, which

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Feast of the Epiphany, 6 January. Such The Irish and Local Studies Library in a severe storm led many to believe that Armagh (Newspaper Archive) for their assistance in my research. the end of the world was at hand, a belief that added renewed strength to References many a church sermon in the following Atlas of the Great Irish Famine: (2012) - months. Others spoke of the influence Edited by John Crowley, William J. of the fairies or the actions of Smyth and Mike Murphy – New York University Press malevolent forces. (Carr: p. 51-63). Most of all the shock and the feeling of Armagh Gazette (1839) awe which this exceptional storm Belfast Chronicle: (1839) provoked would endure because it occurred at night and, unlike today, Belfast Newsletter: (1 February 1839) there was no warning. Burt, Stephen (2006) – ‘Barometric Pension Eligibility: The Old Age pressure during the Irish storm of 6-7 January 1839’ Royal Meteorological Pensions Act 1908 introduced pensions Society for the over 70, but many Irish Suggested weather map 7 January 1839 Catholics prior to the Registration of Carr, Peter: (1993) – The Night of The the event. A remarkable rise in Big Wind – The White Row Press Ltd Births and Deaths (Ireland) Act 1863, temperature was recorded on the had no birth registration. One of the Drogheda Journal: (1839) evening of the 6th but very soon questions used to establish proof of age afterwards the temperature fell again East Belfast Post (1839) was whether the applicant remembered with rain and snow recorded in the the Night of the Great Wind. This Galway Patriot: (1839) later stages of the storm. Crucially could be abused by careful briefing of there were no instruments, here or Galway Weekly Advertiser: (1839) the applicant. ‘The last problem elsewhere, to accurately record the Asquith’s government faced was one of Impartial Reporter: (1839) wind speed. This spurred the Director benefit take-up. An estimated 128% of of Armagh Observatory, John Thomas Library Accounts 1813-1886 (Account Irelands pensionable population made Romney Robinson, to improve upon Book) – Armagh Public Library a point of getting on the books, (these previous research and in 1846 he folk were no dozers!), a fact which Londonderry Sentinel: (1839) developed the Cup-Anemometer. This caused much comment at was used worldwide as the standard for Londonderry Journal: (1839) Westminster.’ (Carr: p. 66) measuring wind speed and direction for McEwan, Graham J. (1991) – ‘Freak Accurate Wind Measurement: So, was the remainder of the century and Weather’ – St. Edmondsbury Press, Armagh hit by a Hurricane? (Shields & beyond - a lasting legacy of the Great Suffolk Fitzgerald: p. 41-42). At the time it was Wind of 1839. McKinstry, Oram, Weatherup &Wilson: certainly the strongest storm in living (1992) – ‘The Buildings of Armagh’ – Acknowledgements: memory and many newspapers referred Ulster Architectural Heritage Society to it as such. They could rely on eye- I would like to thank Sean Barden, (Armagh County Museum), Professor Newry Telegraph: (1839) witness accounts from the many people Mark Bailie (Armagh Observatory) and in the county who had also experienced the Assistant Keeper of Armagh Public Ordinance Survey: (1834) Large Scale Library, Ms C Conlin and the staff of Map of Armagh: Scale 1:1056 (PRONI, hurricanes as soldiers or sailors in the OS 9/16/1) Also available at Armagh West Indies where sugar was imported Public Library from island colonies, like Antigua, to Rennison, H.W: Notes on Saint Newry. (Newry had its own ‘Sugar Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh 1625-1969 Island’ warehouse area.) It could be (1840) - Armagh Public Library. that the storm force winds may have Shields, Lisa & Fitzgerald, Denis: risen to hurricane force in parts of (1989) - ‘The Night of the Big Wind in Ireland and many people sought Ireland 6-7 January 1839’- Irish Geography, Volume 22, Issue 1, 1989 scientific proof from the climatic – Taylor & Francis Ltd. experts. Ulster Times: (1839) At Armagh Observatory the weather records refer to ‘a tremendous gale in Waters, Frank: ‘The Night of the Great the night.’ There had not been much Wind’ – Poyntzpass & District Local History Society. warning of a storm and certainly no indication of the actual intensity. Prior to its arrival air pressure had not been particularly unusual, although it fell to quite a low value around the time of Robinson’s Cup-Anenometre

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The Armagh woman who sang for both royalty and rebels: Rosa d’Erina, the Irish prima donna by Mary McVeigh

I first encountered Rose when I Rose took the part of a ‘dashing, native melodies which delight both came across an announcement of sparkling Irish heiress’ and her ear and heart, and whose fullest her forthcoming wedding from fiancé was ‘an English aristocrat’. beauty is realised by this New York newspaper, reprinted in “They made love that night. The accomplished Armagh lady”. the Armagh Guardian in 1884. At following morning the professor Unfortunately, no mention at all that time, some 22 years ago, I was offered his heart and title to the was given in either paper of her searching old papers for material perfect woman of his life”. background: her parents, where she for a column I wrote in the Ulster lived and from whom she received Rose and her Count received no Gazette. I duly noted that this her musical education. further attention from me until woman, Rose O’Toole, with the recently when I was looking for The diorama was destined for stage name, Rosa d’Erina, was said something for the magazine section America but it was to be a few to have been born here in Armagh of the local Talking Newspaper for years before Rose crossed the in 1852 and apparently commenced the Blind. When I resurrected their Atlantic. However, it would appear her career at an early age. In 1865 story from the files it whetted my that she did not stay on these shores when she was just thirteen years appetite and I realised that I might because the Gilbert and Sullivan old, it was recorded, she gave no now be able to glean more archive revealed that she was less than 100 voice and organ information from the World Wide mentioned by her stage name, Rosa recitals at the Dublin Exhibition. Web. Thus began my Google d’Erina, in a review of a production Two years later she was playing search for Rosa d’Erina. Was she by W.S. Gilbert in The Times on and singing in Paris. really from Armagh? If so, what 30th March, 1869. In late At the time of her engagement she could be learned about her December of the same year she was was leading soprano and organist at background? How did she make out back in Ireland, giving two concerts the Church of the Holy Innocents in America? Did she have a at the Antient Concert Rooms. The on West Thirty-seventh Street. She successful career and how long did advertisement in the Irish Times also played on Broadway and was, it last? announced: “Mdlle will perform it would appear, very popular with her celebrated Marlborough House Her early career the New York audiences. Her programme as performed by bridegroom to be, George R. There is no doubt that her musical command of their Royal Vondom, was a professor at St career was well documented right Highnesses the Prince and Princess Louis College and had a short time from the outset. Indeed, every of Wales entitled Music from Many previously inherited the title of opportunity was exploited in the Lands…” To date I have not been Count de St. Croix. He spoke seven pursuit of publicity and, as they able to find any trace of this languages whilst his fiancée sang in say, nothing got lost in the telling! performance before royalty six, the paper reported. The pair Both local papers, the Armagh although it was mentioned with shared an interest in and Guardian and the Ulster Gazette, great frequency in publicity commitment to music, ‘both were gave glowing accounts of her material. A review in the paper composers, both were artistes. It performance in the Tontine Rooms declared that the 27 December seems that although they had loved in May, 1865, when she took part event was ‘an agreeable concert’ each other for years they might in the touring, ‘Diorama of Ireland’ held ‘before a fashionable and never have taken the final, fateful which was, it would seem, an appreciative audience’. step to matrimony but for a exhibition of scenic paintings of Getting herself known ‘romantic incident’ so stated the different parts of Ireland paper. On the Easter Sunday past accompanied by appropriate music Rose went off to America the ‘sweethearts’ played the leading and song. “Miss O’Toole, who, in apparently in 1870 and it would roles in Thomas Haines Bailey’s addition to acting as conductress, seem that she never came back to romantic comedy, “Perfection”. sings each evening some of those Armagh though she put in hundreds

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of appearances at venues throughout the United States and Canada during a very long career. The last mention of her in the Irish Times was a travel piece on Quebec on 2nd October, 1874: “Here at present are a great number of tourists. This splendid hotel is crowded. Among the guests, Ireland’s prima donna Rose d’Erina – she sings next week under the patronage of Vice-Admiral Wellesley and the officers of H.M.S. Bellerophon…” I came across up on 200 reports of forthcoming concerts and reviews from all over the sub-continent. She was in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, New Orleans, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec as well as obscure, possibly back of beyond spots. She even played Nashville! One thing which becomes very clear when reading these is that she never missed an opportunity to promote herself and there may well have been instances when she was economical with the truth such as when it was claimed in the San Francisco Call on 17th February Rosa d’Erina: the Queen of Irish song 1905 that she was ‘organist of the one of these letters she made her 3 Cathedral of Armagh at the age 12’. reports. reputation clear to the town by Indeed, when she left for America Her face was familiar to the concert means of an advertisement for a it was still being built. She had going public because she previous concert which included possibly forgotten that over 30 commissioned a well known reviews of praise by the Prince of years previously, on St Patrick's photographer to take her portrait Wales, President and Mrs Grant, Day in 1871 she gave a concert in and was so pleased with his work Lord and the Governor New York’s Steinway Hall for the that she ordered no less than five General of Canada”. She offered ‘more well-to-do Irish’ to help raise thousand copies. Whilst she may locals a discount: “My usual tours funds for ‘a church in Armagh’, well have exaggerated her are $50 but I accept $30”.2 presumably the cathedral because achievements and abilities and used at that time money was being I have to say though that I was every situation to her advantage she gathered from many parts of the surprised that in all her publicity nonetheless has managed to go globe for its completion. 1 material she made no reference to down in history. For instance, she her singing at the funeral of Fanny Interestingly in an online history of gets a mention in a section Irish Parnell in 1882. Fanny, sister of the Old Town Hall of Alymer, music in the online encyclopaedia Charles Stewart Parnell, was Ontario where she had performed at of Canada. A reference to St founder of the New York Ladies a Grand Star concert in 1880 as part Patrick's Hall in Montreal, built by Land League. Rose, herself a of her ‘world tour’ it was stated: the Irish community there in the member of the organisation, sang “Much of what could be learned 1860s stated that it was the site of “Angels ever bright and fair’ and about Rosa was found in letters many musical occasions, Irish and was apparently the only woman to from her manager and herself…In other, including an appearance in get a mention in the newspaper 1872 by Rosa d’Erina, ‘the Queen

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of Irish song’.4 She also appeared in a history of the organ in Manitoba. It stated that she gave organ recitals in both St Boniface’s cathedral and the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Winnipeg in 1905. 5 There is no doubt Rose O’Toole was a real trouper and kept on performing right into old age. She travelled extensively, probably by train and staying in lodgings which may well have been less than comfortable at times. The last 30 years of the 19th century were the golden age of the opera house/ theatre in America. The railroads expanded considerably after the Civil war and there was scarcely a town of any size on a railway line that did not have one. It would seem that Rose performed in many of them. Just a year prior to her death in 1915 she was billed to appear at the Opera House in Odessa, Texas at the invitation of ladies belonging to the Catholic Church. Proceeds from the concert were to go to the church but this time the costs of admission were a mere 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for children, a possible indication that her popularity was on the wane.6 Her early life is still a mystery Whilst there is an abundance of material on Rose O’Toole’s to the Catholic Church because only reference to Rose’s origins professional life as Rosa d’Erina throughout her career she donated was that she was born in the city of there is very little on her personal proceeds from concerts to various Armagh. There were seven life. There is no mention of church associated organisations. bridesmaids, all named but not an children. Indeed, bringing up Both Rose and George, who lived O’Toole among them. It could well children when constantly on the on another 15 years after her death, have been that she had no siblings move as she was would have been are buried in St Boniface's bearing in mind that at this time it extremely difficult. She died in cemetery. Their gravestone gives was more usual than not for an Ontario Canada where she and her no clues as to other family older sister who emigrated to bring 7 husband had a summer cottage, members. over younger members of the family. There was no mention of presumably their only permanent When they got married in 1884 the her parents but one of the guests, P. base, on St Joseph’s Island, New York Times report (19TH May MacCourt was described as her Algoma district. Apparently they 1884) was a typical account of a manager and guardian. Was this were actively involved in fashionable society wedding, man a blood relative? Did she meet establishing St Boniface’s Catholic detailing attire, venue, guests etc. It him in America or was he known to Church there. It would seem that noted the groom’s family seat, his her in Ireland? she retained a lifelong commitment title and how he inherited it but the

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Just before starting to write this Rose could well have been a pupil advertisement in the Ulster Gazette article I realised I should try to find at the day school run by the nuns in which ran for several months in out more about the mysterious Armagh and may well have started 1865 for ‘M. O’Toole, Practical MacCourt thus I went back to the her musical education there. Some and Scientific Tailor’ and the Internet. I was intrigued to discover of her publicity material referred to address given was Dobbin Street. that just five years after the her having studied music in Paris. It He also appeared in the “Business wedding he had fallen in hard time is likely that the Armagh nuns Directory of Belfast and Principal and was, in fact, making an appeal could have assisted in this as the Towns in the Province of Ulster, to none other than the President of order was French and was well for 1865-66”. There however, the the United States to help save his established in Paris. The Society’s trail runs cold. There were no job. It appears that he had just been archives could possibly shed some further newspaper advertisements sacked from what he considered to light on this and will have to be that I could find and in the revised be a lowly clerical post which he consulted in the future. This is valuation records it would seem had been forced to take due to his probably the only avenue open to that the house in Dobbin Street reduced circumstances. His plea, finding out anything further of her exchanged hands in 1867.8 Perhaps reported in a New Jersey local early life. the whole family went to America. paper, the Plainfield Evening News When the Catholic registers of I will still keep searching for (10th August, 1889), claimed that he births and marriages became information on Rose O” Toole had been a correspondent for the available on line under the auspices because her story deserves to be Freemans Journal and editor of a of the National Library of Ireland I recorded. She was an Armagh paper ‘established by Archbishop had hoped that some information person who certainly made a name Dixon’. might be forthcoming on her for herself in her chosen field and This association with Primate parents. However, the records of she certainly struck me as a Dixon could, perhaps, be a clue as births and marriages in the 1840s resourceful woman who strove at to how Rose’s involvement with were short on detail. In fact, the what she did and availed of every him began. The Primate had a good marriages gave just the names of opportunity to achieve her relationship with the French order the couple and their witnesses, no ambition. of nuns, Society of the Sacred occupations or addresses. Probably References Heart, which had come to Armagh Rose’s parents were Michael in 1851 and within two years had O’Toole and Catherine Donnelly 1GORDON, M.A., “The Orange riots: th Irish political violence in New York City established schools for girls in the who were married on 29 March, 1870 and 1871.”, Cornell University city. Could she have been given a 1845 as the only child named Press, 1993 letter of introduction to him from O’Toole listed in this period was 2Old Town Hall in Aylmer, Aylmer the Primate, via the nuns, as some- Roseanna O’Toole, daughter of this Heritge series, ftp.aylmer.ca rd one who could assist her in her couple who was baptised on 23 3BENNETT, P., “Poets in the public career? He certainly claimed to February 1846. Again there was sphere: the emancipatory project of have moved in more exalted circles little information other than the American women’s poetry”,Princeton University Press,2003 before hitting harder times. He names of her sponsors, Francis and 4 professed to having been a personal Roseanna Vallely. When Rose got FOWKE, E., “Irish music in Canada”, www.thecanadianencylopedia.ca friend of Parnell and of having married the newspaper report stated 5 letters complimenting him on his that she was born in 1852 but Hartman, J.B., “The organ in Manitoba: a history of the instruments, writing from Gladstone among vanity may well have been the builders and the players”, University others. Interestingly when he was responsible for the loss of 6 years! of Manitoba Press, 1997 involved in the name dropping he 6 I checked the General Valuation of ”This week in Odessa history: world re stated that he was the ‘foster father -known performers came to Odessa in Ireland (also known as Griffiths 1914”, www.odessarecord.com of Rosa d’Erina’ so it would valuation) in 1864 because it lists therefore appear that Rose was 7 www.findagrave.com householders by streets so if Rose’s regarded as a person of note at that 8 family was around it would surely P.R.O.N.I.,VAL/12/B/10/4B time. Whatever about their earlier be included. I was delighted to find relationship there would seem to a Michael O’Toole living in a have been a parting of the ways house in Dobbin street. I also between Rose and her erstwhile discovered a front page manager.

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James McLevy: Ballymacnab’s Sherlock Holmes by Eric Villiers

In the 1990s James Magowan, a crimes in the burgeoning city that helped inspire Sir Arthur retired police superintendent committed by house-breakers, Conan Doyle the writer who donated the James McLevy Trophy robbers, forgers, counterfeiters and created Sherlock Holmes. to recognise outstanding pickpockets. th achievements in crime fighting in In the late 19 Century Doyle was a Scotland. His fame reached such heights that student at the medical faculty which the UK Parliament consulted him helped McLevy and it is reasonable What few people know however is about crime fighting and Mary to assume that Doyle got at least a that McLevy was from Armagh and Carpentar, the great social degree of inspiration for his the memorial award recognition of reformer, quoted him in her paper fictitious detective from McLevy’s his unique place in the history of about dealing with convicts. work and from the books he wrote. criminology. As a detective he was well in Doyle has not been the only writer It now seems clear that James advance of his time. He was a keen to draw on McLevy for inspiration. McLevy was the Edinburgh student of criminology and many of In recent years a dozen episodes of policeman whose modus operandi his successes were due to his the BBC Radio 4’s Afternoon inspired the creation of Sherlock psychological analysis of the Drama, written by Holmes, the world’s most famous criminal mind. He had an uncanny and starring as McLevy fictitious detective. knack of memorising faces and were based on stories from his even the most elaborate disguise career. McLevy was a farmer’s son from failed to fool him. Ballymacnab, Armagh, and he grew The evidence connecting McLevy up there before moving to Scotland. Without the scientific aids that to Sherlock Holmes is strengthened Born in 1796 he worked as a today’s sleuths use McLevy made it when you examine the manner in weaver before migrating to a habit of getting advice on which McLevy solved mysteries: Edinburgh to work as a builder’s forensics from scientists at the like Holmes he picked up clues that labourer. His big break came after a medical faculty of the University of only became obvious after he spell as a night watchman, when his Edinburgh. explained them. obvious intelligence saw him offered a place in the Edinburgh In 1860, at the end of his career, he McLevy became notorious among police force. wrote several popular books criminals because he could spot the including Curiosities of Crime in tiniest of clues: investigating a In 1833 he became the city’s first Edinburgh, Sliding Scale of Life violent assault and robbery in the detective and for the next 30 years and Disclosures of a Detective. It is home of a wealthy lady all she used his observational powers to thought that it was these books and could tell him was that the man was solve over 2,200 cases: included McLevy’s links to a medical school wearing moleskin trousers.

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In a city of over 200,000 people the oddest of places was also thieves own ruses against them. thousands of working men wore uncanny. Coming across a well They often used a pretty girl as a moleskin trousers – the chances of known “fence” in a café he street singer to attract crowds. solving the crime seemed searched him but found nothing. He McLevy simply rigged himself out impossible. then reached into the soup bowl on as a fat cat farmer fresh up from the the table and fished out a set of country and complete with a However McLevy quite quickly valuable jewellery. bulging wallet – after that he only found the criminal as he later had to wait. related in one of his books. One Detailed to track down a Bo’ness day on Edinburgh’s high street schoolmaster suspected of robbing Down the generations newspapers McLevy spotted a man known to a young messenger of £200 like The Scotsman in Edinburgh the police, and noticed he had McLevy found him in a public and the Belfast Telegraph had kept recently had his moleskins trousers house in Edinburgh where he had alive McLevy’s fame, but in recent washed. gone to begin spending the years even more interest is being proceeds of his crime. A search paid to him with a web page After McLevy stopped him he later revealed nothing of value on him. devoted to his memory. gave details of their conversation in Asked why he was in the pub the one of his books: suspect said he was returning two His father was John McLevy, a empty bottles for a refund. farmer and weaver at Ballymacnab “George”, said I, “you have got and his mother was Catherine your moleskin trousers newly McLevy asked to see the bottles, Dourie – he had a sister called washed, but och man they are not knocked the neck off one and out Mary. James had minimal well done”. spilled a roll of notes – the other schooling before leaving to become “What do you mean,” said he. bottle contained the rest. an apprentice weaver aged 13 at Gate House Fleet n Scotland, a path “Why you have forgotten to wash In his work McLevy rarely resorted taken by many rural Irish in the out the stains of Miss Bellamy’s to using firearms, instead relying Georgian and Victorian eras. At 17 on subtlety and craft. On one blood”. years of age he moved to occasion he was tracking down a Edinburgh and worked for a good “In an instance every trace of blood servant accused of a violent few years as a builder. drained from his face and he was robbery against his master. He was struck dumb”. found in a lodging-house known to At some point he married Rosa be frequented by criminals. O’Neill and it was not until he was On another occasion after a 34 years of age that he joined the murderous assault on an elderly McLevy dressed himself up as a police. In 1833 he became “C.O. farmer, McLevy was questioning a tramp and got into the house, where No 1” (Crime Officer No 1) the suspect who lived in the centre of he found his target, a giant of a man city’s first detective. Edinburgh – he knew he had his proud of his stature and feats of man after he spotted hayseed on his strength. McLevy had spotted his Many of his solutions in his real clothes. Achilles heel. cases are strikingly similar to the fictitious stories of Sherlock McLevy it seems was never off He turned the conversation to feats Holmes. duty and forever curious. While of strength in which the suspect buying goods in a hardware store eagerly took part. After a while His fame was such that he was the one day the shopkeeper casually McLevy asked him could he break first police officer to get a financial mentioned that a young girl came hand-cuffs and he duly agreed to reward for finding stolen property, in every day to buy a pewter spoon. try it – needless to say neither he gold watches. And on June 9, 1856 nor McLevy opened them after the he was invited to speak before a He waited for the girl to return and trick was over. House of Parliament select followed her to a workshop where committee on the subject of the he rounded up a gang who were Pick-pockets were the scourge of transportation of criminals. using the pewter to make most Victorian cities and McLevy counterfeit shillings. was called on to provide solutions The James McLevy website is, all over Scotland. His most https://jamesmclevy.com His ability to find stolen goods in successful ruse was to use the

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John Stanley: From Armagh to Allahabad by Richard Burns

James Norris of Castle Hill, Bletchingley in Surrey.3 In 1899 as a puisne judge of the High Court of Judicature in Calcutta. Three years later following the death of the incumbent Sir Arthur Strachey on 14th May 1901, Lord Curzon offered him the appointment as Chief Justice of the High Court of the North-West Province at Allahabad. It was a position he was glad to accept, as although he enjoyed his time in Calcutta, both he and his wife found the damp heat very trying2. In the King’s th Sir John Stanley, his wife Annie and their staff in Allahabad Birthday Honours of the 7 November 1901 he was awarded a In the year that Allahabad High was standing counsel for the knighthood. Court celebrates 150 years of Shaftesbury estate and for the existence, it is appropriate to Belfast and County Down Railway remember the role of one Armagh Company. In 1896 he was called man, who played a major part in to the Inner Bar by Lord obtaining funding and the planning Ashbourne, the Lord Chancellor of of the new High Court buildings. Ireland, and in October of the same year was elected a Bencher of John Stanley was born on 22nd Kings Inns.2 November 1846, the sixth child and second son of John Stanley and his wife Catherine Sarah nee Bell. He was educated along with his three brothers at the Royal School Armagh, however he was the only one to progress to Trinity College Dublin1. At Trinity, he received a classic scholarship leading to a senior moderatorship and gold Lady Anne Stanley 1906 medal in classics. He returned to There were concerns in Allahabad the Royal School in 1870 as about appointing someone from Assistant Master, however possibly Calcutta as relations between the due to his father’s failing health he High Court and Bengal turned to a career in the legal government had been strained in profession, initially running his comparison to relations at father’s legal practice as well as Allahabad, however his support for studying for the Irish Bar to which John and Annie Stanley wedding 1879 both the subordinate courts and the he was called in May 1872. With judicial and executive officers of offices in Armagh and Dublin he On 20th May 1897, he married the government enhanced his had a large general practice and Annie Norris, the daughter of reputation. He also managed to

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clear the backlog of cases that had application. Thereupon they father and his estate is liable for built up due to the inordinate delays brought the present suit for a such payment. Hindu Law differs in the administration of justice in declaration that Muammat Jamna from the English Law in so far that India. was the wife and Ghansham Singh it does not treat an illegitimate son the son of Mahtab Singh and as as filius unclius. His status as a son such they were entitled to succeed in the family is recognized and his to the occupancy holding. The right to maintenance secured to courts below decided in their him. favour and this decision was On the foregoing authorities, appealed to the High Court therefore we think that it was The judgement was delivered by rightly held in the courts below that Sir John Stanley as follows: The the plaintiff Ghansham Singh is question in this second appeal is entitled in the absence of a whether the plaintiff respondent legitimate son to the occupancy Ghansham Singh who is the one holding of his father’s as male and only son of one Mahtab Singh lineal descendant. We therefore deceased by a concubine, who had dismiss the appeal with costs. lived continuously with Mhatab Sri S. P. Sinha a former judge at the Singh, is entitled to the occupancy High Court and later a Senior holding of his father as a male Sir John Stanley 1906 Advocate at the Supreme Court in lineal descendant within the an article entitiled “Some English The Allahabad Law Journal meaning of that expression as used Judges whom I Admired”5 selected Reports for 19084 is available in section 22 of the Agra Tenancy three judges, Sir Robert Aickman, online in the Google Archive, the Act. The courts below have rightly Sir John Stanley, and Sir Theodore bulk of the cases that the High held that Mahtab Singh belonged to Piggot. Sir Robert Aikman served Court dealt with are concerned with the Sudra caste. as a Judge in the High Court from property. The following is taken Both the lower courts held that the 1892 to 1909, while Sir Theodore from one of the cases included in plaintiff was so entitled. We think Piggot served as a Judge in the the Journal. that this decision is right. In other High Court from 1914 to 1925. He The case of Ram Kali versus Jamna cases, their Lordships of the Privy describes The Calcutta Weekly and another came before Sir John Council held that the illegitimate Notes account of Sir John’s Stanley and Honourable Mr. children of the Sudra caste, in appointment as being in very Pramoda Charan Bannerji in default of legitimate children, complimentary terms and he August 1908. It deals with the inherit their putative father's estate. brought to this Court a high Indian caste system Mahtab Singh In Sarasuli v. Mannu Pearson and reputation for ability and industry. is described as a Thakur meaning a Oldfield, held that illegitimate His own description of Sir John is nobleman or land owner while his offspring of a kept woman or as follows: “His judgments show a son Ghansham Singh is described continuous concubine amongst thorough grasp of legal principles, as a Sudra, the lowest caste. Sudras are on the same level as to wide experience, the saving grace inheritance as the issue of a female of common-sense and a Mahtab Singh was the occupancy slave by a Sudra and that the comprehensive view of human life. tenant of certain fields. His father illegitimate son of an Kahir by a He was the master of a style was a Thakur but his mother was a continuous concubine of the same simple, elegant and with an easy Kahar woman. Musammat Jamna caste took his father's estate in flow of words.” He goes on to was the concubine of Mahtab preference to the daughter of a quote several cases, two of which Singh, and by her he had a son, legitimate son of his father, who are included below.5 Ghansham Singh. On the death of died in the father's life-time. In Mahtab Singh, Musammat Jamna His Lordship had a high sense of Hargobind Kuari v, Dharam Singh, and Ghansham Singh applied in the morality and he would not grant the Straight, O. C. J., and Duthoit, J., Revenue Court for the entry of their husband a decree for restitution of held that according to Hindu Law names in respect of the occupancy conjugal rights if he had made a and usage illegitimate sons are holding of Mahtab Singh. The wanton and unfounded attack on entitled to maintenance from their Revenue Court refused their the character of the wife. To quote

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His Lordship: "We find him in the building was eventually opened by everything that required close plaint itself heaping the vilest His Excellency Lord Chelmsford, attention apart from his work. His insults upon her. He charges her Viceroy and Governor General of failing eyesight finally forced his with immorality and adultery. In India, on the 27th of November, retirement from India in 1911, his view of her parentage, position and 1916. retirement the following April was fortune the charge, if untrue, is announced in The Times on 8th sheer cruelty”. January. For his work in India he was awarded the rank of Knight Sir John Stanley according to Sinha Commander of the Indian Empire. was also singularly free from racial He and Annie returned to London prejudice. Quoting a case from and set up home in Gledhow Jhansi which he viewed as typical Gardens, South Kensington. In of its kind and illustrates His December of that year the King Lordship's exalted character. One approved his appointment as a Rahim Baksh, a building Allahabad High Court Knight of Grace of the Grand contractor, did some work for the Priory of the Order of the Hospital Government and had not been paid From 1907 to 1908 he served as of St John of Jerusalem in his dues despite repeated demands. Chairman of the United Provinces England8. One day, with more zeal than (Agra and Oudh) Famine discretion, he approached the Committee6. Famine was a regular Engineer, Mr. Rice, and pressed his feature of Indian life in the 18th and demand. This was too much for Mr. 19th centuries, agriculture depended Rice. He not only scolded the on a favourable southwest summer contractor, but freely used his cane. monsoon which was critical in Rahim Baksh brought an action for providing irrigation for crops. damages on account of the beating. India suffered a major famine in the Among the pleas raised by the years 1896-7, it started in the Engineer in his defence was that Bundelkhand district of Agra what was done had been done in Province, which experienced the discharge of his duty. The suit drought in the autumn of 1895 Gledhow Gardens was dismissed by the Courts below. because of poor summer monsoon In November 1912, he was The second appeal came up for rains. When the winter monsoon appointed President of the newly hearing before Sir John Stanley. failed as well, the provincial formed Indian Empire Club, and His Lordship summoned Mr. Rice government declared a famine early along with 470 others past and and plainly told him "It was no part in 1896 and began to organise present residents of India attended of your duty to use your cane and relief. The famine spread to most the first “At home” in Prince’s beat the man”. parts of India, and while the Restaurant in Piccadilly9. monsoon rains of 1897 were His tenure as Chief Justice will In September 1914 when news that plentiful, they were followed by probably best be remembered for Indian troops were to be sent to the outbreaks of malaria and cholera the building of a new High Court,6 western front, there was concern and later in the year the bubonic following his appointment he about their ability to cope with the plague. The United Provinces quickly realised that the Court was climate and the Army’s ability to suffered another major famine in not fit for purpose, and in the name provide suitable food and to cater 1907-8 again due to failure of the of efficiency he harried the Local for their spiritual needs. On 27th monsoon rains, although the effects Government in pursuit of a new September 1914, an article in The were not as severe because of the building, eventually overcoming Times describes the creation of the establishment of canals in the area their financial objections. He Indian Soldiers Fund, a charity to for irrigation and the expansion of worked in close co-operation with provide clothing and comforts to the railways meant that people were the architects of the building but Indian troops and cavalry, it was less reliant on agriculture for due to failing health his closest link also to provide food and luxuries to employment. to the building was in laying the Indian prisoners of war in Germany foundation stone. This took place He had been warned about his and to Indian internees in Turkey on the 18th of March, 1911, the eyesight in 1909 and he gave up and Asia Minor. Sir John was

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appointed to the sub-committee of on his return from India, he the St John’s Ambulance maintained his links with Armagh Association responsible for the and with former colleagues in the fund. On 9th October 1914, The legal profession in Ireland. Times published Lord Roberts Attending functions in Belfast, appeal to raise funds for a Hospital Hillsborough, Armagh and Dublin. in Alexandria where the Indian For some time after the war he troops were initially posted and a maintained correspondence with T. smaller hospital at Marseille where G. F. Patterson about various the Indian troops in France would matters of local interest including be based10. The Lady Hardinge the Reverend William Henry Hospital at Brockenhurst was a Guillemard B.D., the Headmaster private hospital set up by the fund of the Royal School Armagh for Indian troops. Lady Hardinge between 1848 and 186912. (1868-1914) was the wife of the Stanley grave

Viceroy of India, Charles Hardinge 4Allahabad Law Journal Reports Vol. V (1858-1944), and the hospital was 1908. The Allahabad Law Journal named in her memory. Press, 1909, p629-631. 5Sinha, S.P. Some English Judges Indian troops served on the whom I Admired. http:// Western Front, East Africa, www.allahabadhighcourt.in/event/ Gallipoli, the Dardanelles, SomeEngJIAdmiredSPSinha.pdf Mesopotamia, Egypt, Suez, Sinai, 6Sir John Stanley, Service on the Indian th Aden, and Palestine. Over the Bench, The Times 8 December 1931. course of the war over one million 7The Numismatic Society of India. Indian soldiers fought overseas, and http://www.bhu.ac.in/aihc/ins.htm by the end of the war a total of 8Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, The nd 47,746 Indians had been reported Times, 2 December 1911, p11. dead or missing; 65,126 were 9Court News, The Times, 14th wounded. In notices for the Indian November 1912, p9. Soldier’s Fund in 1917 Sir John is 10British Library Collection 425/109 listed as the Vice Chairman. In the Lady Annie Stanley 1928 Formation of Indian Soldiers Fund under control of sub-committee of St 1919 New Year’s Honours, he was Despite his failing eyesight he John's Ambulance Association to awarded a CBE for his work with enjoyed playing golf and played provide medical and other comforts to 11 Indian soldiers; donations and gifts. the Indian Soldiers Fund . regularly at Ranelagh Golf Club, http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/ winning the Junior Club Viewer.aspx?ref=ior!l!mil!7! 17264_f001r Competition with a round of 6713. 11 th https://en.wikipedia.org/ Sir John Stanley died on 7 wiki/1919_New_Year_Honours#Comm December 1931 and his wife Lady ander_of_the_Order_of_the_British_E mpire_.28CBE.29 Anne Stanley on 1st May 1946 and both are buried in East Sheen 12Armachianna Vol 25, Compiled by T.G.F. Patterson, p74. Cemetery, Richmond, London. One rather odd fact is that the 13Club Competitions, The Times, 3rd March 1913, p12 gravestone inscription says Sir John “passed on” on 22nd December rather than the 7th. REFERENCES:

1Register of the Royal School Armagh Compiled by M.L. Ferrar W&G Baird, 1933, p87. Sir John Stanley 1928 2A Noted Ulsterman, Sir John Stanley, Larne Times, 12th December 1931, p4. While he made his home in London 3Pall Mall Gazette, 22nd May 1879

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C. O’Neill Refreshment Rooms by Karl O’Neill

When people hear the name Eoin organisational abilities, which were put by the military oppressors. The Council O’Duffy, what immediately comes to to good use during the War of deliberations were only suspended mind? Chances are it’s ‘the Blueshirts’, Independence. But he was also very while members wished our Secretary or ‘the Irish Brigade in Spain’, perhaps active in GAA circles, and used the God speed and good wishes for a safe ‘fascist sympathiser with the Nazis and GAA as a recruiting ground for the return. For some time the meeting was Mussolini’, and that ‘Roman salute’; Volunteers. He was Secretary of the carried on under the eyes of the maybe it’s just ‘the tall guy with the Monaghan County Board in 1912, at oppressor as an armed guard was Stan Laurel ears’. Some might mention the age of 20, and the following year placed in the room.’ his being an early member of Sinn was elected Secretary of the Ulster Fein, and the Irish Republican GAA Council, remaining so for the It would seem that O’Duffy had fully Brotherhood, TD for Monaghan, Chief next ten years. expected and intended to get himself of Staff of the IRA, Garda arrested at the meeting in Armagh. His Commissioner, the first leader of Fine In February 1920, O’Duffy led the cunning plan was to get inside Gael, a tub-thumping Catholic morality siege of Ballytrain RIC Barracks in Belfast’s Crumlin Road gaol and preacher who in reality was a chain- Monaghan, and encouraged similar organise a hunger-strike among the smoking alcoholic and repressed attacks on other police barracks, Monaghan prisoners, and this he duly homosexual that in the end completely making himself a much wanted man did, until the authorities gave in and lost the plot. Something along those among the authorities. On St Patrick’s released them. It is not known whether lines. Day he attended an Ulster GAA they dropped in to my great- Convention in Conlon’s Hotel in grandfather’s Refreshment Rooms on But for me, when I think of Eoin Clones and entered in disguise, which their way back to Monaghan but if they O’Duffy, I think of Tea Rooms. Or was just as well as the police then did I’ve no doubt they’d have been rather, Refreshment Rooms. More raided the building. O’Duffy however made very welcome. specifically, Refreshment Rooms in made his escape. Exactly one month Armagh. Here I admit to a family later the ‘Adjourned Convention’ was Over the next twenty-odd years of our connection. No, not to Eoin O’Duffy. held in Armagh, and, where else, but in troubled and eventful history, O’Duffy To the said Refreshment Rooms in Charles O’Neill’s Refreshment Rooms. made his mark, for good or ill, and died Armagh, my home town. They were This time, O’Duffy did not disguise at the surprisingly young age of 52 in owned by my great-grandfather, and himself and consequently when this 1944. He received a state funeral that GAA stalwart, Charles O’Neill. A meeting was also raided, O’Duffy was December. founder member of the local Armagh apprehended. The gathering had just Meanwhile, whenever I’m back in Harps Club, he became County been discussing possible strategies to Armagh, I often dander down to the Chairman in 1903, the year the Ulster increase attendance at the convention Shambles Corner area, on Lower Council of the GAA was established, when… well, I’ll let the Minutes of the English Street, and look up at the faded also in Armagh. Charles was soon meeting take it from there: lettering on an old red-brick building – made Vice-President of that Ulster ‘C. O’Neill, Refreshment Rooms’ – Council, taking over from the man ‘At this stage armed aliens surrounded and I think of the day when armed from who then became the place of meeting and invaded the aliens arrived to arrest Eoin O’Duffy. President, one Michael Victor room; the Secretary being taken away O’Nolan, whose son Brian would achieve literary fame as Flann O’Brien. For much of two decades, Charles O’Neill’s Refreshment Rooms was the hub of GAA activity in Armagh.

Now, as to Eoin O’Duffy… He was of course from Monaghan, born in Castleblayney, and began his working life as an engineer and then surveyor for Monaghan County Council in Clones. He became active in the Volunteers following the 1916 Rising, and was known for his exceptional

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The Rev. John Redmond at the Hindenburg Line in 1917 by W. E. C. Fleming

“My dearest Peggy, a physical impossibility. Yet our gallant fellows advanced up to You have doubtless read the the uncut wire in face of a good news of our great victory galling fire, searched for tracks last week and the progress since. that had been cut here and there On the part of the Front where I and went through! But alas, to am, the progress, though at get to the German trenches was times meeting with checks, is impossible, and so they almost continuous daily. On the heroically laid down their lives battlefields of last week, where without turning their backs to the infantry attacked, big guns the enemy. The gallantry of are now to be seen. You could these fine fellows could not be ride a horse today with exaggerated. I have been comparative safety in daylight, several times over the battlefield behind the first trenches of the trying to get our noble dead Hindenburg Line! In front of Rev. John Redmond 1917 buried, but they have not all this new world, and famous been collected yet. I hope to get The Battle of the Somme, on the Line, their barbed wire was this melancholy duty completed Western Front in World War I, tremendously strong. There commenced on July 1, 1916, and tomorrow morning. I preached were 14 lines of it with twisted became a prolonged engagement to them the day they went up for iron stakes every four feet with heavy casualties being the battle, and did what I could suffered on both sides. At the same square. It was about four feet to inspire them with enthusiasm time Germany was at war with high with, I suppose, 30 strands, for our great and righteous Russia on its Eastern Front, and by and all the rows interwoven in a cause, and it is sad now to have the month of September, the very thorough fashion, nothing to commit so many of them German army being overstretched human or animal could get ‘earth to earth’. But such is was reappraising its position. In thorough or over it. Then war. these circumstances Field Marshal behind this, two other defences Hindenburg evolved the plan to of wire not nearly so strong, and Two days ago I had somewhat of straighten and thereby shorten the behind all, their front line an escape. I was burying a man, Front, by constructing a new trench. and when half way through the defence line, conceding some service, a shell fell eight or ten ground in the process. This work Through the wire there were yards away, and severely commenced in September 1916, tracks down which machine guns and his new position became wounded a man standing beside fired, and there were narrow known as “the Hindenburg Line”. me. I was not touched, thank trenches down which snipers God. It was here that the Rev. John moved to pick off officers of the Redmond, serving as a Chaplain to attacking party as they came The weather has been mostly wet the Forces, wrote from the Allied forward. Where our guns had or snowy and cold, but I keep Front, on April 15, 1917, to his destroyed this wire, our troops perfectly fit and well, though I sister Peggy (Margaret), in the carried the German line, but haven’t had the shelter of an family home at Grange Lower, where it was not cut success was unbroken house for weeks. Last Portadown, as follows:

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week I built myself a hut with The Rev.John Redmond by the then Irish Free State materials taken out of German subsequently served as Curate government, in 1933, of 11 shillings gun pits, but it was very rough assistant at St. Anne’s Cathedral, (55p) a barrel on imported apples. and I am away from it now. I Belfast; Rector of Ballymacarrett, In recognition of her work in hope someone is reaping the 1920-29 (then the most populous fostering the apple industry in benefit of it. I am writing this on parish in the Church of Ireland); County Armagh, she was awarded a box in a broken room of an all Rector of Doagh, Co. Antrim, the M.B.E. She died, unmarried, at retiring in 1951 to Grange Lower, Grange House, Sept. 7, 1979, and is but completely demolished Portadown. buried in the family plot in house, I can see the sky thorough Tartaraghan parish churchyard. the ceiling, and yet this is He married in 1924, Lydia Margaret possibly the best room and house (Peter) Smith, of Bristol; issue, Pat Johnston, brother of the Rev. John, in the whole village. And this and Jack. He died, July 17, 1967, mentioned at the end of the letter, village is like every other village aged 91 years, and his ashes are was born Oct. 22, 1881. He was in nearly, if not quite all 100 buried in Tartaraghan churchyard. educated at Dundalk Grammar School; emigrated to Australia, and square miles! I haven’t had any studied at St. Aidan’s College, clothes off properly day or night Ballarat, Victoria; ordained deacon, for weeks, except when getting a 1905, and served in the Anglican bath or change of under Church there for thirty years. He clothing! Oh for a month of dry also served as a temporary Chaplain warm weather! to the Forces in WWI, 1916-18, in France, Belgium and at sea. In The army, in spite of the cold recognition of his services, he was and wet and lack of shelter, is appointed Chaplain, with the rank full of optimism and full of cheer. of Lieut-Colonel, in the Australian The way the men take everything Commonwealth Military Forces, is a never ceasing marvel. While 1932-36. He subsequently served I was finishing that last sentence in the diocese of Manchester, a Bosch heavy shell passed England. He married and had issue overhead with its peculiar roar in Australia. He died, July 13, 1964 at a nursing home in Southport, and fell a ‘dud’ not far away. A Lancashire. ‘dud’ is a shell that fails to burst. The foregoing letter, written at the Rev. John with his sister Peggy 1960 But I must now close. With best Hindenburg Line, is reproduced wishes to father and mother and Peggy (Margaret), his sister to courtesy of the writer’s daughter-in- you all. Has Johnston arrived at whom he wrote, was born at Grange law, Mrs. Dorothy Redmond, home yet? House, Feb. 7, 1886. She trained as Portadown. a National School Teacher at the Ever your affectionate brother Church of Ireland Training College, John. Dublin, and taught for a short time in parish. She then P.S. I have had to send my little returned to the family home to share harmonium and other things to a with her brother, Joseph, in running store (a dump), and with them I the farm. sent my Bible as it was so big. Will you please send me one of They concentrated on developing my small ones as soon as you the orchards, with special emphasis can?” on the Bramley apple, and Peggy, in the 1930s, served as Hon. Secretary to the Ulster Fruitgrowers’ Defence Association, which protested vigorously against a duty imposed

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The day ‘Old Blood and Guts’ came to town by Kevin Quinn

General George Patton’s address to Controversy during World motivate them for their upcoming the G.Is on the Mall was part of the War II combat duty. Allies D-day deception plan, During visits to two different field codenamed; ‘Operation Fortitude’. It is estimated that Patton probably hospitals in Sicily in August 1943, delivered four to six speeches between Background: General George Patton verbally abused and slapped February and June 1944. One of these Smith Patton JR two patients after they explained to speeches, known simply as “The him that they were suffering from a Patton Speech”, has become legendary General Patton was one of the most form of shell shock. An enraged partly due to its interpretation by able but also one of the most Patton ordered them back to the front George C. Scott in the 1970 film controversial American commanders of lines. The incidents caused widespread Patton. Some historians have went so World War II. Patton came to controversy resulting in Patton being far as to say that it was the greatest international prominence and fame severely reprimanded by the overall motivational war oration of all time. with the United State’s entry into the Allied Supreme Commander, General Western theatre of the War and Eisenhower. Consequentially, Patton distinguished himself during the was removed from field command for invasion of North Africa and the several months. subsequent capture of Sicily during 1942—43. Patton’s family had a strong Patton’s role in the D-day military background on his father’s Deception. side. His grandfather was a Brigadier Eisenhower was aware that the General in the Confederate army German high command feared Patton during the American Civil War and his more than any other allied general and great uncles were also both military so decided to put Patton to some use officers. Patton continued this long Fig. 2. (Private collection). General Patton addressing by using him in a deception campaign the assembled 2nd US Infantry Division. Patton’s military tradition and graduated from speech on the Mall that April morning was part of a named “ Operation Fortitude”. In an greater act which hoped to convince the Germans that the the US Military Academy at West elaborate ploy designed to convince Allies would land in the Pas de Calais region in the north- Point 1909. In 1916, he accompanied east of France. the Germans that the Allied invasion General John Pershing as his aide on a of Europe would take place in the Pas- punitive expedition in Mexico pursuing de-Calais region of France and not in The content of the speeches the Mexican insurgent Pancho Villa. In Normandy, Patton was put in charge World War I, Patton, who was then a Patton was renowned for his direct and of the fictional “First US Army lieutenant Colonel, was injured in the brash style of speech-making. One Group” or “FUSAG”. Patton’s main leg during the Meuse-Argonne historian has remarked that Patton contribution to the deception was by Offensive in France in September “never sugar coated anything” and this making speeches throughout Britain as 1918. is probably one of the greatest commander of “FUSAG”. However, understatements made in regards secretly Patton had been put in charge Patton’s rhetorical style. Most of his of the American Third Army which fellow officers were of the opinion would take part in the invasion after that his speeches were merely laced the initial phase. with profanities and were just foul- mouthed, loud, and uncouth. However, The purpose of Patton’s to the enlisted men Patton spoke “the speeches language of the barracks” i.e. a down A key aspect of this elaborate ruse to to earth style of language which they wrong foot the Germans, was for could easily understand and relate to. Patton to maintain a high visibility by Fig. 1. (Private collection) General Patton saluting as One possible reason for Patton’s direct units of the 2nd US Infantry Division pass by. To the delivering speeches to his mythical right of Patton, stand Major General Walter M Robertson, style could be put down to the fact that nd “FUSAG”. In reality, the speeches Commanding General of the 2 US Infantry Division, and he suffered from severe dyslexia as a General Wade H. Haislip, Commanding General of XV were made to divisions of the newly Corps. child and that he continued to have formed American Third Army to help problems reading throughout

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adulthood. Perhaps this is one reason why Patton rarely (if ever) rehearsed or prepared his speeches. However, Patton’s unconventional style has even earned him praise in academic circles with one historian hitting the nail on the head by describing Patton as “the master of an unprintable brand of eloquence”.

Preparing for the Armagh visit

In late March 1944, Patton arrived in Northern Ireland to speak to and to inspect the training of the American Third Army in counties Armagh and Down. Before arriving in Armagh, Patton addressed American troops training in the Mountains and at Green Castle airstrip. The American troops based in and around Armagh had been made aware of the visit Fig. 3. (Private collection). General Patton reviewing troops in front of the County Museum and St. Mark’s Place. In the sometime before. Below is a quote background of this picture, on the lower left side where Beresford Row joins Charlemont Place (the row of buildings that now from the memoirs of American soldier house the Education Authority), it is possible to make out a figure which resembles a policeman standing in front of what appears to be a group of civilians. based at Abbey:

“We spent days before the review who was also present that morning. In general and his convoy did not arrive getting ready, everything had to be just a closer examination of fig.3 a police until 10.00am.The boisterous fire right, our equipment, weapons and officer can be seen standing in front of sirens could be heard for miles as his uniforms cleaned and polished again a group of civilians. convoy approached the Mall. The men and again to make sure everything was stood to attention for at least an hour The Mall, Armagh, Saturday before the general began the scheduled in order”. st 1 April 1944, 10 am. troop inspection and motivational The locals get to see and hear On Saturday 1st April at 10 am, the US speech’ ‘Old Blood and Guts’. 2nd Infantry Division along with other ‘Attention! The command sounded and units were assembled on the Mall to be echoed through the Mall as the Local folklore recounts that the Mall reviewed and addressed by General different units made ready for the was secured the evening before the Patton. Memoirs from four American general coming. He made his way visit by military police and residents of soldiers assembled that morning firmly and proudly through the ranks the Mall were requested to remain describes the events: indoors and for their doors and of the regiments.... his discerning eyes windows to be closed. ‘One day we had to march into sized up our appearance, from the top Armagh to hear General George of our helmets to the tip of our combat This was apparently a precautionary Patton address our troops. The scene boots. Our bayonets gleamed in the measure against the possibility that was a sea of soldiers crammed into a scant sunlight of Armagh in the spring Patton’s profanities may be overheard park, referred to as the Mall. Patton sun. The general was impeccably by the locals, particularly by women was the head of our army at that time’. dressed in jodhpurs, shining riding and children However, the memoirs of boots and combat jacket. I searched for an American soldier who was present ‘On the first day of April 1944, the the pearl handed revolvers his that morning confirms that the locals entire division assembled at the Mall in trademark, but today he was not were quite keen to see and to hear Armagh an important event in our armed’. Patton: ‘Many townspeople gathered lives. We were to be reviewed and nearby or listened to the speech from inspected by General Patton himself. The Mall probably held over 15,000 the second storey windows Unit after unit marched into the vast troops that morning as each of Patton’s surrounding the square, however, a green expanse of the Mall, each one addresses in other parts of the UK were few minutes of Patton’s R-rated (X- smartly taking its place on the green, delivered to division sized forces of rated) speech was enough’. waiting for the general to appear’. 15,000 men or more.

The G.I.s memoirs are collaborated by ‘The regiment was required to the recollections of a Armagh lady assemble at 3.00am. Unfortunately the

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The Mall Speech the speech with the comment, leading up to the visit that something big was going to happen. I remember It has been suggested that “The Patton “Veterans of the Third Army if you that morning making my way to the Speech”, or at least some elements of stick the Son-of-a-Bitch in the ass, bottom of Jenny’s Row. I can recall it, were first delivered on that April shoot him in the ass as he runs away”. two large crowds of civilians gathered morning in the tranquil setting of the at the bottom of Russell and College Unfortunately, a transcript of the Mall. Based on some of the snippets streets. I could see the formations of Armagh speech is yet to come to light. taken from the personal accounts of soldiers standing in the Mall. It was a American service personnel who It was like something from a most unusual scene; it was like assembled there that morning, it seems film set’ - a ninety-four year something from a film set. I thought quite possible that the explosive how ironic it was to have soldiers old lady from Armagh recalls language and lurid vocabulary of that being prepared for war standing beside Patton’s visit to the Mall. famous speech could have been first the war memorials. I could then hear a unleashed on the city of Saints & loud crackling noise; it was the Tannoy Scholars. Below are quotes from system and then a voice coming soldiers who were present that through. I think Patton was at the top morning: of the Mall near the jail. Well! Today I think the term for the language used In this extract, a soldier recalls how he that morning is ‘BLUE’. His language was inspired by seeing and hearing was terrible; I think the content would Patton on the Mall: still shock even today.’ “They made their way to the reviewing Patton 1944—45: platform set up at one end of the Mall. Facing the assembled troops; the Acclaim, more controversy general stood in front of the and conspiracy. microphone and told us about the things we would have to face in an Patton’s motivational speeches most invasion....he told it like it was, about definitely had the desired effect as the the pain and fury of combat and the American Third Army would go on to resoluteness of the enemy; it’s play an integral role in the last months fanaticism for the Nazi cause...the only of the war. When one injured way to beat them is to kill them, he said American soldier, on his way to a field and this we must do. He already had hospital, was asked about the Patton me believing I could do it....we stood at successes, he simply stated: “It was ease, but my insides were at attention our blood and his guts”. spellbound by the words.... I could not take my eyes off him. I had never before seen a living legend....we stood Fig. 4. (Private collection) Patton’s facial expression at attention again after he had finished would suggest that he was probably enjoying one of his vulgarities. speaking, the each unit wheeled smartly past the reviewing stand and out of the Mall, to where the trucks According to one local lady who was were parked’” present that morning, large groups of civilians were permitted to gather in These quotes provide a flavour of the vicinity of the Mall. This is Patton’s so-called ‘eloquent profanity’: contrary to the myth that the Mall had been basically sealed off from civilians Fig. 5. (Private collection). Patton reviewing the troop “I remember his speech was very fiery formations located on Mall West. Patton frequently kept and that the residents living there had his face in a scowl that he referred to as his "War Face" and outspoken to put it mildly. He said to batten down the hatches in the fear ‘when you get into hand to hand of a Patton profanity getting too close Under Patton’s command, the Third combat, don’t just stick your bayonet in to ear shot. This is her recollection of Army closed the Falaise Pocket in – stick it in and twist it’” the event: August 1944 thus ending the battle for “B Company saw the legendary Normandy and then relieved the siege ‘I was 22 years old and a medical General George Patton. The General of Bastogne during the Battle of the student at Trinity in Dublin at the time. told the assembled division, Give them Bulge in December 1944. Despite his I had returned to Armagh during a hell boys!” vital military successes, Patton was university break. There had been a constantly reprimanded by General One source claims that Patton ended feeling about the town in the days Eisenhower for stirring up various

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political controversies in the months British Forces on the Mall Shipman, Tim. http:// after the war. On 9th December 1945, during the Second World War. www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/ northamerica/usa/3869117/General- Patton sustained spinal cord and neck The Mall was also used for a similar George-S.-Patton-was-assassinated-to- injuries in a car accident. Patton died silence-his-criticism-of-allied-war- purpose by the British Forces during 12 days later. It has been claimed that leaders-claims-new-book.html (Nov, World War II, but it is not certain 2016). Patton was assassinated in order to whether this was before or after the silence him. The accident and his Pettinger, Tejvan. Biography Online. Patton review on the Mall in 1944. subsequent death is one of the enduring http://www.biographyonline.net/military/ There is no contemporary information general-patton.html (Nov, 2016). mysteries of the war era. as to the purpose of the gathering or Powles, James. M. http:// when it occurred. However, based on warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/civil- the composition of the services it war/general-george-s-patton-sr-civil- war-veteran/ (Nov, 2016). appears to be something more akin to a military tattoo. The relaxed atmosphere The G.I. Trail. http://gitrailni.com/ and demeanour of the different services pattontrail/ could suggest that the photo was taken General George S Patton Jr. Master of sometime during the so-called “Phoney operational Battle Command, Jeffrey War” period (i.e. from the outbreak of Sanderson, Military studies December 1997. the War in September 1939 to May 1940) or as a part of a victory Brian John Murphy. Patton’s Ghost celebration in April or May 1945. Army, D-Day Deception. America in Fig. 6. (Private collection). General Patton and Major world War 2, December 2005 issue. General Walter M Robertson saluting the US 2nd Infantry Division. In the background can be seen a unit of troops standing in front of Hartford Cottage. Fur- References ther to the left, a lot of windows in the Hartford Place houses are open. So this probably confirms that the local residents had been listening to the speech. Chen, Peter. C. World War II Database. http://ww2db.com/person_bio.php? person_id=55 (Nov, 2016).

Fig 7. (Private collection). Photo of the different branches of the British forces on the Mall. Date unknown but probably either between September 1939 and May 1940 or April /May1945.

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The Easter Rising, 1916 according to the local press by Mary McVeigh

Armagh was dead at Easter 1916 precaution necessary for public suspension of rail travel which according to the Ulster Gazette. safety was being observed ‘with caused the most inconvenience. Indeed in the edition of that week it utmost rigour’ by those in charge.3 The cashier of the Provincial bank bemoaned the fact that there was Interestingly it published the entire branch, Mr Taylor, had gone off not even a football match or a race Proclamation complete with with the key to the safe and was meeting so those who were ‘leisure signatories which it described as unable to get back, thus the safe bent’ had to go elsewhere which ‘an extraordinary document’. As could not be opened. Money had to was not good for the local well, it had some comments to offer be borrowed from other banks in economy. However, all the on Countess Markiewicz who was the city so the bank could do churches of the various deemed ‘one of the strangest business. “Needless to say the loan denominations were ‘largely personalities in the Ireland for the was at once given, for banks now attended’, it reported.1 Irish movement’. It noted she was and again have to oblige each other ‘apparently approaching middle in this way if the lock of the safe If nothing of significance happened age’ and ‘was of undeniably goes wrong”, so stated the Armagh in Armagh the same could not be attractive appearance’. 4 Guardian. The Bishop of Tuam was said for the capital city. Both local unable to get to Armagh for the papers in the following weeks gave The A.O.H. consecration of the Bishop of Derry considerable space to the uprising Condemnation of the rebellion was and the Lord Chancellor’s Registrar in Dublin which started on Easter not confined to these two Unionist who had come here for the Monday, 24th April, and needless to papers. At the fortnightly meeting ceremony was marooned until the say neither was sympathetic to the of Division 12, Armagh of the trains ran again. However, for some rebel cause. The Armagh Guardian Ancient Order of Hibernians a the stoppage of the passenger rail observed: “There is not the slightest resolution, proposed by ‘Bro.’ service was a boon. All the soldiers doubt the authorities were caught Hughes and seconded by north of Dublin who had Easter napping, but it is somewhat of a ‘Bro.’Maguire was passed leave were able to get a few more consolation that the rebellion had to 6 unanimously in which they wished days at home. be dealt with by the military to record ‘their sense of grief and authorities and not by the mollies Private Twiss who was ‘fired horror’ regarding the recent of the Castle”. This paper had, ‘on on and chased by rebels’ insurrection in Dublin and very reliable authority’ that ‘open ‘heartily’ sympathised with those Both papers gave accounts by encouragement and sympathy’ with whose homes were now ‘desolate individuals from the area who had the rebels had been expressed in through destruction of property and been caught up in the events in Armagh and ‘these expressions loss of life’. They continued to Dublin and there is no doubt there were nothing but treason’. “Thus in pledge their support for John was nothing lost in the telling! The our midst we have traitors who Redmond and his colleagues in the Armagh Guardian narrated the would rise if they dared,” it Irish Party and the ‘constitutional hair-raising adventures of a declared.2 policy which [has] resulted in so Loughgall soldier who had been The Ulster Gazette decreed that it much lasting benefit to this ‘fired on and chased by rebels’. It 5 was the ‘bounden duty of all country’. would seem that Private William loyalists now to do everything that Twiss from Ferlough Ardress was Disruption in Armagh [lies] in their power for the returning home from his battalion rd preservation of law and order’. It The rebellion caused some of the 3 Irish Guards and was reported that all railway bridges in disruption in Armagh. Up until making his way by rail from the Armagh and district were being Wednesday of Easter week until the port of Rosslare on the Thursday patrolled night and day by the G.P.O.was captured there was no after Easter but could only get as constabulary and that every telegraph link but it was the far as Sallins. He then had to

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proceed on foot but when he got as herself in danger by ‘incautiously’ far as Maynooth he found the looking out a window because a people were ‘distinctly unfriendly’ sniper ‘presumably used it as a towards him. Boys, parading with mark’ and sent no fewer than 26 wooden guns cried out to him that bullets into it, one of which soon he and all English soldiers narrowly missed her head. would be shot. Not everyone was hostile however, for some women During a lull in the fighting entreated with him to take of his curiosity apparently got the better uniform to save himself. of her so she thought she would Undeterred he kept on walking venture out to see what was towards Dunboyne where he happening ‘up town’. She ran into a encountered a group of rebels and ‘bullet-swept zone’ at the quays here things decidedly took a turn and had to turn back with bullets for the worse. ‘splattering’ all around her. An ‘armed rebel’ and others chased her “They immediately started firing back to the barracks but when she on him and as he was only one got to the gates she was against hundreds, discretion was immediately arrested and put in the the better part of valour and he guard room. It seems that she was took to his heels through the fields. mistaken for Countess Markiewicz Twiss says he does not know how as she was still in her ‘astride riding they missed him – they must have Countess Markiewicz attire of breeches and puttees’ been drunk – because he heard the The woman from which was apparently the usual bullets whistling past by the who was mistaken for the costume of the rebel aristocrat. hundreds and the rifles were Countess Later on she visited the Four Courts certainly Mausers. He outdistanced after it had been captured where No less exciting was ‘a Markethill his pursuers only by throwing she saw large amounts of lady’s experience’ as recounted by away his overcoat and so provisions which had been stored the Ulster Gazette. The wife of succeeded in getting to Dunboyne by the rebels as well as ‘the Lieutenant George Taylor of the police station”. contents of a raid on some cellars, 12th Inniskillings. (The paper for there was a splendid array of Next day he continued his perilous obviously saw no need to give her champagne bottles’. She also journey on foot but in civilian own name) was out riding in the returned into Sackville Street ‘and clothes which had been loaned him Phoenix park in Dublin with her saw the rebels routed out of the by the police who sent a request husband and another officer on houses, and felt the horrible smell with him to the barracks in Navan Easter Monday afternoon when of burning human flesh when the for reinforcements. He was joined they heard shots and then saw a Post Office was on fire’. on his trek by a Dundalk solicitor policeman and a sentry killed by a named Cleary who loaned him an party of rebels. “The officers saw Mrs Taylor’s purpose in visiting overcoat. When they got near that the outbreak was serious, and Dublin was to retrieve a goal watch Dunshaughlin they discovered that the horses heads were turned and which had been left in a jewellers. it was in rebel hands so they struck they rode hot haste to the Royal Unfortunately, she was across the country to avoid it, Barracks and warned the garrison unsuccessful because the shop had eventually reaching Navan. Here, there”. Mrs Taylor returned to been looted and set on fire. She they got a lift in a car to Dunleer Ross’s Hotel where she was staying concluded her story by saying that where Twiss got a train and arrived but it soon became too dangerous ‘her nerves received such a shock home on Sunday morning. This is to remain there because it would from the fright and from the not the end of the story because he seem that the hotel was in the firing horrible sights of the dead men in apparently went back for his line. Indeed, her bed was pierced the street that they were not settled overcoat and actually managed to by bullets. She thus sought refuge till she found herself at home in recover it.7 in the Royal Barracks where she Markethill, County Armagh.’8 was shown how to use a rifle and a revolver. It would seem she put Rather different in tone was a

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report sent to the Ulster Gazette by houses for safety; the bullets one of a sudden and violent a Middletown teacher, Mr J. whizzing over our heads and thunderstorm, and the effect on the Bradley. This was a first hand striking the houses and street within nervous and delicate in Dublin account, delivered in a more a few inches of us. After climbing must have been truly terrible “. On measured, factual manner but no over several barricades – motor Wednesday morning Mr Bradley less effective and impressive for all cars, heavy lorises, carts, bread and his fellow delegates decided to that. Mr Bradley intended going to vans, boxed etc. – which the make for home. 9 Cork on Easter Monday to attend insurgents had placed in the street the Annual Congress of the Irish we succeeded in getting to Kings Undoubtedly as far as the two National Teachers Organisation. He Bridge station which was held by Armagh papers were concerned the duly set off from Tynan station and the military”. Easter Rising was an aberration, arrived in Dublin around one quickly suppressed but which at the o’clock. He and a fellow delegate Here they found about 80 fellow time provided some dramatic from Lurgan, Edward Bunting, northern I.N.TO. delegates but interest of the kind which sells dismissed warnings about the learned that there were no trains newspapers. This was the perceived insurrection given by people in the going to Cork. They were very view of many then which must station and set off with the lucky to get accommodation in a surely show that all too often the intention of getting across town to hotel but they did not get much future is not predictable? King’s Bridge where they were to sleep because there was a large References: get the train to Cork. When they contingent of soldiers to the front were approaching Nelson’s Pillar of the hotel and at the rear ‘ a 1 Ulster Gazette, 29th April, 1916 formidable body of Sinn Feiners they heard the firing of guns and a 2 Armagh Guardian, 28th April, 1916 couple of loud explosions. “At the had entrenched themselves behind 3 th same time a lad of about twelve a stout barricade, while unknown Ulster Gazette, 29 April, 1916 years of age was carried down the numbers were in population of the 4 Ulster Gazette, 6th May, 1916. houses, the windows of which were street with his arm hanging by his 5 th Ulster Gazette, 27 May, 1916 side and bleeding profusely.” sandbagged and otherwise provided for a stubborn resistance’. During 6 Armagh Guardian, 28th April, 1916 He continued: “In wending our way the night the beds in the hotel were 7Armagh Guardian, 5th May, 1916 along the Quay we were under the hurriedly dismantled and placed on 8 th cross-fires of the insurgents and the floor as a precaution against Ulster Gazette, 20 May, 1916 military and were obliged to flying bullets. Throughout Tuesday 9Ulster Gazette, 6th May, 1916 prostrate ourselves on the street, and the following night the fighting

and twice to retreat into private continued. “The sound reminded

HISTORY GROUP WEBSITE IS AN IMPORTANT LOCAL HISTORY RESOURCE

Armagh & District History Group’s website contains a wealth of information for the local historian. The website has undergone a transition to a new format and is being updated. The Group publishes the successful magazine History Armagh and as back issues can be difficult or impossible to obtain, a decision was taken to make the magazine content available on-line. Currently over 50% of our articles are available on-line with more being added regularly. The website has links to other mainly local websites that may prove useful to people with an interest in the history of the locality The website also has a news section to keep members informed of events and talks and is proving a useful way of keeping in touch with our programme throughout the year and other events of note. So if you are interested in the activities of the group why not visit www.historyarmagh.org

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HEIRMÉAS ARD-MHACHACH by Nuala Reilly ARMAGH HERMES. i.m. John O’Connor marbh in Townsville 1960 I imagine a young Hermes wings of golden hair above the ears Samhail agam Heirméas óg a little round cap Eiteoga órbhuí gruaige on the crown of your head Os cionn an dá chluais a square leather bag Caipín cruinn at your waist Ar bhaithis do chinn and you crouched on your bike. Mála cearnógach leathair Ag do choim The world to your liking Tú crom os cionn an rothair in the seventh heaven entranced by a beauty from the land of France. An saol ar do thoil agat, Your proud manly head-toss Tú sa chéill ab aigeantaí a challenge to the world. Ag spéirbhruinneall Ó thír na Fraince. You are working the pen An ghoic fhearúil uaibhreach sin agat pride of race in you Ag tabhairt dhúshlán an tsaoil. to your very marrow telling of the Mill Row Tú í mbun pinn your people alive in your story Mórtas cine go smior ionat battling the Callan as it overflows Scéal bhunadh Rae an Mhuilinn in downpours and merciless floods. Á ríomhadh agat, Do mhuintir beo beathach i do scéal Your boyhood deeds in the story Ag comhrac na Callaine a deed of valour ‘S í ag cur thar maoil carrying a “go” of water Le díle bháistí agus tuilte gan trua. for your Granny without spilling a drop on your shoes. Do mhacghníomhartha féin sa scéal, Weren’t you something else! Gaisce a rinne tú The old mill, tyrannical Ag iompar gabh uisce eternally watching Do do mháthair mhór at times working Gan deoir a chailleadh sna bróga, at times idle. Nár mhór ann geifear thú! But the dream was extinguished An seanmhuileann go ceannasach the beauty returned home De shíor bhur gcoimhéad your destiny Seal ar obair emigration Seal díomhaoin. a poor lonely death in the out-back far from home Ach loic an aisling, unbeknownst to your people. Seoladh an ainnir thar sáile, Imirce agus éag i ndán duit I wonder Bás bocht uaigneach sa gharbhchríoch did fragrance from Appled Eamhain I bhfad ó bhaile steal away on the breath of a breeze I ngan fhios do do mhuintir. that caught you unawares out foreign Níl a fhios agam and brought the Loughgall Road in apple blossom time Ar éalaigh cumhracht before your eyes Ó Eamhain Abhlach and tightened a noose on your heart. Ar anáil leoithne earraigh A tháinig aniar aduaidh ort Your name is not engraved Ar an choigríoch on a head-stone A thug Bóthar Loch gCál there is no brass plaque Tráth na n-úllbhláth in your memory Os comhair d’intinne but your fame will survive ‘S a chuir snaidhm ar do chroí. in a more lasting way in your writing and in the kindly mind Níl d’ainm greanta ar leac uaighe that lives in the people of Armagh. Ná níl plaic práis i do chuimhne Ach mairfidh do chlú This very day Ar dhóigh níos buaine fós in our presence I do scríbhinn a blue plaque was unveiled Agus sa mheon séimh in your honour A mhaireann i muintir Ard Mhacha. at number 94 Banbrook Hill let us raise a triumphant roar for your celebration is secure for evermore.

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Armagh and District History Group Chairperson, Mary McVeigh pictured below (seated) giving a talk during the John O’Connor Writing School on Armagh in O’Connor’s time

Armagh and District History Group press Officer, Eric Villiers pictured above leading a Literary Tour on the Mall as part of the John O’Connor Writing School

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An Armagh History Group Publication History Armagh No. 12 - Vol. 3 No. 4 - December 2016 40