Songs of Agrarian Strife

Song,$ of inStrife

ongs of strife are important small farmer. During the same period, sociological and historical many farm labourers, herdsmen, documents. Most of them emergency men (see Appendix 1) an$ were written close to the small holders were attacked, seriously event which they describe. the main grievances of tenant farmers, in wounded, permanently maimed and killed, Indeed, some contain information not to those parts of the country where the but no songs were written about most of be found in the official records or Ulster Custom (see Appendix I) did not these. Songs tended to be written about newspapers of the time. Although many of operate, were the non-recognition of any the more dramatic cases, ones that these ballads, which were essentially property right of an occupying tenant, and captured and fired the public imagination journalistic by nature, were factually the situation where a tenant had no right and were the subjects of gossip, talk and accurate, it is also important to remember to compensation for any improvements controversy. Of the eleven songs that they reflected the feelings not only of that he carried out to his holding. The examined here, four are from Kerry, three the ballad-maker but of sizeable sections Land Act of 1870, sometimes known as from Tipperary, and one each from of the ordinary people. It was the the Gladstone Act - the product of Limerick, Clare, Galway and Donegal. character of these songs to reflect popular considerable agrarian agitation and Cases where miscarriages of justice had thinking and feeling. If the message was violence - sought to address these two occurred were often the subjects of songs unpopular people would not want to buy grievances, even if in a weak, diluted form. and five of our collection belong to this the ballad or sing it. So the songs give us The Act laid down that tenants who category. Again, five out of the eleven are the collective en~otionsof the people on carried out improvements should be execution songs. The Irish execution song the actual events outlined in the street recompensed by the landlord for such is thought to derive from the English ballads. Consequently the role of the improvements and acknowledged that the broadside of that type, and, like its English ballad maker in acting as a mirror of tenant had a property righ of occupancy. It counterpart, caters for the human appetite popular opinion could subvert his role as also set out a limited number of fines as a for the gruesome and the macabre. Such journalist and make him distort the facts deterrent to the landlord carrying out Irish songs are often framed in the first of the situation in order, as we shall see evictions. For the purposes of this article, person and entitled A Lamentation. There later, to make his products attractive to his the 1870 Act can be seen as the are two so-titled in our selection, The purchasers. culmination of the first period of agrarian Lanzentation of James Walsh and The In relation to this type of street unrest.' The second period up to 1895 was Lamentation of the two Cormacks. literature, it should also be borne in mind even more violent and disturbed, Execution songs like these nearly always that although one could be prosecuted for especially in the 1880s when the Land contain an admonitory verse or verses, the singing of seditious songs from League and its oficially unacknowledged along with verses or lines of repentance, Elizabethan times, until the foundation of terrorist cutting edge, the Moonlighters, affirmation in the church and its beliefs, the Land League in 1879, ballad-singing were waging the final bloody phase for the and of hope in divine mercy. was one of the few non-violent forms of land of Ireland.2 Six of our songs and protest available to the peasantry on stories date from this period and it is not questions affecting them. without significance that five of these Making and singing such songs was relate to murders that took place in also a way of indicating support from Munster, or that four of them come from Historians have said that agricultural those who themselves would not resort to Kerry, or that all four of these are from the labourers were not very supportive of, or acts of violence. It is worth remembering Castleisland area of CO Kerry, the murder interested in, the Land Leag~e.~This, too that poor, illiterate or semi-illiterate capital of Ireland, "blood-stained however, does not seem to apply to its people were often great believers in the Castleisland" as Peter O'Brien, Peter the terrorist wing, the Moonlighters, power of words - songs, writings and Packer, later Lord O'Brien of Kilfenora, specifically the Moonlighters of the speeches - to change the world, and the called it.3 In 1882, at the trials of Poff and Castleisland area, the acknowledged agrarian revolution in 19th century Ireland Barrett, accused of one of the murders in centre of the struggle. Evidence from here wrought considerable social and economic the Castleisland area, O'Brien said if a suggests that farm labourers were very changes for the tenant farmer class, if not murder takes place in Clare the killer involved in M~onlighting.~Of the agrarian for the labourers. Part one of this article comes across the Broadford hills. if one murders considered here most were outlines the historical context of the takes place in Limerick he comes from carried out by labourers or small tenant murders which inspired the ballad- New Pallas, and if a murder takes place in farmers. The first of these concerns the makers, while part two examines the Kerry the murderer always comes from shooting of the land agent, John Ellis, at songs themselves. Some of the songs are Castleisland.4 This period of violence and Killahara, near Loughmore, Co. Tipperary, represented in full in the text with a continuous agitation wound down as he returned from the railway station in commentary. The remainder are gradually in the first half of the 1890s and Templemore on a dark October night in contained in Appendix 111. its termination can be dated to the 1857. Two farm workers, William and Wyndham Act of 1903 under which Daniel Cormack, were put on trial, 300,000 holdings were p~rchased.~ convicted and hanged for the murder in The songs and stories studied here do May 1858. They protested their innocence The eleven songs and stories analysed not present us with anything like a to the end and local lore has it that the here relate to land agitation and span the comprehensive picture of the land murder was committed by an aggrieved period 1857 to 1895. This was a time of agitation during this period, for in one way tenant named William Gleeson, who considerable agrarian unrest when the or another all of the songs are about subsequently emigrated to the United tenant farmers were challenging the remarkable cases. The victims include an States and lived out his life in New York. system of land holding. They sought to Earl, a young landlord, two substantial The Cormacks were said to have introduce changes into the existing farmers, three land agents, a descendant murdered Ellis because he seduced their system of land tenure to increase their of one of the great planter families of younger sister, Kitty. own rights and powers and diminish those Kerry, a policeman, a herdsman and an The assassination of Lord Leitrim in of the landlord. From 1857 to 1870 two of emergency man and a poverty ridden April of 1878 and the killing of his young secretary, John Makim, and the car driver, when Michael Hayes, a tenant farmer and In October 1882 another daylight Charles Buchanan, on the Milford road bailiff in his sixties, discharged a pistol murder was carried out in the Castleisland close to Mulroy Bay, was the work of into John Waller Braddell, the agent of area. This was at Dromoulton, near the three men, Micheal Rua McElwee, a small Colonel Hare's estate on which Hayes was village of Scartaglen, where a well-to-do holder, and two tailors, Hugh Shiels and a bailiff and tenant. Colonel Hare and farmer, Thomas Brown, was shot dead by Michael Heraghty. They were members of Braddell had decided to rid the estate of two men while working in a hay-field a secret society, probably some kind of Hayes and his family, whose violence and about four o'clock in the afternoon. Two Ribbon society, in the Fanad peninsula. lawlessness had become a nuisance to men, James Barrett and Sylvester Poff, Heraghty was traced to the crime through them, although in earlier times they had were subsequently tried, convicted and the smashed stock of a gun found at the encouraged and prompted Michael Hayes hanged for this murder in Tralee in scene. He was charged and was awaiting into acts of ruthlessness. Hayes was seen January 1883. It was always believed that trial when he died of typhoid fever in as one of the ordinary people and had they were innocent of the crime aqin a Lifford gaol. many relatives around Doon and show of sympathy and solidarity, a large The murder of Francis Fitzgerald near Cappawhite, but he had become in the sum of money was raised throughout the Kilmallock in May of 1862 in the presence words of one commentator "a vile and county Kerry by public subscription for of his wife was the work of Thomas hard-headed instrument" of the landlord.12 the widow and children of Sylvester Poff. Beckham, a habitual criminal, described No one was ever charged or tried for Poff was of Palatine stock. His ancestors as "a man old in years and hardened in the ambush at Dwyer's farm in Ballycohey had come to Kerry in the 1740s or 1750s, crimeS,8 and a young tearaway and thug in 1878, near Tipperary town, in which a having left Germany earlier in the from the locality named James Walsh. young man, Darby O'Gorman, and Samuel eighteenth century to escape religious Both were labouring men and hired Morrow, a policeman, were killed and a persecution. Poff's family, like other killers. According to one of the songs number of others wounded while colonists who have come to Ireland, had written about the affair Walsh was paid distributing eviction notices to the tenants become Hiberniores Hibernicis ipsis. three pounds. Fitzgerald, a young man in of the townland for William Scully. There Sylvester Poff was a Roman Catholic, a his twenties, recently married, was were a number of men involved in the first cousin of his CO-accused,James described as "handsome, good-humoured shooting and local lore has it that one of Barrett, and at the time of the crime an and affable."g He had inherited property these was a Kerry farm labourer working evicted tenant farmer. The real killers worth £20,000, including an estate of about in the locality.13 were never brought to trial, but, as with two hundred acres near Kilmallock from most things that happen in the Irish his father, a Limerick brewer, when the countryside, their identities were known. latter died. It has been noted that It was believed locally that they were Jack improving landlords often stood the risk of 'Cathy' Connor and George Twiss, incurring the wrath and violence of their In the case of Francis Hynes and the thought to be the captain of the Cordial tenants by seeking to change long-existing shooting of the cattle herd, John Moonlighters and something of a hired conditions and forms of occupancy on Doolaghty, on a Sunday in July 1882 near gun. The two are said to have been offered their estates. This is what happened in the Ennis, there is, and always has been, some ten pounds by a tenant named Fitzgerald case of Francis Fitzgerald. He decided to doubt as to whether he did the deed or who feared that Brown was going to evict take back a piece of land from one of his not. The weight of evidence at the trial him and wanted him dead. George, and tenants, a man named Denis Dillane, to was against him. Having studied the case his better known brother, John, who was square off a farm. Dillane, who had started in some detail, my own feeling is that he hanged, were the grandchildren of in life as a shoemaker, was by local probably did it, or, if not, the killing was William Twiss, a man of land, property and reckonings a successful man. He had a perpetrated by one of his brothers whom considerable wealth. Their father, Robert, public house in Kilmallock and his little he shielded. Hynes came from a markedly was a gentleman farmer and their mother farm was so productive and fruitful that he different class to any of the other killers. was Elizabeth Hely of Donoughmore, Co. was known as "the model farmer".1° But He was the son of James Hynes, a solicitor Cork, a relative of the Hely-Hutchinsons. Dillane was so black and bitter about with a large practice in the county Clare Their parents, however, experienced a being put off the land that he decided to and a substantial landowner. Francis was dramatic fall in their fortunes and the have Fitzgerald killed and to do this he reared in Toureen House, a three-storey mother died when some of the children hired the two assassins. Thomas Beckham over basement seventeenth century were quite young. George and John was of Cromwellian stock and was said to mansion about 2.5 miles from Ennis.14 (See received little or no education and grew up have respectable relatives in the county, Appendix 11) to be poachers and desperados.15 though he himself could hardly be so At the end of March 1882 Arthur The story of the Maamtrasna massacre described. He was suspected of being Edward Herbert was shot dead on his way is the most bizarre, complex and responsible for Fitzgerald's murder. home from the petty sessions at mysterious of all the cases that we are Beckham was on a ticket of leave from Castleisland where he had nresided that considering. This is the story of the prison, having served seven years of a day. Herbert was a descendant of the murder of John Joyce and five members of fourteen-year sentence for robbery of planter, Sir William Herbert, who had his family on the night of Thursday arms. Nowadays Beckham would be received 13,000 acres in the Munster August 17th in 1882, in the miserable classified as a psychopath. Although on Plantation of the 1580s which followed the hovel where they lived, in a secluded first contact he seemed quiet, almost Desmond Rebellion. Two men, John valley in Maamtrasna. A few days later kindly, he killed without compunction, Casey, whom he had sentenced to a three so-called independent witnesses showed no emotion when sentenced to month's imprisonment that day on a drunk came forward to identify ten men whom death, nor fear of the gallows, where he and disorderly charge, and James Brown, they claimed were the killers and whom made a speech to the crowd which was a who had served time for indecent assault, they said they had followed in the dark of marvel of recklessness, fearlessness and were subsequently at different times the night to the murder-house. The ten bravado. His courage as 11e slood on the arrested and charged with the crime, but were put on trial for the murders and trap won him the admiration of the they were never tried as there was not three of them, including a man named journalists present and the wild sufficient evidence. It has, however, Myles Joyce, were hanged, two became enthusiasm of the crowd." always been the belief in the Castleisland approvers or crown witnesses and five A few months later the same year, and area that they were the killers. They may others had their death sentences only about twenty miles from Kilmallock, have been acting on their own or as commuted to penal servitude for life. It is in Tipperary town, another astounding agents, paid or otherwise, of the now believed, however, that only four of murder took place. This happened on the Moonlighters. Casey and Brown were the accused were involved in the crime 30th of July in the smoking room of casual farm labourers and from what we and that three of the murder gang, Dobyn's hotel in the quiet of the afternoon know of them not men of much character. including the man who planned, organised and paid for it, were never brought to and elsewhere, but also known as Farmer justice. With the exception of this man, Michael Hayes. There are many different Big John Casey of Bunachrick and his son and abbreviated versions of this song. (TEXT: Broadside in P.J. McCall's John, who were well-to-do sheep farmers, John Faulkner, who sang it for the radio collection, N.L.I. Missing lines, between all the others, killers, victims and programme The Song and the Story, has square brackets, from a broadside condemned innocents, were poor sheep one version. The late Tom Lenihan of probably printed in Liverpool; Linenhall farmers and labourers.16 Miltown Malbay sang it in its entirity. Its Library, Belfast). The raid for arms on Castle Farm, the attraction for me rests in its form. The residence of John O'Connell-Curtin, was pursuit of Hayes, the killer of Braddell, is I am a bold undaunted fox that never ,was the work of a local band of Moonlighters. presented in the form of a fox chase. The before to tramp, We know who some of these were use of animals and birds in songs as My rent and taxes I was always willingfto I because one of them, Timothy O'Sullivan, symbols of men is quite common, and the Pay; was shot dead and two others, Thady blackbird and linnet are frequently used to [I lived as happy as King Saul and loved Casey and David Daly, were charged, tried represent the hero and leader. The image my neighbours great and small, and convicted. At least two of the three of Hayes as a wily fox is apt. The song is a And had no animosity for either friend or had worked at Castle Farm and the gang sophisticated composition. One could foe.] seems to have been composed of farm almost accept its imagery at face value, as I made my den in prime good land between labourers and sons of small farmers who does James N. Healy who, in Old Irish Taerary and Knocklong, were often labourers too. Street Ballads, Vol. 3, lists it under hunting Where my forefathers lived for three The last of the agrarian crimes we are songs. He dates it as 1865. In a manuscript thousand years or more, going to look at is the clubbing to death of in the Folklore Department of U.C.D. I But now of late I was betrayed by one that James Donovan, an emergency man on a came across a good version of this song was a fool and knave, farm in the Glenlara district near on the same story, The Gallant Farmer He told me I should quit the place and show Newmarket in Co. Cork by two men on an Hayes. The opening verse goes: my face no more. April night in 1894. John Twiss, whom we have already mentioned, of Cordal, near You heard of that brave gallant farmer As soon as he ejected me, I thought 'twas Castleisland, a convicted Moonlighter, Who went with the rent for to pay time that I should jlee, noted poacher and a thorn in the side of The agent refised to take it I stole away his ducks and geese, and the police, was tried, convicted and As true as I hear people say. murdered all his drakes, executed for the Glenlara murder. Twiss (Source: Department of Irish Folklore, I knew I could no longer stand because he affirmed his innocence of the crime in a U.C.D., main manuscript collection, vol. had the hounds at hand, remarkable speech from the dock after he 54, pp 348-9. Collected in Cork, 1934). So I tightened up my garters, and then I had been found guilty. The speech, In another manuscript in the same went away; though rambling and repetitive, was place there is yet another song on the But soon there was a look out by land and notable for its strange idioms, its striking same case, some lines of which run as sea to make me out, images and its patent honesty. It elevated follows: From Dublin quay to Belfast town, along the poor, ignorant countryman to another the raging sea. level and gave credence to his claim that In Cappawkite I slept one night By telegraph they did me insert, a great the was "of the blood of gentlemen."I7 Being aroused in the morning early reward for my arrest, I ran to Toem and soon reached Doon My figure, size, and form, and my name Where I knew each nook and corner. without a doubt. (Source: Department of Irish Folklore, The broke their brogues, some thousand Now we come to the songs. Most, but not U.C.D., main manuscript collection, vol. pairs, this reward for to obtain, all, of these were written around the time 407, p 223. Collected in Limerick, 1937). But still there was no tidings of me or my the murders took place. We have, for We are told in this source that the retreat. instance, four songs on the hanging of the author of this song was prosecuted and They searched Tipperary over, the cornfields two Cormack brothers, William and Dan, imprisoned and when released had the and Galtymore, in May 1858, but only one of these was good sense to frame the next one in the They went along by Wexford but there did written at the time. The other three were form of a fox-chase. not delay; composed around 1910 when in a ferment Of course the great anomaly of the Through Ballyhale and Stranmore they of nationalist fervour the bones of the two Hayes case is the fact that, before his searched the woods as they went on, men - or what passed for their bones - falling out with his former employers, he Till they were hungry and cold at the were exhumed from the convicts' was a most ruthless and pitiless approach of day. graveyard in Nenagh gaol and buried in a instrument of their policies. One source Now, search the world far and near, the like specially constructed mausoleum in credits him with evicting 1,000 tenants.lg I before you did not hear, Loughmore cemetery, in their own parish. was first inclined to regard this as an A fox to get away so clear as I did from the Another song that was not written at the exaggeration until I read elsewhere that hounds. time of the incident (the murder of he had been responsible for driving off the O'Gorman and Morrow at Ballycohey in tenants of a whole to~nland.~~But when They searched the rocks, the gulfs and bays, 1878) is The Battle of Ballycohey. This is he assassinated Braddell he became a the ships and liners at the quays, the work of J.J. Finnan ("Myles") (1865- hero amongst the people and obviously The ferry-boats and steamers as they were 1912). It has not the run, structure or received considerable support and going to sea; rhyme scheme of the street ballad. All the succour, for he was never taken. The song Around the coast they took a steer from other songs, with the exception of two, are mentions places widely flung throughout Poolbeg lighthouse to Cape Clear, from the hands of the anonymous ballad- the country where the hunt for Hayes took Killarney town, and sweet Tralee, and then maker. The ballad of John Twiss is place. I took this also to be a wild crossed into Clare, generally credited to Eugene O'Mara of exaggeration of, even a spoof on, the When they landed on the shore they searched Cordal, while the Poff and Barrett ballad actual case. But sources reveal that there Kilmsh fiom top to toe, was written by a national teacher, Daniel was a most unrelenting search in places as The bathing places in Milltown or otherwise O'Brien, who was a witness at the trial.I8 distant as Tyrone, Skibbereen, Dundalk, Malbay, In speaking on the quality of the songs Liverpool and Tipperary. At one point the And Galway being a place of fame they I shall say that the song I like best is the authorities had two gunboats cruising off thought 'twas there I was [concealed,/ one entitled The General Fox Chase in the Cork-Waterford coast to prevent his But still their search was all in vain, for I Zimmermann's Songs of the Irish Rebellion reported imminent escape by sea.21 gave them leg bail. The shooting of a landlord from The Illustrated London News.

They searched the train in Oranmore as she were hanged, and Denis Dillane, the I often sat down and began to pause. was starting to Arklow, instigator and paymaster of the murder, By a proclamation through this nation, And every waggon, car, and coach, that who was also executed. A lamentation was For my apprehension there was a great went along the road. composed for him and the whole thing reward, Connemara being remote they thought to was seen as a great tragedy in the area. So for fear of danger to those who that place I might resort. What I like about the Lamentation of entertained me, When they were getting weary they resolved James Walsh is its reflective and analytic MyselfIgave up to the barrack guard. to tyMayo. aspects. It generalises on the murder to [In Ballinrobe they had to rest until the consider the causes of agrarian crime and The cause of murders in the Irish nation hounds were quite refreshed, blames the laws governing land tenure I will declare it going before the Lord, From thence they went to Westport and and ownership which were so heavily on In hopes when I am buried that your searched it high and low. the side of the landlord that the tenant was legislation Through Castlebar they took a trot, they forced to operate outside them. My cause some alteration in their humane heard I was in Castlerock, laws. But still they were deluded where I lodged When a poor tenant he is badly treated the night before.] By an unfeeling agent without much cause, Dear Christians listen to what I will And that he is dm'uen then to desperation, In Swinford town, as I sat down, I heard a mention, He sees the danger $he breaks the laws. dreadful cyof horses, With sincere repentance upon you I call, So I took another notion to retaliate my To pray for pardon to the Heavenly Father The laws that punish for depredations chase; For James Walsh and for us all. Could just as easy prevent the cause, I being weayt from the road I took a dram The first day of September my lZfe ended, If in the wisdom of your legislature at halfpast four, You will all remember in '62, That gave the sons of Erin equal laws. I was then renovated whilst the hounds were And Thomas Beckham you should not forget It would do away with hanging and getting weak; him, transportation, The night being dark at Castlebar, I knew He acted both loyal and true. And this emigration going abroad; not how to make my way, Ifyou got your land at a fair valuation I had neither den nor manger to shield me Your humble servant is now the second Your rents you really would disregard. from the cold, That is going to sufer for the very same, And the moon began to rise; I said I'd make As we were both concerned in one Now I ask this favourfiom every neighbour, for a foreign clime. transaction, To give no circulation to those lines I've I am in the land of liberty, so a fig to all my I will die on the gallows and give no blame; penned, foes. Though being in circulation at my Until I'm twelve months buried, for a resignation certain reason, (Source: Georges-Denis Zimmermann, I have an information of so many names, And before that period the times might mend. Songs of Irish Rebellion, Allen Figgis, But I'd sooner sufer than I would discover, Notwithstanding that you are badly treated Dublin, 1967, pp 257-258). One act is enough to disgrace my name. By those ambitious agents who claim your Another song from the same time is rent, the Lamentation of James Walsh, one of When I did surrender it was no wonder, Whilst the pampered landlord in a foreign two killers of Francis Fitzgerald. Four men I saw no chance to escape the laws, nation, in all died arising from this affair, the I was so well surrounded in woods and Where the fruits of your labour are daily murdered man, his two assassins who mountains, spent. My name was entered for emigration, That the death knell it was sounding The money Ipaid when I did agree, To call his soul away. So to commit murder was not my inclination, He is dead in Limerick jail There was something strange in this I can't For so it was, for when he came Many hearts for him to wail, see. To the Cross at Lisheenbawn On the scaffold Francis Hynes did breathe I must say one thing it was a great With the ditchesgrown with brambles his last, temptation Between the road and lawn Many brave hearts are in gm'ef That interfered with my libertie. * For so it was, for when he came That had worked for his repm'eue, The Lord have mercy on the souls departed! A few short paces more, He is gone and fills a martyr's silent grave, You will act ever cautious when you think of A shot rang out, a ball of lead silent grave, me. Into his right palm tore. He is gone and fills a martyr's silent grave. 'I *libertie=liberty He turned around to meet the foe For the murder of Dooloughty (Source: Mainchin Seoighe, Tankard- As so the papers say, Not very long ago, stown, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick. Another He sought for his revolver Francis Hynes, he was arrested for the broadsheet ballad on the same theme may That in his pocket lay. crime: be found in James N. Healy (ed), The But ere he had time to fire a shot Guilty he was found Mercier Book of Irish Street Ballads, Vol. 1. As so it is believed By a jury packed, well found, Cork 1967, pp 72-73). From the hidden gun behind the hedge And sentenced by Judge Lawson for to die, Some of the songs like the Ballad of He another wound received. for to die Francis Hynes, the Poffand Barrett Ballad, He was sentenced by Judge Lawson for to and The Maamtrasna Murderers, were Unconscious though he surely was die. written close to the time of the events on He got yet another ball which they are based. The song that I They say Ywas a rifle bullet Strong evidence was borne, used in the mERadio programme on the That finally made him fall Afidavits they were sworn Maamtrasna massacre was written soon For thirty yards he struggled on To the jury's intemperate habits at his after the execution of the three men, Pat They say before he fell trial, * Joyce, Pat Casey and Myles Joyce on Going in the direction homewards But they feared his heart so brave December 15 1882. We know this because As so the bloodstains tell. For to fiee him from the grave, the official version of the case is what is And a martyr died young Hynes that is given and the question of false witnesses And now he's dead and buried gone, that is gone. and perjured evidence is not mentioned. 'Tis only meet and right Long live our great Lord Mayor The song on Francis Hynes has That his real and true character Who had worked without despair, references that could only be intelligible to Should be seen in broad daylight For to gain young Francis Hynes his people of the time. Judge Lawson, who For hardness and for cruelty reprieve. sentenced Hynes, is mentioned and there His match was never seen May he prosper to the end is a verse in praise of the Lord Mayor of An upholder of English tyranny May his spirits never bend Dublin, Charles Dawson M.P., for trying In Ireland he had been. So a prayer for Francis Hynes that is gone, to have the sentence commuted. A song that is gone. that is remarkable for its factual accuracy And now to end this tale of blood Then a prayer for Francis Hynes that is is The Ballad of Arthur Herbert. This I hope 'twill do some good gone. contains a detailed description of his I don't encourage murder assassination which coincides with, and May God forbid I should Again the Shamrock Shore was probably taken from, the newspapers But 'twill show unto the government In morninggloom is thrown, of the time. It also reflects local feeling on That we mean for to be free For the immortal soul of Francis Hynes; the killing, the lack of sympathy for And point out the tragic failure God received his soul on High Herbert and the perception of him as hard Of coercive policy. May the memory never die and cruel. Of the martyr, Francis Hynes, that is gone, (Source: Michael Culloty, Currow, that is gone, Killarney, Co. Kerry.) Of the martyr, Francis Hynes, that is gone, While all the songs are songs of that is gone Ye people all, both great and small, agrarian murder, four are also laments for Of the martyr, Francis Hynes, that is gone. Now listen unto me men whom the ballad-maker believed Whilst I relate, of recent date, were innocent and executed in the wrong. (Source: James N. Healy, Mercier Book of Another tragedy. As I said previously, I do not agree with Irish Street Ballads, op. cit., pp 35,36. I claim your kind attention the song-writer in the case of Hynes. Another version by P. Hanley appears For this story I've penned down These songs contain deep expressions of in Dal gCais No 7, p.125: Source: Which took place in County Kerry sorrow and grief. Francis Hynes is Department of Irish Folklore, U.C.D.) And near Castleisland town. referred to a number of times as a 'martyr'. *See Appendix 11 But what of the ballad-maker's attitude to, Twas on the thirtieth day of March and feeling for, the victim, or to broaden it In the year of 82 out into a political question, where did he What was about to happen stand on the land question? The answer to Was known to veryfew. this is the same in regard to all of the The most remarkable song in this respect A landlord living near the place songs. The ballad without exception is on is the Moonlight Attack on Curtin's House. Was coming home fiom town the side of the tenant farmer and This is based on the raid for arms on Where he sat in Petty Sessions supportive of his cause, hostile to the Castle Farm, near Firies, Co. Kerry, the To represent the Crown. landlord and the civil authorities, on the residence of John O'Connell-Curtin, with a side of the Moonlighter and the assassin farm of about 250 acres, in 1885. It was a Undaunted he was travelling and mostly unsympathetic to the victim. raid that went wrong. The raiders did not And just about halfway home For instance, in the lament for Francis intend to shed blood, they just wanted the Twas little he was fearing Hynes there is no word of sympathy for guns that were in the house. But the And he was all alone. the poor herdsman shot dead coming father with two sons and two daughters Twas little he was thinking from mass, or for his wife, or for the seven tackled the intruders who entered their That there an ambush lay orphans that he left behind. house and in the confrontation that night-walkers was Thady Casey, who was a regular visitor to Castle Farm and whose father had been a recipient of the family's generosity. Yet when Fr. Murphy, the curate of Firies, spoke at Sunday mass of the dead man's charity, sincerity and devoutness, most of the congregation left the chapel. The surviving members of the family had to have police protection and they were boycotted, jeered and booed when they went to mass. The family pew, was dragged from the church anti smashed and smeared with excrement. Two men, Thady Casey and David Daly, were subsequently sentenced to penal servitude for their part in the affair.23They are described in the song as "those two innocent men." In 1887 the Curtins were forced to sell their fine farm and leave the area. The song is a good example of how the facts of a situation can be distorted and turned on their heads to put a particular slant on an incident.

TEXT: Broadside ballad reproduced in The Times, 10th February, 1886.

Now listen awhile the truth I will state, How those moonlighting heroes of late made a raid, Down in Castlefarm in John Curtin's place, They entered the kitchen with masks on their face, Demanding firearms, they followed his son Right into the parlour in search for a gun, From the top of the stair two bullets did Eviction Scene, 1880 from The illustrated London News. come, Which murdered the poor widow's followed two men were fatally shot, John brought to the gallows "four dozen darling. O'Connell-Curtin himself and a young croppies" in the year of '98. In 1798 some Moonlighter named Thady Sullivan. The fighting did take place in the Castleisland A young lad in the ranks, a dashing family displayed remarkable courage, area and some local men were executed young blade, notably the two young women. Norah for their part in the uprising, including a With a darling young heart that was snatched the mask off the face of one of man called Tadhg Leathan Nolan. But the never dismayed, the raiders and Lizzie wrestled a gun from claim that an ancestor of O'Connell- He levelled his rifle that ne're him the same man. To the obiective observer. Curtin's betrayed them seems to be a betrayed, an armed gang enter a house, demand fabrication. For O'Connell-Curtin was not And left the old blood-hound there firearms, and threaten the occupants who a native of Co. Kerry at all. He came from squealing. defend themselves and their property a prosperous farming family in west They fought and they rallied through against the intruders; most people would Limerick where his father held three parlour and hall, say that what they did was justified. But farms from the Earl of Devon. Educated Outside in the kitchen old Curtin did not the writer of the song. On the other by the Jesuits at Clongowes Wood fall, hand, it must be said that raiding for arms College, he had come to Castle Farm But for damp ammunition we would was a recognised feature of life in about forty years earlier when he had settle them all, disturbed districts at this time and in married Agnes de Courcy who was related Which is but the fate of informers. many instances the holders of guns to the Sandes family of north Kerry. In handed these over without resistance. The fact, O'Connell-Curtin's background was a His grandfather, too, I'm informed of song presents the attackers as heroes and nationalist one. Lore had it that the family late, the shooting of Mr. Curtin, who was shot had sheltered Michael Doheny after the He brought to the gallows in the year '98 at the door as the Moonlighters retreated, abortive rising of 1848 when he was being Four dozen croppies, the truth we must is described as follows: sought by the And O'Connell- state, Curtin was a joint treasurer of the Firies For which he was highly rewarded; He levelled his rifle that ne'er him branch of the Land League when he was But the blood of those martyrs for betrayed killed. He was seen locally as a generous, vengeance does call, And left the old blood-hound there kindly neighbour who had built four stone- It was heaven decreed it that Curtin squealing. walled, slate-roofed houses for his should fall. permanent farm workers at a time when Success to the right boy that gave him He then goes on to seemingly libel the not many of them enjoyed such a standard the ball, family saying that one of their ancestors of housing. The leader of the band of God prosper him over the water. the nineteenth century saw the All for to protect the widows in the government of Ireland, its laws and its County Donegal. agents, as hostile and alien to them and With me riddle, etc. supportive of, and sympathetic to, the landlord and his representatives; or, as When young Rory seen him coming, his Wolfe Tone put it 'a government of force'. heart did jump for glee. Each of the stories in our study presents He gave three cheers for Tenant Right, us with a cameo of our agrarian history. Home Rule and liberty. The greed for land and the determination 'Our maiden fairs and Colleen Bapns not to be put off it constitute one of the that was proper, straight and tall, principal motors of Irish history. Caused by you they were sent o'er$e seas, far farfiom Donegal.'+ With me riddle, etc.

The 'Ulster Custom' allowed a tenant to Oh, this monster's face began to foam. sell his 'interest' in a holding to another His venom he did spew, tenant when he vacated the farm. In Ulster And roared out in a hellish tone: 'Sir, this was regarded as a tenant right, in the tell me who are you?' rest of the country, wherever the practice Well, my Lord, I'm Rory of the Hill, that existed, it was considered a privilege. makes you welcome all 'Emergency men' were drafted onto a To a hearty dose of bullet pills below in farm where a tenancy in dispute existed. Donegal.' These men did the farm work where local With me riddle, etc. labourers were unwilling - or prevented - from doing it. Oh, young Makim cries: 'Spare us our lives, Mister Royt, ifyou please!' 'No, no, for whea you lie with dogs you're sure to rise withjleas.' Landlordism on the Horns of a Dilemma. The boys was laughing at the joke, they (from United Ireland, 23 Oct. 1886). O you boys of the shamrock, pay stood behind the wall, attention to my ditty. Saying: 'We'll pepper 'em up with Norah and Lizzie with Agnes the three Be alive to your duty, be wise and be powder and smoke this day in Donegal.' Came tumbling downstairs in the midst witty. With me riddle, etc. of the spree, Keep your powder dry, and we'll make With Doran that evening they drank in the tyrant fall, 'Oh, go on, my boys,' says Rory. 'Make full glee, And we'll give them what Lord Leitrim ready, present and fire!' But little expected the slaughter. got below in Donegal. At his old brain they took fair aim and It's a pity the lapdog of Kenmare Estate Riddle-addle-day-ri,fol-the-rol-the-ree. they hurled him in the mire. Was not caught in the den, we would To revenge the joke, his head they broke, give him a taste It being on the 2nd of April, this old and his carcase there did maul. Of some powder and ball that would debaucher left his den, They stuck him in a pool, his head to send him in haste He left bailifi, bums and harlots in the cool, below in Donegal. Far away from tormenting poor sinners. castle of Lough Rynn. With me riddle, etc. To Makin and Kincaid he gave a hellish So now to conclude and to finish my bawl, 'Well done, my boys,' says Rory, as he song, Saying; We'll tumble down the cabins in turned to the sea, May those boys that's in jail be at home the County Donegal!' Where the men they jumped into a boat before long, With me riddle, etc. that there at anchor lay. Those two innocent men that are in the We can paddle our own canoe, we've got wrong, 'Twas two crafty-looking renegades old a speedy shawl, That the Lord he may keep them from Shiney did obey, And hooray, me boys,' says Roq ffor the harm. Saying: We'll hurl out the Papish and maids of Donegal ?' Not forgetting Thady Sullivan shot we'll drown them in the sea. With me riddle, etc. through the head, As Cromwell did in days of yore, we'll May the powers above for his soul find a waste 'em, great and small, Oh, the policemen like beagles gathered bed, And we'll desolate their farms here below round this dirty beast, And his loving mother is now nearly in Donegal.' And the devils all, both great and small, dead, With me riddle, etc. they had a sumptuous feast. Lamenting the loss of her darling. He was dissected like a bullock down at 'Oh, me lord, 111 feel so horrified,' poor Manorvaughan Hall, (Source: Georges D. Zimmermann, Songs Makim he did say, And the devils ate him, rump and of Irish Rebellion, op. cit., pp.278; 288) For it has foretold me we'll meet Royr on stump, that right in Donegal. the way.' With me riddle, etc. His lordship then made answer in the presence of Kincaid: "Other versions have: 'who never feared a What is one to say by way of some 'Of Rory or the devil, sure, I never was ball'. concluding comments on the sources of afraid!'. +The version of Myles Duggan, of Belleek, this agrarian violence? The struggle for With me riddle, etc. Co. Fermanagh (BBC S19536) has: the control of the land of Ireland is Znd then as he approached them, he did steeped in violence. The confiscations and So they druv away together on that 'em then salute, plantations of the sixteenth and unlucky day, Saying: 'Where are you going today, you seventeenth centuries, which gave the Until they came to Cretlagh Wood, near dirty ugly Orange brute?" ' land to supporters of the English Crown, an angle of the sea, were carried out by fire and sword. The Where bold Rory he was standing there, (Source: This text is published and ordinary Irish countryman and woman of just threatened by a squall, * discussed by A.L. Lloyd in Rebels and Their Causes, Maurice Cornforth (ed), Their moments they were numbered My last hour is approaching, I hear the Lawrence and Wishart, London, 1978, Before the trap did fall, death bell toll pp177-179. This is substantially the version And turned around again once more The hangman he has Pinioned me, I as sung by the late Thomas Moran, Those words addressed to all. must now give up my soul Mohill, Co. Leitrim and recorded by You know that I am innocent is all I Seamus Ennis in 1954 [BBC recording 'We now confess before our God have to say S218991) Who reared us from our birth, May the Lord forgive my enemies, on all That we never injured any man their judgement day. Or woman on this earth." (Source: Seamus Mac Mathuna (ea) Come on you lovers one and all, "May the Lord have mercy on our souls Traditional Songs and Singers, Cornhaltas And listen unto me, And we hope each one will pray Ceoltoiri Eireann, Dublin, 1977, p.40) ' f A mournful execution that happened in Unto the Blessed Redeemer, Tralee. To wash our sins away."

Pofand Barrett met their doom, (Source: Michael Culloty, Currow, Killar- May heaven be their bed, ney, Co. Kerry. Claims song was composed The deeds ofheroes true and bold Their dying declaration - by a national school teacher, Daniel In deathless song by bards are told Those are the words they said: O'Brien, who was a witness at the trial.) To nerve the timid and the bold, And rouse them into action. James Barrett says: "I do declare Then I shall sing a simple rhyme Before my God and Judge Of men who fought in our time, That I never injured Thomas Browne Farewell my dearest sister Jane, your Of men who fought a fight sublime Or owed him any grudge. fond and last adieu, To Ireland's satisfaction. At the early age ofthirty-fiveI now must "I was not in the field that day part fiom you, They were no doughty sons ofMars The fatal shot was fired, For the murder of James Donovan I am Who greed or glory seek in wars, Nor never knew the deed was done now condemned to die Yet fortune kindly blest their stars - 'Till after he expired. On the ninth of February ninety-five Their fame no tongue can sully. upon the scafold high. But true man all who took their stand, 1am a young man in my bloom, Resolved to fight for home and land - I am scarcely twenty3ve; John Twiss from Castleisland its true it They pulverised that hierling band I never injured any man is my name Led by the despot, Scully. As long as I'm alive. I never did commit a crime, why I should deny that same That August day in sixty-eight, I own I was a sportsman, with spirit Let Irishmen commemorate, "Inyouthful days of manhood light and gay, For on that day and vey, date I must give up my life, But paid spies and informers, my life The bullets loud did rattle: Into the Blessed Virgin's hands, they swore away. Discharged fiom old, but trusty guns, Who's Mother, maid and wife. By Ballycohey's dauntless sons On the twenty-fifth ofApril eighteen At those who came to scourge like Huns, "God help my two young sisters ninety-four, Or banish them like cattle. Who witnessed so much grief; That was the night, dear sister Jane, God comfort my poor parents long years you may deplore The bailifi and the fforce' went down, And grant to them relief: When I was taken prisoner, the police to Those loyal runners for the Crown, me did say The second volley did them brown, "Good-bye to all my dearest friends For the murder of James Donovan we They thought their task no laughter. Around my native place, arrest you on this day. And Scully too was forced to yield, And when my spirit is at rest In spite of his protective shield. Don't throw me in their face." It was at the Cork assizes my enemies all They bore him bloody from the field swore Whoeversaw him after? Sylvester Poffnext handed, That I shot James Donovan and laid The priest being in his cell, him in his gore God bless the men who fought the fight, A folded slip of paper, The jury found me guilty, the judge to me Whofought the battle ofthe right, His dying words as well. did say Who never sought the smiles of might On the ninth of February, ninety-five, Through any interceder. "Now, I'm going before my God will be your dying day. Their fame down times long halls shall Upon this very day; ring, I never injured Thomas Browne But when I heard my sentence passed to Their names shall pride and glory bring Or took his life away. the judge -I did say And future bards their deeds shall sing The jury found me guilty without the And ofDwyer their leader. "There is one request I have to ask least delay. Before I end my life, I swear that James Donovan I never yet Their deed did more to loose our chains, I have a helpless family, did know And stir the life blood in our veins, Likewise a loving wife. May the Lord forgive my enemies who Than all our picayunish gains proved my overthrow. We've got by agitation. 1hope you won't forget them It proved to fiend as well as foe When I am in the clay; My blessings on the Mayor of Cork, and That Irishmen can strike a blow, May the Lord have mercy on our souls, the people there also And cause the putrid stream to flow That is all I have to say." In thousands they petitioned, to release Of Saxon legislation. me they did go Like soldiers bold they soon ran up But my enemies were determined I (Source: The Patriotic Songs and Poems The scafold grim and high, should my life lay down of J.J. Finnan ("Myles"), printed and You'd think that they were anxious For paid spies and informers - "A published by Guy & Co., 114 O'Connell To know who first would die. traitor to the crown". Street, Limerick, 1913.) They never injured any man, although (Source: Broadsheet in the collection of condemned to die, the Department of Irish Folklore, U.C.D., And launched into eternity before the described as a contemporary ballad and Lord of high. dated December. 1882.)

Now to conclude and finish my dismal NOTES Text: Broadside printed by Haly, Cork; in tragedy, For background reading on the land T.C.D. (White coll.) I call on all that's standing by to join in agitation see, for example, the prayer with me. following references: Paul Bew, Land , Attend, each tender Christian, to what I As they declared their innocence upon and the National Question in Ireland, do unlfold; their dying day, 1858-82, Gill & Macmillan, Dublin, My doleful lamentation will make your May the Lord have mercy on their souls, 1978; Samuel Clark, Social Origins or blood run cold, good Christians,for them pray. the Irish Land War, Princeton Concerning those two young men that University Press, 1979; T.W. Moody, lately suffered sore (Source: Georges D. Zimmermann, Songs Davitt and Irish Revolution, 1846-82, In front of Nenagh Prison - their friends of Irish Rebellion, op. cit., pp248-249) Oxford University Press, 1981; F.S. may now deplore. Lyons, Ireland Since the Famine, Fontana, London, 1973. Being on the 11th day of May, most Laurence M. Geary, "Parnell and the dreadful for to see, Irish Land Question" in Parnell: The Those victims standing on the trap in The Politics of Power, Donal bitter agony, McCartney (ed), Wolfhound Press, Saying, "God He is our witness, this The fifteenth of December in the year of Dublin, 1991. crime we do not know, '82, Georgina O'Brien (ed) , Reminiscences But from this sinful world we are The oficials of old Galway jail a painfil of the Right Hon. Lord O'Brien, reconciled to go." sight did view; London, 1916; Kerry Independent, 18 Between Thurles we were born and the The execution of three men upon the Dec. 1882. town of Templemore; gallows high, Freeman's Journal, 23 Dec. 1882. Our friends and neighbours may lament, For the Maamtrasna murders they were Samuel Clark, James Donnelly Jnr., - will never see us more: condemned to die. Irish Peasant Violence and Political Our cruel prosecutors, all on our trial Unrest, Manchester, 1983, ~~278,329, day, The city of the tribes must bear this 330. They it little scruple to swear our lives lasting sad disgrace, away. The Twiss brothers, John and Which years of good behaviour from it George, were labouring men and will not erase, active Moonlighters. The day of their execution, as they stood The crime is more lamented than the Interview with Michael Maher, on the drop, hanging of the three, Lough, Turles, Co. Tipperary, 9 Aug. The thunder came so dreadfil that it did And may we again such a tragedy in 1990. the people shock; Ireland never see. It seems the Lord was angry, in which Limerick Chronicle, 20 May 1862. He showed his power, The clergy have attended them with Cork Examiner, 19 May 1862. As they were dying innocent upon that unremitting care. 10. Limerick Chronicle, 11 Mar. 1863 dismal hour. We hope their penitence and prayers to 11. Limerick Chronicle, 17 July 1862. heaven have been sincere, 12. Cork Examiner, 7 Aug. 1862. They threw themselves upon their knees, And that they may find favour before the 13. Interview with Paddy Lalor, to heaven they did cry, throne on high, Tipperary, Co. Tipperary, 10 Aug. "0 God have mercy on our souls! - we Their sentence was a fearful one in 1990. are reconciled to die; manhood's prime to die. 14. Sean Spellissey, "Peter the Packer -A We forgive our prosecutors, that swore Man for the Times" in Dal gCais, No. our lives away; The five who pleaded guilty, each will 7, 1984, pp121-130. (See Appendix 11) This is our declaration - good have a troubled mind, 15. John Twiss was convicted a number of Christians,for us pray." When to their dark and dismal cells in times for poaching offences. He and Spike they are consigned, George terrorised people because of While the rope went round their neck The ghastly scene that brought them their reputation as gunmen. John is their sorrow to increase, there will be before their eyes reputed to have gone to the house of To their lips they pressed the crucifix and Whether day or night they'll have no Robert Meredith, a substantial each other did embrace, peace, these visions will arise. landowner in the Castleisland area, We offer up our lives this day upon the where his appearance in the doorway gallows tree, The judge and jury have discharged was sufficient to terrify the landlord. In union with the sacrifice of Christ on their duty with much pain, 16. Jarlath Waldron, Maamtrasna: The Cavalry. The verdict no one could dispute, the Murders and the Mystery, Edmund evidence was plain. Burke, Dublin, 1992. The trap went quickly from their feet, Then let us pray that their poor souls on 17. Kerry Weekly Repo&er, 12 Jan. 1895. and dreadful was the fall, high may mercy find 18. Interview with Michael Culloty, And all who saw the dismal sight shed And to the five respited men give each a Currow, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Oct. tears both one and all, tranquil mind. 1990. The thunder still continued, with both 19. Cork Examiner, 7 Aug. 1862 and 22 lightning and the rain, Old Grainne in deep sorrow weeps and Sept. 1862. And here, as well as Nenagh, many calls on Irishmen, trembled at the same. To abstain from every kind of crime that 20. Cork Examiner, 22 Sept. 1862. would our men condemn 21. Cork Examiner, 5 Nov. 1862. 0 God, have mercy on their souls! For And with our patriotic men in peace 22. Interview with John Cussen, dreadfil was their doom! join hand in hand Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, Nov. In front of Nenagh prison cut down in And still repeat that holy prayer, God 1990. all their bloom; save old Ireland. 23. Kerry Sentinel, 18 Dec. 1885.