JOSEPH BRENAN ; 1828-1857 : 'Young Ireland' Leader .......
....... Irish Rebel Joseph Brenan was 'on-the-run' from the British in New Orleans in America - the year was 1851 .......
In August that year (1851) , at 23 years young , Joseph Brenan married Mary Savage , his friends sister , and the couple stayed and settled in New Orleans . In 1857 , at 29 years of age , Joseph Brenan died in New Orleans and was buried in that City , in the old French Cemetery . He had dedicated the final ten years of his short life to not only writing about British mis-rule in Ireland but challenging it militarily as well .
Again , as is so often the case with the subjects of this 'weblog' , we found it difficult to find information on Joseph Brenan ; out of the six reference books we usually compile material from , only two made reference to him . He was apparently not as well-known as others of his time who were also involved in the 'Young Ireland' Movement , journalism and military matters . Joseph Brenan deserves recognition nonetheless , and we have attempted to do that here ...
[END of ' JOSEPH BRENAN ; 1828-1857 : 'Young Ireland' Leader...'].
(Tomorrow - the story behind two 19th Century Irish 'Turncoats' , who mixed with the 'best' of British society ...).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
KNOCKSAHARING.......
".......a system of beacons on hill-tops had been established to notify those in the surrounding area of when the Brits had left their base ; once the beacon was set alight , we knew the enemy was out on a raid ......."
" I remember Saint Johns night when the British were signalled by our beacons . At the same time , fires were lighted in honour of Saint John , causing dire confusion and some slight strain in relations between the patrons of Saint John and the disciples of Baal ! The latter decreed , like King Laoghaire , that in future " 'till Baal's enkindled fire shall rise , no fire shall flame instead . " Perhaps our enemy thought to avail of the confusion , but in any case he had not come very far when he changed his mind and returned again .
It was the morning of the Feast of Corpus Christi ; we were sound asleep when we got the news - it was Mrs. Dinneen herself who urgently called us : " The Black-and-Tans , lads , the Black-and-Tans ! " she cried . I ran to an upstairs window and looked out - they were not yet in sight at any rate . Just then Jer Dinneen appeared and shouted - " No hurry , no hurry ." He had come from Mass ; while we got dressed , he told us the news . " The Tans crossed Carrigaphooca Bridge and we waited to see if they would go straight on for Ballyvourney . But no , they came on for The Cross (our Village) , and crossing Con Lynch's Bridge went on by the lower road to Renanirree . So there ye are . "
There we were , as Jer said , trying hard to anticipate their further movements . We asked each other what they were likely to do next and , while hurriedly drinking a cup of tea , we pondered on it . They were a strong party , seven lorries of British Auxiliaries , and they might do anything . They were not at all shy of travelling over by-roads ; in fact , it had become popular with them , as it contributed towards their safety . The main roads had become dangerous for them , so when they chose a quiet route the chances were much in their favour . Returning by a different and circuitous way was another favourite manoeuvre of theirs , and had often saved them from unwelcome attention . It was impossible to watch for them on more than one road at the same time , since we had not the armed numbers to do so .
Should we move out , or stay put .......? "
(MORE LATER).
A PAINFUL CASE .
(First published in 'In Dublin' Magazine , 'Under The Bridge' column , 12th November 1987 , Page 4).
Reproduced here in 2 parts .
(1 of 2).
The on-going saga regarding Garda Martin Caffrey of Coolock Garda Station in Dublin reached a conclusion of sorts in the High Court on Friday last . The Court upheld a conviction against Garda Caffrey - he had been fined , with £82 expenses (Euro 104) , in the District Court last March (ie March 1987).
On 4th August 1986 , £130 (Euro 165) was taken from a petrol station owned by Desmond McLoughlin . Tony Brown and Paul Travers were followed by the Gardai , and were suspected of having stolen the money . Evidence tendered by the petrol-pump attendant suggested that Paul Travers had taken the money when he was attending to Tony Brown's car .
Evidence was also tendered in the case that Paul Travers had told Brown he had robbed the station , but only after a Garda car approached the men at Lusk , in County Dublin . Both men fled the car , and two Gardai , one of whom was Garda Caffrey , pursued them ...
(MORE LATER).