PAT AND HARRY LOUGHNANE , Galway - tortured to death by the Black and Tans , 1920.......
....... the Loughnane brothers were thumped around in the cell by the Black and Tans for three or four hours ; they were then tied together and dragged behind a truck , on their way to the Headquarters of the Black and Tans in Drumharsna Castle .......
Both Pat and Harry Loughnane were at that stage too weak to run behind the truck , and ended up being dragged on the ground behind the Black and Tan truck ; on arrival at Drumharsna Castle , the rope was untied from the truck and the two men were dragged into another cell and beaten again .
At around 10.30 or 11pm that same night (ie Friday 26th November 1920) the Loughnane brothers were removed from the cell and put in the back of the truck ; they were pushed out of the back of same after travelling a few miles - the brothers would have been too dazed to realise it , but they were now in Moy O'Hynes Wood , and were being taken deep into the thicket of it by the Black and Tans .
Locals later reported hearing four shots.......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
TUIRIN DUBH and CEIMANEIGH .......
".......the group of British soldiers guarding one of the trucks had been , silently , forced to surrender ; one armed IRA Volunteer stayed with them while the rest of the IRA Unit headed for the second truck ......."
" Keeping well out of sight of the road on the southern side of it , the IRA Unit moved eastwards towards Tuirin Dubh . On the way they would deal with the British soldier acting as sentry . Now this was not to be an easy job , since the road fences were low and in some places absent altogether . However , Dan Lehane and Tadhg Twomey took positions behind the pillars of a gateway about seven hundred yards from the school . As the sentry came abreast of them they rushed out at him . At first he backed away as if to get room to use his rifle . Dan followed him up , his shotgun inside the soldier's guard , and repeatedly asked for the surrender of the man's rifle .
This at length the British soldier did , by dropping the weapon , and the second phase was over . The sentry was sent under escort to his comrades at the school . Pushing on to Tuirin Dubh , parallel to the road and south of it , the IRA Unit halted not far from the second lorry . Creeping slowly forward in line , they came quite near the British soldiers without being observed . It was now the twilight of this late July 1920 evening . As at Ceimaneigh , the Brits stood in a group near the lorry . The order to surrender was not in this case complied with ......."
(MORE LATER).
A CAREFULLY CONSIDERED GAFFE .......
Fianna Fail , Brian Lenihan , Charles Haughey , George Schultz and Saint Patrick ;
....a story from 'Magill Magazine' , 12th November 1987 , pages 19 and 20 . A 'snap-shot' of Ireland in the 1980's , in 12 parts ...
(8 of 12).
Brian Lenihan was in Washington with Charles Haughey for the Saint Patrick Day celebrations , telling American Secretary of State George Schultz in a meeting that he was in a position to give " official confirmation " of the Dublin Administrations acceptance of the Hillsborough Treaty (this despite the fact that Fianna Fail had been , publicly , describing that Treaty as a "sell-out" !).
The suddenness of the turn-around and the fact that it was announced in America could not have been better designed to suggest that it was encouraged by pressure from the American government or by the American contributors to the International Fund set up under the 'Anglo-Irish Agreement' (ie the Hillsborough Treaty) . There was , however , another reason for the change of heart : domestic political expediency .....
Having ditched all of his previous reservations about the Treaty , Brian Lenihan was left with the thorny question of extradition . Even those most strongly committed to seeing that nothing should be allowed to endanger the Treaty , including Peter Barry (Fine Gael) , accept that the bringing into force of the Extradition Act would be a largely symbolic act with little practical significance , since the (Free State) courts have already re-defined the old (ie 1965) 'Extradition Act' in such a way as to give it the same effect ....
(MORE LATER).
Monday, March 29, 2004
PAT AND HARRY LOUGHNANE , Galway - tortured to death by the Black and Tans , 1920.......
....... The Loughnane brothers were working on the family farm at Shanaglish , County Galway , on 26th November 1920 when they were suddenly surrounded by the Black and Tans - the brothers were well-known locally as strong Irish Republicans , and both had a keen interest in Irish culture as well .......
The two brothers were slapped around a bit in the corn fields by the Black and Tans and then thrown into the back of the lorry belonging to the Tans - they were pushed off the lorry outside the Bridewell Barracks in Gort and put in a cell . People in near-by cells later reported hearing the brothers being thumped around by the Tans , who were well aware that the Loughnane brothers were active in the struggle for Irish Freedom .
After three or four hours of beating , the brothers were dragged out to the courtyard of Gort Bridewell and tied to each other ; the other end of the rope was then tied to the back of the truck , which drove off , heading for Drumharsna Castle , which was then the Headquarters of the Black and Tans in that area of Galway .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
TUIRIN DUBH and CEIMANEIGH .......
".......We had thirteen men - so had the British , but they were better armed . However , they had split their force in two in order to guard both trucks , which were about a mile apart ......."
" I do not know what a 'giniral' would have done with such a badly equipped party in such circumstances ? Nothing at all , probably , but even if he tried , he could not do better . The taking of each British Army group separately had , of course , one serious disadvantage . Two of the three operations should be carried out quietly , otherwise the Tuirin Dubh group might separate and take up unknown and perhaps impregnable positions .
Twilight comes early under the shadow of the hills around the Pass of Ceimaneigh . As soon as the light began to fail , the full group of IRA Volunteers began to move . Making a short detour towards the mouth of the Pass , they crossed to the southern side of the road . Keeping south and moving east , they soon came to the back of the school . Sending forward a scout to the schoolyard , they quickly followed on receipt of his signal . Stooping low , they were soon in line behind the front wall of the playground .
In front and underneath them were the British soldiers grouped near the lorry . "Put up your hands," a voice spoke quietly - a little startled , the Brit Tommies looked upwards . A long line of men , with guns pointing ominously at them , stood behind the wall . With little hesitation , the Tommies raised their hands . No noise had so far been made . The IRA men took the rifles and equipment and , leaving one armed Volunteer to keep an eye on the disarmed British soldiers , departed for the second truck ......."
(MORE LATER).
A CAREFULLY CONSIDERED GAFFE .......
Fianna Fail , Brian Lenihan , Charles Haughey , George Schultz and Saint Patrick ;
....a story from 'Magill Magazine' , 12th November 1987 , pages 19 and 20 . A 'snap-shot' of Ireland in the 1980's , in 12 parts ...
(7 of 12).
It was clear that Brian Lenihan would now have to deal with a vocal and determined section of Irish Americans that would no longer be content with a few words about the Anglo-Irish Agreement (ie 1985 Hillsborough Treaty) and a tribute to the ties of friendship between America and Ireland .
What is more , this section is one which still has very close ties to families and friends in Ireland , making it a potential political embarrassment back home .
A week after his second , unsuccessful, meeting with the Irish Immigration Reform Movement in New York , Brian Lenihan's 'Newsweek' interview appeared on the news-stands . The timing could hardly have been calculated to do more damage to his standing among the articulate young Irish emigrants .......
(MORE LATER).
....... The Loughnane brothers were working on the family farm at Shanaglish , County Galway , on 26th November 1920 when they were suddenly surrounded by the Black and Tans - the brothers were well-known locally as strong Irish Republicans , and both had a keen interest in Irish culture as well .......
The two brothers were slapped around a bit in the corn fields by the Black and Tans and then thrown into the back of the lorry belonging to the Tans - they were pushed off the lorry outside the Bridewell Barracks in Gort and put in a cell . People in near-by cells later reported hearing the brothers being thumped around by the Tans , who were well aware that the Loughnane brothers were active in the struggle for Irish Freedom .
After three or four hours of beating , the brothers were dragged out to the courtyard of Gort Bridewell and tied to each other ; the other end of the rope was then tied to the back of the truck , which drove off , heading for Drumharsna Castle , which was then the Headquarters of the Black and Tans in that area of Galway .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
TUIRIN DUBH and CEIMANEIGH .......
".......We had thirteen men - so had the British , but they were better armed . However , they had split their force in two in order to guard both trucks , which were about a mile apart ......."
" I do not know what a 'giniral' would have done with such a badly equipped party in such circumstances ? Nothing at all , probably , but even if he tried , he could not do better . The taking of each British Army group separately had , of course , one serious disadvantage . Two of the three operations should be carried out quietly , otherwise the Tuirin Dubh group might separate and take up unknown and perhaps impregnable positions .
Twilight comes early under the shadow of the hills around the Pass of Ceimaneigh . As soon as the light began to fail , the full group of IRA Volunteers began to move . Making a short detour towards the mouth of the Pass , they crossed to the southern side of the road . Keeping south and moving east , they soon came to the back of the school . Sending forward a scout to the schoolyard , they quickly followed on receipt of his signal . Stooping low , they were soon in line behind the front wall of the playground .
In front and underneath them were the British soldiers grouped near the lorry . "Put up your hands," a voice spoke quietly - a little startled , the Brit Tommies looked upwards . A long line of men , with guns pointing ominously at them , stood behind the wall . With little hesitation , the Tommies raised their hands . No noise had so far been made . The IRA men took the rifles and equipment and , leaving one armed Volunteer to keep an eye on the disarmed British soldiers , departed for the second truck ......."
(MORE LATER).
A CAREFULLY CONSIDERED GAFFE .......
Fianna Fail , Brian Lenihan , Charles Haughey , George Schultz and Saint Patrick ;
....a story from 'Magill Magazine' , 12th November 1987 , pages 19 and 20 . A 'snap-shot' of Ireland in the 1980's , in 12 parts ...
(7 of 12).
It was clear that Brian Lenihan would now have to deal with a vocal and determined section of Irish Americans that would no longer be content with a few words about the Anglo-Irish Agreement (ie 1985 Hillsborough Treaty) and a tribute to the ties of friendship between America and Ireland .
What is more , this section is one which still has very close ties to families and friends in Ireland , making it a potential political embarrassment back home .
A week after his second , unsuccessful, meeting with the Irish Immigration Reform Movement in New York , Brian Lenihan's 'Newsweek' interview appeared on the news-stands . The timing could hardly have been calculated to do more damage to his standing among the articulate young Irish emigrants .......
(MORE LATER).
Sunday, March 28, 2004
PAT AND HARRY LOUGHNANE , Galway - tortured to death by the Black and Tans , 1920.
" I am of the opinion that hand grenades were put in their mouths and that these then exploded ....." --
--....part of the comments made by the doctor who examined the remains of the Loughnane brothers .
Pat and Harry Loughnane were well-known and equally well-liked and respected in their neighbourhood of South-Galway . Pat (the eldest) was an IRA man and Secretary of Sinn Fein in the area ; he was also active in GAA circles .
His younger brother , Harry , played in goal for the local Beagh Hurling Club , and was in charge of the local cumann of Sinn Fein ; both brothers worked on the family farm in Shanaglish , County Galway , and were working in the corn fields on Friday , 26th November 1920 , when the Black and Tans surrounded them .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
TUIRIN DUBH and CEIMANEIGH .......
"......Two British Army trucks had got themselves stuck on the soft bog road ; thirteen enemy personnel , eleven of whom were armed . The local IRA Unit were aware of the situation ......."
" On arrival in the village of Ballingeary , IRA Volunteer Dan O'Sullivan sought out the brothers Dannie and Jer Shea ; he found them , and Dannie immediately left to mobilise some armed men in the shortest possible time . Christy Lucey and Liam Twomey were already near at hand in Tuirin Dubh . Dan Lehane , 'Cahir' , Pat Murray and Jack Moynihan were that day working at Doirin Flodaigh and , hearing the news , were quickly on the spot . Dan Thade Seain (' O'Leary') , John Con ('Cronin') , John McCann ('MacSweeney') , Connie and Donncha Cronin , and Jerome Creed all together made thirteen , the same number as the British soldiers .
The arms of the Volunteers , however , bore no relation in quality to those of their opponents . Eleven shotguns , a carbine and a nondescript rifle were the weapons . But the spirit makes up for the lack of material things . The dispositions of the British soldiers now made things a little difficult - five riflemen guarded each lorry . As a conecting link between the two parties (they were about one mile apart) the eleventh armed man patrolled the road . It was decided not to split our forces for a simultaneous attack on both lorries and on the sentry . Instead , the plan was adopted of starting with a full strength attempt on the leading , or Ceimaneigh , group . It certainly made matters far simpler than by the simultaneous movement of three parties , which would require fairly accurate timing and some system of signals and signallers .
Besides , considering the poor quality of our arms , it was better to keep them all together to get the best effect ...."
(MORE LATER).
A CAREFULLY CONSIDERED GAFFE .......
Fianna Fail , Brian Lenihan , Charles Haughey , George Schultz and Saint Patrick ;
....a story from 'Magill Magazine' , 12th November 1987 , pages 19 and 20 . A 'snap-shot' of Ireland in the 1980's , in 12 parts ...
(6 of 12).
The 'Irish Immigration Reform Movement' had had a meeting with Brian Lenihan , Free State Minister for Foreign Affairs -
" We understood that Lenihan was going to offer us concrete support and that the next meeting would tie it all down , " said 'IIRM' member , Patrick Hurley . When the time for the second meeting came , however, the 'IIRM' were denied a meeting on their own with Brian Lenihan and instead were grouped with the Ancient Order of Hibernians , the Catholic Charities of New York and a group representing Irish-American trade unionists . " Whenever we raised any of the concrete problems we were offered solutions which had already been examined and discarded months previously ," said Patrick Hurley .
Another member of the 'Irish Immigration Reform Movement' stated - " We were left with the impression of a man who had'nt done enough to help us , pulling away in a big black limousine to go to a cocktail party . "
(MORE LATER).
" I am of the opinion that hand grenades were put in their mouths and that these then exploded ....." --
--....part of the comments made by the doctor who examined the remains of the Loughnane brothers .
Pat and Harry Loughnane were well-known and equally well-liked and respected in their neighbourhood of South-Galway . Pat (the eldest) was an IRA man and Secretary of Sinn Fein in the area ; he was also active in GAA circles .
His younger brother , Harry , played in goal for the local Beagh Hurling Club , and was in charge of the local cumann of Sinn Fein ; both brothers worked on the family farm in Shanaglish , County Galway , and were working in the corn fields on Friday , 26th November 1920 , when the Black and Tans surrounded them .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
TUIRIN DUBH and CEIMANEIGH .......
"......Two British Army trucks had got themselves stuck on the soft bog road ; thirteen enemy personnel , eleven of whom were armed . The local IRA Unit were aware of the situation ......."
" On arrival in the village of Ballingeary , IRA Volunteer Dan O'Sullivan sought out the brothers Dannie and Jer Shea ; he found them , and Dannie immediately left to mobilise some armed men in the shortest possible time . Christy Lucey and Liam Twomey were already near at hand in Tuirin Dubh . Dan Lehane , 'Cahir' , Pat Murray and Jack Moynihan were that day working at Doirin Flodaigh and , hearing the news , were quickly on the spot . Dan Thade Seain (' O'Leary') , John Con ('Cronin') , John McCann ('MacSweeney') , Connie and Donncha Cronin , and Jerome Creed all together made thirteen , the same number as the British soldiers .
The arms of the Volunteers , however , bore no relation in quality to those of their opponents . Eleven shotguns , a carbine and a nondescript rifle were the weapons . But the spirit makes up for the lack of material things . The dispositions of the British soldiers now made things a little difficult - five riflemen guarded each lorry . As a conecting link between the two parties (they were about one mile apart) the eleventh armed man patrolled the road . It was decided not to split our forces for a simultaneous attack on both lorries and on the sentry . Instead , the plan was adopted of starting with a full strength attempt on the leading , or Ceimaneigh , group . It certainly made matters far simpler than by the simultaneous movement of three parties , which would require fairly accurate timing and some system of signals and signallers .
Besides , considering the poor quality of our arms , it was better to keep them all together to get the best effect ...."
(MORE LATER).
A CAREFULLY CONSIDERED GAFFE .......
Fianna Fail , Brian Lenihan , Charles Haughey , George Schultz and Saint Patrick ;
....a story from 'Magill Magazine' , 12th November 1987 , pages 19 and 20 . A 'snap-shot' of Ireland in the 1980's , in 12 parts ...
(6 of 12).
The 'Irish Immigration Reform Movement' had had a meeting with Brian Lenihan , Free State Minister for Foreign Affairs -
" We understood that Lenihan was going to offer us concrete support and that the next meeting would tie it all down , " said 'IIRM' member , Patrick Hurley . When the time for the second meeting came , however, the 'IIRM' were denied a meeting on their own with Brian Lenihan and instead were grouped with the Ancient Order of Hibernians , the Catholic Charities of New York and a group representing Irish-American trade unionists . " Whenever we raised any of the concrete problems we were offered solutions which had already been examined and discarded months previously ," said Patrick Hurley .
Another member of the 'Irish Immigration Reform Movement' stated - " We were left with the impression of a man who had'nt done enough to help us , pulling away in a big black limousine to go to a cocktail party . "
(MORE LATER).
Saturday, March 27, 2004
ARTHUR O'CONNOR ; United Irishman and General-of-Division in Napoleon's Army : 1760 - 1852 .......
.......in March 1802 , Arthur O'Connor and other United Irishmen were released from Fort George Prison in Scotland under the terms of the 'Peace of Amiens' Treaty ; the men immediately travelled to France .......
Incidentally , under the 'Peace of Amiens' Treaty , the Brits agreed to relinquish control over all the territories they had 'taken' , except for two - Trinidad and Ceylon ; in return , France agreed to evacuate Italy . Surely a missed opportunity ? - how history would have changed had the French insisted on Ireland being added to that list ...
Arthur O'Connor settled in France and enlisted in the French Army ; within two years (ie by 1804) he was appointed 'General-of-Division' by Napoleon . On 25th April , 1852 , at 92 years of age , Arthur O'Connor died ; he had given 65 years of service to the Cause of Irish Freedom , but is perhaps better known and remembered in France than he is in Ireland .
' There's not an Irishman today would ever wish to roam
unto a foreign land to live , if he could live at home .
So give us our liberty , let our banners be unfurled -
in Ireland then , her children, shall prove a credit to the world . '
(From 'Show Me the Man ' , as published in the book - Songs of Resistance , 1982).
[END of -' ARTHUR O'CONNOR ; United Irishman and General-of-Division in Napoleon's Army : 1760 - 1852 .......'].
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
TUIRIN DUBH and CEIMANEIGH .......
".......on the evening of 27th July 1920 , two British Army trucks were going through Ballingeary on their way to Bantry ; in the village of Ceimaneigh , the soldiers on the lead truck noticed that the second truck was no-where in sight ......."
" The old bog road , or 'tochar' , was never made to carry such a heavy vehicle with its solid tyres . An Irishman would have avoided the soft treacherous sides and kept to the road surface . But the foreign driver did not realise this danger - it transpired that the driver of the second lorry had pulled in to the side at Tuirin Dubh even further than his colleague had done at Ceimaneigh .
Perhaps the solidity of the rocks around gave them a false idea of stability below their feet . In any case , both vehicles were now held firmly , with their inner wheels sunk to the axles . Their distance apart was roughly one mile . The leading lorry had stopped in the shadow of the national school of Ceimaneigh , which stood on a sharp height above the road . Nearby , and across the road , lived a local IRA Volunteer , Dan O'Sullivan . Dan got his bicycle and left for the village of Ballingeary , to acquaint the Volunteers there of the chance that had presented itself .
On his way he saw the position of the second lorry and noted the number of the escort . Between the two , the total personnel numbered thirteen - eleven of them , a British Corporal and ten men , were armed with rifles , while the two drivers were unarmed ..."
(MORE LATER).
A CAREFULLY CONSIDERED GAFFE .......
Fianna Fail , Brian Lenihan , Charles Haughey , George Schultz and Saint Patrick ;
....a story from 'Magill Magazine' , 12th November 1987 , pages 19 and 20 . A 'snap-shot' of Ireland in the 1980's , in 12 parts ...
(5 of 12).
" Brian Lenihan seemed taken aback at how well organised we were , " says Patrick Hurley , from the Irish Immigration Reform Movement - " He was friendly but aloof in the way that politicians can be . He seemed not at all well-briefed about the situation on the ground , as if his impressions of New York came from a cocktail party in the consulate . "
The meeting lasted for ninty minutes , at the end of which it was agreed that the 'IIRM' would present a 'shopping-list' of action , and that the two sides would meet again a month later . The 'IIRM' came away reasonably satisfied , confident that their next meeting would produce immediate results .....
(MORE LATER).
.......in March 1802 , Arthur O'Connor and other United Irishmen were released from Fort George Prison in Scotland under the terms of the 'Peace of Amiens' Treaty ; the men immediately travelled to France .......
Incidentally , under the 'Peace of Amiens' Treaty , the Brits agreed to relinquish control over all the territories they had 'taken' , except for two - Trinidad and Ceylon ; in return , France agreed to evacuate Italy . Surely a missed opportunity ? - how history would have changed had the French insisted on Ireland being added to that list ...
Arthur O'Connor settled in France and enlisted in the French Army ; within two years (ie by 1804) he was appointed 'General-of-Division' by Napoleon . On 25th April , 1852 , at 92 years of age , Arthur O'Connor died ; he had given 65 years of service to the Cause of Irish Freedom , but is perhaps better known and remembered in France than he is in Ireland .
' There's not an Irishman today would ever wish to roam
unto a foreign land to live , if he could live at home .
So give us our liberty , let our banners be unfurled -
in Ireland then , her children, shall prove a credit to the world . '
(From 'Show Me the Man ' , as published in the book - Songs of Resistance , 1982).
[END of -' ARTHUR O'CONNOR ; United Irishman and General-of-Division in Napoleon's Army : 1760 - 1852 .......'].
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
TUIRIN DUBH and CEIMANEIGH .......
".......on the evening of 27th July 1920 , two British Army trucks were going through Ballingeary on their way to Bantry ; in the village of Ceimaneigh , the soldiers on the lead truck noticed that the second truck was no-where in sight ......."
" The old bog road , or 'tochar' , was never made to carry such a heavy vehicle with its solid tyres . An Irishman would have avoided the soft treacherous sides and kept to the road surface . But the foreign driver did not realise this danger - it transpired that the driver of the second lorry had pulled in to the side at Tuirin Dubh even further than his colleague had done at Ceimaneigh .
Perhaps the solidity of the rocks around gave them a false idea of stability below their feet . In any case , both vehicles were now held firmly , with their inner wheels sunk to the axles . Their distance apart was roughly one mile . The leading lorry had stopped in the shadow of the national school of Ceimaneigh , which stood on a sharp height above the road . Nearby , and across the road , lived a local IRA Volunteer , Dan O'Sullivan . Dan got his bicycle and left for the village of Ballingeary , to acquaint the Volunteers there of the chance that had presented itself .
On his way he saw the position of the second lorry and noted the number of the escort . Between the two , the total personnel numbered thirteen - eleven of them , a British Corporal and ten men , were armed with rifles , while the two drivers were unarmed ..."
(MORE LATER).
A CAREFULLY CONSIDERED GAFFE .......
Fianna Fail , Brian Lenihan , Charles Haughey , George Schultz and Saint Patrick ;
....a story from 'Magill Magazine' , 12th November 1987 , pages 19 and 20 . A 'snap-shot' of Ireland in the 1980's , in 12 parts ...
(5 of 12).
" Brian Lenihan seemed taken aback at how well organised we were , " says Patrick Hurley , from the Irish Immigration Reform Movement - " He was friendly but aloof in the way that politicians can be . He seemed not at all well-briefed about the situation on the ground , as if his impressions of New York came from a cocktail party in the consulate . "
The meeting lasted for ninty minutes , at the end of which it was agreed that the 'IIRM' would present a 'shopping-list' of action , and that the two sides would meet again a month later . The 'IIRM' came away reasonably satisfied , confident that their next meeting would produce immediate results .....
(MORE LATER).
Friday, March 26, 2004
ARTHUR O'CONNOR ; United Irishman and General-of-Division in Napoleon's Army : 1760 - 1852 .......
....... Arthur O'Connor and others in the United Irishmen wanted an immediate attack on the Brits ; however , others in the leadership , led by Thomas Addis Emmet , wanted to wait a while , as the French had again agreed to help . A decision was made to send Arthur O'Connor to France to finalise arrangements - he was arrested while through England ....
But the Brits failed to 'stand-up' their 'case' against Arthur O'Connor - he was found not guilty and released ...only to be immediately re-arrested , transported to Kilmainham Jail in Dublin and charged , again , with "sedition" . He was held in the prison with other members of the United Irishmen , without a 'trial' of any type , for seven months (ie until January 1799) and then all the Irish political prisoners were moved to Fort George Prison in Scotland .
They were held in Scotland for a further three years and two months (ie until March 1802) when , as one of the conditions insisted on by the French under the 'Peace Of Amiens' (which was signed between the Brits and the French on 25th March , 1802 , to bring their war to an end) the Irish political prisoners in Fort George in Scotland were released - they left Scotland immediately and travelled to France .....
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
TUIRIN DUBH and CEIMANEIGH .
" Tuirin Dubh and Ceimaneigh ! It was not surprising that some event of note should happen in these places in our time . It merely repeated what had happened there before , for the spirit of Maire Bhui lives on in her native Uibh Laoghaire . Her's was no mere huckstering spirit that would recommend patience and politicians as a remote cure for Ireland's ills . The present was ever and always the time to deal with tyrants , she had declared . She did not want courts or other useless machinery for their trial , but a high gallows and a good rope !
She counselled the young men to be always ready with serviceable pike and gun to meet the enemy . She exhorted them , over a hundred years ago , boldly to retake possession of the lands and homes of their ancestors . We understood how right she was ...
On the evening of 27 July 1920 , two heavy British military lorries passed through the village of Ballingeary . Their destination appeared to be Bantry , the nearest military barracks on the road to the west . The British lorries were laden with material for the maintenance of buildings . A large quantity of paint in tins added considerably to the weight of each lorry . They travelled about two hundred yards apart . Near the school at Ceimaneigh , the British soldiers on the first lorry noticed that the second was not in sight - they told their driver to pull in to the left and stop ......."
(MORE LATER).
A CAREFULLY CONSIDERED GAFFE .......
Fianna Fail , Brian Lenihan , Charles Haughey , George Schultz and Saint Patrick ;
....a story from 'Magill Magazine' , 12th November 1987 , pages 19 and 20 . A 'snap-shot' of Ireland in the 1980's , in 12 parts ...
(4 of 12).
It was Brian Lenihan's misfortune that his remarks on emigration came at a time when the new 'Irish Immigration Reform Movement' was mounting a campaign of unprecedented quality aimed at getting the Irish(sic) and American governments to alleviate the situation of the Irish 'illegals' , and at a time when he himself was under very heavy pressure from the 'IIRM' . Brian Lenihan met representatives of the 'IIRM' for the first time in New York at the end of August 1987 .
The delegation was mostly young , first-generation Irish immigrants with their ears close to the ground of the growing and increasingly resentful 'illegal' community , untouched by sentimentality for the old sod or reverence for politicians in Leinster House ...
(MORE LATER).
....... Arthur O'Connor and others in the United Irishmen wanted an immediate attack on the Brits ; however , others in the leadership , led by Thomas Addis Emmet , wanted to wait a while , as the French had again agreed to help . A decision was made to send Arthur O'Connor to France to finalise arrangements - he was arrested while through England ....
But the Brits failed to 'stand-up' their 'case' against Arthur O'Connor - he was found not guilty and released ...only to be immediately re-arrested , transported to Kilmainham Jail in Dublin and charged , again , with "sedition" . He was held in the prison with other members of the United Irishmen , without a 'trial' of any type , for seven months (ie until January 1799) and then all the Irish political prisoners were moved to Fort George Prison in Scotland .
They were held in Scotland for a further three years and two months (ie until March 1802) when , as one of the conditions insisted on by the French under the 'Peace Of Amiens' (which was signed between the Brits and the French on 25th March , 1802 , to bring their war to an end) the Irish political prisoners in Fort George in Scotland were released - they left Scotland immediately and travelled to France .....
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
TUIRIN DUBH and CEIMANEIGH .
" Tuirin Dubh and Ceimaneigh ! It was not surprising that some event of note should happen in these places in our time . It merely repeated what had happened there before , for the spirit of Maire Bhui lives on in her native Uibh Laoghaire . Her's was no mere huckstering spirit that would recommend patience and politicians as a remote cure for Ireland's ills . The present was ever and always the time to deal with tyrants , she had declared . She did not want courts or other useless machinery for their trial , but a high gallows and a good rope !
She counselled the young men to be always ready with serviceable pike and gun to meet the enemy . She exhorted them , over a hundred years ago , boldly to retake possession of the lands and homes of their ancestors . We understood how right she was ...
On the evening of 27 July 1920 , two heavy British military lorries passed through the village of Ballingeary . Their destination appeared to be Bantry , the nearest military barracks on the road to the west . The British lorries were laden with material for the maintenance of buildings . A large quantity of paint in tins added considerably to the weight of each lorry . They travelled about two hundred yards apart . Near the school at Ceimaneigh , the British soldiers on the first lorry noticed that the second was not in sight - they told their driver to pull in to the left and stop ......."
(MORE LATER).
A CAREFULLY CONSIDERED GAFFE .......
Fianna Fail , Brian Lenihan , Charles Haughey , George Schultz and Saint Patrick ;
....a story from 'Magill Magazine' , 12th November 1987 , pages 19 and 20 . A 'snap-shot' of Ireland in the 1980's , in 12 parts ...
(4 of 12).
It was Brian Lenihan's misfortune that his remarks on emigration came at a time when the new 'Irish Immigration Reform Movement' was mounting a campaign of unprecedented quality aimed at getting the Irish(sic) and American governments to alleviate the situation of the Irish 'illegals' , and at a time when he himself was under very heavy pressure from the 'IIRM' . Brian Lenihan met representatives of the 'IIRM' for the first time in New York at the end of August 1987 .
The delegation was mostly young , first-generation Irish immigrants with their ears close to the ground of the growing and increasingly resentful 'illegal' community , untouched by sentimentality for the old sod or reverence for politicians in Leinster House ...
(MORE LATER).
Thursday, March 25, 2004
ARTHUR O'CONNOR ; United Irishman and General-of-Division in Napoleon's Army : 1760 - 1852 .......
....... The Brits openly used torture on the Irish to get them to inform on the Irish Rebels - 'pitch-capping' and the use of the 'Walking Gallows' . But the United Irishmen were still active.......
Arthur O'Connor and 'Lord' Edward Fitzgerald were calling for an immediate armed campaign against the Brits - the two men were prominent members of the Leinster Directory of the United Irishmen and had good 'pull' within the organisation . But so had those who were not in favour of an immediate campaign - their chief spokesperson was Thomas Addis Emmet ; the United Irishmen organisation agreed to postpone plans for an immediate attack on the British after Emmet told the leadership that the French were prepared , again , to help the Irish .
It was agreed that Arthur O'Connor would go to France to finalise the arrangements and , on his way there , whilst passing through Margate in England , he was arrested by the British police . O'Connor was 'tried' in May 1798 , in Maidstone , England , charged with "sedition" (ie "talk or action exciting discontent or rebellion" against the Westminster Parliament) - but the British had moved against him too quickly ; they knew what his intentions were but , with typical Brit arrogance , had not bothered to back-up their 'case' with proof .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
"....... Micheal O'Briain , the school-master , was trying to get through to the children that the 'gentlemen' throwing pennies on the ground for them to scramble for , were the same people that had brought a curse of blood and hardship to the land ......."
" He expected the children to show those 'gentlemen' and , indeed , to show to their own people , that their young spirits were not subdued and that as soon as possible they would rise again . He did not blame them for their action of the morning , but he expected them , now that they understood , to recover their lost prestige . The way to do that was to fling the pennies back to the English 'gentlemen' bodachs.
The seeds the good man sowed that day fell on fertile ground ; that evening , as the children were on their way home , they met the same shooting party . Again , the pennies were thrown amongst the children from the cars . And again , the children scrambled for them eagerly , much to the amusement of the rich 'gentlemen' .
But , to the consternation of the bodachs , the pennies were returned to them with a high velocity imparted by youthful arms ! "
[END of - 'GEATA BAN' : - tomorrow...'Tuirin Dubh and Ceimaneigh'.......].
A CAREFULLY CONSIDERED GAFFE .......
Fianna Fail , Brian Lenihan , Charles Haughey , George Schultz and Saint Patrick ;
....a story from 'Magill Magazine' , 12th November 1987 , pages 19 and 20 . A 'snap-shot' of Ireland in the 1980's , in 12 parts ...
(3 of 12).
But the 'rosiness' from Brian Lenihan re emigration continued , culminating in his now famous remark that - " After all , we can't all live on a small island . " Journalist Paul Keating is convinced that the remarks were not inadvertent -
- " In the context , it was not a throwaway line. He knew he had to look for the 'silver lining' to a cloud that had hovered over him all during his visit . He was trying to be the 'pitch-man' for a 'things-that-are'nt-that-bad' line . "
Brian Lenihan , in other words , was doing what he has always done - putting a brave face on things , stepping into the gap . For once , his burbling optimism rebounded on him ....
(MORE LATER).
....... The Brits openly used torture on the Irish to get them to inform on the Irish Rebels - 'pitch-capping' and the use of the 'Walking Gallows' . But the United Irishmen were still active.......
Arthur O'Connor and 'Lord' Edward Fitzgerald were calling for an immediate armed campaign against the Brits - the two men were prominent members of the Leinster Directory of the United Irishmen and had good 'pull' within the organisation . But so had those who were not in favour of an immediate campaign - their chief spokesperson was Thomas Addis Emmet ; the United Irishmen organisation agreed to postpone plans for an immediate attack on the British after Emmet told the leadership that the French were prepared , again , to help the Irish .
It was agreed that Arthur O'Connor would go to France to finalise the arrangements and , on his way there , whilst passing through Margate in England , he was arrested by the British police . O'Connor was 'tried' in May 1798 , in Maidstone , England , charged with "sedition" (ie "talk or action exciting discontent or rebellion" against the Westminster Parliament) - but the British had moved against him too quickly ; they knew what his intentions were but , with typical Brit arrogance , had not bothered to back-up their 'case' with proof .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
GEATA BAN .......
"....... Micheal O'Briain , the school-master , was trying to get through to the children that the 'gentlemen' throwing pennies on the ground for them to scramble for , were the same people that had brought a curse of blood and hardship to the land ......."
" He expected the children to show those 'gentlemen' and , indeed , to show to their own people , that their young spirits were not subdued and that as soon as possible they would rise again . He did not blame them for their action of the morning , but he expected them , now that they understood , to recover their lost prestige . The way to do that was to fling the pennies back to the English 'gentlemen' bodachs.
The seeds the good man sowed that day fell on fertile ground ; that evening , as the children were on their way home , they met the same shooting party . Again , the pennies were thrown amongst the children from the cars . And again , the children scrambled for them eagerly , much to the amusement of the rich 'gentlemen' .
But , to the consternation of the bodachs , the pennies were returned to them with a high velocity imparted by youthful arms ! "
[END of - 'GEATA BAN' : - tomorrow...'Tuirin Dubh and Ceimaneigh'.......].
A CAREFULLY CONSIDERED GAFFE .......
Fianna Fail , Brian Lenihan , Charles Haughey , George Schultz and Saint Patrick ;
....a story from 'Magill Magazine' , 12th November 1987 , pages 19 and 20 . A 'snap-shot' of Ireland in the 1980's , in 12 parts ...
(3 of 12).
But the 'rosiness' from Brian Lenihan re emigration continued , culminating in his now famous remark that - " After all , we can't all live on a small island . " Journalist Paul Keating is convinced that the remarks were not inadvertent -
- " In the context , it was not a throwaway line. He knew he had to look for the 'silver lining' to a cloud that had hovered over him all during his visit . He was trying to be the 'pitch-man' for a 'things-that-are'nt-that-bad' line . "
Brian Lenihan , in other words , was doing what he has always done - putting a brave face on things , stepping into the gap . For once , his burbling optimism rebounded on him ....
(MORE LATER).
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
ARTHUR O'CONNOR ; United Irishman and General-of-Division in Napoleon's Army : 1760 - 1852 .......
....... The Brits wanted information on the Irish Rebels ; those not 'triangled' in public were either 'pitch-capped' or put on British Sergeant Heppenstall's list .......
The British 'pitch-capping' torture was when a paper cap was filled with wet tar and jammed onto the victim's head ; when the tar was just about set (ie hard) it was put on fire and the victims hands were untied , once the fire had caught . Hands , hair , scalp , forehead and most of the face suffered horrific burns as the victim tried to remove the flaming cap .
The list which British Sergeant Heppenstall kept contained names of possible or suspected 'dissidents' , or those thought to know of same - Heppenstall was known as ' The Walking Gallows ' because his height and strength made it possible for him to hang a man or woman over his shoulder - he had refined his 'technique' so that the victim was half-hung , revived and , if he/she did'nt give information (or simply did'nt have any) he/she was half-hung again .
In most cases , if the victim did have information and gave it to the Brits after a 'session' with Sergeant Heppenstall , he/she was usually 'finished-off' by him as a lesson to others to 'speak-up' before they were introduced to Heppenstall . Many a person died on that man's shoulder because they genuinely had no information to pass-on .
While the 'pitch-capping' and 'half-hanging' was going on around the country , the United Irishmen were organising to hit back .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
"....... The Brits were angry ; their Captain was dead and their comrades in the truck were wounded . Just then , the local school-master , Micheal O'Briain , was passing the scene on foot . The British soldiers surrounded him and , for a while , it looked like he was in trouble . But they let him go ......."
" Many years before , when The Great Hunger flourished in Ballyvourney , and when Irish nationality seemed dead everywhere , Micheal O'Briain was at work in his school on a certain morning . Presently he noticed an undercurrent of disturbance in his classes . Investigating , he found that some of the children had pennies which they were proudly displaying to their less opulent neighbours . A little further research and he had the complete story of the fount of prosperity .
As the children coming to school approached the 'Big House' they were met by a shooting party , travelling in open brakes or two-horse cars . These had thrown handfuls of pennies on to the roadway to see the children scramble for them . Micheal O'Briain was shocked and grieved . There and then he delivered a lecture , and explained to the children that they belonged to a conquered race . They had been beaten by the sword , the torch , the rope , the pitch-cap and other devilish methods of torture , and every effort by famine and deportation had been made to secure their final extinction .
Yet , by the grace of God , they had managed to survive in the mountains and other waste places . Their forefathers had once lived on the good land in the middle of Ireland . That land was now held by the English 'bodachs' who had dispossessed them . It was some of these 'bodachs' who that day had thrown the pennies to them . It was no shame to be conquered , but it was a shame to become a subject race......."
(MORE LATER).
A CAREFULLY CONSIDERED GAFFE .......
Fianna Fail , Brian Lenihan , Charles Haughey , George Schultz and Saint Patrick ;
....a story from 'Magill Magazine' , 12th November 1987 , pages 19 and 20 . A 'snap-shot' of Ireland in the 1980's , in 12 parts ...
(2 of 12).
Paul Keating (Associate Editor of 'Newsweek' Magazine) had forty minutes of tape which was already too much for the short , highly edited piece he was going to print . The interview (with Brian Lenihan , Free State Minister for Foreign Affairs) was winding down , and both men relaxed . Keating began to ask philosophical questions , quoting John F. Kennedy on asking what you can do for your country and wondering what Brian Lenihan thought Irishmen could do for theirs .
Things began to get "a little looser" , the answers a little less pat , a bit more speculative . " But was'nt emigration a defeat for the Irish Republic(sic)?" , Keating asked . Brian Lenihan began to give a rosy picture of emigration , of skills being learned and a work ethic being developed which would be useful when the emigrants returned home . Keating was , he says , "very surprised".
"It was the first time I had heard this kind of optimism about the issue , and what he was saying seemed extraordinarily positive , given the scale of the problem . It struck me as a trifle unrealistic , given the real concerns of the Irish aliens here . When he first started to get rosy , I felt I had to press him on it . I did'nt want to give a Polly Anna-ish response if it was'nt fully considered ...."
(MORE LATER).
....... The Brits wanted information on the Irish Rebels ; those not 'triangled' in public were either 'pitch-capped' or put on British Sergeant Heppenstall's list .......
The British 'pitch-capping' torture was when a paper cap was filled with wet tar and jammed onto the victim's head ; when the tar was just about set (ie hard) it was put on fire and the victims hands were untied , once the fire had caught . Hands , hair , scalp , forehead and most of the face suffered horrific burns as the victim tried to remove the flaming cap .
The list which British Sergeant Heppenstall kept contained names of possible or suspected 'dissidents' , or those thought to know of same - Heppenstall was known as ' The Walking Gallows ' because his height and strength made it possible for him to hang a man or woman over his shoulder - he had refined his 'technique' so that the victim was half-hung , revived and , if he/she did'nt give information (or simply did'nt have any) he/she was half-hung again .
In most cases , if the victim did have information and gave it to the Brits after a 'session' with Sergeant Heppenstall , he/she was usually 'finished-off' by him as a lesson to others to 'speak-up' before they were introduced to Heppenstall . Many a person died on that man's shoulder because they genuinely had no information to pass-on .
While the 'pitch-capping' and 'half-hanging' was going on around the country , the United Irishmen were organising to hit back .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
GEATA BAN .......
"....... The Brits were angry ; their Captain was dead and their comrades in the truck were wounded . Just then , the local school-master , Micheal O'Briain , was passing the scene on foot . The British soldiers surrounded him and , for a while , it looked like he was in trouble . But they let him go ......."
" Many years before , when The Great Hunger flourished in Ballyvourney , and when Irish nationality seemed dead everywhere , Micheal O'Briain was at work in his school on a certain morning . Presently he noticed an undercurrent of disturbance in his classes . Investigating , he found that some of the children had pennies which they were proudly displaying to their less opulent neighbours . A little further research and he had the complete story of the fount of prosperity .
As the children coming to school approached the 'Big House' they were met by a shooting party , travelling in open brakes or two-horse cars . These had thrown handfuls of pennies on to the roadway to see the children scramble for them . Micheal O'Briain was shocked and grieved . There and then he delivered a lecture , and explained to the children that they belonged to a conquered race . They had been beaten by the sword , the torch , the rope , the pitch-cap and other devilish methods of torture , and every effort by famine and deportation had been made to secure their final extinction .
Yet , by the grace of God , they had managed to survive in the mountains and other waste places . Their forefathers had once lived on the good land in the middle of Ireland . That land was now held by the English 'bodachs' who had dispossessed them . It was some of these 'bodachs' who that day had thrown the pennies to them . It was no shame to be conquered , but it was a shame to become a subject race......."
(MORE LATER).
A CAREFULLY CONSIDERED GAFFE .......
Fianna Fail , Brian Lenihan , Charles Haughey , George Schultz and Saint Patrick ;
....a story from 'Magill Magazine' , 12th November 1987 , pages 19 and 20 . A 'snap-shot' of Ireland in the 1980's , in 12 parts ...
(2 of 12).
Paul Keating (Associate Editor of 'Newsweek' Magazine) had forty minutes of tape which was already too much for the short , highly edited piece he was going to print . The interview (with Brian Lenihan , Free State Minister for Foreign Affairs) was winding down , and both men relaxed . Keating began to ask philosophical questions , quoting John F. Kennedy on asking what you can do for your country and wondering what Brian Lenihan thought Irishmen could do for theirs .
Things began to get "a little looser" , the answers a little less pat , a bit more speculative . " But was'nt emigration a defeat for the Irish Republic(sic)?" , Keating asked . Brian Lenihan began to give a rosy picture of emigration , of skills being learned and a work ethic being developed which would be useful when the emigrants returned home . Keating was , he says , "very surprised".
"It was the first time I had heard this kind of optimism about the issue , and what he was saying seemed extraordinarily positive , given the scale of the problem . It struck me as a trifle unrealistic , given the real concerns of the Irish aliens here . When he first started to get rosy , I felt I had to press him on it . I did'nt want to give a Polly Anna-ish response if it was'nt fully considered ...."
(MORE LATER).
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
ARTHUR O'CONNOR ; United Irishman and General-of-Division in Napoleon's Army : 1760 - 1852 .......
....... December 1796 ; the Brits realised that it was only the weather which stopped thousands of French soldiers from landing in Bantry Bay in Cork . The British were now in a hurry to find out if any more attacks against them were planned .......
The British wanted information , and quickly ; torture was used openly and in public . During 1797 and early 1798 , thousands of Irish people were 'questioned' by the Brits re their knowledge of the Irish Rebels : in Athy , County Kildare (the Headquarters of the British 'Ninth Dragoons') for instance , a 'wooden triangle'-type structure was used , in public , with the victim tied to it , spreadeagled , facing the rough timber .
He was whipped untill he gave the Brits something they thought they could use , or until he passed-out , or died . Reports from that time mention " flesh torn in lumps from the body and the baring of bones and internal organs " due to the whippings . An eye-witness account of one of the 'triangle' whippings stated - " There was no ceremony used in choosing victims - the first to hand done well enough . They were stripped naked , tied to the 'Triangle' and their flesh cut through without mercy . And though some stood the torture to their last gasp sooner than become informers , others did not and one single informer in the town was enough to destroy all the United Irishmen in it . "
Those not 'triangled' were either 'pitch-capped' or put on British Sergeant Heppenstall's list .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
".......Our prepared plan of action was now useless ; we fired heavily on the Brit truck , wounding its driver and killing a British Army Captain . But the driver kept control and drove off , with us still firing : its petrol-tank was leaking , but it spluttered on its way . We ran after the truck , but it was too late ......."
" A party of British soldiers from Ballyvourney found the truck before we did - they had sent out a scouting-party to try and find those that had attacked their truck . We approached as near as we possibly could without being seen . Having only two rifles , we could do no better than watch their movements , and reflect with sorrow on our lack of proper arms . Had each of our men had a rifle , we could again have encircled the lot and driven them back on to the road .
As we watched , we saw a tall figure come slowly along the road from Ballyvourney . We knew him by his erect and dignified carriage . He was Master O'Brien , or Micheal O'Briain as he preferred to be called , on his way home from school . The British soldiers gathered around him , evidently questioning him , and gesticulating with their weapons . They were in an angry mood , and we all knew that his life hung on a slender thread . Their Captain had been killed and nearly every man in the lorry wounded . But they could not frighten Micheal O'Briain ....
He was a gentle , saintly man , who would not harm any creature . He was also shy and retiring . But the heart within him was stout , and, while we trembled for his safety , I have no doubt Micheal did not worry . Some of us asked my brother to allow the riflemen to open fire on the British soldiers and scatter them to cover . He told them to be ready to fire , but to wait for his word . He watched through the glasses for a long time , and , once , when Micheal was evidently ordered back from the road to the southern fence , he again said - " Be ready " .
Then Micheal sat down on the fence in a leisurely manner , and our tension eased a little . Finally , they must have given him the all clear to go home for , unhurriedly , he arose , and unconquered , he walked away down the rough boreen .
(MORE LATER).
A CAREFULLY CONSIDERED GAFFE .......
Fianna Fail , Brian Lenihan , Charles Haughey , George Schultz and Saint Patrick ;
....a story from 'Magill Magazine' , 12th November 1987 , pages 19 and 20 . A 'snap-shot' of Ireland in the 1980's , in 12 parts ...
(1 of 12).
Paul Keating was'nt enjoying himself much . As an Associate Editor of Newsweek Magazine with an Irish background , both of his parents coming from Clare , he keeps an eye on Irish stories and on Irish politicians coming through New York . On September 22nd last (ie September 1987) , Paul was involved in a story which the magazine was working on about illegal aliens in America , and he had been thinking in particular about the influx of "undocumented" Irish .
He went to a breakfast for journalists at the Irish(Free State) consulate in New York that morning and arranged to interview Brian Lenihan , (the then) State Minister for Foreign Affairs , the following day . Now he was sitting in the consulate with Brian Lenihan , the Irish(Free State) ambassador and the press attache of the New York consulate , listening to a very unexciting recitation of Lenihan's up-beat optimism about everything from the 26-County economy to the 'Anglo-Irish Agreement'(ie the Hillsborough Treaty).
It was pretty standard stuff , a useful panel to be boxed off the main story , but nothing to make the headlines .......
(MORE LATER).
....... December 1796 ; the Brits realised that it was only the weather which stopped thousands of French soldiers from landing in Bantry Bay in Cork . The British were now in a hurry to find out if any more attacks against them were planned .......
The British wanted information , and quickly ; torture was used openly and in public . During 1797 and early 1798 , thousands of Irish people were 'questioned' by the Brits re their knowledge of the Irish Rebels : in Athy , County Kildare (the Headquarters of the British 'Ninth Dragoons') for instance , a 'wooden triangle'-type structure was used , in public , with the victim tied to it , spreadeagled , facing the rough timber .
He was whipped untill he gave the Brits something they thought they could use , or until he passed-out , or died . Reports from that time mention " flesh torn in lumps from the body and the baring of bones and internal organs " due to the whippings . An eye-witness account of one of the 'triangle' whippings stated - " There was no ceremony used in choosing victims - the first to hand done well enough . They were stripped naked , tied to the 'Triangle' and their flesh cut through without mercy . And though some stood the torture to their last gasp sooner than become informers , others did not and one single informer in the town was enough to destroy all the United Irishmen in it . "
Those not 'triangled' were either 'pitch-capped' or put on British Sergeant Heppenstall's list .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
GEATA BAN .......
".......Our prepared plan of action was now useless ; we fired heavily on the Brit truck , wounding its driver and killing a British Army Captain . But the driver kept control and drove off , with us still firing : its petrol-tank was leaking , but it spluttered on its way . We ran after the truck , but it was too late ......."
" A party of British soldiers from Ballyvourney found the truck before we did - they had sent out a scouting-party to try and find those that had attacked their truck . We approached as near as we possibly could without being seen . Having only two rifles , we could do no better than watch their movements , and reflect with sorrow on our lack of proper arms . Had each of our men had a rifle , we could again have encircled the lot and driven them back on to the road .
As we watched , we saw a tall figure come slowly along the road from Ballyvourney . We knew him by his erect and dignified carriage . He was Master O'Brien , or Micheal O'Briain as he preferred to be called , on his way home from school . The British soldiers gathered around him , evidently questioning him , and gesticulating with their weapons . They were in an angry mood , and we all knew that his life hung on a slender thread . Their Captain had been killed and nearly every man in the lorry wounded . But they could not frighten Micheal O'Briain ....
He was a gentle , saintly man , who would not harm any creature . He was also shy and retiring . But the heart within him was stout , and, while we trembled for his safety , I have no doubt Micheal did not worry . Some of us asked my brother to allow the riflemen to open fire on the British soldiers and scatter them to cover . He told them to be ready to fire , but to wait for his word . He watched through the glasses for a long time , and , once , when Micheal was evidently ordered back from the road to the southern fence , he again said - " Be ready " .
Then Micheal sat down on the fence in a leisurely manner , and our tension eased a little . Finally , they must have given him the all clear to go home for , unhurriedly , he arose , and unconquered , he walked away down the rough boreen .
(MORE LATER).
A CAREFULLY CONSIDERED GAFFE .......
Fianna Fail , Brian Lenihan , Charles Haughey , George Schultz and Saint Patrick ;
....a story from 'Magill Magazine' , 12th November 1987 , pages 19 and 20 . A 'snap-shot' of Ireland in the 1980's , in 12 parts ...
(1 of 12).
Paul Keating was'nt enjoying himself much . As an Associate Editor of Newsweek Magazine with an Irish background , both of his parents coming from Clare , he keeps an eye on Irish stories and on Irish politicians coming through New York . On September 22nd last (ie September 1987) , Paul was involved in a story which the magazine was working on about illegal aliens in America , and he had been thinking in particular about the influx of "undocumented" Irish .
He went to a breakfast for journalists at the Irish(Free State) consulate in New York that morning and arranged to interview Brian Lenihan , (the then) State Minister for Foreign Affairs , the following day . Now he was sitting in the consulate with Brian Lenihan , the Irish(Free State) ambassador and the press attache of the New York consulate , listening to a very unexciting recitation of Lenihan's up-beat optimism about everything from the 26-County economy to the 'Anglo-Irish Agreement'(ie the Hillsborough Treaty).
It was pretty standard stuff , a useful panel to be boxed off the main story , but nothing to make the headlines .......
(MORE LATER).
Monday, March 22, 2004
ARTHUR O'CONNOR ; United Irishman and General-of-Division in Napoleon's Army : 1760 - 1852 .......
.......After one week in Bantry Bay , the 35-strong fleet of French warships had been reduced to a force of 15 ships - by the weather ! The lead ship (with French General Hoche on board) had been caught in a storm on its way to Ireland and other ships were pushed out of the Bay by gale-force winds . 400 British troops were by now on the beach , shouting 'bravely' at the French soldiers on the ships.......
The Brits had apparently been 'tipped-off' about the French fleet by the 'landlord' who lived in the 'big house' at the head of Bantry Bay - this man was later 'awarded' the 'title' of 'Lord Bantry' , by the Brits , for his "service to The Crown" . The French ships were being pulled and pushed by the continuing storm and were forced , one by one , to cut their anchor cables and allow themselves to be pushed out of the Bay and forced back to sea again .
They made sail for France , with a dejected Wolfe Tone on board . That happened during December , 1796 ; the Brits realised that it was only the weather that saved them and , in early 1797 , they set-about vigorously investigating the two main Irish Rebel organisations - the United Irishmen and The Defenders , a loose group (although large in number) which concentrated its efforts on the land question rather than the National issue of British interference in Irish affairs .
However , as far as the Brits were concerned , they were all "terrorists" and "dissidents" ; the French fleet had startled the Brits - they wanted information , and quickly .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
".......The arrival of a Ford car at the ambush site at the same time as the British Crossley truck complicated matters for us ; the car passed the site unchallenged but , in allowing it to do so , our ambush plan was no longer an option . One of our men , 'Mick the Soldier', decided to have a go at the Brits anyway ......."
" He stood on the rock , feet apart , pouring rapid magazine fire downwards at the Brit lorry . Dannie Harrington stood a few yards from him to the west firing more slowly . Across the road , Con Sean Jer fired six shots from a double-barrelled shotgun while ,near him , Jamie Moynihan rapidly worked another . A British Army Captain , named Airey , was killed beside the driver , who was himself hit twice , in the arm and the neck . The British Army lorry was by now out of control and it hit the northern rock-face a glancing blow , which tore off a spare wheel mounted on that side .
Swerving across the road , it mounted a low wall which dropped inside to a depth of about fifteen feet - it was 'touch-and-go' for a good distance ; if it toppled in , the survivors would have little fight left in them . But the driver tore it off the wall and straightened it for the road . He was a very worthy man , and when we failed to stop him we wished him well . He drove off at high speed . Dannie had a few cartridges left in his magazine - he aimed carefully and fired ; the bullet pierced the rear petrol tank . This gave us renewed hope , and we set off in pursuit of the faltering truck , running roughly parallel to the road . We had hoped to overtake it before it left the rocky country around Poul na Bro , where we could close with it again . We were doomed to disappointment .
It had cleared the ground that would favour our approach and was stopped in the only patch of open country for miles around . Moreover , a party of British soldiers from the Ballyvourney Garrison had come out to meet it and had sent out sentries ......."
(MORE LATER).
SEAN MacBRIDE : 1904 - 1988 .......
The following information was sent to '1169....' in mid-February last by a 'J.D. , Isle Of Man ' ; we reproduce it here , in 15 parts . 'J.D.' assures us that he/she got the article from an American newspaper , in the late 1980's/early 1990's .
(15 of 15).
In a comment about the death of Sean MacBride , 'The Times' newspaper of London , stated - " Many Irish politicians and voters are still in thrall to the romantic appeal of violence - provided it is directed at British victims and occurs outside the Republic(sic) itself . MacBride was a cosmopolitan high priest of this cult . " There was no mention of the violence of the forces Sean MacBride fought against in Ireland or elsewhere . Britain is untainted by it , according to the London 'Times' newspaper --
-- " Britain is that exceptional society which has not faced this problem , at least not in the agonising form in which it was posed in the Republic(sic) which Sean MacBride helped to found ." The 'Times' editorial - in common with many of the constitutional politicians who attended his funeral and with the revisionist historians - welcomes what it sees as the decline of 'that ruthless and irreconcilable Irish Republicanism '. The punchline in effect says - "good riddance" .
Perhaps , however, that "terrible beauty" will eventually be laid to rest . The absence of Sean MacBride will only help .
[END OF - 'SEAN MacBRIDE : 1904 - 1988 '- our thanks to 'J.D. Isle of Man' for that correspondence].
.......After one week in Bantry Bay , the 35-strong fleet of French warships had been reduced to a force of 15 ships - by the weather ! The lead ship (with French General Hoche on board) had been caught in a storm on its way to Ireland and other ships were pushed out of the Bay by gale-force winds . 400 British troops were by now on the beach , shouting 'bravely' at the French soldiers on the ships.......
The Brits had apparently been 'tipped-off' about the French fleet by the 'landlord' who lived in the 'big house' at the head of Bantry Bay - this man was later 'awarded' the 'title' of 'Lord Bantry' , by the Brits , for his "service to The Crown" . The French ships were being pulled and pushed by the continuing storm and were forced , one by one , to cut their anchor cables and allow themselves to be pushed out of the Bay and forced back to sea again .
They made sail for France , with a dejected Wolfe Tone on board . That happened during December , 1796 ; the Brits realised that it was only the weather that saved them and , in early 1797 , they set-about vigorously investigating the two main Irish Rebel organisations - the United Irishmen and The Defenders , a loose group (although large in number) which concentrated its efforts on the land question rather than the National issue of British interference in Irish affairs .
However , as far as the Brits were concerned , they were all "terrorists" and "dissidents" ; the French fleet had startled the Brits - they wanted information , and quickly .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
GEATA BAN .......
".......The arrival of a Ford car at the ambush site at the same time as the British Crossley truck complicated matters for us ; the car passed the site unchallenged but , in allowing it to do so , our ambush plan was no longer an option . One of our men , 'Mick the Soldier', decided to have a go at the Brits anyway ......."
" He stood on the rock , feet apart , pouring rapid magazine fire downwards at the Brit lorry . Dannie Harrington stood a few yards from him to the west firing more slowly . Across the road , Con Sean Jer fired six shots from a double-barrelled shotgun while ,near him , Jamie Moynihan rapidly worked another . A British Army Captain , named Airey , was killed beside the driver , who was himself hit twice , in the arm and the neck . The British Army lorry was by now out of control and it hit the northern rock-face a glancing blow , which tore off a spare wheel mounted on that side .
Swerving across the road , it mounted a low wall which dropped inside to a depth of about fifteen feet - it was 'touch-and-go' for a good distance ; if it toppled in , the survivors would have little fight left in them . But the driver tore it off the wall and straightened it for the road . He was a very worthy man , and when we failed to stop him we wished him well . He drove off at high speed . Dannie had a few cartridges left in his magazine - he aimed carefully and fired ; the bullet pierced the rear petrol tank . This gave us renewed hope , and we set off in pursuit of the faltering truck , running roughly parallel to the road . We had hoped to overtake it before it left the rocky country around Poul na Bro , where we could close with it again . We were doomed to disappointment .
It had cleared the ground that would favour our approach and was stopped in the only patch of open country for miles around . Moreover , a party of British soldiers from the Ballyvourney Garrison had come out to meet it and had sent out sentries ......."
(MORE LATER).
SEAN MacBRIDE : 1904 - 1988 .......
The following information was sent to '1169....' in mid-February last by a 'J.D. , Isle Of Man ' ; we reproduce it here , in 15 parts . 'J.D.' assures us that he/she got the article from an American newspaper , in the late 1980's/early 1990's .
(15 of 15).
In a comment about the death of Sean MacBride , 'The Times' newspaper of London , stated - " Many Irish politicians and voters are still in thrall to the romantic appeal of violence - provided it is directed at British victims and occurs outside the Republic(sic) itself . MacBride was a cosmopolitan high priest of this cult . " There was no mention of the violence of the forces Sean MacBride fought against in Ireland or elsewhere . Britain is untainted by it , according to the London 'Times' newspaper --
-- " Britain is that exceptional society which has not faced this problem , at least not in the agonising form in which it was posed in the Republic(sic) which Sean MacBride helped to found ." The 'Times' editorial - in common with many of the constitutional politicians who attended his funeral and with the revisionist historians - welcomes what it sees as the decline of 'that ruthless and irreconcilable Irish Republicanism '. The punchline in effect says - "good riddance" .
Perhaps , however, that "terrible beauty" will eventually be laid to rest . The absence of Sean MacBride will only help .
[END OF - 'SEAN MacBRIDE : 1904 - 1988 '- our thanks to 'J.D. Isle of Man' for that correspondence].
Sunday, March 21, 2004
ARTHUR O'CONNOR ; United Irishman and General-of-Division in Napoleon's Army : 1760 - 1852 .......
.......Under the Command of General Hoche , the French fleet of 35 ships arrived in Bantry Bay , Cork , on 21st December 1796 - they carried thousands of fully-armed and experienced French fighters . But a storm at sea had separated the lead ship from the rest of the convoy .......
In Bantry Bay itself , a strong head-wind prevented the ships from landing their troops . The Bay was wide open , with no British troops to offer resistance ....but the wind was growing in strength , and soon became a gale-force , which forced 20 of the great French ships out of the Bay and pushed them out to sea ; the other 15 ships attempted to move up the Bay , and it was later reported that they could only manage to move about 50 yards every 8 hours .
The gale-force winds were now mixed with squalls of sleet and snow ; but still no notable British presence to face them had materialised in the area . But the French were unable to land .... General Hoche's men were in Bantry Bay for a week ; by now , a small force of 400 British troops from the Bantry area were on the beach , throwing shapes at the French , safe in the knowledge that the French troops could not get at them .....
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
".......A young lady from the neighbourhood had brought us a bucket of tea and a basket of sandwiches . After a few days of waiting , we seen one of our signallers step down from the rock he was using as a 'look-out' post ......."
" The signaller held his flag low and shook it out - then , raising it , he shot it forward ... but the flag flew off the staff and travelled a long way downhill ! We burst out laughing . Now our signaller was in a fix . With commendable presence of mind he threw down the staff and raised both arms , his palms facing towards us . We readily understood - there were two lorries ; the second signaller confirmed that on a nearer stretch of the road . It was a long time before the lorries appeared to us - they were coming very slowly . It was evident that they were heavy haulage lorries in a low gear for the incline . My brother studied them through powerful Zeiss field glasses.
" Pass the word ," my brother said , "let them through . They are laden with petrol and have only an escort of two on each lorry . We want rifles , not petrol ! " So they passed by , unconscious of the eyes that watched them . At about 3pm , one lorry was signalled . It was a Crossley , covered with canvas and well laden with British troops . It came rapidly up the incline and on to the stage set for its reception . Had the fates decreed that the matter be left solely between the two contending parties , I think both would have been better satisfied . We would have got the arms we wanted , and the casualties amongst the occupants of the lorry would have been certainly fewer or probably nil . Now a car on the road , other than a military one , was, at that time , as rare as a four-leaved shamrock .
However , there was one in Kerry , and as the military Crossley came speeding uphill from the east to cross a certain line drawn by us across its path , the Kilgarvan Ford came from the west to straddle the same line at exactly the same time ! The unexpected arrival of the Ford from the west gave pause to the throwing of the road block to allow it to pass . It passed , and the pause was maintained until it was too late . Meanwhile , the Ford met the British Crossley truck and , although going in the opposite direction , became its escort for more than halfway across the deadline to safety . Scarcely had the tails of both vehicles passed each other than a desperate effort was made by some of our men to retrieve ill fortune --
-- a furious round of bullets was opened on the British Army driver or in his direction ; it was 'Mick the Soldier' , standing , his feet apart on the rock , while he poured rapid magazine fire downwards ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SEAN MacBRIDE : 1904 - 1988 .......
The following information was sent to '1169....' in mid-February last by a 'J.D. , Isle Of Man ' ; we reproduce it here , in 15 parts . 'J.D.' assures us that he/she got the article from an American newspaper , in the late 1980's/early 1990's .
(14 of 15).
The British 'Daily Telegraph' newspaper said Sean MacBride was "the former IRA Chief of Staff whose later career saw him transformed - as if by a puff of Irish magic - into a respected figure at the United Nations ." Though less blatant than the Sunday paper's obituary , the racism from 'The Daily Telegraph' was still in evidence - " His war against 'oppression' nurtured on his strong anti-British line , however, made him a firm favourite at the United Nations , where new 'Third World' leaders were reassured with a representative of an older , white nation who could spout platitudes with great beauty at the highest level ."
A more subtle form of anti-Irishness was seen in the editorial of the British 'Times' newspaper , London - this was by far the most interesting of the obituaries as it could have been written by any one of a number of Irish politicians , academics or journalists : the theme was violence in Sean MacBride's career and in the development of the 26-County State . The analysis was that of proponents of , and apologists for, British 'rule'.
Its basic message was that the Irish are a violent race , the authors of their own misfortune . It is as if the British never set foot in Ireland !
(MORE LATER).
.......Under the Command of General Hoche , the French fleet of 35 ships arrived in Bantry Bay , Cork , on 21st December 1796 - they carried thousands of fully-armed and experienced French fighters . But a storm at sea had separated the lead ship from the rest of the convoy .......
In Bantry Bay itself , a strong head-wind prevented the ships from landing their troops . The Bay was wide open , with no British troops to offer resistance ....but the wind was growing in strength , and soon became a gale-force , which forced 20 of the great French ships out of the Bay and pushed them out to sea ; the other 15 ships attempted to move up the Bay , and it was later reported that they could only manage to move about 50 yards every 8 hours .
The gale-force winds were now mixed with squalls of sleet and snow ; but still no notable British presence to face them had materialised in the area . But the French were unable to land .... General Hoche's men were in Bantry Bay for a week ; by now , a small force of 400 British troops from the Bantry area were on the beach , throwing shapes at the French , safe in the knowledge that the French troops could not get at them .....
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
GEATA BAN .......
".......A young lady from the neighbourhood had brought us a bucket of tea and a basket of sandwiches . After a few days of waiting , we seen one of our signallers step down from the rock he was using as a 'look-out' post ......."
" The signaller held his flag low and shook it out - then , raising it , he shot it forward ... but the flag flew off the staff and travelled a long way downhill ! We burst out laughing . Now our signaller was in a fix . With commendable presence of mind he threw down the staff and raised both arms , his palms facing towards us . We readily understood - there were two lorries ; the second signaller confirmed that on a nearer stretch of the road . It was a long time before the lorries appeared to us - they were coming very slowly . It was evident that they were heavy haulage lorries in a low gear for the incline . My brother studied them through powerful Zeiss field glasses.
" Pass the word ," my brother said , "let them through . They are laden with petrol and have only an escort of two on each lorry . We want rifles , not petrol ! " So they passed by , unconscious of the eyes that watched them . At about 3pm , one lorry was signalled . It was a Crossley , covered with canvas and well laden with British troops . It came rapidly up the incline and on to the stage set for its reception . Had the fates decreed that the matter be left solely between the two contending parties , I think both would have been better satisfied . We would have got the arms we wanted , and the casualties amongst the occupants of the lorry would have been certainly fewer or probably nil . Now a car on the road , other than a military one , was, at that time , as rare as a four-leaved shamrock .
However , there was one in Kerry , and as the military Crossley came speeding uphill from the east to cross a certain line drawn by us across its path , the Kilgarvan Ford came from the west to straddle the same line at exactly the same time ! The unexpected arrival of the Ford from the west gave pause to the throwing of the road block to allow it to pass . It passed , and the pause was maintained until it was too late . Meanwhile , the Ford met the British Crossley truck and , although going in the opposite direction , became its escort for more than halfway across the deadline to safety . Scarcely had the tails of both vehicles passed each other than a desperate effort was made by some of our men to retrieve ill fortune --
-- a furious round of bullets was opened on the British Army driver or in his direction ; it was 'Mick the Soldier' , standing , his feet apart on the rock , while he poured rapid magazine fire downwards ....... "
(MORE LATER).
SEAN MacBRIDE : 1904 - 1988 .......
The following information was sent to '1169....' in mid-February last by a 'J.D. , Isle Of Man ' ; we reproduce it here , in 15 parts . 'J.D.' assures us that he/she got the article from an American newspaper , in the late 1980's/early 1990's .
(14 of 15).
The British 'Daily Telegraph' newspaper said Sean MacBride was "the former IRA Chief of Staff whose later career saw him transformed - as if by a puff of Irish magic - into a respected figure at the United Nations ." Though less blatant than the Sunday paper's obituary , the racism from 'The Daily Telegraph' was still in evidence - " His war against 'oppression' nurtured on his strong anti-British line , however, made him a firm favourite at the United Nations , where new 'Third World' leaders were reassured with a representative of an older , white nation who could spout platitudes with great beauty at the highest level ."
A more subtle form of anti-Irishness was seen in the editorial of the British 'Times' newspaper , London - this was by far the most interesting of the obituaries as it could have been written by any one of a number of Irish politicians , academics or journalists : the theme was violence in Sean MacBride's career and in the development of the 26-County State . The analysis was that of proponents of , and apologists for, British 'rule'.
Its basic message was that the Irish are a violent race , the authors of their own misfortune . It is as if the British never set foot in Ireland !
(MORE LATER).
Saturday, March 20, 2004
ARTHUR O'CONNOR ; United Irishman and General-of-Division in Napoleon's Army : 1760 - 1852 .......
.......In the early 1790's , Arthur O'Connor MP returned to Ireland from France and joined the 'Society of United Irishmen' - he met Wolfe Tone and a radical British 'aristocrat' , 'Lord' Edward Fitzgerald .......
In June 1796 , Arthur O'Connor , Edward Fitzgerald and Wolfe Tone travelled to Paris , as arranged , to seek assistance from the French Directory (Revolutionary Government) in organising a rising in Ireland . The three men were well-briefed on the situation and , between that and their obvious commitment and enthusiasm , the French agreed .
On 21st December 1796 , French Commander General Hoche's fleet of 35 ships arrived in Bantry Bay , on the south-west coast of Ireland - the Bay was an ideal spot for the exercise , as it is 26 miles long , 7 miles across and , at its deepest , 40 fathoms . There were thousands of fully-armed and experienced French fighting troops on board - the same men that had only recently proved their mettle in Europe and that were known as " the greatest revolutionary army in the world " .
A storm at sea had separated the lead ship , with General Hoche on board , from the rest of the fleet .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
".......We had two signallers with flags , two marksmen , and enough of us to handle two British Army trucks ; we had picked the ambush site well , and were anxious for the event ......."
" As best we could , we settled down to the weary process of waiting . Since the ground was favourable , we were allowed to leave our positions and sit in a group to talk . This helped to pass the time with " triumphant tales of recent fight and legends of our sires of old ." In the late afternoon there was still no sign of enemy activity on the road . We had eaten nothing since morning , and I doubt if many of us were provident enough at that time , to bring a sandwich or even a piece of dry bread with us . At any rate , the unexpected happened ; up the approach road came a young lady carrying what appeared to be a white enamel bucket and a basket . Soon we recognised her . She was the daughter of the teachers of the school nearby , half a mile down the road .
She had the bucket full of tea , and the basket full of sandwiches . Apart from the renewed bodily vigour which the excellent food and drink gave , our spirits were raised immeasurably by the action of this young woman who had openly come to help , while others cowered and shrank away from us . Of these latter I must speak a little : very few people showed us any open hostility , but a very great number regarded us as a nuisance . It was hard to blame them - the hand of the British was still heavy upon them . On their fathers before them it had been much heavier . But the 'real' "bad old times" were gone , and the rackrenting and evictions were gone . The teaching and work of Fintan Lalor and Michael Davitt had , by the 'Land League' , effected this . The people now owned their land . Now they had "security" and they were content enough ...
True , in their hearts they would like to see the British gone , but who could put them out ? Surely not a small group , here and there , of badly armed youths ? Nothing could come of it but "bad work" , shootings and burnings . Nothing came that day , or the next . Then came 15th July . About 2pm our group sat talking . My brother was with us . "Watch the signal" , he said . The signaller had stepped down from the rock and , holding his flag low , had shook it out ......."
(MORE LATER).
SEAN MacBRIDE : 1904 - 1988 .......
The following information was sent to '1169....' in mid-February last by a 'J.D. , Isle Of Man ' ; we reproduce it here , in 15 parts . 'J.D.' assures us that he/she got the article from an American newspaper , in the late 1980's/early 1990's .
(13 of 15).
All of Sean MacBride's international work and the Third World nations he helped were held in equal contempt by the establishment writers . MacBride was described as a " Soviet stooge " and his winning of The Nobel Peace Prize was ' the most shameful episode in the history of that dubious award '. " Sean MacBride was an able statesman - of the IRA " , wrote Bruce Anderson of 'The Sunday Telegraph' , aghast at MacBride's defence of Irish Republicans facing extradition . Then we see how Sean MacBride still really hurt the British establishment in his latter years . With the MacBride Principles he 'cajoled' American Congessmen and " batoned on the credulous , transmuting ignorance into bigotry . "
His work for an end to discrimination was " an attempt to undermine Ulster's economy " and were the " last fruits of a long career of political malevolence ".
(MORE LATER).
.......In the early 1790's , Arthur O'Connor MP returned to Ireland from France and joined the 'Society of United Irishmen' - he met Wolfe Tone and a radical British 'aristocrat' , 'Lord' Edward Fitzgerald .......
In June 1796 , Arthur O'Connor , Edward Fitzgerald and Wolfe Tone travelled to Paris , as arranged , to seek assistance from the French Directory (Revolutionary Government) in organising a rising in Ireland . The three men were well-briefed on the situation and , between that and their obvious commitment and enthusiasm , the French agreed .
On 21st December 1796 , French Commander General Hoche's fleet of 35 ships arrived in Bantry Bay , on the south-west coast of Ireland - the Bay was an ideal spot for the exercise , as it is 26 miles long , 7 miles across and , at its deepest , 40 fathoms . There were thousands of fully-armed and experienced French fighting troops on board - the same men that had only recently proved their mettle in Europe and that were known as " the greatest revolutionary army in the world " .
A storm at sea had separated the lead ship , with General Hoche on board , from the rest of the fleet .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
GEATA BAN .......
".......We had two signallers with flags , two marksmen , and enough of us to handle two British Army trucks ; we had picked the ambush site well , and were anxious for the event ......."
" As best we could , we settled down to the weary process of waiting . Since the ground was favourable , we were allowed to leave our positions and sit in a group to talk . This helped to pass the time with " triumphant tales of recent fight and legends of our sires of old ." In the late afternoon there was still no sign of enemy activity on the road . We had eaten nothing since morning , and I doubt if many of us were provident enough at that time , to bring a sandwich or even a piece of dry bread with us . At any rate , the unexpected happened ; up the approach road came a young lady carrying what appeared to be a white enamel bucket and a basket . Soon we recognised her . She was the daughter of the teachers of the school nearby , half a mile down the road .
She had the bucket full of tea , and the basket full of sandwiches . Apart from the renewed bodily vigour which the excellent food and drink gave , our spirits were raised immeasurably by the action of this young woman who had openly come to help , while others cowered and shrank away from us . Of these latter I must speak a little : very few people showed us any open hostility , but a very great number regarded us as a nuisance . It was hard to blame them - the hand of the British was still heavy upon them . On their fathers before them it had been much heavier . But the 'real' "bad old times" were gone , and the rackrenting and evictions were gone . The teaching and work of Fintan Lalor and Michael Davitt had , by the 'Land League' , effected this . The people now owned their land . Now they had "security" and they were content enough ...
True , in their hearts they would like to see the British gone , but who could put them out ? Surely not a small group , here and there , of badly armed youths ? Nothing could come of it but "bad work" , shootings and burnings . Nothing came that day , or the next . Then came 15th July . About 2pm our group sat talking . My brother was with us . "Watch the signal" , he said . The signaller had stepped down from the rock and , holding his flag low , had shook it out ......."
(MORE LATER).
SEAN MacBRIDE : 1904 - 1988 .......
The following information was sent to '1169....' in mid-February last by a 'J.D. , Isle Of Man ' ; we reproduce it here , in 15 parts . 'J.D.' assures us that he/she got the article from an American newspaper , in the late 1980's/early 1990's .
(13 of 15).
All of Sean MacBride's international work and the Third World nations he helped were held in equal contempt by the establishment writers . MacBride was described as a " Soviet stooge " and his winning of The Nobel Peace Prize was ' the most shameful episode in the history of that dubious award '. " Sean MacBride was an able statesman - of the IRA " , wrote Bruce Anderson of 'The Sunday Telegraph' , aghast at MacBride's defence of Irish Republicans facing extradition . Then we see how Sean MacBride still really hurt the British establishment in his latter years . With the MacBride Principles he 'cajoled' American Congessmen and " batoned on the credulous , transmuting ignorance into bigotry . "
His work for an end to discrimination was " an attempt to undermine Ulster's economy " and were the " last fruits of a long career of political malevolence ".
(MORE LATER).
Friday, March 19, 2004
ARTHUR O'CONNOR ; United Irishman and General-of-Division in Napoleon's Army : 1760 - 1852 .......
.......Elected to Westminster Parliament in 1787 , Arthur O'Connor soon realised that the word of a British politician was worthless - he wanted another way to strike a blow for Irish freedom . In 1789 , France erupted .......
The corrupt French 'ruling class' were ousted - Arthur O'Connor MP was interested : here , perhaps , was the other way . He went to France to investigate further , and saw a spark of defiance in the dirt-poor people , a strong glimmer of hope , of expectation , that their day had come ! He wanted the same for Ireland ; and so did others ....
Wolfe Tone was in the process of establishing a revolutionary society , having being inspired himself by the French Revolution ; in 1791 , the 'United Irishmen' group was formed , and was later to state that its objective was " never to desist in our efforts until we have subverted the authority of England over our country and asserted our independence . " It is often overlooked that , between 1791 and 1795 (when that statement was made) , The United Irishmen organisation was primarily a political force , seeking to bring pressure to bear on the British Government by the force of argument ; it was only after four years that the 'Society of United Irishmen' realised that the British would listen only to the argument of force .
On his return to Ireland , Arthur O'Connor joined the United Irishmen , as did the well-known radical British 'aristocrat' , 'Lord' Edward Fitzgerald - that was in the early 1790's and the three men - Wolfe Tone , Arthur O'Connor and Edward Fitzgerald - were soon working together .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
".......Our IRA Unit was waiting near Coolavokig , in Cork , armed and alert . The Brits would travel this road soon , in a lorry , armed with rifles . We wanted their guns and equipment ......."
" Ours was not a common method at the time . Indeed , it was the first attempt in Ireland to capture rifles thus . The spot selected was at the highest point of a long incline . This would naturally reduce the speed of the lorry or lorries , a very desirable factor from our point of view . A double bend of the road , between the fire positions , was a further advantage which nature gave us . An irregular rock rising from road level on either side completed an almost classically ideal ambush site .
Around the bend , on high ground , and remote from the approach direction , was stationed a heavy horse-cart which could be run off the bank , to drop in front of enemy transport and bring it to rest . The British soldier driving would here be covered by two IRA marksmen with rifles - 'Mick the Soldier' and Dannie Harrington , of B Company . Theirs were the only two rifles we possessed . Across the road on the southern side , other expert shots were stationed , armed with shotguns , to shoot the driver if necessary .
The remainder were disposed on either side so as to be in positions to deal with a second lorry , if two happened to come . 'Dowd' and I occupied a niche , or shelf , in the face of the rock under the riflemen . Two signallers with flags were posted behind rocks , commanding the best views of the approach road ......."
SEAN MacBRIDE : 1904 - 1988 .......
The following information was sent to '1169....' in mid-February last by a 'J.D. , Isle Of Man ' ; we reproduce it here , in 15 parts . 'J.D.' assures us that he/she got the article from an American newspaper , in the late 1980's/early 1990's .
(12 of 15).
The finest tribute to Sean MacBride did not come from any of the organisations or individuals he worked for . It came from his political enemies who recognised him as a champion of the oppressed and detested him for it . In Britain , the establishment expressed itself in no uncertain terms through its mouthpieces , the Sunday Telegraph and the Daily Telegraph . Most vicious of all was the Sunday Telegraph which carried an obituary by a Bruce Anderson entitled 'Death of an evil man' , in which Sean MacBride was described as a "murderer" who "spent his life in search of vengeance."
Sean MacBride's character was , according to the Sunday Telegraph, "one of frightening coldness and fanaticism" and he "had a psychopath's inability to understand those with whom he disagreed ." Recognising his life-long opposition to British rule , the Sunday Telegraph poured all their anti-Irish racism out --
-- " Two principles guided his entire political life . The first was a hatred of Great Britain , the second a worship of violence ."
(MORE LATER).
.......Elected to Westminster Parliament in 1787 , Arthur O'Connor soon realised that the word of a British politician was worthless - he wanted another way to strike a blow for Irish freedom . In 1789 , France erupted .......
The corrupt French 'ruling class' were ousted - Arthur O'Connor MP was interested : here , perhaps , was the other way . He went to France to investigate further , and saw a spark of defiance in the dirt-poor people , a strong glimmer of hope , of expectation , that their day had come ! He wanted the same for Ireland ; and so did others ....
Wolfe Tone was in the process of establishing a revolutionary society , having being inspired himself by the French Revolution ; in 1791 , the 'United Irishmen' group was formed , and was later to state that its objective was " never to desist in our efforts until we have subverted the authority of England over our country and asserted our independence . " It is often overlooked that , between 1791 and 1795 (when that statement was made) , The United Irishmen organisation was primarily a political force , seeking to bring pressure to bear on the British Government by the force of argument ; it was only after four years that the 'Society of United Irishmen' realised that the British would listen only to the argument of force .
On his return to Ireland , Arthur O'Connor joined the United Irishmen , as did the well-known radical British 'aristocrat' , 'Lord' Edward Fitzgerald - that was in the early 1790's and the three men - Wolfe Tone , Arthur O'Connor and Edward Fitzgerald - were soon working together .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
GEATA BAN .......
".......Our IRA Unit was waiting near Coolavokig , in Cork , armed and alert . The Brits would travel this road soon , in a lorry , armed with rifles . We wanted their guns and equipment ......."
" Ours was not a common method at the time . Indeed , it was the first attempt in Ireland to capture rifles thus . The spot selected was at the highest point of a long incline . This would naturally reduce the speed of the lorry or lorries , a very desirable factor from our point of view . A double bend of the road , between the fire positions , was a further advantage which nature gave us . An irregular rock rising from road level on either side completed an almost classically ideal ambush site .
Around the bend , on high ground , and remote from the approach direction , was stationed a heavy horse-cart which could be run off the bank , to drop in front of enemy transport and bring it to rest . The British soldier driving would here be covered by two IRA marksmen with rifles - 'Mick the Soldier' and Dannie Harrington , of B Company . Theirs were the only two rifles we possessed . Across the road on the southern side , other expert shots were stationed , armed with shotguns , to shoot the driver if necessary .
The remainder were disposed on either side so as to be in positions to deal with a second lorry , if two happened to come . 'Dowd' and I occupied a niche , or shelf , in the face of the rock under the riflemen . Two signallers with flags were posted behind rocks , commanding the best views of the approach road ......."
SEAN MacBRIDE : 1904 - 1988 .......
The following information was sent to '1169....' in mid-February last by a 'J.D. , Isle Of Man ' ; we reproduce it here , in 15 parts . 'J.D.' assures us that he/she got the article from an American newspaper , in the late 1980's/early 1990's .
(12 of 15).
The finest tribute to Sean MacBride did not come from any of the organisations or individuals he worked for . It came from his political enemies who recognised him as a champion of the oppressed and detested him for it . In Britain , the establishment expressed itself in no uncertain terms through its mouthpieces , the Sunday Telegraph and the Daily Telegraph . Most vicious of all was the Sunday Telegraph which carried an obituary by a Bruce Anderson entitled 'Death of an evil man' , in which Sean MacBride was described as a "murderer" who "spent his life in search of vengeance."
Sean MacBride's character was , according to the Sunday Telegraph, "one of frightening coldness and fanaticism" and he "had a psychopath's inability to understand those with whom he disagreed ." Recognising his life-long opposition to British rule , the Sunday Telegraph poured all their anti-Irish racism out --
-- " Two principles guided his entire political life . The first was a hatred of Great Britain , the second a worship of violence ."
(MORE LATER).
Thursday, March 18, 2004
ARTHUR O'CONNOR ; United Irishman and General-of-Division in Napoleon's Army : 1760 - 1852 .......
A child was born into impossible times in Ireland in 1760 : Arthur O'Connor came into the world when the effect's of the 'Penal Laws' were being felt . Catholics were treated worse than farm animals by the English 'landlords' .......
The poverty , the constant hunger , the struggle just to survive from day-to-day ; to literally see farm animals treated better than yourself and your fellow countrymen . That bred resentment and contempt in thousands of young Irishmen and Irishwomen , who carried those feelings with them into adulthood . At 27 years young(in 1787), Arthur O'Connor contested an election to the Westminster Parliament and won a seat .
It should be noted that , five years previously (ie 1782) the lawyer Henry Grattan and his 'Patriot Party' had won a 'Declaration of Independence' from the British Government , which looked good on paper - but , in reality , was worthless . Nothing changed - not the hunger , the treatment or the attitude of the British . Arthur O'Connor MP was determined to find another way ....
Two years after Arthur O'Connor won his seat (ie 1789), France erupted .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
"..... Mick O'Connell, or 'Mick the Soldier' , had been in the British Army but was now out of it ; his brother Neilus ('Louth') was in the IRA , and Mick wanted to join ......."
" " Well , Mick , you would like to join the IRA ? " asked my brother , Pat. " Oh , this long time , this long time ," was the reply . " Would you be ready for action tomorrow morning , Mick ? " " I'm ready this minute ," answered Mick . So we chatted for a while with our new recruit , whose joy at being one with us was unconcealed and unlimited . Then we arranged a rendezvous for the morning .
The late morning saw six of us descending the northern side of Caherdaha Hill . Terry O'Connell , a brother of 'Louth' and Mick , was with us . Mick carried a handsome short Lee-Enfield service rifle , the only one we possessed . Pat , 'Dowd' and myself carried service revolvers , while 'Louth' and Terry carried shotguns . By a quiet path we travelled in pairs to cross the Macroom-Renanirree road , and then a little plank bridge over the Sullane Beag .
By hedges and along old boreens we reached the steps across the Sullane Mor at Linn-Fia-Chait . Here we met Jerry O'Sullivan (Jerry Conch). He carried a shotgun . We crossed the old steps , and , winding upwards between furze-covered rocks , reached the main Macroom-Ballyvourney road at Geata Ban , not far from Coolavokig school . Here we met an IRA Section from B Company , Ballyvourney , and the two were combined to occupy fire positions on both sides of the road .
It would be hard to get a better natural situation for our purpose . Our aim was to halt and disarm the personnell of the first British military lorry or two , that came from Macroom . We wanted rifles badly and were determined to get them in this , the only way ......."
(MORE LATER).
SEAN MacBRIDE : 1904 - 1988 .......
The following information was sent to '1169....' in mid-February last by a 'J.D. , Isle Of Man ' ; we reproduce it here , in 15 parts . 'J.D.' assures us that he/she got the article from an American newspaper , in the late 1980's/early 1990's .
(11 of 15).
Sean MacBride was acutely conscious of the imminent threat of nuclear destruction and his understanding of the military-industrial complex and NATO gave him a clearer perception of the workings of imperialism in Ireland than perhaps he had in earlier years . He was a thorn in the side of the 26-County establishment , with their increasing subservience to NATO/EEC interests and sell-outs of Irish sovereignty . Up to his death he remained a radical activist .
The MacBride Principles of Fair Employment have exposed internationally the sectarianism and inequality upon which the Six County state is built and the hollowness of British propagandist claims of reform and normality . His recent public campaign against strip-searching , Section 31 censorship in the 26 Counties and against the continued operation of the Sellafield nuclear plant , earned him the ridicule of many in the Irish and British establishments . It is ironic that those among the Irish establishment who were so opposed to Sean MacBride's efforts and beliefs in life , should now clamour to associate themselves with him in death .
That they should do so was a measure of the esteem in which Sean MacBride was held and the widely held aspirations - denied by successive Leinster House Administrations - which he represented . When he passed away , the oppressed , the imprisoned and the tortured of this world lost a valued friend and the cause of freedom , justice and peace both national and international , lost a brave and tireless worker .
(MORE LATER).
A child was born into impossible times in Ireland in 1760 : Arthur O'Connor came into the world when the effect's of the 'Penal Laws' were being felt . Catholics were treated worse than farm animals by the English 'landlords' .......
The poverty , the constant hunger , the struggle just to survive from day-to-day ; to literally see farm animals treated better than yourself and your fellow countrymen . That bred resentment and contempt in thousands of young Irishmen and Irishwomen , who carried those feelings with them into adulthood . At 27 years young(in 1787), Arthur O'Connor contested an election to the Westminster Parliament and won a seat .
It should be noted that , five years previously (ie 1782) the lawyer Henry Grattan and his 'Patriot Party' had won a 'Declaration of Independence' from the British Government , which looked good on paper - but , in reality , was worthless . Nothing changed - not the hunger , the treatment or the attitude of the British . Arthur O'Connor MP was determined to find another way ....
Two years after Arthur O'Connor won his seat (ie 1789), France erupted .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
GEATA BAN .......
"..... Mick O'Connell, or 'Mick the Soldier' , had been in the British Army but was now out of it ; his brother Neilus ('Louth') was in the IRA , and Mick wanted to join ......."
" " Well , Mick , you would like to join the IRA ? " asked my brother , Pat. " Oh , this long time , this long time ," was the reply . " Would you be ready for action tomorrow morning , Mick ? " " I'm ready this minute ," answered Mick . So we chatted for a while with our new recruit , whose joy at being one with us was unconcealed and unlimited . Then we arranged a rendezvous for the morning .
The late morning saw six of us descending the northern side of Caherdaha Hill . Terry O'Connell , a brother of 'Louth' and Mick , was with us . Mick carried a handsome short Lee-Enfield service rifle , the only one we possessed . Pat , 'Dowd' and myself carried service revolvers , while 'Louth' and Terry carried shotguns . By a quiet path we travelled in pairs to cross the Macroom-Renanirree road , and then a little plank bridge over the Sullane Beag .
By hedges and along old boreens we reached the steps across the Sullane Mor at Linn-Fia-Chait . Here we met Jerry O'Sullivan (Jerry Conch). He carried a shotgun . We crossed the old steps , and , winding upwards between furze-covered rocks , reached the main Macroom-Ballyvourney road at Geata Ban , not far from Coolavokig school . Here we met an IRA Section from B Company , Ballyvourney , and the two were combined to occupy fire positions on both sides of the road .
It would be hard to get a better natural situation for our purpose . Our aim was to halt and disarm the personnell of the first British military lorry or two , that came from Macroom . We wanted rifles badly and were determined to get them in this , the only way ......."
(MORE LATER).
SEAN MacBRIDE : 1904 - 1988 .......
The following information was sent to '1169....' in mid-February last by a 'J.D. , Isle Of Man ' ; we reproduce it here , in 15 parts . 'J.D.' assures us that he/she got the article from an American newspaper , in the late 1980's/early 1990's .
(11 of 15).
Sean MacBride was acutely conscious of the imminent threat of nuclear destruction and his understanding of the military-industrial complex and NATO gave him a clearer perception of the workings of imperialism in Ireland than perhaps he had in earlier years . He was a thorn in the side of the 26-County establishment , with their increasing subservience to NATO/EEC interests and sell-outs of Irish sovereignty . Up to his death he remained a radical activist .
The MacBride Principles of Fair Employment have exposed internationally the sectarianism and inequality upon which the Six County state is built and the hollowness of British propagandist claims of reform and normality . His recent public campaign against strip-searching , Section 31 censorship in the 26 Counties and against the continued operation of the Sellafield nuclear plant , earned him the ridicule of many in the Irish and British establishments . It is ironic that those among the Irish establishment who were so opposed to Sean MacBride's efforts and beliefs in life , should now clamour to associate themselves with him in death .
That they should do so was a measure of the esteem in which Sean MacBride was held and the widely held aspirations - denied by successive Leinster House Administrations - which he represented . When he passed away , the oppressed , the imprisoned and the tortured of this world lost a valued friend and the cause of freedom , justice and peace both national and international , lost a brave and tireless worker .
(MORE LATER).
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
ARTHUR O'CONNOR ; United Irishman and General-of-Division in Napoleon's Army : 1760 - 1852 .
Ireland 1760 - the 'Triumph' of William The Third was still being felt ; harsh laws were still in force against Catholics in Ireland . The 'Penal Laws' decreed that a Catholic could not hold any Office of State ,nor stand for Parliament , or vote , or join the English Army or Navy . Nor could a Catholic practice at the bar , or , more importantly (even though they had not the means to do so), buy land .
The Brits 'rented' Irish land to the Irish for periods of thirty-one years only - when a Catholic 'tenant' died , his/her last will and testament was subject to approval by the English Administration ! If an Irishman did lay claim , uncontested , to a piece of land (ie a rocky patch on a mountain-side) and died with that 'land' still in his possession , that patch could be divided-up between his children - unless one of them turned Protestant , in which case that child inherited the lot !
A child was born into these impossible times in Cork , in 1760 - Arthur O'Connor was that childs name .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
".......'Louth's' brother , Mick , had served in the British Army but had been demobilised and was now back home . He was a good soldier , and was interested in joining the IRA ......."
" He had waited and watched with envy , his brothers and old school-mates go in the evenings to drill in some quiet place . Sometimes he had seen them at a distance at target practice with small bore rifles . He had longed to be with them but felt that he was not wanted . True , they all greeted him cheerily but never once hinted at the possibility of his joining them . His brother's attitude did not help either . 'Louth' , after his day's work as a labourer , read Irish history often until far into the night . He could not understand how any Irishman could join the British Army .
Well , Mick was not a student of Irish or any other history . When he joined the British Army there was no Irish Army to join . Besides , the politicians , then called 'Irish patriots' , had urged the young men of Ireland to join the British Army to get 'Home Rule' . Damn 'em all .
Anyway , 'Dowd' walked over to Mick the Soldier , who straightened himself with a galvanic start , and came towards us as if walking on air . With precision he halted squarely in front of Pat and saluted formally . But his face was beaming with pleasure . He was about to join his own Army ......."
(MORE LATER).
SEAN MacBRIDE : 1904 - 1988 .......
The following information was sent to '1169....' in mid-February last by a 'J.D. , Isle Of Man ' ; we reproduce it here , in 15 parts . 'J.D.' assures us that he/she got the article from an American newspaper , in the late 1980's/early 1990's .
(10 of 15).
Sean MacBride remained in the true sense a pacifist in that he never joined in the hypocritical condemnations of Irish Republican armed struggle of those ambivalent to , or supportive of , British violence . At all times , he identified the source of Ireland's problems and stated clearly that " a solution will only become possible when Britain relinquishes any claim of sovereignty over any portion of this island . "
Much more could be said about Sean MacBride's place on the world stage . He brought honour to Ireland (where official honours were denied to him) by winning the Nobel and Lenin peace prizes . His opposition to partition and the British presence in Ireland was mirrored in his commitment to anti-imperialism internationally and most particularly in Africa , earning him the respect of African nationalists throughout the continent .
His work in the defence of human rights and in the cause of world peace , most notabe in his participation as a founder of Amnesty International and in drafting the European Convention on Human Rights , was recognised when he became the first person to receive both the Lenin Peace Prize and the Nobel Peace Prize .
(MORE LATER).
( Happy Wednesday , Happy Paddy's Day , agus la fheile shona dhaoibh !)
Ireland 1760 - the 'Triumph' of William The Third was still being felt ; harsh laws were still in force against Catholics in Ireland . The 'Penal Laws' decreed that a Catholic could not hold any Office of State ,nor stand for Parliament , or vote , or join the English Army or Navy . Nor could a Catholic practice at the bar , or , more importantly (even though they had not the means to do so), buy land .
The Brits 'rented' Irish land to the Irish for periods of thirty-one years only - when a Catholic 'tenant' died , his/her last will and testament was subject to approval by the English Administration ! If an Irishman did lay claim , uncontested , to a piece of land (ie a rocky patch on a mountain-side) and died with that 'land' still in his possession , that patch could be divided-up between his children - unless one of them turned Protestant , in which case that child inherited the lot !
A child was born into these impossible times in Cork , in 1760 - Arthur O'Connor was that childs name .......
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
GEATA BAN .......
".......'Louth's' brother , Mick , had served in the British Army but had been demobilised and was now back home . He was a good soldier , and was interested in joining the IRA ......."
" He had waited and watched with envy , his brothers and old school-mates go in the evenings to drill in some quiet place . Sometimes he had seen them at a distance at target practice with small bore rifles . He had longed to be with them but felt that he was not wanted . True , they all greeted him cheerily but never once hinted at the possibility of his joining them . His brother's attitude did not help either . 'Louth' , after his day's work as a labourer , read Irish history often until far into the night . He could not understand how any Irishman could join the British Army .
Well , Mick was not a student of Irish or any other history . When he joined the British Army there was no Irish Army to join . Besides , the politicians , then called 'Irish patriots' , had urged the young men of Ireland to join the British Army to get 'Home Rule' . Damn 'em all .
Anyway , 'Dowd' walked over to Mick the Soldier , who straightened himself with a galvanic start , and came towards us as if walking on air . With precision he halted squarely in front of Pat and saluted formally . But his face was beaming with pleasure . He was about to join his own Army ......."
(MORE LATER).
SEAN MacBRIDE : 1904 - 1988 .......
The following information was sent to '1169....' in mid-February last by a 'J.D. , Isle Of Man ' ; we reproduce it here , in 15 parts . 'J.D.' assures us that he/she got the article from an American newspaper , in the late 1980's/early 1990's .
(10 of 15).
Sean MacBride remained in the true sense a pacifist in that he never joined in the hypocritical condemnations of Irish Republican armed struggle of those ambivalent to , or supportive of , British violence . At all times , he identified the source of Ireland's problems and stated clearly that " a solution will only become possible when Britain relinquishes any claim of sovereignty over any portion of this island . "
Much more could be said about Sean MacBride's place on the world stage . He brought honour to Ireland (where official honours were denied to him) by winning the Nobel and Lenin peace prizes . His opposition to partition and the British presence in Ireland was mirrored in his commitment to anti-imperialism internationally and most particularly in Africa , earning him the respect of African nationalists throughout the continent .
His work in the defence of human rights and in the cause of world peace , most notabe in his participation as a founder of Amnesty International and in drafting the European Convention on Human Rights , was recognised when he became the first person to receive both the Lenin Peace Prize and the Nobel Peace Prize .
(MORE LATER).
( Happy Wednesday , Happy Paddy's Day , agus la fheile shona dhaoibh !)
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
PATRICK EGAN - founder of 'The Land League' : 1841 - 1919 .......
.......At 43 years young , in 1884 , Patrick Egan was elected President of the National Land League of America . He supported those in Ireland who were fighting for their freedom , both politically and militarily.......
Over the following two or three years , Patrick Egan raised over $100,000 dollars for the American 'Clan na nGael' organisation , which was also involved in the 'dynamite campaign'. He 'kept a foot in both camps' for the following few years until around 1914 when , at 73 years of age, he became one of the strongest supporters of John Redmond's 'Parliamentary Party '.
On 30th September , 1919 , at 78 years of age , Patrick Egan died in America ; he had spent 61 years of his life actively opposing the British presence in Ireland , both politically and militarily - unfortunately , he is practically unknown outside of the Republican Movement today , but deserves to have his name inscribed on a fitting plaque when the day comes and his objectives are realised - that of a full British military and political withdrawal from Ireland . And that day will come .......
[END of ' PATRICK EGAN - founder of 'The Land League' : 1841 - 1919 .......'].
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
" It was the dusk of a summer's night in early July 1920 . My brother Pat (our Commandant), Neilus O'Connell (Louth) , Patrick Cronin (Dowd) and I stood talking on the roadway at the Cross of Kilnamartyra . We talked , of course , of men and guns . We were just discussing the number of men , armed with shotguns , who were available in our local Company . A small but soldierly figure , wearing riding-breeches and putties , passed by and said " Good night , lads ." " Good night , Mick ," we replied . It was 'Mick the Soldier' , a brother of 'Louth's'. He stopped at the corner out of earshot from us .
" There's a man who is anxious to join us , " said Dowd . " He has had plenty experience of war , from 1914 to 1918 . I think he should be a most useful man , since he is a crack rifle shot and is also a machine-gunner . " Here Louth spoke - " He is my brother , but I do not approve of taking anyone who has been in the British service . However , please yourselves . " Pat spoke - " Some of our best men have been in the British Army , Neilus , and their training and experience have been of great value to us always . Did'nt some of them join the British and other armies just for the purpose of training themselves to be efficient soldiers to fight for their own country ? Call him over , Dowd . "
Mick had been leaning listlessly , a lonely figure , his back to the wall at the corner . He had come home in 1919 from England where he had been demobilised . He had found a changed country - all the spirited youth worth knowing were , he found , in the Volunteers . He would not , could not , associate with the seoinin young men . He was a soldier born , nothing else , and those young men outside the IRA had not the martial fibre he wanted ......."
(MORE LATER).
SEAN MacBRIDE : 1904 - 1988 .......
The following information was sent to '1169....' in mid-February last by a 'J.D. , Isle Of Man ' ; we reproduce it here , in 15 parts . 'J.D.' assures us that he/she got the article from an American newspaper , in the late 1980's/early 1990's .
(9 of 15).
It was a career with many aspects . At least as important as his military and political efforts to achieve Irish independence , was his work as a lawyer and an international campaigner for human rights . In this field , both at home and abroad , Sean MacBride exposed oppression and injustice wherever he could , always spurred on by a deep compassion for the oppressed .
In the 1940's , he challenged the repressive apparatus used by the Fianna Fail (Free State) Government to crush the Republican Movement . He had clauses of the 1938 Offences Against the State Act declared void in the courts , resulting in the release of Republican Prisoners . He defended those IRA Volunteers railroaded to the scaffold and the firing squad by de Valera's laws , taking a lonely stand against repression at a time of rigorous wartime censorship .
In 1946 , Sean MacBride exposed publicly the brutal treatment of Sean McCaughey in Portlaoise Prison . At the inquest on the dead hunger-striker , MacBride asked the prison doctor -" If you had a dog would you treat it in that fashion ? " " No ," was the doctor's reply . In this , too, he was consistent to the end . He took a strong stand against the extradition of political prisoners to Britain and the Six Counties , giving evidence on behalf of Joe Doherty in the United States and Brendan MacFarlane and Gerry Kelly in the Netherlands .
His presence in that Dutch Courtroom and his eloquent defence of the right of the Irish people to resist British oppression demonstrated the unbroken tradition of Republican resistance from 1916 - when his father , Major John MacBride, died at the hands of a British firing party - to the present generation of those offering that resistance .
(MORE LATER).
.......At 43 years young , in 1884 , Patrick Egan was elected President of the National Land League of America . He supported those in Ireland who were fighting for their freedom , both politically and militarily.......
Over the following two or three years , Patrick Egan raised over $100,000 dollars for the American 'Clan na nGael' organisation , which was also involved in the 'dynamite campaign'. He 'kept a foot in both camps' for the following few years until around 1914 when , at 73 years of age, he became one of the strongest supporters of John Redmond's 'Parliamentary Party '.
On 30th September , 1919 , at 78 years of age , Patrick Egan died in America ; he had spent 61 years of his life actively opposing the British presence in Ireland , both politically and militarily - unfortunately , he is practically unknown outside of the Republican Movement today , but deserves to have his name inscribed on a fitting plaque when the day comes and his objectives are realised - that of a full British military and political withdrawal from Ireland . And that day will come .......
[END of ' PATRICK EGAN - founder of 'The Land League' : 1841 - 1919 .......'].
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
GEATA BAN .
" It was the dusk of a summer's night in early July 1920 . My brother Pat (our Commandant), Neilus O'Connell (Louth) , Patrick Cronin (Dowd) and I stood talking on the roadway at the Cross of Kilnamartyra . We talked , of course , of men and guns . We were just discussing the number of men , armed with shotguns , who were available in our local Company . A small but soldierly figure , wearing riding-breeches and putties , passed by and said " Good night , lads ." " Good night , Mick ," we replied . It was 'Mick the Soldier' , a brother of 'Louth's'. He stopped at the corner out of earshot from us .
" There's a man who is anxious to join us , " said Dowd . " He has had plenty experience of war , from 1914 to 1918 . I think he should be a most useful man , since he is a crack rifle shot and is also a machine-gunner . " Here Louth spoke - " He is my brother , but I do not approve of taking anyone who has been in the British service . However , please yourselves . " Pat spoke - " Some of our best men have been in the British Army , Neilus , and their training and experience have been of great value to us always . Did'nt some of them join the British and other armies just for the purpose of training themselves to be efficient soldiers to fight for their own country ? Call him over , Dowd . "
Mick had been leaning listlessly , a lonely figure , his back to the wall at the corner . He had come home in 1919 from England where he had been demobilised . He had found a changed country - all the spirited youth worth knowing were , he found , in the Volunteers . He would not , could not , associate with the seoinin young men . He was a soldier born , nothing else , and those young men outside the IRA had not the martial fibre he wanted ......."
(MORE LATER).
SEAN MacBRIDE : 1904 - 1988 .......
The following information was sent to '1169....' in mid-February last by a 'J.D. , Isle Of Man ' ; we reproduce it here , in 15 parts . 'J.D.' assures us that he/she got the article from an American newspaper , in the late 1980's/early 1990's .
(9 of 15).
It was a career with many aspects . At least as important as his military and political efforts to achieve Irish independence , was his work as a lawyer and an international campaigner for human rights . In this field , both at home and abroad , Sean MacBride exposed oppression and injustice wherever he could , always spurred on by a deep compassion for the oppressed .
In the 1940's , he challenged the repressive apparatus used by the Fianna Fail (Free State) Government to crush the Republican Movement . He had clauses of the 1938 Offences Against the State Act declared void in the courts , resulting in the release of Republican Prisoners . He defended those IRA Volunteers railroaded to the scaffold and the firing squad by de Valera's laws , taking a lonely stand against repression at a time of rigorous wartime censorship .
In 1946 , Sean MacBride exposed publicly the brutal treatment of Sean McCaughey in Portlaoise Prison . At the inquest on the dead hunger-striker , MacBride asked the prison doctor -" If you had a dog would you treat it in that fashion ? " " No ," was the doctor's reply . In this , too, he was consistent to the end . He took a strong stand against the extradition of political prisoners to Britain and the Six Counties , giving evidence on behalf of Joe Doherty in the United States and Brendan MacFarlane and Gerry Kelly in the Netherlands .
His presence in that Dutch Courtroom and his eloquent defence of the right of the Irish people to resist British oppression demonstrated the unbroken tradition of Republican resistance from 1916 - when his father , Major John MacBride, died at the hands of a British firing party - to the present generation of those offering that resistance .
(MORE LATER).
Monday, March 15, 2004
PATRICK EGAN - founder of 'The Land League' : 1841 - 1919 .......
....... Patrick Egan got word that the Brits were making enquiries as to the funds belonging to The Land League ; he withdrew all monies and fled to Paris , from where he continued to work for the organisation , including helping with the publication of its weekly newspaper , ' The United Ireland '.......
In May 1882 , Patrick Egan was told that the British were attempting to link him with the killings earlier that month (ie 6th May 1882) of British Government Officials 'Lord' Frederick Cavendish and Thomas Burke by members of 'The Invincibles' in Dublin's Phoenix Park (it is not perhaps well-known that the 12-inch long surgical knives used in that operation had been purchased in Bond Street in London , and transported to Dublin by the pregnant wife of the Land League's Secretary , hidden in her skirts !).
Patrick Egan left Paris and went to America , where the 'Clan na nGael' organisation put him up in a safe-house ; he continued his work to highlight British injustice in Ireland and , in August 1884 , at 43 years young , he was elected President of the National Land League of America . He continued to support those who were involved in political action against the Brits (Parnell , Davitt etc) but did not confine himself to political opposition only - he made contact with the Fenian leadership in Ireland and told them he was "heart and soul" behind them in their 'dynamite campaign' in England .....
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
BALLINGEARY BARRACKS .....
".......While being questioned by the Black and Tans in Ballingeary Barracks , Jer Carthy let it be known that his "friends" were expecting his safe return . One of the Brits led Jer out to the hallway . The front door was open ......."
" The Black and Tan spoke to Jer - but this time he was respectful - " You know the road home , Jer ? " " I believe I do, " said Jer as he walked out , a free man . Our visit to Ballingeary on Whitsunday 1920 might well be described as ill-timed and reckless . Had we met with Black and Tans of a tougher fibre , it is likely that they would have availed of one of the many favourable opportunities for attacking us .
In such case we would have suffered heavily . But , as events proved , our opponents' morale was not high . Thirteen days later they were withdrawn from their barracks . We then burned it to the ground . "
[END OF ' BALLINGEARY BARRACKS .....'].
SEAN MacBRIDE : 1904 - 1988 .......
The following information was sent to '1169....' in mid-February last by a 'J.D. , Isle Of Man ' ; we reproduce it here , in 15 parts . 'J.D.' assures us that he/she got the article from an American newspaper , in the late 1980's/early 1990's .
(8 of 15).
But in spite of his failure to recognise that armed struggle remained the most potent weapon in the political armoury of the Irish people - and ultimately the only one that would be listened to- Sean MacBride never joined the ranks of the sham constitutional nationalists . He never took the fruits of partition for personal gain even though he led his party , Clann na Poblachta , into the first interparty government of 1948 with the former Blueshirts of Fine Gael .
The vital difference was that Sean MacBride sincerely believed that constitutional pressure exerted internationally , could morally force Britain to end partition . As (Free State) 'External Affairs Minister' that was his priority and he used every opportunity to advance it . He failed , his constitutionalism perishing inevitably on the rock of British intransigence . That 26-County government failed in other ways too and Sean MacBride's role in the 'Mother and Child' scheme debacle , when the (Free State) government bowed to the Catholic Hierarchy and The Irish Medical Association was less than principled to say the least .
Modern Irish Republicans would also criticise his stated opposition to the removal of the ban on divorce from the 1938 (Free State) Constitution . In these and some other areas - his failure to endorse publicly the campaign of the National H-Block/Armagh Committee for instance - his stance was at odds with his overall progressive role throughout his career .
(MORE LATER).
....... Patrick Egan got word that the Brits were making enquiries as to the funds belonging to The Land League ; he withdrew all monies and fled to Paris , from where he continued to work for the organisation , including helping with the publication of its weekly newspaper , ' The United Ireland '.......
In May 1882 , Patrick Egan was told that the British were attempting to link him with the killings earlier that month (ie 6th May 1882) of British Government Officials 'Lord' Frederick Cavendish and Thomas Burke by members of 'The Invincibles' in Dublin's Phoenix Park (it is not perhaps well-known that the 12-inch long surgical knives used in that operation had been purchased in Bond Street in London , and transported to Dublin by the pregnant wife of the Land League's Secretary , hidden in her skirts !).
Patrick Egan left Paris and went to America , where the 'Clan na nGael' organisation put him up in a safe-house ; he continued his work to highlight British injustice in Ireland and , in August 1884 , at 43 years young , he was elected President of the National Land League of America . He continued to support those who were involved in political action against the Brits (Parnell , Davitt etc) but did not confine himself to political opposition only - he made contact with the Fenian leadership in Ireland and told them he was "heart and soul" behind them in their 'dynamite campaign' in England .....
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
BALLINGEARY BARRACKS .....
".......While being questioned by the Black and Tans in Ballingeary Barracks , Jer Carthy let it be known that his "friends" were expecting his safe return . One of the Brits led Jer out to the hallway . The front door was open ......."
" The Black and Tan spoke to Jer - but this time he was respectful - " You know the road home , Jer ? " " I believe I do, " said Jer as he walked out , a free man . Our visit to Ballingeary on Whitsunday 1920 might well be described as ill-timed and reckless . Had we met with Black and Tans of a tougher fibre , it is likely that they would have availed of one of the many favourable opportunities for attacking us .
In such case we would have suffered heavily . But , as events proved , our opponents' morale was not high . Thirteen days later they were withdrawn from their barracks . We then burned it to the ground . "
[END OF ' BALLINGEARY BARRACKS .....'].
SEAN MacBRIDE : 1904 - 1988 .......
The following information was sent to '1169....' in mid-February last by a 'J.D. , Isle Of Man ' ; we reproduce it here , in 15 parts . 'J.D.' assures us that he/she got the article from an American newspaper , in the late 1980's/early 1990's .
(8 of 15).
But in spite of his failure to recognise that armed struggle remained the most potent weapon in the political armoury of the Irish people - and ultimately the only one that would be listened to- Sean MacBride never joined the ranks of the sham constitutional nationalists . He never took the fruits of partition for personal gain even though he led his party , Clann na Poblachta , into the first interparty government of 1948 with the former Blueshirts of Fine Gael .
The vital difference was that Sean MacBride sincerely believed that constitutional pressure exerted internationally , could morally force Britain to end partition . As (Free State) 'External Affairs Minister' that was his priority and he used every opportunity to advance it . He failed , his constitutionalism perishing inevitably on the rock of British intransigence . That 26-County government failed in other ways too and Sean MacBride's role in the 'Mother and Child' scheme debacle , when the (Free State) government bowed to the Catholic Hierarchy and The Irish Medical Association was less than principled to say the least .
Modern Irish Republicans would also criticise his stated opposition to the removal of the ban on divorce from the 1938 (Free State) Constitution . In these and some other areas - his failure to endorse publicly the campaign of the National H-Block/Armagh Committee for instance - his stance was at odds with his overall progressive role throughout his career .
(MORE LATER).
Sunday, March 14, 2004
PATRICK EGAN - founder of 'The Land League' : 1841 - 1919 .......
.......When the leadership of the ' New Departure ' group were released by the Brits on 23rd January 1881 , the British Chief Secretary in Ireland , William E. Forester , resigned in protest . He was replaced by 'Lord' Frederick Cavendish.......
At about half-past-seven on the evening of his arrival in Dublin (6th May ,1882), 'Lord' Frederick Cavendish and his new British Under-Secretary ,Thomas Burke , were walking across the Phoenix Park to the British 'Vice-Regal' Lodge .... but they never made it..
Patrick Egan , as Treasurer of the Land League (which had been named as an "illegal organisation" by the British in October 1881) was aware that Westminster Officials had been making enquiries as to what funding the Land League had at its disposal ; he withdrew all funds and fled to Paris . He was in charge of the Land League's weekly newspaper , 'The United Ireland' , and continued to run it from Paris .
(Incidentally , on 10th December 1890 , an anti-Parnellite crowd forced their way into the Dublin Offices of 'The United Ireland' newspaper and proceeded to thrash the place ; Charles Stewart Parnell got word of what was happening and quickly organised a few dozen supporters and they , in turn , stormed their own building ! The fist-fight that followed ended in Parnell regaining control of the newspaper Offices).
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
BALLINGEARY BARRACKS .....
".......The day after we left Ballingeary , the Black and Tans dragged one of our men , Jer Carthy , into their barracks to question him about the activity of the previous day ......."
" The Brits stood around Jer -
" Jereen," they said , "you brought a crowd of murderers here yesterday to wipe us out ."
" They were not murderers , but friends of mine ," Jer replied boldly .
" You've a lot of friends , Jereen ," they observed .
" I have more friends than those ," was Jer's reply.
" You're going to pay for yesterdays work ," they threatened .
" What happened yesterday ? Were any of ye murdered ? " asked Jer.
" No , but that's not your fault ."
" Why did ye not go out and pick up the murderers ? "
" What do you take us for ? A lot of mugs ! "
" Well," said Jer , " if my friends are a lot of murderers , and if anything happens to me , where do ye fit in ? "
There was a long silence . Then one of the Black and Tans beckoned to the others and they all left the room , leaving Jer alone . Very soon one of them returned . He motioned Jer to follow him . They reached the hallway . The front door stood open ......."
(MORE LATER).
SEAN MacBRIDE : 1904 - 1988 .......
The following information was sent to '1169....' in mid-February last by a 'J.D. , Isle Of Man ' ; we reproduce it here , in 15 parts . 'J.D.' assures us that he/she got the article from an American newspaper , in the late 1980's/early 1990's .
(7 of 15).
This period lays bare some of the puzzles of Sean MacBride's political outlook . While not antagonistic to socialist ideas , they were never a priority with him , in spite of his unstinting work on behalf of the dispossessed and underprivileged . He certainly recognised that British imperialism was the first obstacle to social progress and from the start recognised that Fianna Fail would not remove that obstacle .
Yet , after a period as IRA Chief-of-Staff , he parted company with the Republican Movement in 1938 , believing that the de Valera constitution removed the necessity for the use of armed force against the British occupation . In this , Irish Republicans would disagree fundamentally with him , believing that any constitution for the Irish people remains an empty formula so long as a foreign power forcibly prevents them from putting it into effect .
Throughout Sean MacBride's lifetime , the expressed wish of the Irish people for independence was met with brute force by the British Government . The democratic institutions of Dail Eireann(the 32-County body) were suppressed brutally in 1919 - 1921 and partition was imposed under the threat of " immediate and terrible war " in 1922 . The 1937 (Free State) Constitution claiming jurisdiction over the Six Counties and the pleas of successive (Leinster House) 'Governments' - including that which Sean MacBride himself served in as (Free State) External Affairs Minister - against partition , were ignored .
(MORE LATER).
.......When the leadership of the ' New Departure ' group were released by the Brits on 23rd January 1881 , the British Chief Secretary in Ireland , William E. Forester , resigned in protest . He was replaced by 'Lord' Frederick Cavendish.......
At about half-past-seven on the evening of his arrival in Dublin (6th May ,1882), 'Lord' Frederick Cavendish and his new British Under-Secretary ,Thomas Burke , were walking across the Phoenix Park to the British 'Vice-Regal' Lodge .... but they never made it..
Patrick Egan , as Treasurer of the Land League (which had been named as an "illegal organisation" by the British in October 1881) was aware that Westminster Officials had been making enquiries as to what funding the Land League had at its disposal ; he withdrew all funds and fled to Paris . He was in charge of the Land League's weekly newspaper , 'The United Ireland' , and continued to run it from Paris .
(Incidentally , on 10th December 1890 , an anti-Parnellite crowd forced their way into the Dublin Offices of 'The United Ireland' newspaper and proceeded to thrash the place ; Charles Stewart Parnell got word of what was happening and quickly organised a few dozen supporters and they , in turn , stormed their own building ! The fist-fight that followed ended in Parnell regaining control of the newspaper Offices).
(MORE LATER).
WHERE MOUNTAINY MEN HAVE SOWN :
war and peace in rebel Cork ,
in the turbulent years 1916-21.
By Micheal O'Suilleabhain : published 1965.
BALLINGEARY BARRACKS .....
".......The day after we left Ballingeary , the Black and Tans dragged one of our men , Jer Carthy , into their barracks to question him about the activity of the previous day ......."
" The Brits stood around Jer -
" Jereen," they said , "you brought a crowd of murderers here yesterday to wipe us out ."
" They were not murderers , but friends of mine ," Jer replied boldly .
" You've a lot of friends , Jereen ," they observed .
" I have more friends than those ," was Jer's reply.
" You're going to pay for yesterdays work ," they threatened .
" What happened yesterday ? Were any of ye murdered ? " asked Jer.
" No , but that's not your fault ."
" Why did ye not go out and pick up the murderers ? "
" What do you take us for ? A lot of mugs ! "
" Well," said Jer , " if my friends are a lot of murderers , and if anything happens to me , where do ye fit in ? "
There was a long silence . Then one of the Black and Tans beckoned to the others and they all left the room , leaving Jer alone . Very soon one of them returned . He motioned Jer to follow him . They reached the hallway . The front door stood open ......."
(MORE LATER).
SEAN MacBRIDE : 1904 - 1988 .......
The following information was sent to '1169....' in mid-February last by a 'J.D. , Isle Of Man ' ; we reproduce it here , in 15 parts . 'J.D.' assures us that he/she got the article from an American newspaper , in the late 1980's/early 1990's .
(7 of 15).
This period lays bare some of the puzzles of Sean MacBride's political outlook . While not antagonistic to socialist ideas , they were never a priority with him , in spite of his unstinting work on behalf of the dispossessed and underprivileged . He certainly recognised that British imperialism was the first obstacle to social progress and from the start recognised that Fianna Fail would not remove that obstacle .
Yet , after a period as IRA Chief-of-Staff , he parted company with the Republican Movement in 1938 , believing that the de Valera constitution removed the necessity for the use of armed force against the British occupation . In this , Irish Republicans would disagree fundamentally with him , believing that any constitution for the Irish people remains an empty formula so long as a foreign power forcibly prevents them from putting it into effect .
Throughout Sean MacBride's lifetime , the expressed wish of the Irish people for independence was met with brute force by the British Government . The democratic institutions of Dail Eireann(the 32-County body) were suppressed brutally in 1919 - 1921 and partition was imposed under the threat of " immediate and terrible war " in 1922 . The 1937 (Free State) Constitution claiming jurisdiction over the Six Counties and the pleas of successive (Leinster House) 'Governments' - including that which Sean MacBride himself served in as (Free State) External Affairs Minister - against partition , were ignored .
(MORE LATER).
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