1920’s
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One Hundred Years Ago: July 1921
On the 11th of July 1921 a truce was agreed that ended the Irish War of Independence. It is generally acknowledged that both sides thought that the truce would not hold, but it did. The following highlights the local events and news contained in local newspapers 100 years ago. The month of July began with the usual reports of the disruptions to transportation and communication carried out by local I.R.A. volunteers and the impact of the continued marital law that gagged the press, closed fairs, markets and creameries, restricted the use of bicycles as well as the activities of the Crown forces in searching, detaining and forcing civilians to repair damaged infrastructure.
Trenches
Just before the first of July another trench was opened in the Ballyanne road, and a notice posted by the “I.R.A.” warning people not to fill it or they would face a penalty. Further, reports were received that a trench was opened midway between New Ross and Camblin (New Ross Standard, 1 July 1921, p. 4). In Kilkenny the road was blocked between the Rower and Graiguenamanagh with a barricade of stones built across the road (p. 5).
Bridge Destroyed
The big wooden bridge which crosses the Barrow at the Ferry Mountgarrett, about two miles from New Ross, was set on fire in late June. Petrol or paraffin was sprinkled on some of the planks on the Wexford side. The fire was noticed and was put out by an unknown individual before it did serious damage. A number of the wooden planks were blackened and partially charred (New Ross Standard, 1 July 1921, p. 5). On the 3rd of July the bridge was set on fire again. Nearly all of the structure for about 60 feet from the Wexford side to the drawbridge was destroyed. While the bridge was on fire persons going towards it were warned frrm a distance not to attempt to put it out. It was reported that a man from County Wexford arrived at the Kilkenny side with a horse and trap. He did not wish to go back to Graiguenamanagh and round by Carlow to get home, so he whipped his horse and with the flames rising dashed across the burning bridge. He was the last person to cross the bridge; crossings thereafter were done by boat (New Ross Standard, 8 July 1921, p. 5).
Commandeering of Civilians
The military continued to commandeer men. Sometimes these men were taken from their place of employment and town or city and transported to fill trenches. Mr. Gardiner, the Postmaster of Waterford, and his assistant Mr. Rafter were commandeered and taken to Glenmore to fill trenches (Waterford News and Star, 1 July 1921, p. 5). The military rounded up a number of New Ross men to fill a trench that obstructed the road between the mudhouse and the lower part of Camblin (New Ross Standard, 1 July 1921, p. 4) as well as making ten to twelve new men join in the saturation of the New Ross bridge with water as the weather was dry (p. 5). In Thomastown, men, their horses and carts were commandeered by Black and Tans as they brought milk to the creamery. They were compelled to cut up the trees felled on the Coolmore and Ballyduff roads and cart the wood 4 miles to Woodstock. “The men were required to work until six o’clock in the afternoon without food or refreshments” (p. 5). Some Wexford men refused to obey orders in connection with commandeered labour, were taken into custody, arrested and taken under military escort to Waterford to stand trial (Waterford News & Star, 8 July 1921, p. 5).
Wires Cut
No telegraph or telephone messages could be sent from New Ross on the first of July because all wires were cut and damaged in all direction from New Ross (New Ross Standard, 1 July 1921, p. 4). It was several days before service was partially restored.
Mail Raids
On the 25th of June at 2 p.m. a party of ten armed men raided the General Post Office in Waterford city. They took £140 in cash and an undisclosed amount of stamps (Munster Express, 2 July 1921, p. 6). On the evening of the 29th of June masked armed men boarded the mail train at Aylwardstown, Glenmore and took some bags of mails from the “up train.” Male passengers were ordered out of the train onto the platform where they were searched and questioned by the armed men (New Ross Standard, 1 July 1921, p. 4). On the 7th of July, at 1 pm twelve men raided the New Ross post office. It was reported that £1,000 was stolen in the raid, and the payment of the old age pension on Friday was cancelled because there was no money to pay the pensioners. One raider was arrested (New Ross Standard, 15 July 1921, p. 8).
Miscellaneous Activities
Whiskey consigned to Crown forces in the Thomastown district was destroyed at the Thomastown railway station. The newspaper reported that “there was some activity on the part of the forces afterward” (New Ross Standard, 1 July 1921, p. 5).
About a mile from Callen in Coleshall Lower, in County Kilkenny, eight men appeared at the home of Peter Kinsella at 1 a.m. on the 8th of July and dragged his daughter outside and cut off her hair for being with the Black and Tans “all the time.” At gunpoint she was then told to kneel and was forced to swear that she would give them up (New Ross Standard, Fri 15 July 1921, p. 7). The age and name of the daughter was not reported in the newspaper.
The Truce
Irish peace discussions commenced on Monday the fourth of July, and a great crowd waited for hours for news. It was reported that after the peace discussions began the list of events issued by Dublin Castle was the smallest it had been for years with only one attack on the police chronicled. The weekly summary, however, recorded 14 police killed; 20 wounded; 1 military killed, 5 wounded and 25 ambushes were recorded. Readers were reminded that the number of Irishmen interned was still increasing and was now well over 3,000 (Waterford News & Star, 8 July 1921, p. 5). It was not until the 15th of July that a local paper reported on the truce, “All Ireland rejoiced at the intelligence the [Dublin] newspapers contained on Saturday morning that a truce to the unfortunate conditions of affairs in Ireland had been called by Mr. de Valera on the one side and the Crown authorities on the other” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 July 1921, p. 4).
It was reported that except in Lurgan, the last shot in the land was fired at 11:55 on Monday the 11th of July at police in Kingscourt. In the twelve hours immediately preceding the truce there were numerous attacks on Crown forces. In accordance with the truce all activities ceased in New Ross and districts at Noon on Monday. On Monday afternoon the military and police carried no firearms when going about. On the succeeding days the military went in processional order through the town to bath in the river, taking bath towels with them. A number of I.R.A. men came into town and moved about freely. On Monday night people moved about the streets until midnight singing patriotic songs. At the churches on Sunday the people were asked to pray for the success of the peace negotiations. Since Monday people could be seen going about on bicycles. During the week people who were afraid to come to town on business came in large numbers (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 July 1921, p. 7). Within a week it was reported that the martial law restrictions were lifted on motor vehicles and bicycles. The bans on fairs and markets were removed and all creameries ordered closed by the military were allowed to re-open. The ban on the tri-colour flag was lifted in Dublin but was reported as still being in place in Cork, (New Ross Standard, Fri. 22 July 1921, p. 5).
Notwithstanding the fact that press censorship continued (New Ross Standard, 29 July 1921, p. 4) the military allowed the newspapers to report on a demonstration organised and held in New York city by the American Association for Recognition of the Irish Republic. The organisation was formed by de Valera when he previously visited the U.S. It was estimated that 25,000 people participated and it took 2 ½ hours for the procession to pass (New Ross Standard, 29 July 1921, p. 8).
The Rest of the Story
Following up on events we highlighted in previous posts, in July the following items were published:
Three men arrested at the funeral of Nicholas Mullins were released from Woodstock. The released men were John Voss, of Jerpoint; Andrew Walsh, of Kiltorcane, and John Kearns, of Coolmeen (New Ross Standard, 1 July 1921, p. 5). James McKenna and Patrick Luttrel who were convicted in the Waterford military court on the 15th of June 1921 for levying war against the King at Garryricken, near Callan, Co. Kilkenny and being in possession of arms and ammunition, were sentenced to penal servitude for life (New Ross Standard, 1 July 1921, p. 8). For further details see the blog post of 30 May 2021.
In the New Ross Standard of 15 July 1921 (p. 5) the following poem, “To the memory of Jack Hartley, Fifth Battalion I.R.A.” was published. Jack Hartley and Nicholas Mullins were killed in action on 18 June 1921 at the Coolbarn ambush. For further details see the blog post of 20 June 2021.
He’s gone—he’s dead, A noble hero for his country’s bled, A rebel’s grave ever was his doom, But, ah alas! He fills it all too soon. No more his stalwart form we’ll see, Until we meet him in eternity; No more that loving smile we’ll greet, Or hear those tones and accent sweet. But why lament for such as he, Whose early wish to die for thee and Eire? He’s gained and tasted sweet, And gone with glory to his Saviour’s feet. And many a youth will yet lie low, For ideals which from heaven glow, For Faith and Love and Liberty, For thee oh down trodden country. And then at least the light will speed, Which glimmers now in Eastern skies, And by that light we’ll all be free, And shout from hill and vale resound, Of Lliberty—glorious Liberty. M. C. McP.
Other Local Matters
All the local newspapers reported that unemployment was increasing across both Britain and Ireland. In July 1921 it was also reported that the old fishermen had declared that the number of salmon caught in the Barrow and Nore in that season was the largest for any season during the previous 40 to 50 years (New Ross Standard, 1 July 1921, p. 5). Additionally, at a joint meeting of Slieverue and Glenmore branch of the transport union a harvest bonus was agreed. Men over 18 years were to receive £2 10s; men under 18 years to receive £1 10s. The harvest bonus was to be paid before 1 October, or before the threshing. Men who had been in the same employment for at least 12 weeks prior to harvest were entitled to the harvest bonus. A threshing allowance to 3s. was to be given in lieu of drink. The men at threshing would be allowed overtime pay at the rate of 1s. per hour. Casual harvest worker to be paid 7s per day, “with diet” during harvest period; this included binding corn. In consideration of the fact that Glenmore and Slieverue were largely a dairy part of the county, and it was necessary to extend milking periods to as near as possible to twelve hours between each milking, the hours during the harvest period were set at ten hours per days (New Ross Standard, 29 July 1921, p. 8).
Special thanks to Jacqueline Walsh for the photo of the Aylwardstown railway station. The feature photo was published in the Illustrated London News (c) Illustrated New Group on 16 July 1921, p. 4. The caption under the photo provides: “With Camera Instead of Machine Gun and Revolver–Cadets Fraternising with Crowd Outside Dublin Castle.”
Please send any corrections or additional information etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Remembering the Fallen: Hartley and Mullins 1921-2021
Yesterday afternoon a commemoration ceremony was held in Glenmore to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of John “Jack” Hartley (1897-1921) of Weatherstown, Glenmore, who was killed in action at Coolbawn, Castlecomer during the War of Independence. Also killed in the Coolbawn Ambush of 18 June 1921 was Nicholas Mullins (1893-1921) of Market Street, Thomastown, the son of Glenmore native Laurence Mullins (1858-1913). Yesterday, it was a fine day and a crowd gathered at Glenmore for the ceremony. Historian Eoin Swithin Walsh, the author of Kilkenny In Times of Revolution 1900-1923 (2018) provided details concerning Jack Hartley’s life prior to Coolbawn, but did not discuss the grisly details and the controversy concerning the ill-fated ambush that cost these young volunteers their lives. However, a concise account of the ambush may be found in his book and some of the highlights are below (Walsh, 2018 p. 122-127).
John Hartley was born and raised in Weatherstown, Glenmore and was generally referred to by his family as Jack. He “was engaged in the grocery trade in New Ross, …and assisted the [Glenmore] Kilkenny County senior football team in the Leinster championship” (New Ross Standard, 29 April 1938, p. 2). At an early age he became involved in the Republican movement and joined the New Ross unit of the old I.R.A., was arrested for his activities in 1916 and imprisoned in Wakefield prison. After his release he went to work in Kilkenny City for a grocer/publican named Grace and continued with his volunteer activities. He was arrested in Kilkenny in 1921 when his bedroom above the business premises was searched and a handgun and other materials were found. He was imprisoned again, but because he shared the room with others he was not convicted and released. Knowing that he was being watched he decided to go on the run and joined the Flying Column in Graiguenamanagh. A copy of the pension application file is available on line. Ultimately Jack’s father was awarded a £50 gratuity (gift) by the grateful new nation.
Nicholas Mullins was born and raised on Market Street in Thomastown. His father, Laurence Mullins (1858-1913) was a native of Gaulstown, Glenmore. Laurence married Anne Hanrahan of Coolroebeg near Thomastown. Laurence moved to Coolroebeg and (according to the residence recordings on the birth certificates of their children) as their family grew they eventually moved to Market St. where Laurence ran a pub. In the 1911 census Nicholas was already at work as a carrier for a brewery. After his father died in 1913 according to his mother she struggled to raise her dependent children. Nicholas secured a job working for the Council and earned £1 a day as he had a horse and cart. At the time of his death he was the main breadwinner for his mother and siblings. Portions of the pension application files for Nicholas are also available on line.
The Coolbawn Ambush
Early in 1921 the 5th Battalion Active Service Unit was established in Graiguenamagh. Generally known as a Flying Column these units were an elite group of volunteers who dedicated themselves full time to the War of Independence. Most volunteers continued to work their normal jobs and engaged in military activities as and when called upon. On the 18th of June 1921 the Flying Column set an ambush just north of Castlecomer at Coolbawn. They hoped to attack a convoy of Crown forces that regularly protected explosives that were transported along that road to a mine. Mines were laid in the road and people were stopped from using the road. A local woman named Florrie Dreaper apparently realized what was being planned and walked to Castlecomer and alerted the Crown Forces who surrounded the volunteers. John “Jack” Hartley was immediately killed in the first volley. Nicholas Mullins was wounded, but managed to cross the road where he was then shot in the abdomen the bullet damaging his liver. He died approximately two hours later from his wounds.
Florrie Dreaper lived nearby and the requests of the volunteers to shoot her in reprisal were denied. The local I.R.A. Company was ordered to burn the house she lived in with her sister. Four days before the truce the volunteers went to the Drapier home to burn it. The volunteers helped her sister remove her belongings from the house, but Florrie refused to leave her house and got into a steel watertank on the roof of the house with her dog. Florrie attempted to summon the Crown Troops from Thomastown from the roof. Both she and the dog survived the fire and she and her sister subsequently moved to England.
The Funerals
Much has been written concerning the large number of mourners that turned out for the funerals of both young men and the conduct of the Crown authorities at the funerals. Danny Dowling, in the summer of 2020, stated that when he was a boy the activities of local people during the War of Independence, and particularly the Civil War, were known by everyone. Glenmore was too small a place for there to be any anonymity or secrets. It was reported in the newspapers of the time that after Jack Hartley’s funeral a volley was fired over his grave and this brought the “Black and Tans” back to the cemetery. What wasn’t reported was that the local volunteers only waited for the Crown Forces to get up past the National School. “Pat Hanrahan and a few of the lads fired the volley. They wanted the volley to be heard.” By the time the Crown Forces turned around and made it back to the cemetery most of the volunteers had vaulted the cemetery walls and disappeared into the adjoining fields with the arms. Danny said that it was stated that Pat Hanrahan and his brother calmly exited the front church gates and walked to his shop and home across the road. They then prepared to go to Thomastown to attend their cousin Nicholas Mullin’s funeral that was held the following day. For the list of local Glenmore volunteers click here.
Memorials
Shortly after Jack Hartley’s death efforts began for a memorial to be erected. In 1927 it was reported that while he was interred at Glenmore it was not known whether the memorial would be at Glenmore or at Coolbawn (New Ross Standard, 18 March 1927, p. 8). Through the efforts of his comrades in arms, primarily in New Ross, on Easter Sunday in 1929 a large Celtic Cross monument was erected on his grave” (Waterford News & Star, 31 March 1929, p. 5).
“Erected to the memory of Captain Sean Hartley, I.R.A., Weatherstown, Glenmore, by his comrades of the South Wexford Brigade. He fell in action at Coolbawn, Castlecomer, in 1921, in defence of the Republic proclaimed by Pearse in 1916, and established by Dail Eireann on the 21st of January 1919.”
The Coolbawn memorial was unveiled at Easter in 1934. To raise funds for the memorial the receipts from GAA matches were donated and special matches held. By 1934 several veterans of the War of Independence were upset. On the same page in the Irish Independent where the dedication of the Coolbawn memorial was reported it was also reported that “the annual march to the graves of the leaders, executed in 1916, was abandoned this year…as a protest against the deplorable division of the Republican parties, each claiming the dead as their own for political purposes” (Irish Independent, 2 April 1934, p. 5).
The last and least known memorial was erected in Graiguenamanagh. It was reported in December 1947 that £718 12s. 5d had been subscribed for the erection of a memorial to the memory of Sean Hartley and Nicholas Mullins (Munster Express, 24 Dec. 1947, p. 8). Unfortunately, the newspaper failed to indicate where the memorial was being erected. However, in August 1949 an Italian marble figure of the Sacred Heart was unveiled and blessed at Graiguenamanagh before a crowd of 2,000 people in memory of Sean Hartley and Nicholas Mullins, and the other members of the 5th Battalion Active Service Brigade I.R.A. The memorial was unveiled by ex-Battalion commandant, John Walsh, Graiguenamanagh, who survived the ambush.
John Walsh provided a brief history of the unit which formed early in 1921. The unit carried out a successful ambush as Uskerty and then proceeded to the borders of Leix. A few days later the unit was surrounded by two battalions of Crown troops. The column succeeded in escaping under cover of darkness. The next operation was Coolbawn. The strength of the unit increased from 17 to 19 men. Sean Hartley and Nicholas Mullins joined the unit at Graiguenamanagh. John Walsh provided a brief description of the Coolbawn Ambush. “The battle went on at a terrific pace for more than an hour, and it was here that Sean Hartley and Nicholas Mullins fell, while Jamey Doyle received rifle and bayonet wounds from which he recovered…The unit was trapped by the superior converging forces and were subjected to concentrated fire. Another section which escaped the encirclement, directed heavy fire on the attackers which allowed the remainder of the trapped section to force its way out.” Notwithstanding the fact that Nicholas Mullins was shot through the liver the 1949 article states that he would not have died except for the brutal treatment inflicted by the Crown forces. “James Doyle was severely wounded and subjected to bayonet stabbing. The fact that he was not identified saved him from a similar fate to Nicholas Mullins. He was subsequently sentenced to death by a British court martial. The truce intervened” (New Ross Standard, 12 August 1949, p. 9). Interestingly there is no mention of Florrie Dreaper and the role she played in the ambush.
The family members who were present at the 1949 ceremony included: Mr. James Hartley, Weatherstown, Glenmore, (brother); Mrs. M. (Alice) Culleton, Kilbride, Glenmore (sister); Miss Mary Hartley, Miss Ciss Culleton (nieces); Edward and Sean Hartley (nephews); Mr. James Morrissey, Kilbride, Glenmore (cousin). Of the individuals listed above as attending in 1949 only Jack Hartley’s niece, Ciss Roche née Culleton survives.
Mr. Thomas Mullins, Thomastown (brother), Mrs. J. Bookle, Bridge Hotel, Thomastown and Miss Kathleen Mullins, Market St, Thomastown, (sisters); Misses Evelyn Bookle, Zeta and Emelda Renner, Anne Mullins (nieces); Nicholas Mullins (nephew); John Walsh, Mullinavat (cousin).
The Extended Families–contrary to the assertions in one of the newspapers in 1921 Jack Hartley and Nicholas Mullins do not appear to have been first cousins. The two men do not appear to share any grandparents, however it is possible that the link was further back. They were, however, both related to a large number of Glenmore families.
John “Jack” Hartley (1897-1921)
Parents: Edmund “Neddy” Hartley (farmer, Weatherstown) married Anastasia Hartley (Weatherstown) on 1 June 1892 at Glenmore. Groom was the son of James Hartley (farmer) and bride was the daughter of Edmund Hartley (farmer). The couple were both 27 years of age when they married.
Paternal Grandparents—Edmund Hartley (1865-1947) was born on 12 June 1865 son of James Hartley (farmer) and Bridget Hartley née Grant at Weatherstown. James Hartley (Weatherstown) married Bridget Grant (Ballinaraha) at Glenmore on 3 March 1860. Four siblings were located for Edmund Hartley (1865-1947) [1] Mary Hartley (b. 4 April 1861); [2] Ally Hartley (b. 26 May 1863); [3] Bridget Hartley (b. 7 Nov. 1867) and [4] Anastatia Hartley (b. 27 April 1872).
Maternal Grandparents—Anastatia Hartley (1865-1943) was born 14 June 1865 at Weatherstown the daughter of Edward Hartley and Ally Henebry. The civil birth records record her parents’ names as Edmund Hartley and Alice Henneberry. Edmund Hartley (Weatherstown) married Ally Henebery (Miltown) on 20 Feb. 1855 at Glenmore. Three siblings were located for Anastatia Hartley née Hartley (1865-1943); [1] James Hartley (b. 23 February 1867), [2] Edmund Hartley (b. 21 October 1869), [3] Philip Hartley (b. 11 April 1861). The 1901 Census for Weatherstown indicates that Alice Hartley née Henneberry was living with her son Philip Hartley (b. 1861) and his wife and children.
Great-Grandparents—it appears that Bridget Grant (c. 1825-1895) was the daughter of John Grant and Mary Grant née Power. John Grant and Mary Grant née Power were married on 30 January 1823. The Glenmore Parish records has a child born to this couple baptized on 21 Feb. 1826 at Ballynaraha. The couple were married on 30 January 1823.
A baptismal record for Alicia Henebry of Milltown was found. Alicia Henebry was the daughter of William Henebry and Mary Henebry née Cody. Alicia Henebry was baptized at Milltown on 16 October 1825. However, other children born to Mary Henebry née Cody from this decade have Thomas Henebry listed as their father.
Unfortunately, the marriage records of his Jack Hartley’s grandparents do not list the names of their fathers. The 1833 Tithe Applotment Books of 1833 only records John Hartley in Weatherstown, but there is a James Hartilly (sic) in Flemingstown. Glenmore parish records reveal that John Hartilly and his wife, Ally Norris, had a son William Hatilly baptized on 17 April 1835. Glenmore baptismal records list a James Hartley baptized on 28 Sept. 1833 to Patrick Hartley and Bridget Power. In a previous blog on 20 October 1920 we highlighted a branch of the Flemingstown Hartley family that settled in the US around 1850.
Nicholas Mullins (1893-1921)
Nicholas Mullins (1893-1921) was the son of Laurence Mullins and Anne Hanrahan. He was born 1 June 1893, Market St., Thomastown and at the time of his birth his father’s profession was listed as grocer.
Parents
Laurence Mullins, of Gaulstown, Glenmore married Anne Hanrahan, of Coolroebeg, at Thomastown on 27 November 1884. Laurence was a farmer and the son of Nicholas Mullins (deceased) and Anne Hanrahan was the daughter of Thomas Hanrahan (farmer). The following children were born and the place of residence and changes to Laurence’s occupation is provided to track the family as it grew: [1] Mary Mullins (b. 17 Jan. 1885) father, Coolroebeg labourer; [2] Johanna Mullins (b. 18 June 1886); [3] Ellen Mullins (b. 3 May 1889); [4] Nicholas Mullins (b. 1 June 1893) father, grocer, Thomastown; [5] Thomas Mullins (b. 20 Oct. 1895); [6] Richard Mullins (b. 15 Nov. 1898) father, publican Thomastown; [7] John Mullins (b. 12 Oct. 1900); [8] Bridget Mullins (b. 7 Feb. 1903); [9] Margaret Mullins (b. 18 April 1905); [10] Kathleen Mullins (b. 2 June 1906); [11] Laurence Mullins; (b. 29 March 1908). The 1901 Census family living on Saw Street in Thomastown and Laurence’s profession is listed as shopkeeper. In the 1911 Census the family is simply listed as living in house 58 in Thomastown, Laurence’s profession is listed as publican, and the family of 11 occupied 9 rooms.
Paternal Grandparents
Nicholas Mullins and Mary Mullins née Mackey, of Weatherstown, were married on 26 February 1838. Eleven children were found for this family: [1] John Mullins (bapt. 18 Sept. 1839); [2] Ellen Mullins (bapt. 3 Sept. 1841); [3] Patrick Mullins, (bapt. 16 March 1844) [4] Richard Mullins (bapt. 16 Oct. 1848); [5] Mary Mullins (bapt. 13 Dec. 1850); [6] Margaret Mullins (bapt 25 Dec. 1852) [7] Honoria Mullins (bapt. 16 Dec. 1854 m. Michael Hanrahan, of Powerswood, at Glenmore on 12 July 1885); [8] Bridget Mullins (bapt. 27 Jan. 1857); [9] Laurence Mullins (15 August 1858—died 3 March 1914, aged 54 at Thomastown); [10] Kieran Mullins (b. 16 Sept. l860); and [11] Catherine Mullins (b. 11 Feb. 1865). The first five children were born at Weatherstown, starting with Mary in 1850 the family was in Ballinamona, Glenmore, then starting with Honoria in 1854 their residence is recorded as Gaulstown which is adjacent to Ballinamona. For further information on some of the Glenmore Hanrahan cousins see, the blog of 6 December 2020.
Maternal Grandparents
Anne Mullins née Hanrahan was the daughter of Thomas Hanrahan (c. 1829-1894) and Mary Dalton, of Coolroebeg, Thomastown. Her parents were married on 9 November 1853 at Coolroebeg and the following children were located: [1] Bridget Hanrahan (bapt. 2 Jan. 1855); [2] Bridget Hanrahan (bapt. 18 Oct. 1856); [3] James Hanrahan (bapt. 24 Nov. 1858); [4] Richard Hanrahan (bapt. 24 Nov. 1858); [5] James Hanrahan (bapt. 15 March 1860); [6] John Hanrahan (b. 26 May 1862); [7] Anne Hanrahan (b. 12 July 1864); [8] Margaret Hanrahan (b. 12 July 1866); [9] William Hanrahan (b. 6 Oct. 1868); [10] Patrick Hanrahan (b. 8 Nov. 1870); [11] Denis Hanrahan (b. 1 Oct. 1872) and [12] Ellen Hanrahan (b. 13 Nov. 1875). A death cert for a Thomas Hanrahan was found dated 14 June 1894. Thomas was a widower, aged 75 and his son Denis Hanrahan was present when he died at Coolroebeg.
Great Grandparents
Nicholas Mullins was bapt. 10 July 1813 at Flemingstown. His parents were John Mullins and Nelly Grace. John Mullins and Eleanor Grace were married on 16 Feb. 1806 at Glenmore.
Due to information gleaned from headstones in Glenmore cemetery it is believed that Mary Mackey (c. 1821-1892) was born around 1821. Unfortunately, there were two Mary Mackey’s born in Weatherstown, Glenmore in 1821 and 1822. One Mary Mackey was the daughter of John Mackey and Mary Mackey née Hanrahan, of Weatherstown and was baptized on 16 April 1821. The other Mary Mackey was also born in Weatherstown and was the daughter of David Mackey and Mary Furlong, baptized on the 30th of August 1822.
Please forward corrections, errors or omissions to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured photo above was taken at the commencement of the 100th Anniversary Commemmoration held on 19 June 2021 at Glenmore Cemetery. The crowd and colour guard gathered on the Vee Road just before the Creamery and walked to the cemetary.
Coolbawn Ambush Centernary Commemoration
Castlecomer, Friday June 18th 2021
To mark the Centenary of those that died, injured, or participated (now deceased) of the 1921 Coolbawn Ambush, a Commemoration Mass will be offered for the deceased on Friday June 18th at 6 p.m. in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Castlecomer. The Mass will be attended by descendants of the Volunteers. A Colour Party will also attend from St. Stephens Barracks Kilkenny as will Finbarr McCarthy, Piper. At 11.15 a.m. on the day the Church Bell will toll to remind us of these events 100 years ago. After Mass all are invited to the Discovery Park for the Exhibition of Projects on the Ambush by six National Schools from the area Presentation Convent, Wandesforde, Moneenroe, Clogh, Coon and Muckalee. Due to road safety issues the following will also take part in the Discovery Park.
1. The Preamble of the Constitution.
2. A minutes silence.
3. Oration; For those on active service during the Coolbawn Ambush, for those injured and those who gave their lives. The speaker is Mr. Tom Teehan former judge.
4. Amhrán na bhFiann.
Finally families of Captain John Hartley, Lieutenant Nicholas Mullins, and other family members of the volunteers, will depart to lay a Commemoration Wreath at the Coolbawn Monument. Again road safety practice will require the general public not to be at the site. An Garda Síochána and Stewards will be assisting in this safety matter. Proceedings including Drone Footage from the Lotts to Coolbawn can be viewed online at https://www.facebook.com/TheCoolbawnAmbush https://www.twitch.tv/coolbawnambush https://www.castlecomerparish.ie/webcam/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFqL1nFt-DhB8wbn8nowisw
Glenmore, Saturday June 19th 2021
A prayer service and wreath laying ceremony will take place, commencing at 3pm, in Glenmore churchyard
____________________
Special thanks to Ed Synnott for sending this.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
One Hundred Years Ago: June 1921
The Irish War of Independence ended on 11 July 1921 when a truce was agreed. The six months between 1 January 1921 and the truce were the bloodiest of the War of Independence with almost 1,500 people killed the majority of which were killed in the South. (Corrain & O’Halpin, (2020) The Dead of the Irish Revolution). On 18 June 1921 two young volunteers closely connected to Glenmore were killed in action, at Coolbawn, near Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, just 21 days before the truce.
Partition
In June 1921 the Northern Ireland Parliament was established pursuant to the Government of Ireland Act (1920). This partition of Ireland in May 1921, when the legislation went into effect, established an essentially two state solution that is still in place today. Six of the thirty-two counties of Ireland were placed under the control of the Northern Ireland Parliament. Elections were held in March 1921 for the Northern Ireland Parliament and 40 of the 52 seats went to Unionists. The other 12 seats remained empty as the Sinn Fein and the Irish nationalists who had won the seats refused to take the oath of loyalty. King George V officially opened the Northern Ireland Parliament on 22 June 1921 and called for peace and conciliation. Sinn Féin and the nationalists rejected the Government of Ireland Act and it was replaced in December 1921 with the Anglo-Irish Treaty which founded the Irish Free State as a self-governing dominion within the British Empire.
The War
By June 1921 the Crown Forces were firmly entrenched in their barracks in mainly urban areas and did not venture out much making it difficult to engage or ambush them. Both sides realized that they had reached a stalemate particularly for the IRA after the burning of the Custom House led to 5 deaths and 80 IRA volunteers being captured. To take the pressure off of Tipperary, and other areas, the IRA ordered the Kilkenny volunteers to engage the Crown Forces more notwithstanding the fact that the Kilkenny volunteers had limited arms. This led to the Coolbawn ambush. For an interesting history of Co. Kilkenny during this period see, Eoin Swithin Walsh, (2018) Kilkenny: In Times of Revolution 1900-1923.
Contrary to previous months there are fewer local events recorded in the local newspapers. It may be the case that the censorship of the newspapers increased and stopped the reporting of events, or it may be the case that there were fewer objectives remaining such as bridges or roads that were not damaged or trenched. We were able to find various local news items in some of the Dublin papers.
Waterford
The Crown forces continued to raid various premises and it was reported that the licensed premises of Miss Gleason, of O’Connell Street in Waterford were raided on the first of June. The raid lasted 20 minutes and nothing was taken from the premises (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 3 June 1921, p. 5). It was reported that during week of the 10th the Granagh bridge just outside of Waterford in County Kilkenny was partially destroyed. There were two large excavations made in the centre of the bridge and dropped into the stream below (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 17 June 1921, p. 5).
Five young men on the 15th of June were tried by a Waterford Military court for waging war against the Crown on 12 March 1921 by attacking Crown forces at Garryricken House, Co. Kilkenny. The five defendants were James McKenna, John Luttrell, Patrick Luttrell, James Luttrell and Thomas Luttrell. A policeman was killed when he went to Garryricken House due to a report that rebels were using it as a hiding place. Ultimately three of the defendants were exonerated and only ex-solider James McKenna and Patrick Luttrell were convicted (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 17 June 1921, p. 2). For further information on the Garryricken battle see the podcast of Kilkenny County Library. Also tried by a Waterford military court were Rev. John Loughrey, C.C. of Thomastown and three of his parishioners: John Minogue, Patrick Ryan and James O’Neil. Although the priest was charged with multiple offences the four men were convicted of promoting the Belfast Trade Boycott in March and May 1921. The court sentence for each defendant was a fine of £10 or the alternative was 3 months imprisonment. “All chose the alternative” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 17 June 1921, p. 3).
Although the military did not apparently order the cancellation of the Waterford Regatta, which should have been held on 30 June, the Waterford Boat Club decided to abandon it due to the “present unsettled state of affairs,” (Freeman’s Journal, Sat. 4 June 1921, p. 6).
New Ross
As violence increased new martial laws restricted gatherings including fairs and markets. In New Ross this extended to the closing of shops. In an article entitled “Excitement in New Ross,” it was reported that Crown Forces visited the shopkeepers in New Ross and ordered them to close on Saturdays from 12 to 4. “There were a number of country people in the town at the time, and the closing of the shops gave rise to considerable speculation, but it transpired, however, that the order was in pursuance of the ban prohibiting the holding of markets” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 3 June 1921, p. 5). By mid-June one of the New Ross businesses was burned, but the newspaper report does not indicate who may have been responsible. “The premises of Timothy Butler, New Ross, consisting of his dwelling house, shop and store, with the entire contents, were completely destroyed by fire at 3 o’clock yesterday morning. The family who were in bed, were ordered out, getting only a few minutes to dress, and the place was then set on fire by four armed and disguised men who made use of bombs,” (Evening Echo, (Dublin) Tues. 14 June 1921, p. 7). By the end of June it was reported that New Ross men were being commandeered by Crown forces on a daily basis to saturate the bridge crossing the Barrow with water. “Fifteen New Ross men have been commandeered to saturate with water a wooden portion of the big bridge over the Barrow that was recently set on fire. Since the occurrence and accompanied by the town surveyor and Crown forces the urban council’s hose is taken each evening to the bridge to flush the wooden part to prevent it being set on fire again” (Freeman’s Journal, Wed. 29 June 1921, p. 6).
In May it was reported that foot and mouth disease was detected near New Ross. This report immediately stopped the shipping of cattle from Ireland to England. Eventually a 15 mile exclusion zone was established around New Ross and cattle outside the exclusion zone could be shipped. “On the afternoon of May 26th” a Dublin Castle report states, “about 100 armed men raided Newtown farm, New Ross district, Co. Wexford, and intimidated a number of workmen employed in connection with the foot and month disease operations of the Department of Agriculture. They seised and took away all appliances for the slaughter of animals. It is stated that all the carcases had been buried with the exception of a few, and that they were completed the next day” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 3 June 1921, p. 5). It transpired that the “appliances” seised were picks and shovels used to bury the slaughtered animals. It is assumed that they were taken to “arm” more men for the trenching of roads. On the 24th of June it was reported that Major Little, of Berkley House, New Ross had consented to the slaughter of his cattle and this had been carried out by the Department’s veterinary inspectors, “as no fresh case has occurred in the district, and it is believed that the radius limit of fifteen miles as regards restrictions will be reduced the coming week” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 24 June 1921, p. 5).
Thomastown
On the morning of 3 June 1921 on every route around Thomastown trees had been felled and trenches cut in all roads. In response the Crown forces at 10 a.m. commandeered a large number of men including shopkeepers, shop assistants, and laborers to remove the obstructions. Men were also commandeered from the Inistioge district (New Ross Standard, Fri, 10 June 1921, p. 8). The monthly Thomastown fair that was due to be held on the 7th of June was not held as Thomastown was in the “scheduled area.” Fat pigs were not taken at Thomastown stations for the same reason during the past fortnight. The result has been a serious loss to pig feeders who have pigs fit for sale” (New Ross Standard, Fri, 10 June 1921, p. 8).
Mooncoin
In subtle ways the editors of the local newspapers were able to inform the public that the Crown authorities in Dublin were no longer obtaining good intelligence from outlying areas. An example is found concerning an ambush at Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny “Segt. Sweetman, Fiddown, is reported killed and a constable seriously wounded in an ambush at Mooncoin. The patrol, numbering 7, were cycling back to Fiddown when heavy fire was opened on them from both sides of the road. A Dublin Castle communique, which possibly refers to the same encounter, states a party of 8 police was attacked at Fiddown, and adds—’Const. Albert Bradford was killed and Constable John Stuart, wounded in the left arm. The police captured four shotguns and 200 cartridges charged with buckshot, a revolver, and revolver ammunition left by the rebels. At the time of receiving this report the attackers were being pursued by a mixed party of Crown forces. The casualties of the attackers are not known’” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 24 June 1921, p. 5).
Glenmore
As we reported in the blog last month due to the trenching of roads and destruction of local bridges the Glenmore Creamery was closed for a month by the military. It was allowed to re-open after the closure (Irish Independent, Fri. 1 July 1921, p. 6). Although there are no reports of road trenching, train or mail raids reported as occurring in or near Glenmore during June, the annual meeting of the Glenmore Creamery was reported. The meeting was held on the 15th of June and it was noted that the “Creamery had received nearly 60,000 gallons more milk in 1920 than in 1919 which brought the total received up to 519,496 gallons, from which 244,965 lbs of butter was made, or an average of 2.32 gallons per lb. The turnover for the year was over £46,000 and a profit of £198, 11s., 1 ½ d., was made.” Given the turbulent times the Company “had deemed it wise to pay a very big premium of £250, for insurance against claims of riot, rebellion and civil commotion.” The article concludes that, “The recent closing of the creamery by military order will considerably lessen its profits for the current year” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 1 July 1921, p. 10).
There was not a person in Glenmore that was not impacted directly or indirectly by the War by June. Notwithstanding, the raids by Crown forces, men being dragged from their homes, the difficulties of travel on trenched roads and damaged bridges, produce could not be taken to any local fairs or markets because the military ordered them all closed. Farmers had to continue to milk their cows then had to dump the milk because the Creamery was closed. Even the commodities sought by the British such as beef could not be sold because Glenmore was in the Foot and Mouth exclusionary area. Danny Dowling recorded that several area residents indicated that by the time the parish was reeling from the death of John Hartley, of Weatherstown, Glenmore, who was killed in action at Coolbawn on the 18th of June, they were sick of the conflict and just wanted it to end.
Some of the first local newspaper reports of the Coolbawn ambush were carried in the Munster Express (Sat. 25 June 1921, p. 6) and the Kilkenny People (Sat. 25 June 1921, p. 6). Interestingly the Munster Express article is entitled “Castlecomer Affray” while the Kilkenny People article is entitled “Mine Laying Party Attacked.” Both articles report that two men were killed, John Hartley, a native of Weatherstown, Glenmore, who until a few weeks previously had been employed as a shop assistant in the establishment of Mr. T. Grace, Parliament Street, Kilkenny City. The second man killed was Nicholas Mullins, a native of Main Street, Thomastown. The Munster Express reported that the two men were cousins. A third volunteer, Doyle, of Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny was shot in the leg and captured.
John or Jack Hartley, as he was called by his family, or Sean Hartley as is recorded on the monument erected by his comrades in arms, was the son of Edward Hartley (c. 1865-1947) of Weatherstown, Glenmore. Nicholas Mullins was the son of Laurence Mullins (c. 1860-1913) a native of Gaulstown, Glenmore.
In a future post this month we will provide further information Danny Dowling gathered as well as details regarding how the volunteers who were setting up the ambush at Coolbawn became the hunted.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured photo above of the IRA volunteers killed in action at Coolbawn, Hartley and Mullins, was a post card courtesy of the National Library of Ireland. It is believed that the postcards were sold to help raise funds for one of the memorials erected for the fallen men.
Teenage Volunteers in the War of Independence: The Freyne Brothers of Kilcullen, Thomastown [Updated]
Three months after the Irish Civil War commenced the Kilkenny Moderator on 24 September 1921 reported on the meeting of the Kilkenny County Council. At this meeting a vote of honour was held for the gallant men of the Kilkenny brigade who fell in action, fighting for their country. It was stated that “their names [are] enshrined in our hearts and our memories, and they [are] indelibly inscribed on the honour roll of Ireland’s martyred dead…which future generations of the race would revere and bless…” Eight Kilkenny men were identified as having been killed in the War of Independence namely, Thomas Hennessey, Michael Dermody, Patrick Walsh, John Quinn, John Hartley, Nicholas Mullins, Sean Brett and Peter Freyne.” As Danny Dowling noted three of the eight men listed by the Kilkenny County Council were directly connected to Glenmore. Today, we are going to highlight the fallen Peter Freyne and his brother James Francis “Frank” Freyne who served as teenagers in E. Company, of the 2nd Battalion, of the Dublin Brigade of the Old I.R.A. during the War of Independence.
The Extended Family of the Freyne Brothers of Kilcullen, Thomastown
Peter and Frank Freyne were the eldest two children of John Freyne (1866-1936) and Ellen Freyne née Hanrahan (1874-1915).
Their father, John Freyne (1866-1936) was born on 19 March 1866 at Kilbride, Glenmore to James “Jim” Freyne and Bridget Freyne née Knox. John was the second youngest son. James “Jim” Freyne and Bridget Freyne née Knox were married on 23 September 1851 at Rosbercon. John Freyne’s eight siblings include: [1] Michael Freyne (1852-1925) married and farmed at Ballyfacey, Glenmore. [2] Andrew Freyne (b. 1854) emigrated to Australia; [3] James Freyne (1856-1937) married Jo Hennessey in 1900 and farmed at Kilbride, Glenmore; [4] Johanna Freyne (1857-1945) married Paul Fitzgerald (c. 1853-1923) of Knockbrack, Glenmore; [5] Thomas Freyne (1861-1932) became a priest; [6] Margaret Freyne (1863-1930) married Richard Cody (c. 1871-1906) of Carrigcloney, Glenmore; [7] Mary Freyne (c.1865-1921) married, in 1893, Patrick Brien of Brownsford, Tullogher; and [8] Patrick Freyne (1868-1925) became a priest.
Their mother, Ellen Freyne née Hanrahan was born on the 26th of November 1874, the daughter, of David Hanrahan (farmer) and Anastatia Hanrahan née Walsh of Blessington, Inistioge/Thomastown (recorded differently in different records). Ellen’s known siblings include: [1] Johanna Hanrahan (b. 1872) married James Farrell, of Ballyknock in 1905; [2] Margaret Hanrahan (b. 1871). A married farmer named David Hanrahan, of Blessington, died of TB on 8 November 1875 at the age of 55. A widow of a farmer, Anastatia Hanrahan, of Blessington, died at the age of 58 on the 22nd of April 1894. [It is assumed that these were the parents of Ellen Freyne née Hanrahan. If anyone can shed further light on Ellen’s parents please forward it and we will update.]
Their parents were married on 13 February 1901 at St. Saviour’s (Dominican) in Waterford city. The couple were married by Fr. Patrick Freyne, C.C. the groom’s brother who was assisted by another brother Fr. Thomas Freyne. The witnesses to the wedding were Margaret Freyne and Joseph Knox. “After a sumptuous breakfast in one of the leading hotels, the young, happy couple left en route for Dublin, where the honeymoon will be spent. Mr. Freyne was a great supporter of the G.A.A., and played many a hard-fought football match under the colours of the well-known ‘Green and Red’ in the good old days. The invincible Kilmacow boys ought to have many happy reminiscences of ‘Jack’ Freyne’” (Munster Express, Sat. 16 Feb. 1901, p. 5). After their wedding they settled on a 90 acres farm at Kilcullen and began their family.
Their family included at least eight children. Keeping with the rural custom of naming the eldest son after his paternal grandfather and the second son after his maternal grandfather etc. the family included: [1] James Francis “Frank” was the eldest born on 15 Feb. 1902. [2] Peter David Freyne was born 14 months later on the 23rd of April 1903. [3] Mary Francis Freyne (31 May 1904-1979); [4] John Freyne (b. 15 Nov. 1907); [5] Anastatia Freyne Dearlove (16 Aug. 1909-1993); [6] Thomas Freyne (b. 13 Aug. 1910); [7] Honor “Nora” Freyne (25 Feb. 1912-1981) [8] and Ellen Freyne (b. 3 Dec. 1913). Tragedy struck the family at Christmas time 1915 when Ellen Freyne died of cancer of the spine on the 23rd of December. She was 41 years of age.
Peter David Freyne (1903-1921)
In our last blog we noted that Peter Freyne, of Kilcullen, Thomastown was killed in action on 11 April 1921 during the morning attack on the London, North Western Railway Hotel, North Wall, Dublin. Peter was 12 days short of his 18th birthday. [Update: Some records indicate he was born on the 28th of May 1903 others indicate the 28th of April 1903. Strangely the pension documents did not require the family members to state the deceased volunteer’s date of birth.]
The pension file of Peter Freyne was opened in 1925 when his father, John Freyne, applied for a pension and was rejected because he was not dependent on Peter when Peter was killed in action. Decades later, his sister, Nora Freyne, sought a pension and was likewise rejected because she was only 9 years of age at the time of his death and wholly dependent on their father John. However, her application provides a few more facts concerning Peter, such as the fact that his middle name was David; he attended Rockwell College prior to joining the Irish Volunteers and had worked as a distillery employee. There is very little in the file to reflect what other actions Peter took part in prior to his death. The pension file of Peter Freyne is available at http://mspcsearch.militaryarchives.ie/docs/files//PDF_Pensions/R5/1D472%20Peter%20Freyne/1D472%20Peter%20Freyne.pdf . The file does provide that when interviewed in 1925 his father John noted that his eldest son James had been a commandant in the Irish Volunteers and was presently in prison on a charge of armed robbery.
From Bloody Sunday to the London, North Western Railway Hotel
James Hanrahan, Captain of the Inistioge, B Company of the 5th Battalion of the Kilkenny Brigade wrote a letter dated 28 March 1942 wherein he verified that “Francis” Freyne was an active member of his company from 1917-1919. “He was one of the party who relieved Private Aspel of his rifle while on leave, took part in all raids for arms and was in on the making of all ammunitions, bombs etc.” Frank was “transferred” to Dublin. In 1920 Frank was 18 and Peter was 17. Frank indicates in various letters he wrote that in 1920 he and Peter were both in Dublin and committed Irish Volunteers. They were both mobilized for Bloody Sunday in November 1920, but Peter had the only gun they had so Peter went out that morning. Frank wrote from Maryborough Prison (Portloise) on 4 November 1925, that when he and Peter left home in 1920 they had received passage to “go out to our people in New York” but decided to put their country first and remained in Dublin to take part in the fight.
The attack on the London North Western Railway Hotel, North Wall, Dublin is always referred to as the “Holyhead Hotel” job by Frank. In letters he wrote, contained in his own pension file, he noted that he participated in the job with his brother and Denis O’Brien, the ex-Commandant, was slightly wounded in the attack. A contemporary newspaper report provides that at Peter Freyne’s inquest, held at the King George V. Hospital, Peter was shot in the chin by a member of the R.I.C. acting “in the execution of his duty.” A witness stated that Peter Freyne had thrown one bomb and had another in his hand as he ran toward Crown Forces and was shot. It was reported that his father, John Freyne, identified his body and stated to authorities that he did not know his son’s occupation as he had not seen his son for a year (Londonderry Sentinel, Sat. 4 June 1921). The photo to the right is courtesy of the National Library of Ireland. The photo was taken in the aftermath of the attack on the hotel and shows joking “Black & Tans” surveying the damage on their quarters. Written on the mount of the photo, “Tans glad to have escaped the bombs thrown at their headquarters in Dublin.” For further information concerning the photo, see NLI Ref.: HOGW 117. For general information on the Hotel see, http://builtdublin.com/london-and-north-western-hotel-north-wall-quay-dublin-1/ .
[UPDATE: On 11 April 2021 the East Wall History Group released an excellent short video regarding the attack and hotel available at, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHhMGVKRl-s .
The Thomastown Cumann na mBan had a special Mass said on the first anniversary of Peter’s death, attended by the local Irish Republican Volunteers (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 5 Aug. 1921).* Notwithstanding the lofty sentiments expressed in 1922 at the Kilkenny County Council meeting, the family with the help of the local press ensured that Peter’s name and death were recalled. When Frank returned to Ireland in 1935 to marry Bridget Holden of Dysart, Thomastown. The wedding announcement in the New Ross Standard provided that “The bridegroom, who holds as important position in New York, is a brother of the late Mr, Peter Freyne, who was killed by British forces in the attack on the North Wall Hotel, Dublin, in 1921. Both were prominent in the Anglo-Irish war” (Fri 16 Aug. 1935, p. 12). When John Freyne died in 1936 the only one of his children mentioned in his obituary was “…Commandant Peter Freyne who was shot dead by British military in the attack on the North Wall Hotel in 1921”(New Ross Standard, Fri. 24 April 1936). When Mary Frances Freyne earned a Masters’ Degree in 1938 from Columbia University (New York) a newspaper announcement recited that “She is a sister of the late Mr. Peter Freyne, N.C.0., 2nd Batt., Dublin Brigade, who was killed by British military at the L.N.W.R. Hotel, North Wall, Dublin,” however it was wrongly reported that his death was “during the attack on the Custom House, in May, 1921, when he was only 18 years” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 24 June 1938). Some 73 years after Peter’s death, when his sister Anastatia’s death was announced in a local newspaper, it was noted that “her brother, Mr. Peter Freyne, was one of those killed by Crown forces during the fight for freedom” (New Ross Standard, Thurs. 22 April 1993, p. 23).
James Francis “Frank” Freyne (1902-1974)
After his brother Peter was killed Frank was not able to attend the funeral. On the 25th of May, Frank was mobilized for the ill-fated “Custom House” job and was captured. He told the Crown Forces that his name was George Lewis. He was imprisoned in Arbour Hill and Kilmainham until the 8th of December 1921 when a General Amnesty was agreed. The Custom House Commemoration Group host a blog and posted an interesting article regarding Frank at https://www.customhousecommemoration.com/2020/08/04/no-country-for-james-frankie-freyne-custom-house-burning/
After the General Amnesty, Frank joined the National Army in either February or March 1922. He enlisted at Beggars Bush Barracks. In his pension file he recorded that he was attached to the Transport Department for a few weeks then he was sent to Kilkenny as a Commandant.
During his command in Kilkenny the Kilkenny Moderator (Sat. 2 Sept. 1922, p. 4) published the following Proclamation signed by Frank:
PROCLAMATION. NOTICE is hereby given, that all Permits for Motor Vehicles in this Area, comprising the City and County of Kilkenny, are cancelled as from September. In future Permits to use such Vehicles will only be issued to those who hold Motor Tax Receipts and Drivers’ Licence from the Secretary Kilkenny County Council. Cars must also be fitted with Registration Numbers on front and rear. Signed, FRANK FREYNE, O.C. Kilkenny Brigade.
Frank was demobilised on the 9th of November 1923 at the age of 21. In 1925 Frank applied for a Certificate of Military Service. The application was signed on 21 November 1925 while he was in Maryborough (Portlaoise) Prison under his Christian name James. Minister Hughes when he received Frank’s application rejected it without sending it to the Board of Assessors. From the records in his pension file Frank after his conviction wrote to the Minister to reconsider his criminal case for armed robbery. The Minister after conferring with Garda Siochana granted Frank a conditional release although his conviction still stood. He served two years. The two fellow ex-Volunteers involved in the incident, Swaney and Kilcoyne both got pensions with no difficulty in 1925. It is not clear from the pension file why Frank refused to put forward a defence at his trial other than it is suggested he had some mis-guided loyalty to his two companions. From a legal standpoint, based on the information provided in the pension file, there was no reason to provide a conditional release to Frank. The whole episode as reflected in the pension file does not ring true.
On 3 June 1929 Frank emigrated to the United States. He joined his sister, Mary Francis who had emigrated in 1922, and was employed as a school teacher. Although Frank and Peter, in 1920 had the opportunity to go out to their people in New York, when Mary Francis went in 1922, she went to Tarrytown, New York where local born Mother Butler had established Marymount College https://glenmore-history.com/the-very-rev-mother-marie-gerard-phelan-1872-1960/. Given their large extended family it may be the case that they were related to one of the nuns at Tarrytown.
After Frank arrived in the U.S. he wasted no time and applied to become a US citizen on 24 October 1929. In his naturalisation papers he was described as being 5 feet 8 ½ inches in height, and weighed 158 pounds. He had blue eyes and brown hair. He lived at 417 W. 121st and was employed as a clerical worker. He reported on the 1930 Census that he was working as an accountant at a grocery. The photo at the right was attached to Frank’s citizen application and reflects how he used his Christian name on offical U.S. documents. Unfortunately the photo appears to have been smeared by carbon paper used at that time to provide duplicate copies of documennts.
In 1935, Frank returned to Ireland and married Brigid Holden, of Dysart, Thomastown. Brigid was born on the 14th of July 1905. Excerpts from the wedding announcement provide that the wedding took place at Thomastown parish church on Wednesday of ex-Commandant Francis Freyne, son of Mr. John Freyne and the late Mrs. Freyne Kilcullen, Thomastown, and Miss Bridie Holden, second daughter of Mr. James Holden and the late Mrs. Holden, Dysart, Thomastown. Mr. Thomas Freyne brother of the bride-groom was best man, and Miss Josephine Holden, sister of the bride, was bridesmaid (New Ross Standard, Fri 16 Aug. 1935, p. 12).
In 1935, Frank again sought recognition for his service. It is not apparent from the pension file why he decided to commence what would become a long struggle. Perhaps while in Ireland for his wedding he found that the political atmosphere had improved toward him. Hughes was now the Minister and he conferred with the Attorney General who ruled that if Frank had applied for recognition for his service on the proper form in 1925 the Minister, at that time, was “bound” to send it to the Board of Assessors. The difficulty was that the Board had completed their work before 1930. The file provides that in September 1935 Frank received a letter wherein it was stated, “should the executive Council approve the reconstitution of the Board of Assessors [the Minister] considers it desirable that the matter should not be published in the Iris Oifigiul.” Thus, Frank began to write to men he had served under and with. His pension file contains correspondence from Oscar Traynor, William Byrne, James Hanrahan and Denis O’Brien.
In one letter Frank noted that “Mr. Dan Breen was instrumental in getting the present minister to act favourably in this matter in 1935.” The correspondence provides that Frank, and presumably Peter’s, Dublin address was 4 St. Joseph Terrace, Fairview on the north side of Dublin off of the Malahide Road. William Byrne in a letter dated 23 February 1942 verified that Frank participated in the following actions as well as other emergency requirements of the brigade/battalion:
(1) Raid on Dublin Docklands in 1920 for 17 pound shells for brigade.
(2) Attack on Military at Newcomen bridge 1920.
(3) Raid on British and Irish SS sheds for boycotted goods in 1921.
(4) Attack on auxiliaries L & NW Hotel, North Wall where his brother was killed in 1921.
(5) Attack on city of Dublin S.P. Co premises where a large consignment of motors, tyres n lubes for Tans were destroyed 1921.
(6) Attack on the Custom House when it was burned in 1921.
In April 1942 after 7 years of renewed effort to have his service recognised Frank was issued a Certificate recognising 5.3 years of service with the rank of commandant. He was awarded a pension of £80 per annum from the 1st of October 1934. The pension file for James Francis “Frank” Freyne is available at http://mspcsearch.militaryarchives.ie/docs/files//PDF_Pensions/R1/1924A1JamesFrancisFreyne/W1924A1JAMESFRANCISFREYNE.pdf One of the more interesting aspects of the file is the fact that Frank made reference in his correspondence with the Irish authorities that his address was often changing and he wanted correspondence sent to an address associated with his profession. Cenus records do not reflect that he moved house often. Perhaps the statements in his file concerning his home address reflect that he continued to “look over his shoulder.”
During his quest for recognition of his service Frank continued working and attending college eventually he became a Certified Public Accountant. In the 1940 Census he recorded that he was 35 years of age, had attended college in the past year, had two years completed and worked as an accountant for a chain store and earned $2400 per year. The U.S entered WWII on 7 December 1941 and Frank was required to register for the draft. On his 1942 draft form Frank noted that he lived at 155 W. 162nd St., Bronx, New York. He worked at the Peat Marwich Mitchell Co. and suffered from Marie Strumpell disease. Today, the disease is called Ankylosing Spondylitis and is an inflammatory rheumatic disease which mainly affects the hips.
On the 11th of June 1945 Frank’s wife Brigid died at the age of 40. The couple had two young children Francis G. Freyne was 7 and Maureen H. Freyne was 3 (New Ross Standard, Fri. 22 June 1945). Frank married his second wife, Agnes F. Cummings on 26 June 1948 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in the Bronx. On 18 November 1949 the couple had a son they named Peter David Freyne after Frank’s brother. Frank continued to receive the pension for his service until his death on 27 December 1974. His widow Agnes F. Freyne née Cummings continued to receive a widow’s pension until her death on 26 October 1988.
The Namesake–Peter David Freyne (1949-2009)
Peter David Freyne became a political columnist in Vermont. Thanks to a column he wrote when the movie Michael Collins was released we have some further details concerning Frank, his service, and the trip he took to Ireland with his children (available at https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/portrait-of-an-assassin/Content?oid=2136076). As part of the column a photo is attached where Peter identifies the baby as himself with his parents. Given that Peter was born in late 1949 in New York, the clothing, the hairstyle, and moustache etc. are not consistent with 1950 New York. I wonder if the photo is in fact his father as a baby?
Update of 18 Feb. 2022. The Advocate (Sat. 31 Aug. 1957, p. 11) of New York published an article regarding Peter Freyne’s trip to Ireland in 1957. “Still Flying In—Sixty-three Irish-Americans arrived at Dublin Airport on a P.A.A. chartered flight from New York, and were met by the Lord Mayor, Mr. James Carroll, T.D. They are all members of the Irish Institute, Inc…The party ws led by Mr. Gerald M. Griffin, Attorney-at-Law, New York, who was born in Charlesville, Co. Cork…Another passenger was seven-year-old Peter David Freyne, who is travelling with his parents Mr. and Mrs. Frank Freyne, New York. Peter is named after his uncle, Peter David Freyhne, who was killed by the Black-and-Tans on April 11, 1921, when the Holyhead Hotel, North Wall, was attacked.”
Peter studied to be a foreign missionary and was a conscientious objector during the Vietnam war. He moved to Vermont in 1979 where he took up journalism. When he died in 2009 Bernie Sanders is reported to have said that he first met Peter Freyne in 1981. “[A]s a friend and occasional antagonist for over 25 years, I knew Peter to be brilliant, honest, courageous and unusually observant…In addition, he was prickly, annoying, and utterly relentless in getting the information that he wanted.” It sounds like the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
For details concerning Peter David Freyne see, https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/end-of-the-line/Content?oid=2136127 . Photo of Peter David Freyne (1949-2009) from obit in the Brattleboro Reformer, Thur. 8 Jan. 2009, p. 3.
Please send any corrections, omissions, additional information, photos etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The photos of the London, North Western Railway Hotel, at the North Wall, London were taken on 11 April 1921 are Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland and are part of the Hogan Collection. Hogan, W. D. (111921). [Black and Tans at London and North Western Hotel in the aftermath of a raid]. Link to photos: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Search/Results?lookfor=North+wall+hotel&type=AllFields&view=list#recordvtls000279877
*Other commemoration ceremonies at Thomastown in the 1930’s included: (1) Easter Week Commemoration 1932 with address by Sean O’Mahony, ex-TD, Dublin (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 April 1932); (2) Commemoration of 1935 with oration by Seumas Lennan, of Borris (New Ross Standard, Fri. 26 April 1935) [update added 11 April 2021].
One Hundred Years Ago: April 1921
British newspaper articles in April 1921 reflect how industrial strife in the post-World War I period seized the attention of the authorities. As Britain loosened control of the war industries wages were cut. When the coal mine owners in March 1921 announced more wage cuts it led to a strike and fear that the transport and rail workers would join in a “Great Strike.” On what has been dubbed Black Friday, the National Transport Union and the National Union of Railwaymen refused to join the striking coal miners. Although there was initial relief that that the Great Strike was averted, individual transport unions and workers refused to carry the coal. Against this backdrop of industrial strife, “outrages” in Ireland were reported with more frequency. In Dublin alone, in April, over 65 attacks on Crown forces were reported. By the end of the month the newspapers were commenting on the growing lists of wounded and killed police, auxiliaries, soldiers, “rebels” and civilians across Ireland.
Glenmore Labour Dispute
Glenmore, in the midst of the industrial strife in England and the War of Independence in Ireland, had its own labour dispute. The dispute was between the farm labourers and the farmers of the Glenmore district. After negotiations between the Transport Workers’ Union and the employing farmers a settlement was reached. Ploughmen were to be paid £1 a week with board and lodgings and general hands 18s. per week with board and lodgings (Kilkenny People, Sat. 23 April 1921, p. 6).
Glenmore Man Arrested
It was reported in the New Ross Standard (Fri. 1 April 1921, p. 5) that Mr. James Hanrahan, of Glenmore was arrested the previous week, brought to New Ross and afterwards taken to Inistioge. In the same newspaper, a few columns to the right it was reported that he was released from custody on Monday. The Munster Express (Sat. 2 April 1921, p. 6) provides a few more details including that he was arrested by auxiliary forces (Black and Tans) and that he was well known in sporting circles, and was a former all-Ireland representative on the Kilkenny football team. What isn’t reported in either newspaper is the fact that the Crown had James Hanrahan, the intelligence officer for the Glenmore Company of the old IRA, in custody and released him. For the list of members of the Glenmore Company see, https://glenmore-history.com/the-glenmore-company-of-the-old-ira/ .
Son of Glenmore Man Killed in Action
Last fall when Danny Dowling was discussing the War of Independence, he identified three men with direct Glenmore connections who were killed in action during the war. The first of the trio was Peter Freyne, Kilcullen, Thomastown. Peter Freyne was born on the 28th of May 1903, [Update: some records record that he was born on the 28th of April 1903] the son of John Freyne a native of Kilbride, Glenmore. In our next blog post we will provide more information regarding John Freyne and his two sons who fought in the War of Independence.
Very little information was published in April 1921 regarding the attack on the 11th on the London and North Western Railway Hotel, North Wall, Dublin where the Black and Tans were quartered. Peter Freyne (1903-1921) who was a Sergeant in Company E. of the 2nd Battalion of the Dublin Brigade was killed in the action. After his father, John Freyne, a widower, identified his body, he was brought to Thomastown for burial on the 14th of April (Munster Express, Sat. 16 April 1921, p. 4). Previous to the arrival of the train a crowd numbering several thousand knelt and recited the rosary. A large force of auxiliary police and the R.I.C. was present. The coffin was draped with the republican flag and covered with wreaths. The flag was seized by the Crown forces, who accompanied the funeral to the church, which they entered. On leaving the church the mourners were surrounded by the forces and searched. John Fleming, D.C., and John Gardiner were arrested the following morning (New Ross Standard, Fri. 22 April 1921, p. 6). In addition to the local clergy present Rev. Thomas Freyne, C.C. of Gathabawn and Rev. Patrick Freyne C.C. of Johnstown, uncles of the deceased (Kilkenny People, Sat. 23 April 1921, p. 6) and natives of Glenmore were present. There was subsequently much activity by Crown forces, and further arrests included: Michael Murphy, D.C., and Richard Doyle (New Ross Standard, Fri. 22 April 1921, p. 6).
Martial Law
In April there were fewer executions carried out by the Crown Authorities than in the previous month. In Cork, on the 28th of April, Patrick Sullivan, Maurice Moore, Patrick Ronayne and Thomas Mulachy were shot for levying war against the King. (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 29 April 1921, p. 6). In Dublin, Thomas Traynor, the father of ten children, the youngest being five months old, was executed by hanging on the 25th of April. Traynor was implicated in the shooting of Cadet Farrell in Dublin on the 15th of March.
The martial law requiring a military permit for the day time use of bicycles in Kilkenny caused widespread arrests and the seizure of bicycles. An official of the National Transport Union was walking his bicycle after alighting from a train in Kilkenny City and he was detained and his bicycle seized. Workers cycling home from New Ross, where there were no restrictions on the use of bicycles, were detained and their bicycles seized. The cases against Patrick Lee, Richard Maddock, Mary Fitzgerald and Patrick Murphy, of Ballyknock, Tullogher, for cycling without permits in county Kilkenny came before the military court of Kilkenny. The cases were dismissed and the bicycles returned to their owners (New Ross Standard, Fri. 29 April 1921, p. 5).
In New Ross, early in the month a military Proclamation was posted warning the public that anyone passing the police barrack between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., new time, would be fired upon if they failed to halt and put up their hands immediately when required by the sentry (New Ross Standard, Fri. 8 April 1921, p. 8).
On the Sunday following the burial of Peter Freyne the auxiliaries surrounded the chapel in Hugginstown while Mass was being conducted. As the faithful left the church all the men and boys were lined up outside the wall on the street and searched. The search included removing their caps and examining the lining of coats. Some young men wearing Sinn Féin ties were compelled to remove their ties. The names of all men and boys were recorded. J. Aylward, R. Barron, D. Butler, and W. Lynch were detained for some time, but later Aylward and Barron were liberated. Butler and Lynch were conveyed away in the lorries. The forces also visited Hugginstown on the previous Tuesday evening several shots were discharged. “They had an exciting chase after two young men for nearly a mile, but failed to capture them. The Auxiliaries conducted themselves very well whilst Mass was being celebrated” (Munster Express, Sat. 23 April 1921, p. 6).
James Hoban, a farmer’s son, from Glendonnell, Mullinavat was shot through both legs on the 19th in broad daylight while transacting business at the pig fair in the village. He was shot by Crown forces with a single shot fired from a machine gun. The shot apparently came from an armoured car that had just arrived at the barracks. James Hoban died later that night of shock in the County and City Infirmary, Waterford (Munster Express, Sat. 23 April 1921, p. 6). James was born in 1897 and was the son of James Hoban and Ellen Hoban née Walsh.
Local I.R.A. Activities
As reported in March most of the local activities were designed to slow the movement of Crown forces and to keep Crown forces deployed outside of the major population centres. One I.R.A. activity that increased significantly was the seizure of mail. This was undertaken to stop communications to and between Crown officials and to intimidate civilians from reporting or informing on local men or activities.
In Waterford an army field kitchen vehicle was unloaded from one of the Clyde Shipping steamers. That night it was removed and dumped into the river Suir. It was salvaged a few days later and sent to its destination in County Wexford (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 April 1921, p. 4). What route the army field kitchen vehicle took to County Wexford is not known, but it could not have been transported to County Wexford via the Waterford-New Ross road. As previously reported in our March blog two bridges on the Waterford to New Ross Road, in the townland of Ballyverneen, Glenmore, near Forristal’s Mill, were damaged in March. “The bridge on the New Ross-Waterford road, at the foot of Glenmore was blown up on Friday night [the 8th of April]. Previously the arch of the bridge had been destroyed a few weeks ago” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 April 1921, p. 4).
In terms of raids on mail it was alleged that early in the month John Harrison, a farmer, of Drumreilly, Co. Leitrim, wrote a letter to the authorities. When his letter was discovered during a mail raid he was executed by the I.R.A., and a note was left with his body labelling him an informer. The Belfast News-Letter (Mon. 2 May 1921, p. 5) reported that the “official details concerning the murder …of Mr. John Harrison of Drumreailly, County Leitrim, show that he was not only shot, but so chopped about with an axe that even the doctor who examined the remains fainted at the sight.” We were unable to find this “official detail” reflected in any other contemporary Irish newspaper.
In Wexford town on the 1st of April raiders consisting of five armed and masked men entered the post office at 7:20 a.m. and held up the staff who were sorting the mail. Initially it was reported that the staff thought it was an April Fool’s prank, “but on presenting of arms the seriousness of the situation became apparent. The R.I.C. correspondence was demanded, and having secured it the party left” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 8 April 1921, p. 8).
On the 4th of April the mail car between Waterford and Dunmore East was raided (New Ross Standard, Fri. 8 April 1921, p. 8). On the 5th of April a parcel from London arrived at the Waterford G.P.O. When the bags were being emptied for sorting two revolvers dropped out. The weapons were wrapped in paper, but no address could be deciphered (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 8 April 1921, p. 5). That evening the “up mail train” from Waterford and New Ross was boarded by mask men who seized three of four mail bags. (New Ross Standard, Fri, 8 April 1921, p. 8). The Waterford G.P.O. was raided by masked gunmen on the 15th of April and the mail was returned to the Post Office, marked “Censored by I.R.A.” (Munster Express, Sat. 23 April 1921, p. 6). On Sunday the 24th of April the Thomastown postman, Thomas Dack, was held up a short distance from the railway station by a party of masked men. Dack had just collected the morning mail from the 7:30 train from Kilkenny. He was blindfolded and his hands and feet were tied. The mail bags were taken. Dack extricated himself and reported the occurrence at the post office. About noon three of the mail bags were found untampered near the viaduct bridge, about 500 yards from the railway station. The remaining bags were not found (New Ross Standard, Fri. 29 April 1921, p. 5).
In addition to the increase in mail seizures, the Mullinavat R.I.C. Barracks was again attacked on Tuesday the 13th of April commencing at 12:30 a.m. The Official Report recites that the attack commenced with a considerable number of armed men armed with rifles and revolvers throwing explosives at the barracks. Police responded with rifles and revolver fire and grenades. “A section of the garrison which is numerically small, threw up Verey lights and signals for assistance.” All wires, telephone and telegraph, connecting Mullinavat with surrounding towns and villages were cut. Three large holes were made at the rear of the building from bombs. There were no reported injuries or deaths on either side although the Official Report believed that there were some losses among the “assailants.” The attack ended at about 2:30 a.m. when the attackers withdrew (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 April 1921). The Waterford News & Star (Fri. 8 April 1921, p. 7) provided a few more details. “A thatched cottage opposite the barracks took fire during the melee, and was burned down. As a preliminary to the attack, the wires were cut (including some in the city of Waterford), and the bridge at Lough Cullen, near Mullinavat, was blown up…The roads converging on Mullinavat were, it is said, otherwise blockaded.”
Battle for Hearts, Minds and Intimidation
Both sides in the conflict put up posters and both sides tore down posters. The month commenced with a number of Belfast boycott posters being put up in New Ross and promptly taken own by the military (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 April 1921, p. 5). The following week the New Ross military posted posters stating, “Home Rule is alright. But don’t build it on ruins. Stop the murder of policemen and soldiers.” Overnight the posters were cut down (New Ross Standard, Fri. 8 April 1921, p. 8). In Waterford it was reported that several prominent persons received type-written notices, signed “Anti-Murder.” The message read, “Sir or Madam—we have credible information that you employ or harbour assassins, the gentlemen who shoot in the back, fire from behind fences. If any of these commit any of their usual crimes in this city or vicinity, you or your house and business WILL GO UP.” The notices were mailed in Waterford city, and printed on paper bearing a “certain watermark” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 8 April 1921, p. 5).
Newspaper Censorship
Most local newspapers were already under military censorship, but Mr. E. T. Keane, Editor of the Kilkenny People received notice that because he had reported on a meeting of the Board of Guardians, where a letter from Dáil Eireann was read, the newspaper was placed under military censorship (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 April 1921, p. 4). Although no further details are provided it is believed that the letter was a demand for taxes raised from licenses etc. to be sent to Dáil Eireann rather than to Crown Officials. Mr. D. O’Carroll, J.P. resigned as clerk of the Law Guardian Board and Castlecomer Union stating he could not serve two masters (New Ross Standard, Fri. 8 April 1921, p. 8).
On the first of April four masked and armed men, in the middle of the night gained access to the residence of Michael Rockett (c. 1876-1966) of Slieverue. The men demanded in the name of the Irish Republic, the money that had been collected from neighbours for dog licences. When they were informed that the money had already been sent the men sternly demanded that the sum sent be paid to them or they would raid the house. After receiving €11 the men left (Munster Express, Sat. 9 April 1921, p. 5).
Notwithstanding the military censorship often interesting articles and advertisements are found in the censored newspapers. For example, the New Ross Standard (Fri. 15 April 1921, p. 4) published a column of old Irish which prior to the censorship was not generally translated. The following translation of the Irish joke that passed censorship is as follows:
TRANSLATION, THE ORPHAN– An Irishman was going to market one day, and when he was nearing the town, he heard the bell tolling. The first man he met was an Englishman. He did not know why the bell was tolling, and he asked the Englishman the reason. “Oh,” said the Englishman, “did you not hear that the devil is dead?” ” I did not,” said he. “Come here,” and with that he put his hand in his pocket and handed him a penny. “Why are you giving me the penny?” said the Englishman. “That is a custom our people have when the father dies we give alms to the orphans.”
Lastly, the following unusual advertisement appeared in the New Ross Standard on the first of April 1921. Was it an April Fool’s prank or a coded message to get past the military censorship?
Desperate Tragedy at Old Ross, Co. Wexford—During steam rolling operations outside the premises of L. T. Doyle, Universal Provider and Anti-Kodologist, Old Ross and Palace East. “High Prices ” were deliberately pushed under the wheels and crushed to atoms. After cremation the remains were despatched by aerial post to “The Torrid Zone ” from whence there is no return. Everything is now selling in above stores at bedrock prices, and there was no cessation of business during the mourning period, nor no whiskey at “The Wake.” The War Baby. High Prices Killed in Action at Old Ross, Co. Wexford, March 1921. No prayers, by request. (k475:5-4)
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured photo above is from the Irish column that appeared in the New Ross Stanard on 15 April 1921, p. 4. The English translation is above.
There is no known photo of the destroyed bridges on the old main Waterford to New Ross road. Below is a photo taken in 2020 of the bridge on the old main Waterford to New Ross road nearest to where Forristal’s mill stood in Graiguenakill. Danny Dowling noted that it was once a humped back bridge that allowed small vessels to carry grain up the pill to the mill.
[Clarification the publican that was raided in Slieverue in early April 1921 was Michael Rockett not Michael Stapleton who died later in April 1921. Apologies for the error.]
