Coolbawn Ambush 18 June 1921

Yesterday afternoon a commemoration ceremony was held in Glenmore to mark the 100^th 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 5^th 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 18^th 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 21^st 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 5^th 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 30^th 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.