Work in Progress. Last updated: 02 December 2020
1
I.R.A strategic planning now began to change. Attacks on the now well defended RIC and British Forces were reduced to allow attacks and destruction of poorly defended communications, roads, bridges and railway lines. Added to that was the arrival of some new hardware. The Thompson Sub-machine gun made its appearance in the I.R.A armouries ‘ what it lacked in accuracy, it made up for in noise and volume of fire. Although, only about fifty of the new weapons had arrived at the time of the Truce, they gave the I.R.A a boost and caused concern on the other side.’
Arthur Mitchell ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & McMillan 1996. P276
British forces reprisal strategy changed. Houses would now be destroyed as 7 homes were demolished by British forces in Middleton. The reprisals were being carried out in the area as the inhabitants ‘had failed to give information to the Military or Police authorities’ on the killings of three RIC officers and were on properties belonging to known Sinn Fein sympathisers.
De Valera moved into a detached late georgian house on Strand Road, Blackrock with a Ms Maeve McGarry as housekeeper and his faithful personal secretary, Kathleen O’Connell.
British forces raided a house on Dawson Street, arresting Eileen McGrane, a Cummann na mBan activist and seizing revolvers papers, letters and ammunition. ‘the young lady herself was in her bath at the time ( let us hope she was suitably clad before her interview which lasted till 5am with the gallant 'O' ( Brig.Gen Ormonde Winter ) himself)..she is a friend and I believe private secretary to Michael Collins’.
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 103
Sturgis commented on the recent peace feelers: ‘The side to the whole thing which is most cheering is that it seems only necessary for one, two or three Peace Balloons to burst for another to take its place in the sky. There must be a very real anxiety to settle’.
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p185
Sturgis and Andy Cope at this time had been asked by Lord Justice O’Connor to arrange a meeting between the Prime Minister, himself and Fr O’Flanagan. Sturgis wrote in his diaries: ‘It is very pleasant to be ‘in the know’ but a bit embarrasing for the Under Secretary to arrange an interview with the Prime Minister and not tell the Chief Secretary about it’
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p186
David Tobin and Thomas Murphy of Ballingarry, Co. Limerick were killed by constabularly ‘while attempting to escape.’
John Lawlor, clerical student of Listowel, Co. Kerry was seized in the street and beaten to death by constabularly.
Constable Michael Malone (30) from Co Westmeath and a civilian, Somerville were killed by armed men in Ballybay, Co.Monaghan.
The IRA ambushed an RIC patrol in Ballybay, County Monaghan, killing Constable Michael Malone (30) from Co Westmeath. A civilian, Somerville was also killed when he ran to fetch reinforcements. The RIC attacked several homes in reprisal, and twelve volunteers were later arrested.
I.R.A strategic planning now began to change. Attacks on the now well defended RIC and British Forces were reduced to allow attacks and destruction of poorly defended communications, roads, bridges and railway lines. Added to that was the arrival of some new hardware. The Thompson Sub-machine gun made its appearance in the I.R.A armouries ‘ what it lacked in accuracy, it made up for in noise and volume of fire. Although, only about fifty of the new weapons had arrived at the time of the Truce, they gave the I.R.A a boost and caused concern on the other side.’
Arthur Mitchell ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & McMillan 1996. P276
British forces reprisal strategy changed. Houses would now be destroyed as 7 homes were demolished by British forces in Middleton. The reprisals were being carried out in the area as the inhabitants ‘had failed to give information to the Military or Police authorities’ on the killings of three RIC officers and were on properties belonging to known Sinn Fein sympathisers.
De Valera moved into a detached late georgian house on Strand Road, Blackrock with a Ms Maeve McGarry as housekeeper and his faithful personal secretary, Kathleen O’Connell.
British forces raided a house on Dawson Street, arresting Eileen McGrane, a Cummann na mBan activist and seizing revolvers papers, letters and ammunition. ‘the young lady herself was in her bath at the time ( let us hope she was suitably clad before her interview which lasted till 5am with the gallant 'O' ( Brig.Gen Ormonde Winter ) himself)..she is a friend and I believe private secretary to Michael Collins’.
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 103
Sturgis commented on the recent peace feelers: ‘The side to the whole thing which is most cheering is that it seems only necessary for one, two or three Peace Balloons to burst for another to take its place in the sky. There must be a very real anxiety to settle’.
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p185
Sturgis and Andy Cope at this time had been asked by Lord Justice O’Connor to arrange a meeting between the Prime Minister, himself and Fr O’Flanagan. Sturgis wrote in his diaries: ‘It is very pleasant to be ‘in the know’ but a bit embarrasing for the Under Secretary to arrange an interview with the Prime Minister and not tell the Chief Secretary about it’
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p186
David Tobin and Thomas Murphy of Ballingarry, Co. Limerick were killed by constabularly ‘while attempting to escape.’
John Lawlor, clerical student of Listowel, Co. Kerry was seized in the street and beaten to death by constabularly.
Constable Michael Malone (30) from Co Westmeath and a civilian, Somerville were killed by armed men in Ballybay, Co.Monaghan.
The IRA ambushed an RIC patrol in Ballybay, County Monaghan, killing Constable Michael Malone (30) from Co Westmeath. A civilian, Somerville was also killed when he ran to fetch reinforcements. The RIC attacked several homes in reprisal, and twelve volunteers were later arrested.
Between 1850 and 1930, about 5 million Germans migrated to the United States, peaking between 1881 and 1885 when a million Germans settled primarily in the Midwest. Between 1820 and 1930, 3.5 million British and 4.5 million Irish entered America. Before 1845 most Irish immigrants were Protestants. After 1845, Irish Catholics began arriving in large numbers, largely driven by the Great Famine.
2
Brig.Gen Ormonde Winter ordered the raiding of a monastery overnight. However it turned out to be a convent.
‘Macready has just rung me up to say if 'O' ( Brig.Gen Ormonde Winter ) doesn’t know the difference between a man and a woman I should take the time to instruct him. He ordered last night the raiding of a monastery which turned out to be a nunnery. ‘O’ says all is well, the ladies were unpreturbed and there will not be a row in the papers.’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 104
First radio broadcast of a religious service aired by KDKA, Pittsburgh.
Two RIC men were shot dead by the IRA in a Belfast hotel.
West Waterford Column under George Lennon ambush a British patrol at the intersection outside Cappoquin on the Cappoquin-Mt Mellary road.
New York: Muriel McSwiney in a telegram to Kathleen Lynch at 2366 Grand Concourse New York: ‘Good Bye Katty. Sorry could not see you before I left. Every best wish for a bright and happy new year’
Lynch Family Archives – Folder 6 1921-1937
Brig.Gen Ormonde Winter ordered the raiding of a monastery overnight. However it turned out to be a convent.
‘Macready has just rung me up to say if 'O' ( Brig.Gen Ormonde Winter ) doesn’t know the difference between a man and a woman I should take the time to instruct him. He ordered last night the raiding of a monastery which turned out to be a nunnery. ‘O’ says all is well, the ladies were unpreturbed and there will not be a row in the papers.’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 104
First radio broadcast of a religious service aired by KDKA, Pittsburgh.
Two RIC men were shot dead by the IRA in a Belfast hotel.
West Waterford Column under George Lennon ambush a British patrol at the intersection outside Cappoquin on the Cappoquin-Mt Mellary road.
New York: Muriel McSwiney in a telegram to Kathleen Lynch at 2366 Grand Concourse New York: ‘Good Bye Katty. Sorry could not see you before I left. Every best wish for a bright and happy new year’
Lynch Family Archives – Folder 6 1921-1937
3
Major Strickland, Military Governor of Cork issued a proclamation ordering all people to refuse aid, shelter and food to the Irish Volunteers and to report to British Authorities and person suspected of being in possession of arms and ammunition. Any person found in possession or of giving aid would be court martialled and executed.
Archbishop Clune expressed disaspointment of developments within the Government over the last week. ‘He is satisfied that if the Shinners had been left to the three of us in the Castle, a settlement would be a few days off – a final settlement he means. He says he felt sure that Jonathan ( Sir John Anderson ) and himself had arrange a truce commencing Xmas’
Cope to Sturgis - The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 100
Sturgis diary entry supports claims from Sinn Fein that Lloyd George had belatedly imposed terms which did not exist at the beginning of Clune’s mission. The Archbishop left Ireland shortly after that for Australia via Rome, writing to Dr. Fogarty that he questioned whether Irishmen should rely any longer on passive resistance.
De Valera met with Fr. Flanagan prior to his meeting with Lloyd George.
P. Kenney of Moneygall, Offaly was fatally wounded when constabularly shot at funeral mourners.
Jeremiah Casey of Derryfinane, Co. Cork was murdered by constabularly ‘while attempting to avoid arrest’
Station 9XM (now WHA), at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, transmits the first spoken weather forecast. The station had been broadcasting weather bulletins in Morse code since 1916.
$30,000 was forwarded to the Irish Relief Fund from the Friends of Irish Freedom treasury. ($431k in 2019 values)
(Below: accounts of funds remitted to various causes during 1919-1921 from the FOIF)
Major Strickland, Military Governor of Cork issued a proclamation ordering all people to refuse aid, shelter and food to the Irish Volunteers and to report to British Authorities and person suspected of being in possession of arms and ammunition. Any person found in possession or of giving aid would be court martialled and executed.
Archbishop Clune expressed disaspointment of developments within the Government over the last week. ‘He is satisfied that if the Shinners had been left to the three of us in the Castle, a settlement would be a few days off – a final settlement he means. He says he felt sure that Jonathan ( Sir John Anderson ) and himself had arrange a truce commencing Xmas’
Cope to Sturgis - The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 100
Sturgis diary entry supports claims from Sinn Fein that Lloyd George had belatedly imposed terms which did not exist at the beginning of Clune’s mission. The Archbishop left Ireland shortly after that for Australia via Rome, writing to Dr. Fogarty that he questioned whether Irishmen should rely any longer on passive resistance.
De Valera met with Fr. Flanagan prior to his meeting with Lloyd George.
P. Kenney of Moneygall, Offaly was fatally wounded when constabularly shot at funeral mourners.
Jeremiah Casey of Derryfinane, Co. Cork was murdered by constabularly ‘while attempting to avoid arrest’
Station 9XM (now WHA), at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, transmits the first spoken weather forecast. The station had been broadcasting weather bulletins in Morse code since 1916.
$30,000 was forwarded to the Irish Relief Fund from the Friends of Irish Freedom treasury. ($431k in 2019 values)
(Below: accounts of funds remitted to various causes during 1919-1921 from the FOIF)
4
Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Clare were placed under Martial Law. The entire south of Ireland was now under military rule. – the whole of the British 6th Division area.
The Daily Express reported ‘This is of course martial law. It is legal and disciplined. It is, we must believe, necessary. But it is horrible.’
Constables Thomas Johnston (19) from Co. Cavan and Francis Shortall (38) from Co. Tipperary were seriously injured when a bomb was thrown at them as they crossed Parnell Bridge in Cork. 4 other constables and 5 civilians were also wounded. Shortall died from wounds on January 7th and Johnston on 21st January.
The American Committee for Relief in Ireland voted to send $50,000 in immediate aid to Ireland, and was paid over to James Douglas of the Society of Friends in Dublin.
Dr Joseph Clune met with Sean T O’Kelly, Dail Eireann’s representative in Paris: ‘When Mr Lloyd George, the PM in my presence, spoke of them [IRA] as assasins, I corrected him saying ‘No Sir, not assasins, but the cream of their race’
Conor O’Clery ‘Ireland in Quotes’ The O’Brien Press Dublin 1999 p.52
He also quoted this comment in an interview with La Liberte, Paris. Later in Rome, he went on to warn Pope Benedict XV of the crisis in Ireland and played a role in preventing the Papacy from agreeing to British pressure to condemn the Sinn Fein outrages.
FOIF National Executive Meeting
The Friends of Irish Freedom National Executive met at 280 Broadway to discuss various issues including their recently launched Friends fundraising "Coupon Collection Books for the Relief Fund" and a request for assistance from the recently formed "Devastation of Ireland Relief Fund" by the American Committee on Relief in Ireland.
At this meeting it was decided that the FOIF 'Relief Fund' should be discontinued in favour of the 'Devastation of Ireland Relief Fund', call in all collection books and remit funds collected to date to the American Committee on Relief in Ireland. A press release was emphatic in urging all members of the FOIF to co-operate 'to the utmost' with the American Committee:
'Not in centuries has England gone to such extremes of cruelty and tyranny in her effort to destroy and wipe out the race in Ireland. It behoves us to defeat her in this as we have defeated her in other respects. Let us not alone continue but increase our assistance to the brave men and women in Ireland who are holding the gap in their magnificent fight for the recognition of the Irish Republic'.
Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Clare were placed under Martial Law. The entire south of Ireland was now under military rule. – the whole of the British 6th Division area.
The Daily Express reported ‘This is of course martial law. It is legal and disciplined. It is, we must believe, necessary. But it is horrible.’
Constables Thomas Johnston (19) from Co. Cavan and Francis Shortall (38) from Co. Tipperary were seriously injured when a bomb was thrown at them as they crossed Parnell Bridge in Cork. 4 other constables and 5 civilians were also wounded. Shortall died from wounds on January 7th and Johnston on 21st January.
The American Committee for Relief in Ireland voted to send $50,000 in immediate aid to Ireland, and was paid over to James Douglas of the Society of Friends in Dublin.
Dr Joseph Clune met with Sean T O’Kelly, Dail Eireann’s representative in Paris: ‘When Mr Lloyd George, the PM in my presence, spoke of them [IRA] as assasins, I corrected him saying ‘No Sir, not assasins, but the cream of their race’
Conor O’Clery ‘Ireland in Quotes’ The O’Brien Press Dublin 1999 p.52
He also quoted this comment in an interview with La Liberte, Paris. Later in Rome, he went on to warn Pope Benedict XV of the crisis in Ireland and played a role in preventing the Papacy from agreeing to British pressure to condemn the Sinn Fein outrages.
FOIF National Executive Meeting
The Friends of Irish Freedom National Executive met at 280 Broadway to discuss various issues including their recently launched Friends fundraising "Coupon Collection Books for the Relief Fund" and a request for assistance from the recently formed "Devastation of Ireland Relief Fund" by the American Committee on Relief in Ireland.
At this meeting it was decided that the FOIF 'Relief Fund' should be discontinued in favour of the 'Devastation of Ireland Relief Fund', call in all collection books and remit funds collected to date to the American Committee on Relief in Ireland. A press release was emphatic in urging all members of the FOIF to co-operate 'to the utmost' with the American Committee:
'Not in centuries has England gone to such extremes of cruelty and tyranny in her effort to destroy and wipe out the race in Ireland. It behoves us to defeat her in this as we have defeated her in other respects. Let us not alone continue but increase our assistance to the brave men and women in Ireland who are holding the gap in their magnificent fight for the recognition of the Irish Republic'.
5
Finbar Darcy of Riverstown, Co. Cork was arrested, beaten and murdered while in Auxiliiary Police custody.
N.D.Prendergast of Fermoy was found dead after being arrested by Auxilliary police on December 2.
John MacSwiney (15) was shot and killed in Allensbridge, Co. Cork by auxilliary police ‘for refusing to halt’
Martial law was extended to Clare and Waterford
Circular to all Friends of irish Freedom branches from Diarmuid Lynch on the formation of the "Devastation of Ireland Relief Fund':
an occasional historical aside
The American Committee for Relief in Ireland 1921-22 Widespread poverty in Ireland due to the ongoing War of Independence, British military policy of reprisals and destruction and post-war depression was of growing concern among Church, Nationalist and Humanitarian groups during 1920. Active fundraising began in late 1920 and by early 1921, most Irish-American groups who had started individual fundraising drives, conceded to the non-political, non sectarian American Committee for Relief in Ireland.
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Dr William Maloney * and others formed The American Committee for Relief in Ireland in late 1920, with the intention of giving financial assistance to civilians in Ireland who had been injured or suffered severe financial hardship due to the ongoing Irish War of Independence.
This was one of many American philanthropic organisations that emerged following World War I to influence post-war settlements with social justice, economic development and long term stability in Europe. The issue of child deprivation & hunger were uppermost. Some organisations concentrated their efforts on events in Ireland, and while activists of Irish ethnicity were well represented, membership was not limited to Irish-Americans. Apart from the ACRI, bodies such as the American Commission on Irish Independence and the American Commission on Conditions in Ireland raised money and attempted to influence US foreign policy in a manner sympathetic to Irish independence.
However, the activities of all Irish-American fund-raising organisations were viewed by some with suspicion and were also closely monitored by the Federal intelligence services including J. Edgar Hoover, head of the General Intelligence Division of the Bureau of Investigation. US policy towards Irish concerns, initially hostile or at best indifferent, became somewhat less so following the 1920 U.S. presidential election and the landslide victory of Warren G. Harding over James M. Cox and subsequent Presidential endorsements for fund raising activities.
This was one of many American philanthropic organisations that emerged following World War I to influence post-war settlements with social justice, economic development and long term stability in Europe. The issue of child deprivation & hunger were uppermost. Some organisations concentrated their efforts on events in Ireland, and while activists of Irish ethnicity were well represented, membership was not limited to Irish-Americans. Apart from the ACRI, bodies such as the American Commission on Irish Independence and the American Commission on Conditions in Ireland raised money and attempted to influence US foreign policy in a manner sympathetic to Irish independence.
However, the activities of all Irish-American fund-raising organisations were viewed by some with suspicion and were also closely monitored by the Federal intelligence services including J. Edgar Hoover, head of the General Intelligence Division of the Bureau of Investigation. US policy towards Irish concerns, initially hostile or at best indifferent, became somewhat less so following the 1920 U.S. presidential election and the landslide victory of Warren G. Harding over James M. Cox and subsequent Presidential endorsements for fund raising activities.
Cork city's Lord Mayor, Donal O'Callaghan on a speaking tour in the United States requested humanitarian assistance from the American Red Cross following the burning of the city in November 1920. The American Red Cross society, having taken advice from President Woodrow Wilson, the British embassy, the British Foreign Office, US State Department and the British Red Cross, declined at the time to act on his appeal. Numerous organisations and committees across the United States, operating independently in raising humanitarian aid for Ireland quickly realised that their funds would not be moved and distributed through the U.S. Committee of the Red Cross and so another distribution channel was needed.
Five days after the burning of Cork, a widely publicised meeting took place at the Banker's Club in New York City. It was organised by William Maloney with the intention of establishing a single nationwide organisation. Its mission was solely for the purpose of humanitarian relief, the raising and distribution in Ireland of $10 million. The organisation which soon emerged styled itself 'The American Committee for Relief in Ireland'. One of its founding members, Levi Hollingsworth Wood, approached a Dublin-based businessman and fellow Quaker, James Douglas, requesting his assistance in the local distribution of the funds on a non-partisan basis. In Ireland, Douglas spoke with Laurence O'Neill, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, who in turn contacted senior members of Sinn Féin to inform them of the wishes of the American Committee. These meetings culminated in the establishment of the Irish White Cross, for the purpose of local distribution of the Committee's funds.
Overall, $5.07 million was raised with $4.986 million disbursed throughout Ireland. ( 2019 value: $65.6 million raised and $64.5 million distributed)
*Dr. William Moloney was allied to the Philadelphia based Irish American faction led by McGarrity & Dr McCartan but is largely unknown today. For more information, click here for a Century Ireland article on Moloney by Kelly Anne Reynolds.
To view the 1922 report of the American Committee for Relief in Ireland and Irish White Cross, click here.
Thanks to Boston College Library & The Internet Archive.
Five days after the burning of Cork, a widely publicised meeting took place at the Banker's Club in New York City. It was organised by William Maloney with the intention of establishing a single nationwide organisation. Its mission was solely for the purpose of humanitarian relief, the raising and distribution in Ireland of $10 million. The organisation which soon emerged styled itself 'The American Committee for Relief in Ireland'. One of its founding members, Levi Hollingsworth Wood, approached a Dublin-based businessman and fellow Quaker, James Douglas, requesting his assistance in the local distribution of the funds on a non-partisan basis. In Ireland, Douglas spoke with Laurence O'Neill, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, who in turn contacted senior members of Sinn Féin to inform them of the wishes of the American Committee. These meetings culminated in the establishment of the Irish White Cross, for the purpose of local distribution of the Committee's funds.
Overall, $5.07 million was raised with $4.986 million disbursed throughout Ireland. ( 2019 value: $65.6 million raised and $64.5 million distributed)
*Dr. William Moloney was allied to the Philadelphia based Irish American faction led by McGarrity & Dr McCartan but is largely unknown today. For more information, click here for a Century Ireland article on Moloney by Kelly Anne Reynolds.
To view the 1922 report of the American Committee for Relief in Ireland and Irish White Cross, click here.
Thanks to Boston College Library & The Internet Archive.
Mothers and fathers of America, will you help feed and clothe the hungry and cold children and helpless mothers of stricken Ireland?
Famine, terrible and ruthless in its destruction of helpless human beings, is spreading in Ireland today. It is about to add thousands of innocent victims to the hundreds of thousands already in desperate need of the bare necessities that keep body and soul together. In every Irish village and town, sickness, pestilence and death invade the humble homes, striking swiftly and surely the mothers and children incapable of resistance through months of struggle against cold and hunger.
Children of tender years, barefooted, ragged and wretched, trudge daily through the cold to a school now used for a relief station to obtain the one meal a day on which they are kept alive. This meal consists of a piece of bread and a warm drink.
This appeal is made in the name of humanity to relieve distress, hunger and terrors of sickness and disease in the land whose people have always looked on us as the nation whose ever-burning light of charity shines on the pathway ahead to lead the world.
Tragic sorrow and disaster are on every hand today in that hitherto happy land of legend and fairytale. Song and laughter are gone from the lips of her children. Misery and desolation have broken the gay and happy hearts of her lads and lassies, and appalling disaster is everywhere in her stricken land.
Your help will ease the pain and agony of a sick or dying Irish mother. Your generosity will bring back the smiles to the faces of innocent, starving children; the comfort and happiness to thousands of mothers who are compelled to suffer the cruel torture of standing, helpless and hopeless, while their babies suffer the pangs of hunger and cold.
Irish men and women came to our assistance in our hour of need. Let us repay our debt to Ireland a hundredfold! Don’t let petty prejudice influence you against a people who have done as much as any race on earth for the betterment of civilization.
Surrounded by comforts, pleasures and luxuries, can you be happy while these helpless women and children are calling you!
Give to them in the name of humanity and mercy! Give to save the life of a little Irish child and to ease the pain and sorrow of a starving Irish mother! Give with the same generosity and charity that has always characterized the Irish race!
Give generously! Give at once!
Famine, terrible and ruthless in its destruction of helpless human beings, is spreading in Ireland today. It is about to add thousands of innocent victims to the hundreds of thousands already in desperate need of the bare necessities that keep body and soul together. In every Irish village and town, sickness, pestilence and death invade the humble homes, striking swiftly and surely the mothers and children incapable of resistance through months of struggle against cold and hunger.
Children of tender years, barefooted, ragged and wretched, trudge daily through the cold to a school now used for a relief station to obtain the one meal a day on which they are kept alive. This meal consists of a piece of bread and a warm drink.
This appeal is made in the name of humanity to relieve distress, hunger and terrors of sickness and disease in the land whose people have always looked on us as the nation whose ever-burning light of charity shines on the pathway ahead to lead the world.
Tragic sorrow and disaster are on every hand today in that hitherto happy land of legend and fairytale. Song and laughter are gone from the lips of her children. Misery and desolation have broken the gay and happy hearts of her lads and lassies, and appalling disaster is everywhere in her stricken land.
Your help will ease the pain and agony of a sick or dying Irish mother. Your generosity will bring back the smiles to the faces of innocent, starving children; the comfort and happiness to thousands of mothers who are compelled to suffer the cruel torture of standing, helpless and hopeless, while their babies suffer the pangs of hunger and cold.
Irish men and women came to our assistance in our hour of need. Let us repay our debt to Ireland a hundredfold! Don’t let petty prejudice influence you against a people who have done as much as any race on earth for the betterment of civilization.
Surrounded by comforts, pleasures and luxuries, can you be happy while these helpless women and children are calling you!
Give to them in the name of humanity and mercy! Give to save the life of a little Irish child and to ease the pain and sorrow of a starving Irish mother! Give with the same generosity and charity that has always characterized the Irish race!
Give generously! Give at once!
6
Fr O’Flanagan together with Lord Justice O’Connor met with Lloyd George in London after a preliminary meeting in the Treasury with Cope, Sturgis and Greenwood. Flanagan apparently made a favourable impression despite refusing to shake hands with Greenwood. Sturgis commented that ‘O’Connor talks too much with great vehemence. O’Flanagan spoke little except when directly addressed and then with great simplicity and great force and clearness. I am sure he is a man with whom one can do business.’
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p186
The discussion with the Prime Minister was on settlement terms and not on a truce. O’Flanagan and O’Connor argued for an amendment of the Government of Ireland Act by the granting of fiscal autonomy and suggested that the Irish contribute to the War Debt indirectly by re-allocation of the American Loan. Lloyd George, however offered little hope for a settlement.
Lady Greenwood, the Chief Secretary’s wife commented later that: ‘The Prime Minister’s great difficulty is to add anything to the Home Rule Act now that it is an Act and the Shinns should have made their proposals before it passed into law.’ adding for good measure: ‘O’Connor had talked a great deal of nonsense and…the Prime Minister thought nothing of him.’
Collins wrote later that Fr O’Flanagan’s talks with Lloyd George was not ‘at my wish now with my sanction and I can positively say the same for President De Valera. Very likely Lloyd George and Co are making a fool of Father Michael’
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p186
Lloyd George had only agreed to the meeting with O’Flanagan and O’Connor in order to set up communication with De Valera.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Donal O’Callaghan landed in Newport, Virginia as a stowaway and without a passport. He was immediately arrested by American immigration officials with the Secretary of the Labour Department placing the case with the State department. On January 11th, the State Department advised that O’Callaghan be deported. Secretary of the Labour Department, W.B.Wilson, disagreed and allowed O’Callaghan to visit Washington and testify while he took on the State Department.
De Valera wrote to Collins ordering a full Dail Eireann meeting for January 21st; ‘ it would be well to hold the meeting on or before the Dail anniversary. Will you please see that arrangements for it are made.’
Longford & O’Neill. “Eamon de Valera “ Hutchinson, London.1970. p117
De Valera’s travel between the US and Ireland became an object of emulation for Marcus Garvey of the UNIA:
“ In his speech at Liberty Hall on the evening of 6 January 1921, he alluded to his impending departure for the Caribbean and Central America: "Two weeks from this I shall suddenly disappear from you for six or seven weeks," he told his audience. "You won't hear from me during that time, but don't be alarmed because we Negroes will have to adopt the system of underground workings like De Valera and other white leaders." Two weeks later, Garvey told a UNIA meeting in Philadelphia: "They said that they are going to keep me out of Africa. They said they were going to keep De Valera out of Ireland, but he is there."
Robert A Hill. “The Marcus Garvey and UNIA Papers Project “ UCLA ( Via Internet Site June 1997 )
The results of the war and reparations showed in a Berlin report that 25% of the cities half million children are diseased and malnourished.
The first French edition of the Irish Bulletin edited by Sean T. O'Kelly appeared in Paris. This was followed in the spring by German and Spanish editions. Hungarian & Czech editions were prepared and there were plans to produce Bulgarian, Serbian, Greek, Croatian and Rumanian editions.
Patrick Durr killed by auxilliary police in Roscommon.
George Shiels' play Bedmates is premiered at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin.
7
Felix Mallin (17) Ballinaliss, Armagh was killed ‘for refusing to halt’
District Inspector Thomas McGrath (30), while leading a search party for Sean McEoin ( Longford IRA Commander ), knocked on a cottage door near Ballinalee, Co. Longford. The door was opened by McEoin who promptly shot McGrath dead while a bomb was thrown at the patrol, wounding two constables.
A British Army patrol was ambushed by a combined Waterford force at Pickardstown following a feint attack on the Tramore RIC barracks. Present were W. Waterford O/C Pax Whelan, E. Waterford O/C Paddy Paul and Flying Column O/C George Lennon. Two IRA volunteers (Thomas O'Brien and Michael McGrath) were reportedly taken away and shot dead by members of the Devon Regiment.
Felix Mallin (17) Ballinaliss, Armagh was killed ‘for refusing to halt’
District Inspector Thomas McGrath (30), while leading a search party for Sean McEoin ( Longford IRA Commander ), knocked on a cottage door near Ballinalee, Co. Longford. The door was opened by McEoin who promptly shot McGrath dead while a bomb was thrown at the patrol, wounding two constables.
A British Army patrol was ambushed by a combined Waterford force at Pickardstown following a feint attack on the Tramore RIC barracks. Present were W. Waterford O/C Pax Whelan, E. Waterford O/C Paddy Paul and Flying Column O/C George Lennon. Two IRA volunteers (Thomas O'Brien and Michael McGrath) were reportedly taken away and shot dead by members of the Devon Regiment.
The old Punch standby of the Irish caricatures of browed thugs, sporting ill-fitting shabby waistcoats, breeches, poor shoes and tobacco pipes,were trotted out again for this February 1921 cartoon. Commenting on the recent Labour Commission on Ireland, the stereotype Irish revolutionaries have replaced cudgels with revolvers stuffed in jacket pockets.
8
Britain released a copy of the “Sinn Fein White Book,” and some documents were made public by the U.S. government in The New York Times. Controversially, this highlighted Irish-American involvement and secret talks with Germany during the World War. John Devoy was described as the contact person between Clan na Gael and the German Embassy, as well as listed him as one of the Chairmen of the German-Irish Association. Devoy was also mentioned in relation to the communication between The Friends of Irish Freedom and German-American representatives just prior to the 1916 Easter Rising. While the article “Says Irish Plotted Here After 1917; British White Paper Reports Dealings With Germans” gave an elaborate report of the organizational activities of Sir Roger Casement with the Germans, it also published Devoy’s version of events.
Devoy strongly criticised Casement and largely blamed him for the failure of the Rising. His harsh words against Casement were cited in the article: “We knew he would meddle in his honest but visionary way to such an extent as to spoil things, but we did not dream that he would ruin everything as he has done.”
The article titled “A New Light on Sinn Fein” stated that George von Skal, one of von Bernstorff’s staff referred to Devoy as their “confidential agent,” Devoy’s nickname used among Irish and Irish-American revolutionaries was also published, he was called “Sean Fear” – Old Man. Interestingly enough, the article also described Devoy as an “ex-Fenian” who was one of the most prominent leaders of Irish-American organisations.
Thomas Kirby was abducted near Golden, County Tipperary and shot dead by the IRA as an alleged spy and informer. His body was never recovered until 1990, some four miles from where he disappeared.
Chequers becomes an official residence of the British Prime Minister.
9
Prohibition in the United States
The movement for the prohibition of alcohol began in the early 19th century, when Americans concerned about the adverse effects of drinking began forming temperance societies. By the late 19th century, these groups had become a powerful political force, campaigning on the state level and calling for national liquor abstinence. Several states outlawed the manufacture or sale of alcohol within their own borders. In December 1917, the 18th Amendment, prohibiting the “manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes,” was passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. On January 29, 1919, the 18th Amendment achieved the necessary three-fourths majority of state ratification. Prohibition essentially began in June of that year, but the amendment did not officially take effect until January 29, 1920. In the meantime, Congress passed the Volstead Act on October 28, 1919, over President Woodrow Wilson’s veto. The Volstead Act provided for the enforcement of Prohibition, including the creation of a special Prohibition unit of the Treasury Department. In its first six months, the unit destroyed thousands of illicit stills run by bootleggers. However, federal agents and police did little more than slow the flow of booze, and organized crime flourished in America. Large-scale bootleggers like Al Capone of Chicago built criminal empires out of illegal distribution efforts, and federal and state governments lost billions in tax revenue. In most urban areas, the individual consumption of alcohol was largely tolerated and drinkers gathered at “speakeasies,” the Prohibition-era term for saloons. Prohibition, failing fully to enforce sobriety and costing billions, rapidly lost popular support in the early 1930s. In 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was passed and ratified, ending national Prohibition. After the repeal of the 18th Amendment, some states continued Prohibition by maintaining statewide temperance laws. Mississippi, the last dry state in the Union, ended Prohibition in 1966. |
10
Fr. O’Flanagan continued to meet with the British Prime Minister.. de Valera demanding that he be kept advised of developments. However Lloyd George, tiring of dealing with intermediaries, demanded to deal with ‘someone who could deliver the goods’.
Cadet Harte of the Auxiliaries who shot and killed two men in Dunmanway was found guilty but insane.
James Farrell of Prender Street, Dublin was halted, questioned and shot dead by auxilliary police in North Brunswick Street, Dublin.
General Tudor strongly supported the continuing role of the Black & Tans in Ireland. Sturgis’ assesment of Tudor was straightforward ‘He does not conciously decieve but his belief in all that’s good of his Black & Tans and his inability to believe a word against them is super human.’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 110
Fr. O’Flanagan continued to meet with the British Prime Minister.. de Valera demanding that he be kept advised of developments. However Lloyd George, tiring of dealing with intermediaries, demanded to deal with ‘someone who could deliver the goods’.
Cadet Harte of the Auxiliaries who shot and killed two men in Dunmanway was found guilty but insane.
James Farrell of Prender Street, Dublin was halted, questioned and shot dead by auxilliary police in North Brunswick Street, Dublin.
General Tudor strongly supported the continuing role of the Black & Tans in Ireland. Sturgis’ assesment of Tudor was straightforward ‘He does not conciously decieve but his belief in all that’s good of his Black & Tans and his inability to believe a word against them is super human.’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 110
11
John Doran, Camlough, Armagh murdered by auxilliary police.
John Doran, Camlough, Armagh murdered by auxilliary police.
12
Lloyd George writing to Lord Justice O’Connor from Chequers; ‘If the Southern Counties decline to work the Act to the point of refusing to use its machinery to secure extensions, I am afraid they must put up with the exisiting Government from Dublin Castle. I deeply regret their decision but it is theirs and not mine so they must abide by it until Ireland reaches a saner temper of mind.’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 112
Furious at the comments made by Archbishop Clune in Paris, the Western Australian Governor-General Sir Francis Newdegate denounced the interview and urged the British Home Office to detain Clune in Britain, fearing his homecoming would exacerbate labour disturbances. Little could be donw, Clune had already left British jurisdiction.
The IRA ambushed a British troop train carrying 150 soldiers at the Barnesmore Gap, County Donegal. A number of soldiers were wounded. They returned fire with a Lewis machine gun mounted on the train. The IRA also fired on another troop train sent to recover the first.
Lloyd George writing to Lord Justice O’Connor from Chequers; ‘If the Southern Counties decline to work the Act to the point of refusing to use its machinery to secure extensions, I am afraid they must put up with the exisiting Government from Dublin Castle. I deeply regret their decision but it is theirs and not mine so they must abide by it until Ireland reaches a saner temper of mind.’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 112
Furious at the comments made by Archbishop Clune in Paris, the Western Australian Governor-General Sir Francis Newdegate denounced the interview and urged the British Home Office to detain Clune in Britain, fearing his homecoming would exacerbate labour disturbances. Little could be donw, Clune had already left British jurisdiction.
The IRA ambushed a British troop train carrying 150 soldiers at the Barnesmore Gap, County Donegal. A number of soldiers were wounded. They returned fire with a Lewis machine gun mounted on the train. The IRA also fired on another troop train sent to recover the first.
13
American Commission on Conditions in Ireland Hearings – 6th Session – Day 1/2
Mark Sturgis bemoaned the fact there was little progress on the peace front ‘Nothing is happening here at the moment in the peace line. Andy (Cope) knows how to get in touch if and when its wanted…he is sure that it could be arranged for de Valera to see the PM if any good would come of it …if in truth de Valera and the whole lot of ‘em would settle on The Act plus Fiscal Automony and it could be given to them now, what a different thing it would be setting up the Parliaments in an athmosphere of comparative peace. The Shinns do not share Greenwood’s view that in present circumstances they will loose seats at an election. They confidently expect to sweep the lot.’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 110
Martha Nolan of Connaught St, Dublin was shot dead on Westmorland Street, Dublin when military opened fire on pedestrians.
Sergeants Stephen Carty (45) from Roscommon and Jeremiah Curtin (43) from Cork while part of an RIC lorry patrol were ambushed and killed at Cratloe, Co. Clare.
Special Constable Robert Compston (24) from Armagh was killed in an ambush near Crosmaglen, Co. Armagh. He was the first of the newly formed Ulster Special Constabulary to be killed.
American Commission on Conditions in Ireland Hearings – 6th Session – Day 1/2
Mark Sturgis bemoaned the fact there was little progress on the peace front ‘Nothing is happening here at the moment in the peace line. Andy (Cope) knows how to get in touch if and when its wanted…he is sure that it could be arranged for de Valera to see the PM if any good would come of it …if in truth de Valera and the whole lot of ‘em would settle on The Act plus Fiscal Automony and it could be given to them now, what a different thing it would be setting up the Parliaments in an athmosphere of comparative peace. The Shinns do not share Greenwood’s view that in present circumstances they will loose seats at an election. They confidently expect to sweep the lot.’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 110
Martha Nolan of Connaught St, Dublin was shot dead on Westmorland Street, Dublin when military opened fire on pedestrians.
Sergeants Stephen Carty (45) from Roscommon and Jeremiah Curtin (43) from Cork while part of an RIC lorry patrol were ambushed and killed at Cratloe, Co. Clare.
Special Constable Robert Compston (24) from Armagh was killed in an ambush near Crosmaglen, Co. Armagh. He was the first of the newly formed Ulster Special Constabulary to be killed.
14
British Cabinet approved the arrest of any accused persons at public or private meetings anywhere in Ireland, whether De Valera was present or not.
‘The possibility that such arrests - made in his very presence, while he himself went immune - might have laid De Valera open to the most odious imputations cannot have escaped the Cabinet. Their attitude toward the returning President was ambivalent in the extreme, but it is certain that they saw in him a possible avenue toward true and negotiations.’
George Dangerfield “ The Damnable Question - a study in Anglo-Irish relations” Constable, London. 1977. p324
Michael Collins writing to Gavan-Duffy observed ‘Everything goes on well, and, as you will see, certain elements in England are becomign very restive at the non-appearance of the success which was so lightly promised them by our latest Govenors here’
Arthur Mitchell. ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & Mcmillan. 1995. P280
An application was made for a writ of Habeas Corpus to stop General Strickland hanging Joseph Murphy on Monday January 17th 1921. The contention was that an admissible cross-examination had been disalowed by the presiding judge. The Attorney General agreed. Sturgis wrote ‘Murphy is undoubtedly guilty – a Shinn in Swansea prison has been blabbing and has amongst other useful stuff given unsolicited evidence against him, still further strengtening the already strong case against him when he was convicted. Why can we get nothing quite right?’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 111
Sergeant John Kemp (42) from Cavan was seriously wounded when a bomb was thrown at him in Market Street, Armagh. He died from wounds on 23rd January.
Unemployment in Britain and Ireland was running at 927,000. In the US, the figure was 3.47 million.
American Commission on Conditions in Ireland Hearings – 6th Session – Day 2/2
British Cabinet approved the arrest of any accused persons at public or private meetings anywhere in Ireland, whether De Valera was present or not.
‘The possibility that such arrests - made in his very presence, while he himself went immune - might have laid De Valera open to the most odious imputations cannot have escaped the Cabinet. Their attitude toward the returning President was ambivalent in the extreme, but it is certain that they saw in him a possible avenue toward true and negotiations.’
George Dangerfield “ The Damnable Question - a study in Anglo-Irish relations” Constable, London. 1977. p324
Michael Collins writing to Gavan-Duffy observed ‘Everything goes on well, and, as you will see, certain elements in England are becomign very restive at the non-appearance of the success which was so lightly promised them by our latest Govenors here’
Arthur Mitchell. ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & Mcmillan. 1995. P280
An application was made for a writ of Habeas Corpus to stop General Strickland hanging Joseph Murphy on Monday January 17th 1921. The contention was that an admissible cross-examination had been disalowed by the presiding judge. The Attorney General agreed. Sturgis wrote ‘Murphy is undoubtedly guilty – a Shinn in Swansea prison has been blabbing and has amongst other useful stuff given unsolicited evidence against him, still further strengtening the already strong case against him when he was convicted. Why can we get nothing quite right?’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 111
Sergeant John Kemp (42) from Cavan was seriously wounded when a bomb was thrown at him in Market Street, Armagh. He died from wounds on 23rd January.
Unemployment in Britain and Ireland was running at 927,000. In the US, the figure was 3.47 million.
American Commission on Conditions in Ireland Hearings – 6th Session – Day 2/2
15
An adjournment was granted on Habeas Corpus with Murphy’s scheduled execution delayed until Wednesday 19th.
Trial of IRA men captured following the Bloody Sunday murders was announced for January 25th in the Municipal Buildings.
Gerald Pring of Cork killed by members of the Royal Irish Constabularly.
British soldiers imposed a curfew in an area bounded by Capel, Church, and North King streets and the quays in Dublin's inner city, sealing them off, allowing no-one in or out. They then conducted a house-to-house search, but no significant arrests or arms finds were made.
An adjournment was granted on Habeas Corpus with Murphy’s scheduled execution delayed until Wednesday 19th.
Trial of IRA men captured following the Bloody Sunday murders was announced for January 25th in the Municipal Buildings.
Gerald Pring of Cork killed by members of the Royal Irish Constabularly.
British soldiers imposed a curfew in an area bounded by Capel, Church, and North King streets and the quays in Dublin's inner city, sealing them off, allowing no-one in or out. They then conducted a house-to-house search, but no significant arrests or arms finds were made.
16
Irish Labour leaders of the ILP and TUC met with Collins, Stack and Fitzgerald and advised that they held the same views on a truce as did Dail Eireann.
Irish Labour leaders of the ILP and TUC met with Collins, Stack and Fitzgerald and advised that they held the same views on a truce as did Dail Eireann.
17
The US Consul in Ireland, Dumont, reporting to the State Department commented ‘Sinn Fein courts, as far as any public knowledge of them is concerned, have ceased to exist, and I learn from private sources that this is actually the case except that one is held in secret occasionally to maintain the fiction that the courts continue’ According to Stack, the only areas that maintained the courts throughout the period were North & South Longford, North Dublin city. Cork City and parts of Co. Cork, East Limerick and Clare. The police force established in June 1920 had almost completely disapeared.
Arthur Mitchell. ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & Mcmillan. 1995. P237
While the Lord Mayor of Cork, Donal O’Callaghan was testifying before the Commission in Washington, the US Labour Secretary was battling against the State Department’s wish to have him deported. This started an inter-government battle with various interpretations of the Immigration Act being used and an accusation that the original deportation order issued by the Acting Secretary of State, Norman H Davis, was issued on the basis of an ‘anti-Irish attitude [ due to the fact that ] the previous summer he had received from an Irish waitress at a hotel in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, a sharp ‘blow to the face’ after he had made a ‘scurrilous remark about the Irish’. The matter dragged on until late February by which time the Lord Mayor had returned to Cork.
Clan na Gael was now being re-organised throughout the US by McGarrity and Dillon. The problem of how to reach the rank and file, partoicularly as they didn’t have a mebership list led to some bold action. McGarrity described how the listing was aquired:
‘Larry deLacey, Tommy O’Connor and myself took a midnight excursion to the Gaelic American office and took the list in the only way we were likely to get it. Now that we have a list of every member on the roll up to December 1920, we will be in a position to do effecitve work..’
Sean Cronin. ‘The McGarrity Papers’ Anvil Press 1972. P98
Devoy for his part, refused the declaration that he was no longer Secretary of Clan na Gael and continued as before. He did hold on to the majority of the members despite any assesertions to the contrary by McGarrity. He ‘scorned the effort to oust him calling it ‘the tail wagging the dog’ and charged that the ‘use of the name Clan na Gael by McGarrity and his followers is impudent and illegal’
Sean Cronin. ‘The McGarrity Papers’ Anvil Press 1972. P99
Patrick Sloane and Joseph Tormey killed by a sentry at the Ballykinlar Internment Camp.
Constable Robert Boyd (24) from Co. Down was shot dead while drinking off-duty in a pub in Cappawhite, Co. Tipperary.
Around the same time, Thomas Kirby of the Lincolnshire Regiment was kidnapped, interrogated and executed by the IRA near Rossmore, Co. Tipperary some three weeks later. His body was buried in a turf bog on a wooded hillside at Turaheen, outside Rossmore. In September 1990, his body was located and exhumed. Full details here courtesy of www.bloodysunday.co.uk and here courtesy of "The British Army in Tipperary 1919-21"
The US Consul in Ireland, Dumont, reporting to the State Department commented ‘Sinn Fein courts, as far as any public knowledge of them is concerned, have ceased to exist, and I learn from private sources that this is actually the case except that one is held in secret occasionally to maintain the fiction that the courts continue’ According to Stack, the only areas that maintained the courts throughout the period were North & South Longford, North Dublin city. Cork City and parts of Co. Cork, East Limerick and Clare. The police force established in June 1920 had almost completely disapeared.
Arthur Mitchell. ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & Mcmillan. 1995. P237
While the Lord Mayor of Cork, Donal O’Callaghan was testifying before the Commission in Washington, the US Labour Secretary was battling against the State Department’s wish to have him deported. This started an inter-government battle with various interpretations of the Immigration Act being used and an accusation that the original deportation order issued by the Acting Secretary of State, Norman H Davis, was issued on the basis of an ‘anti-Irish attitude [ due to the fact that ] the previous summer he had received from an Irish waitress at a hotel in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, a sharp ‘blow to the face’ after he had made a ‘scurrilous remark about the Irish’. The matter dragged on until late February by which time the Lord Mayor had returned to Cork.
Clan na Gael was now being re-organised throughout the US by McGarrity and Dillon. The problem of how to reach the rank and file, partoicularly as they didn’t have a mebership list led to some bold action. McGarrity described how the listing was aquired:
‘Larry deLacey, Tommy O’Connor and myself took a midnight excursion to the Gaelic American office and took the list in the only way we were likely to get it. Now that we have a list of every member on the roll up to December 1920, we will be in a position to do effecitve work..’
Sean Cronin. ‘The McGarrity Papers’ Anvil Press 1972. P98
Devoy for his part, refused the declaration that he was no longer Secretary of Clan na Gael and continued as before. He did hold on to the majority of the members despite any assesertions to the contrary by McGarrity. He ‘scorned the effort to oust him calling it ‘the tail wagging the dog’ and charged that the ‘use of the name Clan na Gael by McGarrity and his followers is impudent and illegal’
Sean Cronin. ‘The McGarrity Papers’ Anvil Press 1972. P99
Patrick Sloane and Joseph Tormey killed by a sentry at the Ballykinlar Internment Camp.
Constable Robert Boyd (24) from Co. Down was shot dead while drinking off-duty in a pub in Cappawhite, Co. Tipperary.
Around the same time, Thomas Kirby of the Lincolnshire Regiment was kidnapped, interrogated and executed by the IRA near Rossmore, Co. Tipperary some three weeks later. His body was buried in a turf bog on a wooded hillside at Turaheen, outside Rossmore. In September 1990, his body was located and exhumed. Full details here courtesy of www.bloodysunday.co.uk and here courtesy of "The British Army in Tipperary 1919-21"
18
Dublin Castle thinking was now moving to the extent of negotiation with Sinn Fein. ‘Give these people a little now and they are to that extent bribed, and men bribed are always a bit under one’s thumb. Give nothing away vital but win tolerance at least for this new Home Rule – the alternative is not kill the force of arms school, for this is an impossibility in irelan, but bludgeon it under ground to go on cropping up at intervals fed ever by hatred and bitterness against England who is to remain her partner in the UK, her near neighbour and either her enemy or her friend…’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 112
Strurgis believed that the British Government should give Sinn Fein a ‘face saver and make a better peace that we can ever get bybludgeoning to the fiish. I feel sure they cannot go to their people with nothing but the ‘Bill’ which they have always said was bad, but give them say that they have got ‘the Bill + x ‘ and I for one believe they’d jump at it. If I wrong then let them refuse.’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 112
Michael Collins refusing the request from de Valera that he go to the US: ‘The long whore won't get rid of me that easily’
Conor O’Clery ‘Ireland in Quotes’ The O’Brien Press Dublin 1999 p.52
Thoms Collins of Kilkeel, Co Galway murdered by auxiliary police.
Numbers of IRA and Sinn Fein suspects interned by the British by week ending 17th January 1921 were 1,478.
Dublin Castle thinking was now moving to the extent of negotiation with Sinn Fein. ‘Give these people a little now and they are to that extent bribed, and men bribed are always a bit under one’s thumb. Give nothing away vital but win tolerance at least for this new Home Rule – the alternative is not kill the force of arms school, for this is an impossibility in irelan, but bludgeon it under ground to go on cropping up at intervals fed ever by hatred and bitterness against England who is to remain her partner in the UK, her near neighbour and either her enemy or her friend…’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 112
Strurgis believed that the British Government should give Sinn Fein a ‘face saver and make a better peace that we can ever get bybludgeoning to the fiish. I feel sure they cannot go to their people with nothing but the ‘Bill’ which they have always said was bad, but give them say that they have got ‘the Bill + x ‘ and I for one believe they’d jump at it. If I wrong then let them refuse.’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 112
Michael Collins refusing the request from de Valera that he go to the US: ‘The long whore won't get rid of me that easily’
Conor O’Clery ‘Ireland in Quotes’ The O’Brien Press Dublin 1999 p.52
Thoms Collins of Kilkeel, Co Galway murdered by auxiliary police.
Numbers of IRA and Sinn Fein suspects interned by the British by week ending 17th January 1921 were 1,478.
19
American Commission on Conditions in Ireland Hearings – 7th Session – Day 11
The Murphy case was extended pending legal argument.
Thoms Lawless of Laois was murdered by constabularly in his home in front of wife and family.
Patricia Highsmith, crime fiction writer born. (died 1995 in Switzerland)
American Commission on Conditions in Ireland Hearings – 7th Session – Day 11
The Murphy case was extended pending legal argument.
Thoms Lawless of Laois was murdered by constabularly in his home in front of wife and family.
Patricia Highsmith, crime fiction writer born. (died 1995 in Switzerland)
20
District Inspector Tobias O’Sullivan (43) was shot dead in Listowel, Co. Kerry while out walking with his 7 year old son.
A month earlier, an IRA meeting decided that O’Sullivan would be killed as he could identify prisoners held on Spike Island in Cork harbour and was believed responsible for the death of Liam Scully during the IRA attack on the Kilmallock Barracks.
6 RIC were killed by the IRA in an ambush on their Crossley tender near Glenwood, Co. Clare. Killed were District Inspector William Clarke, Sergeant Michael Mulloy (38) from Mayo, Constables John Doogue (34) from Laois, Michael Moran (23) from Mayo, Frank Morris (27) from Lancashire and William Smith from London.
Sturgis met with Lady Greenwood in the Castle and discussed that de Valera would probably meet with Lloyd George. She agreed but only if de Valera was prepared to ‘do business and if, and only if, he Lloyd George – was assured of this. What he would not do was reopen a question which was now settled by the Act without an almost certainty that peace would result’
As for the issue of Michael Collins …’She said surely Michael would want an amnesty for himself. Is aid I was not so sure – that he is reputed a much cleverer man than most of them and that if he throught that there is no immediate future for him in Ireland he would perhaps be off abroad and not risk breaking a chance of peace complicating the issue with his presence.’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 113-4
Some British sources believed that a peace iniative would in fact force a split within Sinn Fein – breaking into a de Valera faction and a Collins faction.
The IRA in Clare, under Michael Brennan, ambush an RIC lorry at Glenwood, between Sixmilebridge and Broadford. Six constables were killed and two others wounded but escaped. The IRA took their weapons and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition before burning the lorry. Among the dead was RIC District Inspector William Clarke. In reprisals, British forces burned 21 homes in the vicinity and arrested 22 people.
British K-class submarine HMS K5 sinks in the English Channel; all 56 on board die.
District Inspector Tobias O’Sullivan (43) was shot dead in Listowel, Co. Kerry while out walking with his 7 year old son.
A month earlier, an IRA meeting decided that O’Sullivan would be killed as he could identify prisoners held on Spike Island in Cork harbour and was believed responsible for the death of Liam Scully during the IRA attack on the Kilmallock Barracks.
6 RIC were killed by the IRA in an ambush on their Crossley tender near Glenwood, Co. Clare. Killed were District Inspector William Clarke, Sergeant Michael Mulloy (38) from Mayo, Constables John Doogue (34) from Laois, Michael Moran (23) from Mayo, Frank Morris (27) from Lancashire and William Smith from London.
Sturgis met with Lady Greenwood in the Castle and discussed that de Valera would probably meet with Lloyd George. She agreed but only if de Valera was prepared to ‘do business and if, and only if, he Lloyd George – was assured of this. What he would not do was reopen a question which was now settled by the Act without an almost certainty that peace would result’
As for the issue of Michael Collins …’She said surely Michael would want an amnesty for himself. Is aid I was not so sure – that he is reputed a much cleverer man than most of them and that if he throught that there is no immediate future for him in Ireland he would perhaps be off abroad and not risk breaking a chance of peace complicating the issue with his presence.’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 113-4
Some British sources believed that a peace iniative would in fact force a split within Sinn Fein – breaking into a de Valera faction and a Collins faction.
The IRA in Clare, under Michael Brennan, ambush an RIC lorry at Glenwood, between Sixmilebridge and Broadford. Six constables were killed and two others wounded but escaped. The IRA took their weapons and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition before burning the lorry. Among the dead was RIC District Inspector William Clarke. In reprisals, British forces burned 21 homes in the vicinity and arrested 22 people.
British K-class submarine HMS K5 sinks in the English Channel; all 56 on board die.
21
Dail Eireann met secretly for the opening meeting of the 10th session in Alderman Walter Coles home in Mountjoy Square. 24, the minimum number of ministers was present including Erskine Childers, the Substiutute Director of Publicity, not then a Dail member. TD Frank Fahy asked were the Irish Volunteers ‘being cowed, and what chance did they have for holding out for another year?’ De Valera commented that neither he nor the majority of ministers attended beacuase of ‘ last minute pressure from Brugha, who feared that there would be widespread arrests’
Longford & O’Neill. “Eamon de Valera “ Hutchinson, London.1970. p117
De Valera in an undated January letter to Collins wrote ‘ I would be sorry to think that your feeling discontented and dissatisfied and fed up was due to anything more than natural physical reaction after the terrible strain you have been subjected to’
Longford & O’Neill. “Eamon de Valera “ Hutchinson, London.1970. p118
In Cork, General Strickland ordered all households to paste a list of occupants on the back of their front doors. The list was to include age, sex and occupation with the information to assist in the search for weapons.
Sergeant Henry Bloxham (41) from Mayo was ambushed and killed near Waterfall, Co. Cork.
An abortive IRA ambush took place at Drumcondra. One IRA volunteer, Michael Francis Magee, was wounded and died the next day at King George V Hospital. Five men were captured: Patrick Doyle, Francis X Flood, Thomas Bryan and Bernard Ryan, all of whom were hanged at Mountjoy Prison on 14 March 1921. A fifth, Dermot O'Sullivan, was imprisoned. The last, Séan Burke, successfully escaped
‘The wounded man gave away the names of his associates… ‘ wrote Mark Sturgis in his diary.
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 114
In Dublin, tanks and heavily armed troops set up barricades throughout Dublin, coming under attack from snipers. The aim was to catch gunmen on the run and those who had already left areas where martial law was proclaimed. All the Munster counties are sealed by the military with supplies being moved to Dublin by sea as the roads were not considered safe. Throughout the city and country, massive stockpiling of food took place.
American Commission on Conditions in Ireland Hearings – 7th Session – Day 1/1.
Muriel McSwiney sent a Western Union Telegram to Kit Lynch:
‘Good Bye Katty. Sorry could not see you before I left. Every best wish for a bright and happy new year. Muriel.’
Lynch Family Archives – Folder 6/1
The Italian Communist Party is founded in Livorno.
Women's suffrage is attained in Sweden.
22
Thomas Jones, the Cabinet Secretary privately promoted the concept of settlement in Ireland. ‘the gasthly things that were being done were enough to drive one to join the Republican Army’ as he commented to Bonar Law.
Michael Hoade of Cahirlistrane, and James Kirwan of Ballinstack, Galway were taken from their home and murdered by constabularly. William Walsh of Headford, Galway was arrested, questioned and killed by constabularly.
Constables Sidney Clarke (19) from London, Robert Hegarty (18) from Cork and Frederick Taylor (24) were killed while off duty in Stranooden, Co. Monaghan.
Thomas Jones, the Cabinet Secretary privately promoted the concept of settlement in Ireland. ‘the gasthly things that were being done were enough to drive one to join the Republican Army’ as he commented to Bonar Law.
Michael Hoade of Cahirlistrane, and James Kirwan of Ballinstack, Galway were taken from their home and murdered by constabularly. William Walsh of Headford, Galway was arrested, questioned and killed by constabularly.
Constables Sidney Clarke (19) from London, Robert Hegarty (18) from Cork and Frederick Taylor (24) were killed while off duty in Stranooden, Co. Monaghan.
23
8 die in Dublin fighting between British forces and the I.R.A.
A USC officer was killed and another wounded after their 15-strong group fired on an RIC patrol which interrupted their looting of a pub in Clones, County Monaghan
Richard Foley (15) killed in Cork ‘for refusing to halt’
8 die in Dublin fighting between British forces and the I.R.A.
A USC officer was killed and another wounded after their 15-strong group fired on an RIC patrol which interrupted their looting of a pub in Clones, County Monaghan
Richard Foley (15) killed in Cork ‘for refusing to halt’
24
The funeral of Distirct Inspector Tobias O’Sullivan took place from James Street Church to Glasnevin Cemetery with full military honours. Led by a contingent of Auxilliary Police, followed by the bands of Lancashire Fusiliers, Dublin Metropolitan Police and the RIC and included the Lord Lieutenant, Inspector General of the RIC, Commissioner of the DMP and divisional and headquarters staff of the RIC.
The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Tuam, Thomas Gilmartin, issued a letter saying that IRA volunteers who took part in ambushes "have broken the truce of God, they have incurred the guilt of murder".
Sybil Connolly, fashion designer born. (died 1998).
Patrick Scott, painter born. (died 2014).
Donogh O'Malley, Fianna Fáil TD and Cabinet Minister born. (died 1968).
Friends of Irish Freedom National Executive
The Friends National Executive met at 280 Broadway and among items discussed were misleading editorials in The Irish World newspaper regarding the auditing of the FOIF annual accounts. It was agreed that a paid advert be sent to the Irish World 'stating definitely that the accounts were examined by Mr. James P. Adams, Certified Public Accountant'
The funeral of Distirct Inspector Tobias O’Sullivan took place from James Street Church to Glasnevin Cemetery with full military honours. Led by a contingent of Auxilliary Police, followed by the bands of Lancashire Fusiliers, Dublin Metropolitan Police and the RIC and included the Lord Lieutenant, Inspector General of the RIC, Commissioner of the DMP and divisional and headquarters staff of the RIC.
The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Tuam, Thomas Gilmartin, issued a letter saying that IRA volunteers who took part in ambushes "have broken the truce of God, they have incurred the guilt of murder".
Sybil Connolly, fashion designer born. (died 1998).
Patrick Scott, painter born. (died 2014).
Donogh O'Malley, Fianna Fáil TD and Cabinet Minister born. (died 1968).
Friends of Irish Freedom National Executive
The Friends National Executive met at 280 Broadway and among items discussed were misleading editorials in The Irish World newspaper regarding the auditing of the FOIF annual accounts. It was agreed that a paid advert be sent to the Irish World 'stating definitely that the accounts were examined by Mr. James P. Adams, Certified Public Accountant'
25
Dail Eireann met secretly again in Alderman Coles home, and the first public appearance of de Valera since his return from the US. 25 were present including most ministers and De Valera ‘stated their task was to ‘stick on’ but at the same time ‘lighten the burden’ on the people. As for negotiations, his attitude was simply...let the British Government come out openly and make an offer...’
George Dangerfield “ The Damnable Question - a study in Anglo-Irish relations” Constable, London. 1977. p324
However, De Valera could not control the I.R.A.
The Bloody Sunday court martial trial of Frank Teeling, William Conway, Daniel Healy, Bernard Ryan and Edward Potter began in the Municipal Buildings. Teeling, Potter and Conway were charged with the murder of Lieutenant McMahon. ‘Teeling..is not at all a bad looking type – the worst of the three to look at is Potter against whom the evidence is not a strong, a miserable hang dog looking fellow. The third is Conway. Its an amazing race,none of the three looked capable of the cold blooded beastly murder of a defenceless man in bed…I had a look at Teeling’s gun when the Court rose. A full sized army pattern Mark VI revolver with a good grip and balance’ However the Crown’s principal witness, an officer who shared the room with Lieutenant McMahon and pretended to be dead during the shootings, was not present. He remained in Portsmouth. Another witness ‘the servant girl was quite unshaken in her identification under cross examination. A brave performance. We shall have to look after her.’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 115
Judgement in the Murphy Habeas Corpus case was reserved until Monday 31st January.
In London, the first female jurors were sworn in on a divorce case. Opponents suggested that the women ‘would be easily shocked by the case details’. The only ‘difficult’ moment came when some ‘abominable and beastly letters and pictures’ had to be shown to the jury. As it was feared they would terrify an unmarried woman, it was decided that only the male jury members would view them. ‘The women agreed not to look’.
‘A prominent Member’ of the Friends of Irish Freedom stated openly that de Valera should send all the loan money to Ireland rather than leave millions in American banks under his control.
Arthur Mitchell ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & McMillan 1996. P260
George Dangerfield “ The Damnable Question - a study in Anglo-Irish relations” Constable, London. 1977. p324
However, De Valera could not control the I.R.A.
The Bloody Sunday court martial trial of Frank Teeling, William Conway, Daniel Healy, Bernard Ryan and Edward Potter began in the Municipal Buildings. Teeling, Potter and Conway were charged with the murder of Lieutenant McMahon. ‘Teeling..is not at all a bad looking type – the worst of the three to look at is Potter against whom the evidence is not a strong, a miserable hang dog looking fellow. The third is Conway. Its an amazing race,none of the three looked capable of the cold blooded beastly murder of a defenceless man in bed…I had a look at Teeling’s gun when the Court rose. A full sized army pattern Mark VI revolver with a good grip and balance’ However the Crown’s principal witness, an officer who shared the room with Lieutenant McMahon and pretended to be dead during the shootings, was not present. He remained in Portsmouth. Another witness ‘the servant girl was quite unshaken in her identification under cross examination. A brave performance. We shall have to look after her.’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 115
Judgement in the Murphy Habeas Corpus case was reserved until Monday 31st January.
In London, the first female jurors were sworn in on a divorce case. Opponents suggested that the women ‘would be easily shocked by the case details’. The only ‘difficult’ moment came when some ‘abominable and beastly letters and pictures’ had to be shown to the jury. As it was feared they would terrify an unmarried woman, it was decided that only the male jury members would view them. ‘The women agreed not to look’.
‘A prominent Member’ of the Friends of Irish Freedom stated openly that de Valera should send all the loan money to Ireland rather than leave millions in American banks under his control.
Arthur Mitchell ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & McMillan 1996. P260
26
British public opinion had changed dramatically on the occupation and tactics employed in Ireland.
The British Daily News asserted that Sir Hamar Greenwood ‘has failed to a point that even his opponents did not forsee a few months ago. He did not intimidate the Volunteers, but he intimidated nearly everyone else. His tacticts were directed against the morale of the civilian population rather than against the morale of armed men.’
Arthur Mitchell. ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & Mcmillan. 1995. P287
James Davaney of Kilruhane, Co Clare was murdered by constabularly who surrounded his house and shot him as he came out.
Constables Thomas Heffron (26) from Mayo and Michael Quinn (20) from Laois were killed in Townhall Street, Belfast. Conflicting views are as to where and how these murders occurred. According to Abbott, the constables were killed as they were in bed. Another version is that the two policemen were killed and their escorted prisoner seriously wounded in the Railway View Hotel, Belfast. The wounded man was a witness to a murder case. In retaliation, a young Sinn Fein supporter, Michael Garvey of Belfast was shot dead in his home the following morning.
Constable Robert Barney (23) from London was killed while on patrol with six RIC officers in Trim, Co. Meath.
Abermule train collision: seventeen people are killed when two passenger trains collide head-on in Montgomeryshire.
Lord Rothermere's Sunday Pictorial announces formation of the Anti-Waste League as a political party opposing excessive government expenditure.
British public opinion had changed dramatically on the occupation and tactics employed in Ireland.
The British Daily News asserted that Sir Hamar Greenwood ‘has failed to a point that even his opponents did not forsee a few months ago. He did not intimidate the Volunteers, but he intimidated nearly everyone else. His tacticts were directed against the morale of the civilian population rather than against the morale of armed men.’
Arthur Mitchell. ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & Mcmillan. 1995. P287
James Davaney of Kilruhane, Co Clare was murdered by constabularly who surrounded his house and shot him as he came out.
Constables Thomas Heffron (26) from Mayo and Michael Quinn (20) from Laois were killed in Townhall Street, Belfast. Conflicting views are as to where and how these murders occurred. According to Abbott, the constables were killed as they were in bed. Another version is that the two policemen were killed and their escorted prisoner seriously wounded in the Railway View Hotel, Belfast. The wounded man was a witness to a murder case. In retaliation, a young Sinn Fein supporter, Michael Garvey of Belfast was shot dead in his home the following morning.
Constable Robert Barney (23) from London was killed while on patrol with six RIC officers in Trim, Co. Meath.
Abermule train collision: seventeen people are killed when two passenger trains collide head-on in Montgomeryshire.
Lord Rothermere's Sunday Pictorial announces formation of the Anti-Waste League as a political party opposing excessive government expenditure.
27
Michael Collins ‘sent a memo typed on Oagliagh na hEireann notepaper to the QMG with a clipping from Popular Mechanics of the previous November containing part of an illustrated article on the newly invented Thompson sub-machine gun…Collin’s memo read ‘I wonder if you saw the attached…it looks a splendid thing certainly’. He added in ink ‘I’d like to know what it costs.’
Sean Cronin. ‘The McGarrity Papers’ Anvil Press 1972. P98
In the Bloody Sunday Court Martial trial, the principal witness was ‘still missing’.
McGarrity made enquiries and eventually purhcased ‘500 Thompsons, drum magazines and box magazines, and a .45 calibre ammunition. The deal must have been in the neighbourhood of $100,000. Then McGarrity picked two former US army officers, both Irish born to go to Ireland to train the IRA in the use of the new weapon. Ex-Lieutenant Patrick Cronin, who had fought on the Mexican Border against Pancho Villa in 1916 and in France…in 1917 & 1918; and ex-Major James J Dineen, a battalion commander in France. They took 2 Thompsons to Ireland and a couple of others were also smuggled in – and used in action…
Sean Cronin. ‘The McGarrity Papers’ Anvil Press 1972. P99
Francis O’Meara of Laffanbridge, Co Tipperary ws arrested, questioned and battered to death by constabularly. His head was so badly beaten, he was unrecognisable.
Michael Collins ‘sent a memo typed on Oagliagh na hEireann notepaper to the QMG with a clipping from Popular Mechanics of the previous November containing part of an illustrated article on the newly invented Thompson sub-machine gun…Collin’s memo read ‘I wonder if you saw the attached…it looks a splendid thing certainly’. He added in ink ‘I’d like to know what it costs.’
Sean Cronin. ‘The McGarrity Papers’ Anvil Press 1972. P98
In the Bloody Sunday Court Martial trial, the principal witness was ‘still missing’.
McGarrity made enquiries and eventually purhcased ‘500 Thompsons, drum magazines and box magazines, and a .45 calibre ammunition. The deal must have been in the neighbourhood of $100,000. Then McGarrity picked two former US army officers, both Irish born to go to Ireland to train the IRA in the use of the new weapon. Ex-Lieutenant Patrick Cronin, who had fought on the Mexican Border against Pancho Villa in 1916 and in France…in 1917 & 1918; and ex-Major James J Dineen, a battalion commander in France. They took 2 Thompsons to Ireland and a couple of others were also smuggled in – and used in action…
Sean Cronin. ‘The McGarrity Papers’ Anvil Press 1972. P99
Francis O’Meara of Laffanbridge, Co Tipperary ws arrested, questioned and battered to death by constabularly. His head was so badly beaten, he was unrecognisable.
The Bridgeport Times of Bridgeport, Connecticut got it's two cents worth - wrong - with it's claim of de Valera in Paris appealing to the League of Nations.
28
The US Consul in a dispatch to the US Secretary of State, commenting on encounters between the Black and Tans and the Irish Volunteers:
‘while these encounters are termed ‘guerrilla warfare’ by the Sinn Fein and foreign press, it is a type of guerrilla warfare to which civilised peoples have been unaccustomed since three centuries ago.... they [ the Black and Tans ] have turned thousands of nationalists into Sinn Feiners and added hundreds to the ‘active list’ of the Irish Republican Army. To maintain order, thousands of new troops have been brought into Ireland and the country is an armed camp...the jails are full and overflowing with the more prominent Sinn Feiners...to my mind, all this is useless effort. The south and the west of Ireland in solidly Sinn Fein...the present attitude of Mr. Lloyd George , Sir Hammar Greenwood and Sir Nevil Mcready, which is that the ‘murder gang’ of Sinn Fein must be hunted down and destroyed, leaves no hope of a near solution of the Irish question...’
Tansill. ‘America and the fight for Irish Freedom 1866-1922’. Devin-Adair. New York 1957. P.408-409
Sinn Fein Prisoners in Ballinkinlar detention camp made identification impossible by changing clothes, carrying each others letters and ID cards.
A patrol group of six RIC escorting the Divisional Commander of Cork, Major Phillip Holmes was ambushed at Castleisland, Tralee in Kerry. Constable Thoms Moyles (21) from Mayo was killed, five wounded and the Divisional Commander seriously injured. The ambush was led by Sean Moylan and included some 60 men from theFlying Column of the Newmarket Battalion Cork No.2 North Brigade. Arms and ammunition were taken. Major Holmes (45) from Cork died from wounds the following day.
On receiving the news of this attack, Sturgis felt that aircraft spotters should be used ‘couldn’t spotting aeroplances have a good chance of finding them – and what a picnic for a fellow with a good pilot, a good pair of glasses and a quick firer if he did drop on one’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 117
Thomas Blake of Limerick was held up, questioned and murdered by constabularly.
British troops in county Cork were tipped off by Mrs Mary (or Maria) Lindsay, a local Protestant, about an impending IRA ambush at Dripsey to which she had somehow become privy. She first told the local Catholic priest who tried unsuccessfully to dissuade the IRA from the ambush. Two IRA volunteers were killed and five captured. The five IRA prisoners were later executed under martial law. The IRA then executed Mrs Lindsay and her chauffeur, James Clarke, and burned down her home, Leemount House, in reprisal
Professor Albert Einstein caused a stir in Berlin with his suggestion that universe could be measured.
The Allied finally agree on a German Reparations bill of £10 Billion payable over 42 years until 1963.
In the British Government, the previous strong-line agreement between ministers began to break down. The Cabinet wavered between Coercion and control ( headed by Balfour ) and Conciliation ( headed by Lord Curzon ). Churchill and Lord Birkenhead in turn wavered between both groups.
The US Consul in a dispatch to the US Secretary of State, commenting on encounters between the Black and Tans and the Irish Volunteers:
‘while these encounters are termed ‘guerrilla warfare’ by the Sinn Fein and foreign press, it is a type of guerrilla warfare to which civilised peoples have been unaccustomed since three centuries ago.... they [ the Black and Tans ] have turned thousands of nationalists into Sinn Feiners and added hundreds to the ‘active list’ of the Irish Republican Army. To maintain order, thousands of new troops have been brought into Ireland and the country is an armed camp...the jails are full and overflowing with the more prominent Sinn Feiners...to my mind, all this is useless effort. The south and the west of Ireland in solidly Sinn Fein...the present attitude of Mr. Lloyd George , Sir Hammar Greenwood and Sir Nevil Mcready, which is that the ‘murder gang’ of Sinn Fein must be hunted down and destroyed, leaves no hope of a near solution of the Irish question...’
Tansill. ‘America and the fight for Irish Freedom 1866-1922’. Devin-Adair. New York 1957. P.408-409
Sinn Fein Prisoners in Ballinkinlar detention camp made identification impossible by changing clothes, carrying each others letters and ID cards.
A patrol group of six RIC escorting the Divisional Commander of Cork, Major Phillip Holmes was ambushed at Castleisland, Tralee in Kerry. Constable Thoms Moyles (21) from Mayo was killed, five wounded and the Divisional Commander seriously injured. The ambush was led by Sean Moylan and included some 60 men from theFlying Column of the Newmarket Battalion Cork No.2 North Brigade. Arms and ammunition were taken. Major Holmes (45) from Cork died from wounds the following day.
On receiving the news of this attack, Sturgis felt that aircraft spotters should be used ‘couldn’t spotting aeroplances have a good chance of finding them – and what a picnic for a fellow with a good pilot, a good pair of glasses and a quick firer if he did drop on one’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 117
Thomas Blake of Limerick was held up, questioned and murdered by constabularly.
British troops in county Cork were tipped off by Mrs Mary (or Maria) Lindsay, a local Protestant, about an impending IRA ambush at Dripsey to which she had somehow become privy. She first told the local Catholic priest who tried unsuccessfully to dissuade the IRA from the ambush. Two IRA volunteers were killed and five captured. The five IRA prisoners were later executed under martial law. The IRA then executed Mrs Lindsay and her chauffeur, James Clarke, and burned down her home, Leemount House, in reprisal
Professor Albert Einstein caused a stir in Berlin with his suggestion that universe could be measured.
The Allied finally agree on a German Reparations bill of £10 Billion payable over 42 years until 1963.
In the British Government, the previous strong-line agreement between ministers began to break down. The Cabinet wavered between Coercion and control ( headed by Balfour ) and Conciliation ( headed by Lord Curzon ). Churchill and Lord Birkenhead in turn wavered between both groups.
29
Internment proved inefective as a deterent. The RIC Chief Inspector in Limerick commented on the policy and the fact the the Volunteers had little to fear ‘They are aware of this and consequently their morale is high, for they know that if not actually taken with arms they will at most suffer internment. We are thus in a position of an army fighting an enemy and taking all prisoners’
Arthur Mitchell. ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & Mcmillan. 1995. P271
The London Times spoke out against the British Government’s Irish policy ‘Deeds have unquestionably been done in Ireland which have everlastingly disgraced the name of Britian in that country’.
John Devoy 60th Anniversary Dinner, Biltmore Hotel, New York
John Devoy was feted at a celebration dinner in New York's Biltmore Hotel to mark his 60 years service to the Irish Republic. More than 800 were present, including members of Clan na Gael, the Gaelic American Newspaper, The Friends of Irish Freedom and prominent Irish-Americans. Testimonials to Devoy included addresses from Chief Justice Scanlon, Judge Cohalan and Lindsay Crawford and cash gifts of over $15,000. Of course, the increasing irascible Devoy was the principal speaker, pointing out in the course of a wide ranging speech that Sinn Fein could only be successful if the Irish-American community were united, otherwise it would spell for catastrophic consequences for the community. Devoy also took a swipe against the De Valera faction stating that the task at hand was to overcome the differences between de Valera and Judge Cohalan adding "We insist above all, on the right to select our own leaders" and that some of the Irish revolutionary leadership fighting for Irish freedom from Britain in Ireland had singularly failed to appreciate the strength and influence of Irish America.
However his comments on the United States and Britain were more widely publicised. Devoy commented that Britain was planning for war against the United States 'as surely as the sun rises'
below: an early draft of the Friends of Irish Freedom history synopsis record by Diarmuid Lynch and the New York Tribune reporting of the event:
Internment proved inefective as a deterent. The RIC Chief Inspector in Limerick commented on the policy and the fact the the Volunteers had little to fear ‘They are aware of this and consequently their morale is high, for they know that if not actually taken with arms they will at most suffer internment. We are thus in a position of an army fighting an enemy and taking all prisoners’
Arthur Mitchell. ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & Mcmillan. 1995. P271
The London Times spoke out against the British Government’s Irish policy ‘Deeds have unquestionably been done in Ireland which have everlastingly disgraced the name of Britian in that country’.
John Devoy 60th Anniversary Dinner, Biltmore Hotel, New York
John Devoy was feted at a celebration dinner in New York's Biltmore Hotel to mark his 60 years service to the Irish Republic. More than 800 were present, including members of Clan na Gael, the Gaelic American Newspaper, The Friends of Irish Freedom and prominent Irish-Americans. Testimonials to Devoy included addresses from Chief Justice Scanlon, Judge Cohalan and Lindsay Crawford and cash gifts of over $15,000. Of course, the increasing irascible Devoy was the principal speaker, pointing out in the course of a wide ranging speech that Sinn Fein could only be successful if the Irish-American community were united, otherwise it would spell for catastrophic consequences for the community. Devoy also took a swipe against the De Valera faction stating that the task at hand was to overcome the differences between de Valera and Judge Cohalan adding "We insist above all, on the right to select our own leaders" and that some of the Irish revolutionary leadership fighting for Irish freedom from Britain in Ireland had singularly failed to appreciate the strength and influence of Irish America.
However his comments on the United States and Britain were more widely publicised. Devoy commented that Britain was planning for war against the United States 'as surely as the sun rises'
below: an early draft of the Friends of Irish Freedom history synopsis record by Diarmuid Lynch and the New York Tribune reporting of the event:
30
At the British Cabinet meeting, Lloyd George was apparently totally confused about whether De Valera had been in direct communication with him regarding possible negotiation. His secreary, Frances Stevenson was sent to check his pockets and returned with a letter from Lady Greenwood ‘supporting a meeting with De Valera and giving her assurance that what De Valera ‘wanted was a face-saver, that he was silling to drop the Republic and even fiscal autonomy if it could be done’.
Hamar Greenwood expressed opposition to any such contacts.
Bonar Law stated ‘Coercion was the only policy…in the past it had been followed by periods of quiet for about 10 years’ and he had come to the conclusion that ‘the Irish were an inferior race’.
Lloyd George expressed expressed the desirability of a settlement in the context of Anglo-American relations and cited General Jeudwine’s gloom about military prospects. It appears the Lloyd George was tempted to compromise but hesitated from making any final commitment.
Dublin: Fears were growing about a possible shortage of butter in Ireland.
The British Butter Control Committee met 29.1.20 with the Ministry of Food in London and, while no decision was announced, concerns have been expressed that the government might remove controls from Irish butter, which ensure that only a certain amount is made available for export. Removing these controls would mean that supplies would be open to be swept up by British agents at the expense of Irish consumers. One shopkeeper on Camden Street in Dublin has remarked that ‘even the whisper of the control prohibition coming to an end has attracted scores of English agents… and a regular gamble is taking place already.’
Butter is more widely used by the poorer classes in Ireland than England so any attempt to grab Irish supplies in the event that controls are lifted is likely to inflict major hardship and even increase the already high death rate among children. George Russell (Æ), writer and promoter of the co-operative movement, has urged that Irish creameries should be given a license to export the same quantities as usual to ensure a sufficient supply for Ireland until the season when butter is plentiful.
An prominent economist, quoted anonymously in the Irish Independent, has said that the move to de-control butter supplies was aimed at placating English consumers at the expense of the Irish people in advance of a possible election: ‘It is nothing short of an attempt to create another artificial famine in a food commodity produced in Ireland, and on which naturally the Irish people should have first claim. The principle of free markets would be quite right if the conditions were equal in this country and in England, and if the times were normal. But they are far from normal… One argument used by the English Food dictators now is that they are going to give Ireland the same treatment in this butter business that they give the Colonies. If they are really consistent or honest then why not give Ireland Dominion Home Rule, and be done with it, instead of treating us as a colony when it suits their interest.’
31
Denis Bennet (17), Patrick Devitt and D O’Mullane were killed at Mallow Railway Station when constabularly arrested 20 railway workers, beat them and forced them into two files and ordered to ‘run for it’ opening fire as the men ran. As they were members of the Amalgamated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, the UK based union HQ threatened to call a general strike unless the Government held an open inquiry by February 15th. The end result was compromise resulting in the Union having a legal representative at a closed military inquiry.
Cork: A dramatic sequel to the December 1919 municipal elections, as many Sinn Féin candidates, after a strong showing at the polls, were voted into mayoral offices across the country. Alderman Tomás Mac Curtain, despite being ‘on the run’ since a recent round-up of Sinn Féin activists, was present as he was elected to the office of Lord Mayor in Cork amidst scenes of great enthusiasm. The council chamber was packed for the occasion and the municipal flag on City Hall was temporarily replaced with the Tricolour.
Mac Curtain was proposed for the position by Councillor Mícheál Ó Cuill and seconded by Councillor Terence MacSwiney, both of whom spoke in Irish. Sir John Scott, Unionist, lamented the lack of competition for the office but congratulated all present on the harmony and unanimity that had so far prevailed, acknowledging that all present were Irishmen. Following his election as Lord Mayor, Tomás Mac Curtain remarked that Sinn Féin was pleased that certain minorities were represented as ‘in every stable government, minorities were entitled to representation. Our motto for the future, then, must be self-reliance first, and in all normal business of the corporation efficiency and economy.’
The British army in Dublin started carrying republican prisoners in their trucks when on patrol to stop grenade attacks on them, with signs saying "Bomb us now". This was discontinued when foreign journalists in the city reported it. They later covered the trucks with a mesh to prevent grenades from entering the vehicles, to which the IRA responded by attaching hooks to what were then referred to as "Mills bombs", which would catch in the mesh.
Carol Channing, actress born (d. 2019)
Mario Lanza, tenor, actor born (d. 1959)
In Dublin Alderman Thomas Kelly was unanimously elected as Lord Mayor for the year commencing 23 February 1920. He was then incarcerated in Wormwood Scrubbs prison.
Denis Bennet (17), Patrick Devitt and D O’Mullane were killed at Mallow Railway Station when constabularly arrested 20 railway workers, beat them and forced them into two files and ordered to ‘run for it’ opening fire as the men ran. As they were members of the Amalgamated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, the UK based union HQ threatened to call a general strike unless the Government held an open inquiry by February 15th. The end result was compromise resulting in the Union having a legal representative at a closed military inquiry.
Cork: A dramatic sequel to the December 1919 municipal elections, as many Sinn Féin candidates, after a strong showing at the polls, were voted into mayoral offices across the country. Alderman Tomás Mac Curtain, despite being ‘on the run’ since a recent round-up of Sinn Féin activists, was present as he was elected to the office of Lord Mayor in Cork amidst scenes of great enthusiasm. The council chamber was packed for the occasion and the municipal flag on City Hall was temporarily replaced with the Tricolour.
Mac Curtain was proposed for the position by Councillor Mícheál Ó Cuill and seconded by Councillor Terence MacSwiney, both of whom spoke in Irish. Sir John Scott, Unionist, lamented the lack of competition for the office but congratulated all present on the harmony and unanimity that had so far prevailed, acknowledging that all present were Irishmen. Following his election as Lord Mayor, Tomás Mac Curtain remarked that Sinn Féin was pleased that certain minorities were represented as ‘in every stable government, minorities were entitled to representation. Our motto for the future, then, must be self-reliance first, and in all normal business of the corporation efficiency and economy.’
The British army in Dublin started carrying republican prisoners in their trucks when on patrol to stop grenade attacks on them, with signs saying "Bomb us now". This was discontinued when foreign journalists in the city reported it. They later covered the trucks with a mesh to prevent grenades from entering the vehicles, to which the IRA responded by attaching hooks to what were then referred to as "Mills bombs", which would catch in the mesh.
Carol Channing, actress born (d. 2019)
Mario Lanza, tenor, actor born (d. 1959)
In Dublin Alderman Thomas Kelly was unanimously elected as Lord Mayor for the year commencing 23 February 1920. He was then incarcerated in Wormwood Scrubbs prison.
Other Sinn Féin representatives returned to mayoral positions include Councillor Daniel F. O’Meara who was unanimously re-elected in Clonmel. In Drogheda, a former ‘German Plot’ deportee, Alderman Philip Monahan was unanimously elected mayor. In Limerick, the election of Councillor Michael O’Callaghan was accompanied by crowds singing the ‘Soldier’s Song’. A feature of the proceedings in many of the municipal chambers was the refusal to nominate individuals as City High Sheriff as this institution was considered a British office. In Dublin, Cork and Limerick the councils declined to send to the Lord Lieutenant the standard nominations for the position.
Observing developments, the unionist Irish Times has said that the ‘local administration of the south and west of Ireland is now in the hands of Sinn Féin, a party which publicly repudiates British government.’
The implications of this were clear, the paper claimed. If the government persists with its current plans for home rule for Ireland, the ‘southern state will be turned immediately into an independent Republic… It is clearly established that, if partition is enforced, it will be permanent, and the British Government will have presented a vitally important area of the United Kingdom to an implacable foe.’
Labour, who polled strongly in the elections, returned their only mayor in Wexford – Alderman Richard Corish, who defeated by 7 votes to 4 the Ratepayer’s nominee, Alderman George Hadden. Alderman Corish, president of the Trade’s Council and a friend and follower of Jim Larkin and James Connolly. In accepting the thanks of the chamber in Wexford, the new Lord Mayor declared that the Labour Party would not make the corporation bankrupt as its members were ‘better versed in economy than the representatives of any other class, for they had to study it from birth’.
Observing developments, the unionist Irish Times has said that the ‘local administration of the south and west of Ireland is now in the hands of Sinn Féin, a party which publicly repudiates British government.’
The implications of this were clear, the paper claimed. If the government persists with its current plans for home rule for Ireland, the ‘southern state will be turned immediately into an independent Republic… It is clearly established that, if partition is enforced, it will be permanent, and the British Government will have presented a vitally important area of the United Kingdom to an implacable foe.’
Labour, who polled strongly in the elections, returned their only mayor in Wexford – Alderman Richard Corish, who defeated by 7 votes to 4 the Ratepayer’s nominee, Alderman George Hadden. Alderman Corish, president of the Trade’s Council and a friend and follower of Jim Larkin and James Connolly. In accepting the thanks of the chamber in Wexford, the new Lord Mayor declared that the Labour Party would not make the corporation bankrupt as its members were ‘better versed in economy than the representatives of any other class, for they had to study it from birth’.