Work in Progress. Last updated: 17 May, 2020
1
The Dail formally declared that on election day on May 24th, it would ‘recognise the popular elections in order that the will of the people may once more be demonstrated’. As in 1918, a pact was made with Joesph Devlin’s Nationalist Party in Ulster to run sole Sinn Fein candidates to prevent a nationalist vote split. De Valera estimated that Sinn Fein would win 11 to 15 of the 52 seats available.
However, the question of funding came into play. Each candidate was required to deposit £150, therefore Sinn Fein putting forward 124 candidates would cost the organisation £18,600. Effectively wasted funds as the candidates if elected would not be taking their seats in either Home Rule parliament. While there was talk of each TD raising funds to pay for the deposit, it was another thing to actually do so.
Former PM Herbert Asquith commented that things were being done in Ireland ‘which would disgrace the blackest annals of the lowest despotism in Europe.’
Constables George Cuthbertson (21) from Scotland and Walter Shaw (20) from Yorkshire were killed near Arva, Co. Cavan.
An abortive IRA ambush at Islandeady, County Mayo led to the death of two IRA volunteers.
France: The Army mobilises for an advance on the Ruhr if Germany fails to repay its war debts.
The Dail formally declared that on election day on May 24th, it would ‘recognise the popular elections in order that the will of the people may once more be demonstrated’. As in 1918, a pact was made with Joesph Devlin’s Nationalist Party in Ulster to run sole Sinn Fein candidates to prevent a nationalist vote split. De Valera estimated that Sinn Fein would win 11 to 15 of the 52 seats available.
However, the question of funding came into play. Each candidate was required to deposit £150, therefore Sinn Fein putting forward 124 candidates would cost the organisation £18,600. Effectively wasted funds as the candidates if elected would not be taking their seats in either Home Rule parliament. While there was talk of each TD raising funds to pay for the deposit, it was another thing to actually do so.
Former PM Herbert Asquith commented that things were being done in Ireland ‘which would disgrace the blackest annals of the lowest despotism in Europe.’
Constables George Cuthbertson (21) from Scotland and Walter Shaw (20) from Yorkshire were killed near Arva, Co. Cavan.
An abortive IRA ambush at Islandeady, County Mayo led to the death of two IRA volunteers.
France: The Army mobilises for an advance on the Ruhr if Germany fails to repay its war debts.
For additional news-clippings and articles, click here
2
Patrick Casey, an Irish Volunteer, was executed by firing squad in Cork Jail.
One of the reverses of the War of Independence happened to a large IRA column near Lackelly, Co. Limerick. A mixed bicycle patrol of police and military were attacked but five IRA men were killed. On the return journey, the patrol was ambushed on three separate occasions, also equally unsuccessfully. British sources put IRA dead at around 14 with at least 30 wounded. A British military source commented that ‘The whole action is a fine example of what a ‘leader’ in command of ‘soldiers’ can do’. The IRA strove to distribute blame, citing poor preparation and communication’
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p121
The Irish Bulletin passed comment on Cardinal Logue’s response that an Irish Republic would never be achieved so long as the British had a man left to fight. ‘ Cardinal Logue was not at any time regarded as a wise statesman, and with advancing years he has become more and more a stranger to the ideals of his people’
Arthur Mitchell ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & McMillan 1996. P287
De Valera announced to Lord Justice O’Connor that he would meet with Craig at Catle Bellingham in Co Louth, later changing to a Dublin venue.
Viscount FitzAlan becomes the first Catholic Lord Lieutenant of Ireland since the reign of King James 11.
Germany: The Government is given 10 days grace by the Allies to pay their reparations demand. Meanwhile, the Third Silesian Uprising: Poles in Upper Silesia rise against the Germans.
2
Patrick Casey, an Irish Volunteer, was executed by firing squad in Cork Jail.
One of the reverses of the War of Independence happened to a large IRA column near Lackelly, Co. Limerick. A mixed bicycle patrol of police and military were attacked but five IRA men were killed. On the return journey, the patrol was ambushed on three separate occasions, also equally unsuccessfully. British sources put IRA dead at around 14 with at least 30 wounded. A British military source commented that ‘The whole action is a fine example of what a ‘leader’ in command of ‘soldiers’ can do’. The IRA strove to distribute blame, citing poor preparation and communication’
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p121
The Irish Bulletin passed comment on Cardinal Logue’s response that an Irish Republic would never be achieved so long as the British had a man left to fight. ‘ Cardinal Logue was not at any time regarded as a wise statesman, and with advancing years he has become more and more a stranger to the ideals of his people’
Arthur Mitchell ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & McMillan 1996. P287
De Valera announced to Lord Justice O’Connor that he would meet with Craig at Catle Bellingham in Co Louth, later changing to a Dublin venue.
Viscount FitzAlan becomes the first Catholic Lord Lieutenant of Ireland since the reign of King James 11.
Germany: The Government is given 10 days grace by the Allies to pay their reparations demand. Meanwhile, the Third Silesian Uprising: Poles in Upper Silesia rise against the Germans.
For additional news-clippings and articles, click here
3
The Better Government of Ireland Act came nominally into force.
Constables Christopher O’Regan (26), Herbert Oakes (24), Willam Power (39) and John Regan (41) and one soldier were killed in an ambush near Tourmakeady, Co. Mayo by Tom Maguire’s South Mayo column. A large scale roundup took place while the column retreated with some 600 troops pursuing the IRA from Galway, Claremorris and Ballinrobe to the south, Castlebar to the North and Westport to the west, working inwards against the volunteers. In fire-fights, Maguire was wounded and his adjutant, Michael O’Brien and Volunteer Patrick Feeney killed. Another volunteer died later in 1922 as a result of an infection picked up from lying in a ditch while on the run.
Richard Mulcahy commented on the success at Tourmakeady, saying that it helped ‘to confirm us more and more in the conviction that…we have the intelligence and the courage and the military skill to bring the present struggle to a very definite victory’ Nonetheless, he warned against any further long, drawn out engagements and concluded…’what we want at this moment is to harass the enemy was much as possible, while providing our own forces with just sufficient activity to get them used to active service and to let them gain confidence in themselves and to get the best possible use out of their weapons’
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p135
Constables James Cullen (23) and Martin Fallon (31) were killed in Barrack Street, Clonakilty, Co. Cork.
3
The Better Government of Ireland Act came nominally into force.
Constables Christopher O’Regan (26), Herbert Oakes (24), Willam Power (39) and John Regan (41) and one soldier were killed in an ambush near Tourmakeady, Co. Mayo by Tom Maguire’s South Mayo column. A large scale roundup took place while the column retreated with some 600 troops pursuing the IRA from Galway, Claremorris and Ballinrobe to the south, Castlebar to the North and Westport to the west, working inwards against the volunteers. In fire-fights, Maguire was wounded and his adjutant, Michael O’Brien and Volunteer Patrick Feeney killed. Another volunteer died later in 1922 as a result of an infection picked up from lying in a ditch while on the run.
Richard Mulcahy commented on the success at Tourmakeady, saying that it helped ‘to confirm us more and more in the conviction that…we have the intelligence and the courage and the military skill to bring the present struggle to a very definite victory’ Nonetheless, he warned against any further long, drawn out engagements and concluded…’what we want at this moment is to harass the enemy was much as possible, while providing our own forces with just sufficient activity to get them used to active service and to let them gain confidence in themselves and to get the best possible use out of their weapons’
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p135
Constables James Cullen (23) and Martin Fallon (31) were killed in Barrack Street, Clonakilty, Co. Cork.
4
I.R.A. killed a former RIC Police Inspector in Glasgow.
8 RIC officers were killed when they went to recover the body of an 80 year old man, Thomas Sullivan near Rathmore, Co. Kerry. He had been taken and shot as a spy and informer by the IRA. Sergeant Thomas McCormack (35) and Constables Walter Brown (29) from Manchester, William Clapp (22) from Hampshire, Robert Dyne (21 ) from Sussex, Alfred Hillyer (18) from London, James Phelan (33) from Limerick, Samuel Watkins (21) from Middlesex and Headley Woodcock (20) from London. Five houses and a creamery were burned in reprisal shortly afterwards by British forces.
2 IRA were killed and two wounded in an IRA night attack in Tramore, Co Waterford.It was later alleged than 3 of the column were drunk and that shots had been fired long before the enemy arrived. The enquiry into the ambush concluded that such a large scale operation ‘should not have been attempted because many of the men had never fired a shot before and has ‘neither discipline, morale or arms for such a fight, especially night fighting’
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p122
The incident in Tramore simply added to the criticism of Commandant Paddy Paul’s leadership of the Brigade. He was not allowed to forget that he was an ex-British Army soldier who had also voted for Captain Redmond in the 1918 Waterford City by-election.
James and Mrs. Craig travelled from Belfast to Dublin and stayed with the Chief Secretary, apparently for the sole purpose of paying their respects to the new Lord Lieutenant, Lord Fitzalan.
In London, Art O’Brian reported that the Dail banning orders on goods was causing ‘consternation in the city’. He had been told that his wholesalers reported that ‘their orders from Ireland, outside Belfast, had gone off completely’ He conculded that ‘ this economic pressure is going to have an enormous effect’
The use of reprisals on local communities where attacks on British forces took place was having a knock on effect with the I.R.A operating counter-reprisals against Unionist supporters in the area. General Macready concluded that reprisals did not work:
‘If the military burned a cottage, then the Sinn Feiners burned two, then the military four, and so on. Guinness pointed out in the House last night that the military having burned a cottage, the Sinn Feiners burned a mansion’
Arthur Mitchell ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & McMillan 1996. P272
De Valera commenting on British approaches for talks ‘The blossoms are not the fruit but the precursors of the fruit – beware how you pluck them.’
Conor O’Clery ‘Ireland in Quotes’ The O’Brien Press Dublin 1999 p.52
The American Embassy in London reported to Washington of a conversation between the British Home Secretary and the Director of Intelligence indicating that De Valera’s appeals to the US for more financial aid proved the exhaustion of the Dail Government fiscal resources.
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p175
I.R.A. killed a former RIC Police Inspector in Glasgow.
8 RIC officers were killed when they went to recover the body of an 80 year old man, Thomas Sullivan near Rathmore, Co. Kerry. He had been taken and shot as a spy and informer by the IRA. Sergeant Thomas McCormack (35) and Constables Walter Brown (29) from Manchester, William Clapp (22) from Hampshire, Robert Dyne (21 ) from Sussex, Alfred Hillyer (18) from London, James Phelan (33) from Limerick, Samuel Watkins (21) from Middlesex and Headley Woodcock (20) from London. Five houses and a creamery were burned in reprisal shortly afterwards by British forces.
2 IRA were killed and two wounded in an IRA night attack in Tramore, Co Waterford.It was later alleged than 3 of the column were drunk and that shots had been fired long before the enemy arrived. The enquiry into the ambush concluded that such a large scale operation ‘should not have been attempted because many of the men had never fired a shot before and has ‘neither discipline, morale or arms for such a fight, especially night fighting’
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p122
The incident in Tramore simply added to the criticism of Commandant Paddy Paul’s leadership of the Brigade. He was not allowed to forget that he was an ex-British Army soldier who had also voted for Captain Redmond in the 1918 Waterford City by-election.
James and Mrs. Craig travelled from Belfast to Dublin and stayed with the Chief Secretary, apparently for the sole purpose of paying their respects to the new Lord Lieutenant, Lord Fitzalan.
In London, Art O’Brian reported that the Dail banning orders on goods was causing ‘consternation in the city’. He had been told that his wholesalers reported that ‘their orders from Ireland, outside Belfast, had gone off completely’ He conculded that ‘ this economic pressure is going to have an enormous effect’
The use of reprisals on local communities where attacks on British forces took place was having a knock on effect with the I.R.A operating counter-reprisals against Unionist supporters in the area. General Macready concluded that reprisals did not work:
‘If the military burned a cottage, then the Sinn Feiners burned two, then the military four, and so on. Guinness pointed out in the House last night that the military having burned a cottage, the Sinn Feiners burned a mansion’
Arthur Mitchell ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & McMillan 1996. P272
De Valera commenting on British approaches for talks ‘The blossoms are not the fruit but the precursors of the fruit – beware how you pluck them.’
Conor O’Clery ‘Ireland in Quotes’ The O’Brien Press Dublin 1999 p.52
The American Embassy in London reported to Washington of a conversation between the British Home Secretary and the Director of Intelligence indicating that De Valera’s appeals to the US for more financial aid proved the exhaustion of the Dail Government fiscal resources.
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p175
For additional news-clippings and articles, click here
5
The Assistant under-secretary, A.A.Cope organised a meeting between Sir James Craig and De Valera in the home of a solicitor in Howth, Tom Greene. Cope took Craig to Lord Justice O’Connor’s house at 10.20am where they met and had talks with Fr O’Flanagan. At 11, a man came with a car to bring Craig to de Valera. Craig was driven around the city by his I.R.A escort in an effort to dis-orient him as to the meetings location. Cope had led each leader to believe the other wished to meet them and while nothing resulted from this meeting, it was rumoured that Lloyd George was furious at this Dublin Castle ‘interference’.
Craig later commented that de Valera was a man of haggard appearance, dry lips and an excitable manner and that de Valera had delivered a history lesson to him.
Sturgis wrote what Andy Cope had been told by Craig before seeing him off on the 3pm train to Belfast..’de Valera was like a hunted hare – obviously speaking like a gramophone – Republic – ’98 – the republican mandate from the Irish people which had not bene revoked etc etc Ulster should join with the South to win the former, the South can hit the North hard etc if she stands out. They had what exactly Craig had been told to expect, a preliminary talk with nothing definite done but with every reasonable prospect of further meeting. Craig said ‘well, we’ve met and must meet again and next time it ought to be in an Orange Lodge’. De Valera said ‘Yes that’s fair enough’. Craig said definitely that he could and would never agree to a Republic – he suggested that they both should consider their position an then go together with their demands to the PM…de Valera agreed at once to Craig’s suggestion that the fact should be made public. The fact that they have met and will publish it is very near, if not quite a public sign that Sinn Fein will accept less than a Republic – for if they know they are absolutely irreconcilable, why meet at all. Each wrote out ‘Sir James Craig and Mr de Valera held an informal conference at which their respective points of view were interchanged. The future of Ireland was discussed’. Each signed his copy and gave it to the other. Craig told Andy that he considered that Sinn Fein was absolutley on the edge….Craig will meet the Northern newspaper big wigs tonight and has summoned a meeting of his party tomorrow. I forget whether it was to de Valera or O’Flanagan…that Craig said ‘The day of miracles is past. I don’t expect my people to hang around your necks just yet or you round ours.’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 171-2
The two never met again.
Dumont, the US Consul in Dublin offered his services to Dublin Castle as an intermediary to receive proposals from both sides.
By this stage in May, the British Cabinet Committee on the Situation in Ireland, dominated as it was by Unionists, were loudly calling for martial law thoughout the 26 counties.
Lord French was replaced as Lord Lieutenant by Lord FitzAlan (1855-1947 ), a civilian and Catholic, the first to hold the post since the Union and to be the last Lord Lieutenant. While seen as a conciliatory gesture by the British Government, it was viewed more along the lines of a comment by Cardinal Logue that ‘ We would as soon have a Catholic hangman’
Six Lord Justices were sworn in by the new Lord Lieutenant, including for the first time, 3 Catholics.
Only thirteen paying spectators attend the football match between Leicester City and Stockport County played at Old Trafford, the lowest attendance in The Football League's history.
The centenary of the death of Napoleon Bonaparte was marked with a topical cartoon by John Cassel in the Evening World New York. The Kaiser's attempt at world power that came to naught and the 'I could have told you' admonition from a ghostly Napoleon. History repeated itself again within twenty years.
5
The Assistant under-secretary, A.A.Cope organised a meeting between Sir James Craig and De Valera in the home of a solicitor in Howth, Tom Greene. Cope took Craig to Lord Justice O’Connor’s house at 10.20am where they met and had talks with Fr O’Flanagan. At 11, a man came with a car to bring Craig to de Valera. Craig was driven around the city by his I.R.A escort in an effort to dis-orient him as to the meetings location. Cope had led each leader to believe the other wished to meet them and while nothing resulted from this meeting, it was rumoured that Lloyd George was furious at this Dublin Castle ‘interference’.
Craig later commented that de Valera was a man of haggard appearance, dry lips and an excitable manner and that de Valera had delivered a history lesson to him.
Sturgis wrote what Andy Cope had been told by Craig before seeing him off on the 3pm train to Belfast..’de Valera was like a hunted hare – obviously speaking like a gramophone – Republic – ’98 – the republican mandate from the Irish people which had not bene revoked etc etc Ulster should join with the South to win the former, the South can hit the North hard etc if she stands out. They had what exactly Craig had been told to expect, a preliminary talk with nothing definite done but with every reasonable prospect of further meeting. Craig said ‘well, we’ve met and must meet again and next time it ought to be in an Orange Lodge’. De Valera said ‘Yes that’s fair enough’. Craig said definitely that he could and would never agree to a Republic – he suggested that they both should consider their position an then go together with their demands to the PM…de Valera agreed at once to Craig’s suggestion that the fact should be made public. The fact that they have met and will publish it is very near, if not quite a public sign that Sinn Fein will accept less than a Republic – for if they know they are absolutely irreconcilable, why meet at all. Each wrote out ‘Sir James Craig and Mr de Valera held an informal conference at which their respective points of view were interchanged. The future of Ireland was discussed’. Each signed his copy and gave it to the other. Craig told Andy that he considered that Sinn Fein was absolutley on the edge….Craig will meet the Northern newspaper big wigs tonight and has summoned a meeting of his party tomorrow. I forget whether it was to de Valera or O’Flanagan…that Craig said ‘The day of miracles is past. I don’t expect my people to hang around your necks just yet or you round ours.’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 171-2
The two never met again.
Dumont, the US Consul in Dublin offered his services to Dublin Castle as an intermediary to receive proposals from both sides.
By this stage in May, the British Cabinet Committee on the Situation in Ireland, dominated as it was by Unionists, were loudly calling for martial law thoughout the 26 counties.
Lord French was replaced as Lord Lieutenant by Lord FitzAlan (1855-1947 ), a civilian and Catholic, the first to hold the post since the Union and to be the last Lord Lieutenant. While seen as a conciliatory gesture by the British Government, it was viewed more along the lines of a comment by Cardinal Logue that ‘ We would as soon have a Catholic hangman’
Six Lord Justices were sworn in by the new Lord Lieutenant, including for the first time, 3 Catholics.
Only thirteen paying spectators attend the football match between Leicester City and Stockport County played at Old Trafford, the lowest attendance in The Football League's history.
The centenary of the death of Napoleon Bonaparte was marked with a topical cartoon by John Cassel in the Evening World New York. The Kaiser's attempt at world power that came to naught and the 'I could have told you' admonition from a ghostly Napoleon. History repeated itself again within twenty years.
For additional news-clippings and articles, click here
6
Dublin press carried such headlines as ‘However far apart they are, this is a really big step’ on the Craig-De Valera meeting. Craig’s meeting to the Ulster Unionist Council received approval and said that the South should accept the Act and make their demands through their elected representatives in Parliament.
An IRA ambush at Islandeady, between Westport and Castlebar were surprised by British forces. Two IRA men killed and two captured.
Sergeant James Kingston (48) from Clonakility was killed in an ambush near Newtown, Co. Tipperary.
The German-Russian Provisional Agreement is signed; Germany recognises the Soviet regime in Russia.
The Montreal Daily Star wrote ‘The Irish cause against England does not today enjoy the well nigh universal support it once did in America…the resentment of the war abstention had somewhat passed but there has been no recovery of the old American automatic sympathy with the Irish cause’.
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p175
6
Dublin press carried such headlines as ‘However far apart they are, this is a really big step’ on the Craig-De Valera meeting. Craig’s meeting to the Ulster Unionist Council received approval and said that the South should accept the Act and make their demands through their elected representatives in Parliament.
An IRA ambush at Islandeady, between Westport and Castlebar were surprised by British forces. Two IRA men killed and two captured.
Sergeant James Kingston (48) from Clonakility was killed in an ambush near Newtown, Co. Tipperary.
The German-Russian Provisional Agreement is signed; Germany recognises the Soviet regime in Russia.
The Montreal Daily Star wrote ‘The Irish cause against England does not today enjoy the well nigh universal support it once did in America…the resentment of the war abstention had somewhat passed but there has been no recovery of the old American automatic sympathy with the Irish cause’.
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p175
7
Thoughout the campaign for independence, none of the Irish Volunteers was paid anything other than subsistence allowances. ‘ The British officials simply could not fathom people working without pay. In fact not more than 300 of the persons employed in the entire underground Government services received pay, and most of these received very little.’
Arthur Mitchell. ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & Mcmillan. 1995. P269
Sergeant Murray was killed near Ballynacargy, Co. Westmeath.
Constable Frederick Depreee (19) from London was killed in an ambush at Inch, Co. Wexford.
Constable Thomas Hopkins (21) was killed while home on leave near Lefane, Co. Mayo.
General Macready in a letter to Anderson in Dublin Castle raised the question of unemployment benefit ‘What about the continued payment of unemployment pay to gentlemen belonging to the I.R.A who are out of civil work, but employed on their particular military duties against us?’
Some official thinking within the British Administration in Ireland was that any truce would be an opportunity for the IRA to rearm and reorganise. Dublin Castle thoughts on the Truce are evident in Sturgis’ diaries: ‘A truce means a big risk and we muct take risks to accomplish anything. The only question is how much?…the betting is I think on this side rather than that of a feverish reorganisation of the Republican forces during a cease fire period.’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 174
Lloyd George in a speech to the National Unionist Association in Maidstone, Kent said he welcomed the meetings of the heads in the North and South. His difficulty had always been to get them to just come and talk and this was a hopeful start.
Thoughout the campaign for independence, none of the Irish Volunteers was paid anything other than subsistence allowances. ‘ The British officials simply could not fathom people working without pay. In fact not more than 300 of the persons employed in the entire underground Government services received pay, and most of these received very little.’
Arthur Mitchell. ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & Mcmillan. 1995. P269
Sergeant Murray was killed near Ballynacargy, Co. Westmeath.
Constable Frederick Depreee (19) from London was killed in an ambush at Inch, Co. Wexford.
Constable Thomas Hopkins (21) was killed while home on leave near Lefane, Co. Mayo.
General Macready in a letter to Anderson in Dublin Castle raised the question of unemployment benefit ‘What about the continued payment of unemployment pay to gentlemen belonging to the I.R.A who are out of civil work, but employed on their particular military duties against us?’
Some official thinking within the British Administration in Ireland was that any truce would be an opportunity for the IRA to rearm and reorganise. Dublin Castle thoughts on the Truce are evident in Sturgis’ diaries: ‘A truce means a big risk and we muct take risks to accomplish anything. The only question is how much?…the betting is I think on this side rather than that of a feverish reorganisation of the Republican forces during a cease fire period.’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 174
Lloyd George in a speech to the National Unionist Association in Maidstone, Kent said he welcomed the meetings of the heads in the North and South. His difficulty had always been to get them to just come and talk and this was a hopeful start.
For additional news-clippings and articles, click here
8
Sweden – Capital punishment abolished.
Head Constable William K Storey was killed near Castleisland, Co. Kerry as he was returning from church.
An IRA training camp was surrounded by British troops and Auxiliaries in the Lappanduff Hills, County Cavan, sparking a two-hour firefight. An IRA volunteer was killed and eleven captured, all of them from the Belfast Brigade.
British forces in Carrigtwohil, Cork, shot dead an IRA volunteer
Constable Frederick Sterland (23) from Birmingham was killed in Cook Street, Cork.
District Inspector Potter’s wife received a package with a Cahir postmark containing her husband’s diary, will, signet ring, gold watch and a poignant letter. His funeral was not until August 30th.
A recurring theme in the United States press during the late spring and early summer of 1921 was the representation of the duplicitous, dishonest German pleading inability to pay the war reparations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles. The only solution, according to French, British and American political (and cartoonist) opinion, was military force including the threat of occupation of the Ruhr.
8
Sweden – Capital punishment abolished.
Head Constable William K Storey was killed near Castleisland, Co. Kerry as he was returning from church.
An IRA training camp was surrounded by British troops and Auxiliaries in the Lappanduff Hills, County Cavan, sparking a two-hour firefight. An IRA volunteer was killed and eleven captured, all of them from the Belfast Brigade.
British forces in Carrigtwohil, Cork, shot dead an IRA volunteer
Constable Frederick Sterland (23) from Birmingham was killed in Cook Street, Cork.
District Inspector Potter’s wife received a package with a Cahir postmark containing her husband’s diary, will, signet ring, gold watch and a poignant letter. His funeral was not until August 30th.
A recurring theme in the United States press during the late spring and early summer of 1921 was the representation of the duplicitous, dishonest German pleading inability to pay the war reparations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles. The only solution, according to French, British and American political (and cartoonist) opinion, was military force including the threat of occupation of the Ruhr.
For additional news-clippings and articles, click here
9
Erskine Childers and Frank Gallagher were arrested and taken to Dublin Castle for interrogation. Andy Cope intervened and both were released that evening following a discussion between them. After this, Erskine Childers went ‘on the run’.
In Kerry, near Castleisland, two RIC men were shot by IRA volunteers on their way home from Mass. One was killed, the other saved when his wife covered him with her body.
Attack on Dundrum RIC barracks, County Dublin. When the IRA attacking party had withdrawn the RIC and B&T's came out of the Barracks presumably to search for the attackers. Some IRA men had remained hidden near to the barracks and threw two grenades into the middle of the assembled RIC and B&T's. One IRA volunteer was wounded. Number of constables and B&Ts killed unclear.
9
Erskine Childers and Frank Gallagher were arrested and taken to Dublin Castle for interrogation. Andy Cope intervened and both were released that evening following a discussion between them. After this, Erskine Childers went ‘on the run’.
In Kerry, near Castleisland, two RIC men were shot by IRA volunteers on their way home from Mass. One was killed, the other saved when his wife covered him with her body.
Attack on Dundrum RIC barracks, County Dublin. When the IRA attacking party had withdrawn the RIC and B&T's came out of the Barracks presumably to search for the attackers. Some IRA men had remained hidden near to the barracks and threw two grenades into the middle of the assembled RIC and B&T's. One IRA volunteer was wounded. Number of constables and B&Ts killed unclear.
10
The 21st meeting and 12th and last session of the First Parliament of Dail Eireann met secretly at an undisclosed location in Dublin and with the lowest number of TD’s attending, 21. De Valera addressed them saying ‘they had now come to the point in which they had turned the corner. It was only a question now of keeping up the constructive effort and keeping the country with them’
A resolution of Dáil Éireann on this date held that elections as a result of the Government of Ireland Act 1920 to establish the House of Commons of Southern Ireland and The House of Commons of Northern Ireland were to be regarded as elections to Dáil Éireann and that all those returned at these elections be regarded as members of Dáil Éireann
London’s view now was that any truce move must originate from Sinn Fein and not from Downing Street. Lloyd George continued some sabre rattling with one hand and talks of peace with the other.
Lord Fitzalan, the new Lord Lieutenant mentioned to Sturgis’s wife that ‘they lunched with the King the other day who is mightly displeased with the lot of us and all our works. Pitched into the Government all through lunch and said he hated the idea of the Black & Tans.’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 176
Constables Alexander Clarke (20) and Charles Murdock (26) were abducted and killed near Binnion & Clonmany, Co. Donegal.
The body of one washed up onshore the next day,the other was reportedly buried in a bog.
Attack on Cabinteely RIC barracks, County Dublin with grenades from a motor car at the front entrance and with rifles from the rear by IRA men from the 6th Battalion Dublin Brigade.
Frank P Walsh in a letter to Sean T. O’Kelly commented that The American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic was now claiming 965,000 members, substantially more than te 100,000 members the Friends of Irish Freedom had in 1919.
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p173
Detroit – Henry Ford turns out a record 4,072 cars in one day.
U.S. President Harding issues executive order transferring management of the Navy's emergency oil field deposits to the Department of the Interior. One of the oil fields was located at Teapot Dome, near Caspar, Wyoming. The rationale was that private development of the lands would protect emergency military oil stocks from being siphoned off by wells on adjacent lands. The deal is thought to be a win-win situation, allowing developers to profit from the oil while setting aside part of it in reserve for naval emergencies. However, the leases were issued at preferential rates and without competitive bidding and the Secretary of the Interior, Albert Bacon Fall was to be indicted of accepting bribes from the successful oil companies and jailed.
Before the 1974 Watergate scandal, Teapot Dome came to be regarded as the "greatest and most sensational scandal in the history of American politics". It damaged the reputation of the Harding administration. Congress subsequently passed legislation, enduring to this day, giving subpoena power to the House and Senate for review of tax records of any US citizen without regard to elected or appointed position, nor subject to White House interference
11
Henry Wilson, Chief of the Imperial Staff was strident against any negotiations with Sinn Fein: ‘We are having more success than usual in killing rebels and now is the time to reinforce and not to parley.’
Conor O’Clery ‘Ireland in Quotes’ The O’Brien Press Dublin 1999 p.52
Special Constable Alfred Craig was killed in Ship Street, Belfast.
A party of Black and Tans shoot dead Christopher Folan, Woodquay, Galway, and injure Joseph Folan, while searching the family home for James Folan, Battalion-Quartermaster of the Galway Brigade, who had just been released from prison for republican activities. They then went to another house and shot dead Hubert Tully, a republican suspect and contact of Seán Broderick, a Galway republican leader
Germany: The German Government finally agreed to pay the war reparations.
Henry Wilson, Chief of the Imperial Staff was strident against any negotiations with Sinn Fein: ‘We are having more success than usual in killing rebels and now is the time to reinforce and not to parley.’
Conor O’Clery ‘Ireland in Quotes’ The O’Brien Press Dublin 1999 p.52
Special Constable Alfred Craig was killed in Ship Street, Belfast.
A party of Black and Tans shoot dead Christopher Folan, Woodquay, Galway, and injure Joseph Folan, while searching the family home for James Folan, Battalion-Quartermaster of the Galway Brigade, who had just been released from prison for republican activities. They then went to another house and shot dead Hubert Tully, a republican suspect and contact of Seán Broderick, a Galway republican leader
Germany: The German Government finally agreed to pay the war reparations.
12
At a Cabinet meeting, opinion divided predictably along Liberal & Conservative lines with Lloyd George and Shortt the only Liberals against a Truce while the five remaining Liberals supported a cease-fire. Anderson disagreed with the Cabinet majority saying that he thought the time was right for a gesture ‘It would be a thousand pities to let it slip’. Lloyd George however, spelled out his staunch opposition to any further concessions. When Fisher urged the Prime Minister to ‘seize the first opportunity’, Lloyd George replied: ‘Ive taken part in two or three acts of this kind. We sent back deportees and they laughed at us. Did the same at the Convention and after the Easter Rebellion. Every one a failure; there was no response from the Irish and they took full advantage of us…I cant see myself signing away right to levy tariffs on Great Britain. That means war. We’d have to reconquer Ireland. Give them army and navy and they’d intrigue in USA and all this in order to save one, two or three year of an unpleasant business of this kind.. I gravely urge that we should not be in a hurry. I've given tremendous thought to this. We’ve been generous in the Home Rule Act. Anything beyond that would contain germs of trouble…now you’ve deprived them of every legitimate grievance’.
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p193
Sir Henry Wilson stated ‘ we are having more success than usual in killing rebels and now is the time to reinforce and not to parley..’
Despite Wilson’s bravado, a secret general order was issued to Commanders that the troops were to ‘observe a policy of friendliness towards civilians owing to the fact that the I.R.A had been broken up and the crown forces were only dealing with ‘wandering bands’. The policy probably had more to do with the need for a peaceful setting for the Home Rule elections that it did with the supposed defeat of the I.R.A.’
Arthur Mitchell ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & McMillan 1996. P276
A group of Black and Tans traveling from Listowel towards Athea arrested three young men in Gortaglanna. Prior to this the barracks in Listowel had been burnt out and the troops decided to execute the young men in revenge. One of the men, Dalton, attempted to free himself from captivity and escaped, though wounded. Both of the other two men are shot on the spot.
At a Cabinet meeting, opinion divided predictably along Liberal & Conservative lines with Lloyd George and Shortt the only Liberals against a Truce while the five remaining Liberals supported a cease-fire. Anderson disagreed with the Cabinet majority saying that he thought the time was right for a gesture ‘It would be a thousand pities to let it slip’. Lloyd George however, spelled out his staunch opposition to any further concessions. When Fisher urged the Prime Minister to ‘seize the first opportunity’, Lloyd George replied: ‘Ive taken part in two or three acts of this kind. We sent back deportees and they laughed at us. Did the same at the Convention and after the Easter Rebellion. Every one a failure; there was no response from the Irish and they took full advantage of us…I cant see myself signing away right to levy tariffs on Great Britain. That means war. We’d have to reconquer Ireland. Give them army and navy and they’d intrigue in USA and all this in order to save one, two or three year of an unpleasant business of this kind.. I gravely urge that we should not be in a hurry. I've given tremendous thought to this. We’ve been generous in the Home Rule Act. Anything beyond that would contain germs of trouble…now you’ve deprived them of every legitimate grievance’.
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p193
Sir Henry Wilson stated ‘ we are having more success than usual in killing rebels and now is the time to reinforce and not to parley..’
Despite Wilson’s bravado, a secret general order was issued to Commanders that the troops were to ‘observe a policy of friendliness towards civilians owing to the fact that the I.R.A had been broken up and the crown forces were only dealing with ‘wandering bands’. The policy probably had more to do with the need for a peaceful setting for the Home Rule elections that it did with the supposed defeat of the I.R.A.’
Arthur Mitchell ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & McMillan 1996. P276
A group of Black and Tans traveling from Listowel towards Athea arrested three young men in Gortaglanna. Prior to this the barracks in Listowel had been burnt out and the troops decided to execute the young men in revenge. One of the men, Dalton, attempted to free himself from captivity and escaped, though wounded. Both of the other two men are shot on the spot.
13
Nominations closed for the new Parliaments under the Government of Ireland Act with the Republican Government declaring that the elections in Ireland would be considered as for the new Dail Eireann.
Of the 128 seats available in the 26 counties, 124 Sinn Fein candidates were proposed unoposed, the only Unionist seats being the 4 in Trinity. No Home Rule candidate decided to run and the Labour party stood aside. With no opposition and no other candidates for the seats, there was no election.
In Ulster, Sinn Fein was forced to accommodate the Irish Parliamentary Party but with both parties promoting second preferences to the other. 21 candidates were put forward by each party.
Arthur Griffith and Eoin MacNeil were both standing for Sinn Fein seats in Ulster and while jailed in Mountjoy. The Chief Secretary appeared to be agreeable for their release to canvass for votes in their areas.
Constable Alfred Skeats (24) from London was wounded in an IRA attack in Cabinteely, Co. Dublin and died 28th May.
Nominations closed for the new Parliaments under the Government of Ireland Act with the Republican Government declaring that the elections in Ireland would be considered as for the new Dail Eireann.
Of the 128 seats available in the 26 counties, 124 Sinn Fein candidates were proposed unoposed, the only Unionist seats being the 4 in Trinity. No Home Rule candidate decided to run and the Labour party stood aside. With no opposition and no other candidates for the seats, there was no election.
In Ulster, Sinn Fein was forced to accommodate the Irish Parliamentary Party but with both parties promoting second preferences to the other. 21 candidates were put forward by each party.
Arthur Griffith and Eoin MacNeil were both standing for Sinn Fein seats in Ulster and while jailed in Mountjoy. The Chief Secretary appeared to be agreeable for their release to canvass for votes in their areas.
Constable Alfred Skeats (24) from London was wounded in an IRA attack in Cabinteely, Co. Dublin and died 28th May.
For additional news-clippings and articles, click here
14
10 RIC officers and a civilan were killed in a co-ordinated series of attacks in Cork, Kerry and Limerick by the IRA:
Constable John Kenna (24) from Tipperary was killed near Innishannon, Co. Cork.
Sergeant Joseph Coleman (39) from London and Constables Thomas Cornyn (35) from Cavan & Harold Thompson (28) frm Australia were killed in Midleton, Co. Cork.
Constable Robert Redmond (43) from Wickow was on leave in Dublin when he was shot and killed.
Constables Peter Carolan (35) from Cavan, Patrick Hayles (49) from Cork and John Ryle were killed in an ambush on their seven man RIC parol on Watercourse Road, Cork.
Constable Thomas Bridges (21) from Roscommon was shot and killed in Drumcollegher, Co. Limerick.
Head Constable Francis Benson (42) was killed as he left his home in Tralee, Co. Kerry.
District Inspector Harry Biggs (26) from Hampshire along with Ms Barrington, daughter of Sir Charles Barrington of Glenstal Abbey, Co Limerick were killed in an ambush led by Paddy Ryan Lacken.
IRA in Castletownbere, led by Michael Óg O'Sullivan, kill four soldiers of the King's Own Scottish Borderers and wound two others at Furious Pier.
Craig in a meeting with Andy Cope produced an agenda what Ulster would agree to for Southern Ireland:
While this was being discussed in Belfast, a rescue plan to spring Sean McEoin* from death row in Mountjoy was put into action. Planned by Collins, at 9.30am, an armoured car was captured by the IRA from an abbatoir near the North Circular Road in Dublin where the army regularly picked up meat. Two soldiers were killed and the armoured car, driven by Emmet Dalton wearing his Great War uniform along with Joe Leonard, entered Mountjoy prison and in a cockney accent announced he was Captain Dawson and was looking for prisoner John McKeown. Accompanying him were a number of Volunteers dressed as delivery men carrying parcels. As the gate opened, the guard was rushed and disarmed. Two of the ‘officers’ broke into the Governor’s Office and tied up Governor Munro and staff. Shortly afterwards, a passing sentry fired on the raiding party and took cover behind what he thought was a ‘friendly’ armoured car and was himself taken prisoner. Inside the Governor’s Office, hearing the shot and fearing they had been rumbled, the men abandoned the Governor and staff. Munro on the other hand thought the shot signalled the beginning of an IRA attack on the prison. The raiding party shot its way out of the prison.
‘According to the official report, the incident closed with ‘something approaching internecine warfare at the Governor’s office door, the Governor holding it against what he thinks are rebels, and the party in the passage actually consisting of soldiers and warders battering in the door under the impression that the Governor and staff are still at the point of a revolver inside. The ‘Peerless’ armoured car was later found abandoned on the Malahide Road in Clontarf. It had run out of petrol.’
Tim Carey. ‘Mountjoy – The Story of a Prison’ The Collins Press, Dublin 2000.p190
McEoin remained on death row.
* McEoin, Sean. OC Longford Brigade IRA, Free State TD and General, unsuccesful candidate for Presidency 1945 & 1959.
IRA units in Britain now began to target homes in Britain of serving members of the RIC. Shootings and burnings took place over two days in London, St Albans and Liverpool.
14
10 RIC officers and a civilan were killed in a co-ordinated series of attacks in Cork, Kerry and Limerick by the IRA:
Constable John Kenna (24) from Tipperary was killed near Innishannon, Co. Cork.
Sergeant Joseph Coleman (39) from London and Constables Thomas Cornyn (35) from Cavan & Harold Thompson (28) frm Australia were killed in Midleton, Co. Cork.
Constable Robert Redmond (43) from Wickow was on leave in Dublin when he was shot and killed.
Constables Peter Carolan (35) from Cavan, Patrick Hayles (49) from Cork and John Ryle were killed in an ambush on their seven man RIC parol on Watercourse Road, Cork.
Constable Thomas Bridges (21) from Roscommon was shot and killed in Drumcollegher, Co. Limerick.
Head Constable Francis Benson (42) was killed as he left his home in Tralee, Co. Kerry.
District Inspector Harry Biggs (26) from Hampshire along with Ms Barrington, daughter of Sir Charles Barrington of Glenstal Abbey, Co Limerick were killed in an ambush led by Paddy Ryan Lacken.
IRA in Castletownbere, led by Michael Óg O'Sullivan, kill four soldiers of the King's Own Scottish Borderers and wound two others at Furious Pier.
Craig in a meeting with Andy Cope produced an agenda what Ulster would agree to for Southern Ireland:
- No Republic
- Full fiscal autonomy for all Ireland subject to one condition – free trade with England to be administered only.
- An Exchequer Board for all Ireland under the Council of Ireland
- Ireland to shoulder a part of the National Debt,amount to be discussed.
- If Sinn Fein agrees to this, Craig will meet de Valera in London and ask the PM for a truce pending settlement of details.
While this was being discussed in Belfast, a rescue plan to spring Sean McEoin* from death row in Mountjoy was put into action. Planned by Collins, at 9.30am, an armoured car was captured by the IRA from an abbatoir near the North Circular Road in Dublin where the army regularly picked up meat. Two soldiers were killed and the armoured car, driven by Emmet Dalton wearing his Great War uniform along with Joe Leonard, entered Mountjoy prison and in a cockney accent announced he was Captain Dawson and was looking for prisoner John McKeown. Accompanying him were a number of Volunteers dressed as delivery men carrying parcels. As the gate opened, the guard was rushed and disarmed. Two of the ‘officers’ broke into the Governor’s Office and tied up Governor Munro and staff. Shortly afterwards, a passing sentry fired on the raiding party and took cover behind what he thought was a ‘friendly’ armoured car and was himself taken prisoner. Inside the Governor’s Office, hearing the shot and fearing they had been rumbled, the men abandoned the Governor and staff. Munro on the other hand thought the shot signalled the beginning of an IRA attack on the prison. The raiding party shot its way out of the prison.
‘According to the official report, the incident closed with ‘something approaching internecine warfare at the Governor’s office door, the Governor holding it against what he thinks are rebels, and the party in the passage actually consisting of soldiers and warders battering in the door under the impression that the Governor and staff are still at the point of a revolver inside. The ‘Peerless’ armoured car was later found abandoned on the Malahide Road in Clontarf. It had run out of petrol.’
Tim Carey. ‘Mountjoy – The Story of a Prison’ The Collins Press, Dublin 2000.p190
McEoin remained on death row.
* McEoin, Sean. OC Longford Brigade IRA, Free State TD and General, unsuccesful candidate for Presidency 1945 & 1959.
IRA units in Britain now began to target homes in Britain of serving members of the RIC. Shootings and burnings took place over two days in London, St Albans and Liverpool.
For additional news-clippings and articles, click here
15
Concern was expressed as skirts rose and ‘morals declined’ in Europe and the US ‘..Thousands of women are revealing the calves of their legs. In America where there has been widespread condemnation of the trend towards ‘minimum clothes, maximum cosmetics’, Utah is considering imprisoning inappropriately dressed women. The fashionable young woman of today tries to emulate men. She has a flat chest, straight clothes and short hair. Almost everywhere, the corset is in decline...women say they want styles that reflect their new freedom...guardians of traditional values however, are worried that the styles encourage loose behaviour, especially when combined with other disturbing new trends among women: smoking, drinking, wearing makeup and dancing the latest wild dances. New York state, shocked by such dances, has just passed a law giving the State Commissioner the power to censor them’
Constable Hugh McLean (21) from Scotland was killed near Skibbereen, Co. Cork. He had resigned from the force and was working out his notice.
Constable John Nutley (21) from Galway was killed as he and a group of officers left church in Bansha, Co. Tipperary.
Constable Joseph Daly (20) and another officer were reported missing from the Barracks in Tipperary.
Ballyturin House Ambush: An IRA unit in County Galway ambushed a motor car as it left Ballyturin House near Gort. Two Army officers were shot dead, along with an RIC District Inspector Cecil Arthur Blake and his wife. Margaret Gregory, daughter-in-law of Lady Gregory, was unharmed. The RIC came under fire when they arrived at the scene; one constable (John Kearney) was wounded and died six days later.
British forces in Carrigtwohil, Cork, shoot three civilians dead.
Execution of Peter Grey (or Graham), a purported spy, at Killiney, County Dublin golf links by IRA Volunteers from the 6th Battalion Dublin Brigade.
Sgt S Goldsmith of Royal Fusiliers thrown off bicycle and seriously wounded by two men at Kenmare Co Kerry; dies of injuries ten days later.
Sturgis commented on the deaths ‘Sometimes its hard to believe any reprisal is too bad…if the IRA upset the apple cart now its nobody’s fault but theirs…the only thing to do is to keep one’s balance and no get rushed, but Gawd how angry it makes me to see these blasted arrogant idiots playing the garden ass like this. The temptation to loose ones temper and say if you really want war then have it hot and strong must be almost irresistable to those who have the power – only I suppose one must go on trying to look ahead at the long result. We are so near settlement – it’s a jumpy time’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 178
Eamon Duggan (1874-1936) Solicitor and Irish Volunteer, Director of Intelligence 1918 – jailed in Mountjoy met with Andy Cope ‘who told him the weekend outrages were not an anti-peace move but a coincidence. Along prepared plan to make a military splash after the elections to emphasise no change of policy – he deplored the accidental shootings of women…’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 174
15
Concern was expressed as skirts rose and ‘morals declined’ in Europe and the US ‘..Thousands of women are revealing the calves of their legs. In America where there has been widespread condemnation of the trend towards ‘minimum clothes, maximum cosmetics’, Utah is considering imprisoning inappropriately dressed women. The fashionable young woman of today tries to emulate men. She has a flat chest, straight clothes and short hair. Almost everywhere, the corset is in decline...women say they want styles that reflect their new freedom...guardians of traditional values however, are worried that the styles encourage loose behaviour, especially when combined with other disturbing new trends among women: smoking, drinking, wearing makeup and dancing the latest wild dances. New York state, shocked by such dances, has just passed a law giving the State Commissioner the power to censor them’
Constable Hugh McLean (21) from Scotland was killed near Skibbereen, Co. Cork. He had resigned from the force and was working out his notice.
Constable John Nutley (21) from Galway was killed as he and a group of officers left church in Bansha, Co. Tipperary.
Constable Joseph Daly (20) and another officer were reported missing from the Barracks in Tipperary.
Ballyturin House Ambush: An IRA unit in County Galway ambushed a motor car as it left Ballyturin House near Gort. Two Army officers were shot dead, along with an RIC District Inspector Cecil Arthur Blake and his wife. Margaret Gregory, daughter-in-law of Lady Gregory, was unharmed. The RIC came under fire when they arrived at the scene; one constable (John Kearney) was wounded and died six days later.
British forces in Carrigtwohil, Cork, shoot three civilians dead.
Execution of Peter Grey (or Graham), a purported spy, at Killiney, County Dublin golf links by IRA Volunteers from the 6th Battalion Dublin Brigade.
Sgt S Goldsmith of Royal Fusiliers thrown off bicycle and seriously wounded by two men at Kenmare Co Kerry; dies of injuries ten days later.
Sturgis commented on the deaths ‘Sometimes its hard to believe any reprisal is too bad…if the IRA upset the apple cart now its nobody’s fault but theirs…the only thing to do is to keep one’s balance and no get rushed, but Gawd how angry it makes me to see these blasted arrogant idiots playing the garden ass like this. The temptation to loose ones temper and say if you really want war then have it hot and strong must be almost irresistable to those who have the power – only I suppose one must go on trying to look ahead at the long result. We are so near settlement – it’s a jumpy time’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 178
Eamon Duggan (1874-1936) Solicitor and Irish Volunteer, Director of Intelligence 1918 – jailed in Mountjoy met with Andy Cope ‘who told him the weekend outrages were not an anti-peace move but a coincidence. Along prepared plan to make a military splash after the elections to emphasise no change of policy – he deplored the accidental shootings of women…’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 174
17
An Irish Volunteer, Dan O’Brien executed by firing squad in Cork Jail.
Andy Cope met with Joe O’Reilly ‘Head lad’ of Michael Collins who agreed that the killings of the women was deplorable. Andy said ‘So your gunmen are out of hand’ He replied ‘Individuals in our army sometimes go too far just as they do in yours’. He gave the view of Michael Collins that the IRA soldiers must carry on just as ours do while the negotiations are afoot, then if negotiations are successful, down comes the curtain. He and Andy discussed the possibility of strife and bloodshed in Ulster over the elections, and both said that all possible steps to guard against this would be taken. He saw nothing in the Craig agenda which would prove an insuperable bar to settlement and peace…’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 178
Collins writing to Art O’Brian in London commented on the numbers of Irish Volunteers ‘departing the country without permission’…. ‘ We find many cases of deserters from Ireland being looked after and helped by our friends in England. If this sort of thing were stopped, it would do immense good here’
O’Brien Papers. NLI. MS 8430
Collins writing to Art O’Brien: ‘Things have been very hard. In fact, too hard…. I am somewhat late in replying as the enemy brushed shoulders with me Thursday and with my staff. They didn’t get very much, but they got a few things that I wold much rather they had not got…they just walked into the office where they expected to find me working. The information was good, and I ought to have been there at the time. It happened, however, that I was not. Neither was my staff. It was the most providential escape yet. It will probably have the effect of making them think that I am even more mysterious than they believe me to be, and that is saying a good deal…’
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p77
Constable Edmund Kenyon (22) from Kidare was killed in an ambush near Rathcline, Co. Longford.
Two IRA volunteers are killed in an attempted ambush of an RIC patrol at Barrowhouse, county Kildare
Constables Edward Doran (22) and John Dunne (24) killed while serving sumonses in Kinnity, Co, Laois.
Constable Charles Mead (36) was reported missing at Ballyseedy, Co. Kerry. Reports at the time stated that a man wearing an RIC uniform was shot by two men, blood was on the spot and there were traces of blood from that spot for half a mile across country. His body was not recovered.
A Private of 8th Royal Marine Battalion RMLI was kidnapped and killed
Dublin Castle advised the Chief Secretary that they were against the release of Arthur Griffith and Eoin MacNeil for the purpose of electioneering in Ulster.
US – population now standing at 105,710, 620.
An Irish Volunteer, Dan O’Brien executed by firing squad in Cork Jail.
Andy Cope met with Joe O’Reilly ‘Head lad’ of Michael Collins who agreed that the killings of the women was deplorable. Andy said ‘So your gunmen are out of hand’ He replied ‘Individuals in our army sometimes go too far just as they do in yours’. He gave the view of Michael Collins that the IRA soldiers must carry on just as ours do while the negotiations are afoot, then if negotiations are successful, down comes the curtain. He and Andy discussed the possibility of strife and bloodshed in Ulster over the elections, and both said that all possible steps to guard against this would be taken. He saw nothing in the Craig agenda which would prove an insuperable bar to settlement and peace…’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 178
Collins writing to Art O’Brian in London commented on the numbers of Irish Volunteers ‘departing the country without permission’…. ‘ We find many cases of deserters from Ireland being looked after and helped by our friends in England. If this sort of thing were stopped, it would do immense good here’
O’Brien Papers. NLI. MS 8430
Collins writing to Art O’Brien: ‘Things have been very hard. In fact, too hard…. I am somewhat late in replying as the enemy brushed shoulders with me Thursday and with my staff. They didn’t get very much, but they got a few things that I wold much rather they had not got…they just walked into the office where they expected to find me working. The information was good, and I ought to have been there at the time. It happened, however, that I was not. Neither was my staff. It was the most providential escape yet. It will probably have the effect of making them think that I am even more mysterious than they believe me to be, and that is saying a good deal…’
Michael Hopkinson ’The Irish War of Independence’ Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2002. p77
Constable Edmund Kenyon (22) from Kidare was killed in an ambush near Rathcline, Co. Longford.
Two IRA volunteers are killed in an attempted ambush of an RIC patrol at Barrowhouse, county Kildare
Constables Edward Doran (22) and John Dunne (24) killed while serving sumonses in Kinnity, Co, Laois.
Constable Charles Mead (36) was reported missing at Ballyseedy, Co. Kerry. Reports at the time stated that a man wearing an RIC uniform was shot by two men, blood was on the spot and there were traces of blood from that spot for half a mile across country. His body was not recovered.
A Private of 8th Royal Marine Battalion RMLI was kidnapped and killed
Dublin Castle advised the Chief Secretary that they were against the release of Arthur Griffith and Eoin MacNeil for the purpose of electioneering in Ulster.
US – population now standing at 105,710, 620.
For additional news-clippings and articles, click here
18
Rev. Denis Kelly, Bishop of Ross writing to Shane Leslie commented: "...Sinn Fein took the mails from yesterday's train. Last Saturday I had a similar note from Sir H(orace) Plunkett, and wrote immediately to the Hon. Sec. Rev. A.S. Duncan-Jones...I did my little best for Ireland...Lady Sykes rightly describes Unionists without vision destroying Geo. Wyndham's policy. want of vision among some Nationalists destroyed the Convention and has been the immediate cause of present troubles. I made an effort to present these troubles, and am utterly helpless even to aid in undoing them. I admire the efforts of yourself, Sir Horace, and all the promoters of the Meeting, and hope (against hope) that you may succeed..."
Sir Shane Leslie Archives. Univeristy of Maryland Internet Archives. Box: 10 Fold: 56 Denis Kelly. June 1997
Constable Albert Carter (20) from Kildare was killed in an ambush in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. In reprisal, Black and Tans attacked several businesses and civilians in the town.
A British sergeant was taken from his home in Inchicore by members of the 4th Battalion Dublin Brigade IRA and executed near Crumlin
Sergeant Francis Butler (21) from Roscommon was shot and wounded while walking to the RIC Barracks in Newport, Co. Mayo. He died the following day.
In 1921, the American Irish Historical Society acquired a building and permanent home at 132 East 16th Street, as a bequest to them by Dr. John T. Nagle. The first library was established here and continued to grow until April 1940 when the AIHS moved to new premises.
18
Rev. Denis Kelly, Bishop of Ross writing to Shane Leslie commented: "...Sinn Fein took the mails from yesterday's train. Last Saturday I had a similar note from Sir H(orace) Plunkett, and wrote immediately to the Hon. Sec. Rev. A.S. Duncan-Jones...I did my little best for Ireland...Lady Sykes rightly describes Unionists without vision destroying Geo. Wyndham's policy. want of vision among some Nationalists destroyed the Convention and has been the immediate cause of present troubles. I made an effort to present these troubles, and am utterly helpless even to aid in undoing them. I admire the efforts of yourself, Sir Horace, and all the promoters of the Meeting, and hope (against hope) that you may succeed..."
Sir Shane Leslie Archives. Univeristy of Maryland Internet Archives. Box: 10 Fold: 56 Denis Kelly. June 1997
Constable Albert Carter (20) from Kildare was killed in an ambush in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. In reprisal, Black and Tans attacked several businesses and civilians in the town.
A British sergeant was taken from his home in Inchicore by members of the 4th Battalion Dublin Brigade IRA and executed near Crumlin
Sergeant Francis Butler (21) from Roscommon was shot and wounded while walking to the RIC Barracks in Newport, Co. Mayo. He died the following day.
In 1921, the American Irish Historical Society acquired a building and permanent home at 132 East 16th Street, as a bequest to them by Dr. John T. Nagle. The first library was established here and continued to grow until April 1940 when the AIHS moved to new premises.
19
General Macready told the cabinet that nothing less than martial law over the entire 26 counties would be effective in controling the population, along with a complete supression of newspapers, courts, transport and civil rights. To accomplish this coercion of the country, he would need a second army. As things stood in Ireland, unless the present situation was finalised, he advised that the current forces and commanding staffs in Ireland would have to be replaced by the end of October and also the replacement forces would have to be retrained in ‘Irish ways’. The current army would not be able to fight another winter campaign and must go to Winter quarters.
Winston Churchill, now Secretary of State for the Colonies and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Irish Affiars estimated that the cost of maintaining a country-wide martial law would be high: ‘ a 100,000 new special troops and police must be raised, thousands of motor cars must be armoured...the three Southern Provinces of Ireland must be closely laced with cordons of block houses and barbed wire; a systematic rummaging and questioning of every individual must be put in force’
Macardle. ‘The Irish Republic’ Irish Press 1957. p458
Colonel Seely advised that the main result of the nation wide martial law would be to increase the people’s reliance on the IRA.
Guerilla warfare was also taking it's toll on the resources of the IRA. In much of the country, shortage of ammunition and arms forced improvisation, often making material more dangerous to the Irish Volunteers than to the British troops. May was turning out to be an exceedingly dry month and combined with lenghtening days, the advantage was turning to the British as Republican flying columns were more closely pursued.
Strongly noted by observers was the contrasting treatment meeted out to prisoners by both sides. The IRA captured some 800 British troops in over two and a half years, and all were released unharmed. The British treatment was the opposite.
Another officer in Brig.Gen Ormonde Winter’s command committed suicide in Dublin. The fifth.
Two RIC constables were killed at Kinnity, Co. Offaly.
Kilmeena Ambush. British troops surprised an IRA ambush party at Kilmeena, County Mayo; 6 IRA volunteers were killed and seven wounded. The remainder of the column fled over the mountains to Skerdagh. One RIC man, Constable Harry Beckett (21) from Lancashire and one Black and Tan were killed in the action. British forces threw the dead and wounded IRA volunteers into the street outside the Police barracks in Westport, causing widespread revulsion. The Marquess of Sligo visited the Police station to complain. At later funerals, the Tricolour was banned with a maximum of 12 mourners permitted.
US: Immigration Quota Act severely limits immigration to the United States, establishing national quotas. This means that no more than 3 percent annually of each nationality are to be allowed settle in the US, based on the number of that nationality already residing nationwide (as of 1910). Later laws steadily reduce immigration further and the open door that the United States had traditionally offered the oppressed of the world, began to slowly creak shut. Because this drastically limits immigration from Eastern Europe, Jews emigrating from there begin to prefer Palestine as a destination rather than the U.S.
20
The writing was certainly on the wall as regards the Royal Dublin Society. Clearly recognising that self-Government was on the way and with Sinn Fein holding the deck, they voted to rescind a four year old resolution calling on Count Plunkett to resign.
An IRA attack in Dublin left a number of casualties hospitalised.
Constables Leonard Booth (33) from Lancashire and William Stewart (20) from Tyrone, unarmed and returning from leave were killed near Killeter, Co. Longford. Booth, though shot and wounded in the shoulder, managed to escape but was hunted down and shot dead. Earlier in the year, he was to have resigned from the force but withdrew his request and remained.
For additional news-clippings and articles, click here
The writing was certainly on the wall as regards the Royal Dublin Society. Clearly recognising that self-Government was on the way and with Sinn Fein holding the deck, they voted to rescind a four year old resolution calling on Count Plunkett to resign.
An IRA attack in Dublin left a number of casualties hospitalised.
Constables Leonard Booth (33) from Lancashire and William Stewart (20) from Tyrone, unarmed and returning from leave were killed near Killeter, Co. Longford. Booth, though shot and wounded in the shoulder, managed to escape but was hunted down and shot dead. Earlier in the year, he was to have resigned from the force but withdrew his request and remained.
For additional news-clippings and articles, click here
21
de Valera in a message to Collins commenting on the American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic ‘ Spoon feeding has to stop; they should be able to get the money from their own organisation’
Arthur Mitchell ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & McMillan 1996. P260
Alfred Cope from Dublin Castle continued to press for a Truce right up the Ulster elections. Sending a message to the Dail, he urged ‘great speed on the matter as the British military are grasping for real Martial Law’.
Diarmuid O’Heagarty commented that ‘If Mr. Cope wants a truce by the 24th, it looks like a fairly good tip that the threat of the military grasping is three parts bluff’.
The IRA raided Jervis Street hospital led by Paddy Daly, who took one of those wounded on 20th May out of a ward and shot him dead in the porch. Collins later reprimanded Daly severely for the clumsy shooting and for failing to carry out instructions to attack a British cordon.
An IRA ambush at Ballyvaughan of ten members of the British 8th Royal Marine Battalion RMLI (RMBs). At least two RMBs were killed and another two wounded
Sergeant Joseph Anderson (59) from Donegal was shot and killed in Balbriggan by four men.
Sergeant Peter McDonagh (31) from Fermanagh was killed in an ambush at Mountfield, Co. Tyrone.
IRA attacks and burnings in Stockton on Tees and Tyneside.
Andrei Sakharov, future Soviet scientist and dissident born. ( Died 16.12.1989 )
de Valera in a message to Collins commenting on the American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic ‘ Spoon feeding has to stop; they should be able to get the money from their own organisation’
Arthur Mitchell ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & McMillan 1996. P260
Alfred Cope from Dublin Castle continued to press for a Truce right up the Ulster elections. Sending a message to the Dail, he urged ‘great speed on the matter as the British military are grasping for real Martial Law’.
Diarmuid O’Heagarty commented that ‘If Mr. Cope wants a truce by the 24th, it looks like a fairly good tip that the threat of the military grasping is three parts bluff’.
The IRA raided Jervis Street hospital led by Paddy Daly, who took one of those wounded on 20th May out of a ward and shot him dead in the porch. Collins later reprimanded Daly severely for the clumsy shooting and for failing to carry out instructions to attack a British cordon.
An IRA ambush at Ballyvaughan of ten members of the British 8th Royal Marine Battalion RMLI (RMBs). At least two RMBs were killed and another two wounded
Sergeant Joseph Anderson (59) from Donegal was shot and killed in Balbriggan by four men.
Sergeant Peter McDonagh (31) from Fermanagh was killed in an ambush at Mountfield, Co. Tyrone.
IRA attacks and burnings in Stockton on Tees and Tyneside.
Andrei Sakharov, future Soviet scientist and dissident born. ( Died 16.12.1989 )
For additional news-clippings and articles, click here
22
A message from Pope Benedict XV to Cardinal Logue was read out in all Catholic churches in Ireland saying that it is time for peace and peace can only come through conference and compromise.
‘Ireland is subjected today to the indignity of devastation and slaughter…property and home are being ruthlessly and disgracefully laid waste…on both sides a war resulting in the deaths of unarmed people…is carried on. We exhort the English as well as Irish to calmly consider…some means of mutual agreement..’
Conor O’Clery ‘Ireland in Quotes’ The O’Brien Press Dublin 1999 p.52
Sturgis commented ‘to this extent it is anti-republican and good’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 181
Attack on military lorry at Foxrock, County Dublin. One soldier is wounded.
In the first golf international between the two countries, the United States beats the United Kingdom 9 rounds to 3.
Watch out girls! In Chicago, the city says women with short skirts and bare arms will pay fines from $10 to $100. (To put this in perspective, $10 in 1921 was c. $140 in 2019)
For additional news-clippings and articles, click here
22
A message from Pope Benedict XV to Cardinal Logue was read out in all Catholic churches in Ireland saying that it is time for peace and peace can only come through conference and compromise.
‘Ireland is subjected today to the indignity of devastation and slaughter…property and home are being ruthlessly and disgracefully laid waste…on both sides a war resulting in the deaths of unarmed people…is carried on. We exhort the English as well as Irish to calmly consider…some means of mutual agreement..’
Conor O’Clery ‘Ireland in Quotes’ The O’Brien Press Dublin 1999 p.52
Sturgis commented ‘to this extent it is anti-republican and good’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 181
Attack on military lorry at Foxrock, County Dublin. One soldier is wounded.
In the first golf international between the two countries, the United States beats the United Kingdom 9 rounds to 3.
Watch out girls! In Chicago, the city says women with short skirts and bare arms will pay fines from $10 to $100. (To put this in perspective, $10 in 1921 was c. $140 in 2019)
For additional news-clippings and articles, click here
23
Constable Joseph Maguire (28) from Fermanagh was killed while on patrol in the Mayo Hills at Lower Shirdagh, north of Newport. The patrol had intercepted 30 IRA men at around 5am and in the ensuing gunfight, Maguire was killed. With sniping still taking place at 7am, one of the RIC was able to catch a farmer’s horse and rode bareback under fire to get reinforcements. By 10am, additional RIC patrols were beginning to outflank the IRA and they broke off the attack and retreated.
Three Constables were reported missing at Frenchpark, Co. Roscommon, Michael Dennehy (27) from Kerry, James Evans (22) from Laois and Robert Buchanan from London who had just turned 21 a few days before.
The IRA in Clare ambushed an RIC patrol at Glenwood, between Sixmilebridge and Broadfoot. Six RIC constables killed including a District Inspector and two were wounded. The IRA volunteers captured ten rifles.
A British Army Officer disappears, presumed killed, in County Cork.
Two British soldiers of the 1st Battalion Machine Gun Corps [possibly PVts Cagney and Musgrave ?] claim to be deserters to the IRA near Charleville, County Cork; however they are both executed as being suspected Intelligence operatives.
Rioting in Egypt as British troops sent in to quell disturbances.
23 May to 23–July: The Leipzig War Crimes Trials are held in Germany.
Constable Joseph Maguire (28) from Fermanagh was killed while on patrol in the Mayo Hills at Lower Shirdagh, north of Newport. The patrol had intercepted 30 IRA men at around 5am and in the ensuing gunfight, Maguire was killed. With sniping still taking place at 7am, one of the RIC was able to catch a farmer’s horse and rode bareback under fire to get reinforcements. By 10am, additional RIC patrols were beginning to outflank the IRA and they broke off the attack and retreated.
Three Constables were reported missing at Frenchpark, Co. Roscommon, Michael Dennehy (27) from Kerry, James Evans (22) from Laois and Robert Buchanan from London who had just turned 21 a few days before.
The IRA in Clare ambushed an RIC patrol at Glenwood, between Sixmilebridge and Broadfoot. Six RIC constables killed including a District Inspector and two were wounded. The IRA volunteers captured ten rifles.
A British Army Officer disappears, presumed killed, in County Cork.
Two British soldiers of the 1st Battalion Machine Gun Corps [possibly PVts Cagney and Musgrave ?] claim to be deserters to the IRA near Charleville, County Cork; however they are both executed as being suspected Intelligence operatives.
Rioting in Egypt as British troops sent in to quell disturbances.
23 May to 23–July: The Leipzig War Crimes Trials are held in Germany.
For additional news-clippings and articles, click here
24
Elections under the Government of Ireland Act 1920
The elections for both new Parliaments under the Government of Ireland Act 1920 were held throughout the island of Ireland to establish the House of Commons of Northern Ireland and The House of Commons of Southern Ireland. In the 26 counties, the election was used by the Irish Republic as the basis of membership of the Second Dail. No actual polling took place in the South as all 128 candidates were returned unopposed (124 Republican & 4 Unionist candidates - of the Republicans elected, 112 had been imprisoned and 15 had previously been sentenced to death.) As the Sinn Fein elected candidates refused to recognise British Government in Ireland and to take the Oath, the terms of the Act indicated that as and from July 14th, the 26 counties would be reduced in status to that of a Crown Colony.
Click here for more information on the Second Dail Eireann and here for members.
In Northern Ireland, of 52 seats, including Queen's University of Belfast, 40 were won by Unionists, 6 by moderate nationalists and 6 by Sinn Féin.
Click here for more information on the 1921 Northern Ireland election.
24
Elections under the Government of Ireland Act 1920
The elections for both new Parliaments under the Government of Ireland Act 1920 were held throughout the island of Ireland to establish the House of Commons of Northern Ireland and The House of Commons of Southern Ireland. In the 26 counties, the election was used by the Irish Republic as the basis of membership of the Second Dail. No actual polling took place in the South as all 128 candidates were returned unopposed (124 Republican & 4 Unionist candidates - of the Republicans elected, 112 had been imprisoned and 15 had previously been sentenced to death.) As the Sinn Fein elected candidates refused to recognise British Government in Ireland and to take the Oath, the terms of the Act indicated that as and from July 14th, the 26 counties would be reduced in status to that of a Crown Colony.
Click here for more information on the Second Dail Eireann and here for members.
In Northern Ireland, of 52 seats, including Queen's University of Belfast, 40 were won by Unionists, 6 by moderate nationalists and 6 by Sinn Féin.
Click here for more information on the 1921 Northern Ireland election.
In London, lenghty Cabinet meetings continued. The hawks in the administration, including Churchill, Chamberlain and Birkenhead advised that an offer of a larger measure of self-government combined with ‘ the most unlimited exercise of rough handed force...a tremendous onslaught’
This was agreed and the Cabinet opted to reinforce British troops in Ireland to the heaviest levels possible.
Members of K Coy, 3rd Battalion Dublin Brigade IRA attacked Black and Tans on Merrion Row. Heavy Tan casualties. No IRA casualties
Dublin: Tom Barry recalled in 1948 that he was asked to stay on in Dublin for ‘another day to see a demonstration of a new sub-machine gun, the Thomson. Two ex-Irish American Army officers , Mr Cronin and Mr Dineen, had smuggled in two of those guns and if the test proved satisfactory, five hundred more were to be purchased in the United States and brought over to Ireland without delay. On the morning of thr 24th, Mick Collins, Dick Mulcahy and I drive to a large unoccupied house in the suburbs. There the two Americans and some of the Dublin armed squad were waiting in the basement and soon the lecture on the gun was in progress. After about twenty minutes the Thomson gun was assembled, loaded and some bricks placed apart about twenty yards distant as targets. Cronin invited Collins or Mulcahy to fire the first shot of this new gun in Ireland, but both urged me to take the honour….took the gun and smashed the bricks all into smithereens. The first shots from a Thomson gun in Ireland were taken as a good omen by all who were present…before we left the building, Collins and Mulchahy had decided to purchase five hundred of the Thompsons…that night Michael Collins talked at length of the many abortive peace feelers sent out by the British since the commencement of hostilities. He had a great distrust of the motives behind those enemy moves and considered them in the main, as attempts to seduce the support of the people from the Irish Republican Army…’
Irish Press cutting - Lynch Family Archives. Folder 48-0008
25
Customs House Raid
An I.R.A. Company of 120 volunteers ( including some of the 12 Apostles ) seized the Customs House, centre of the Local Government Board, Archives, Customs and Inland Revenue and second only in the British Administration of Ireland to Dublin Castle. The intention was to destroy all civil administration of the country from taxation to local government, and the building was systematically set ablaze. de Valera favouring more ‘open’ confrontation than Collins, proposed the plan originally and while the intention was to render both Local Government and Revenue ineffective, it was to be a costly move.
The fires took some time to light and smoke was spotted by passing Auxilliairies and soldiers who quickly surrounded the buildings, preventing the volunteers and staff from leaving the area. Staff were ordered to leave, all passing through and being searched by the surrounding troops while firing continued. In the ensuing gun battle with the Auxiliaries, six were killed, the rest wounded or captured. Everybody in the location of the building were held and questioned at the scene – those not satisfying the questions were taken to the Castle for interrogation. Some 130 were captured and Tom Ennis, O/C Second Battalion seriously wounded.
Meanwhile, simultaneous IRA attacks took place on Dundrum RIC barracks, Cabinteely RIC barracks (twice), Enniskerry RIC barracks, Military patrol on the Bray road at Stillorgan, Naval base and wireless station Dún Laoghaire, Military lorry, Alma Road, Monkstown.These attacks were carried out by IRA Volunteers from the 6th Battalion on orders from Dublin Brigade HQ to relieve pressure on the city Battalions as a result of the Customs House attack
The building blazed through the night and for most of the next week, totally destroying all except the external walls of the Gandon work. With it went not only many irreplacable historical documents but also any possibility of administering the country.
More details on the Custom House burning here
The Irish Bulletin commented:
‘The destruction of the Customs House reduces the most important branches of the British Civil Government in Ireland - already gravely disorganised - to virtual impotence. If it had been possible to strike as effectively at the tyranny it represented without injury to the structure, the Customs House would have been spared. But it was not possible: the destruction was an unavoidable military necessity.’
Macardle. ‘The Irish Republic’ Irish Press 1957. p463
Sir Hamar Greenwood threatened more oppression and the martial law extension throughout Ireland and is alleged to have demanded the capture of Collins.
Sturgis wrote ‘Its awfully depressing. One all sides we are told Sinn Fein in common with the rest of Ireland wants peace…yet how can this make settlement anything but more difficult and its difficult enough already. But peace or no peace to burn the finest building in ones own capital city simply because the hated Saxon uses it as a Government office and as an anti-British propaganda stunt is sheer lunacy…have we all been fooled? What in the name of God and common sense is going to happen?’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 182
The Cabinet met in Downing Street where it was decided the PM would impress on Craig before he saw de Valera again that:
Montague, Churchill and Fisher voiced their opposition to point 3.
In the US, the National Executive of the American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic (AARIR) sent a supportive message to de Valera pledging the people of Ireland ‘its fullest support, moral and financial’, but there is no record of the organisation sending any money to Ireland’
Arthur Mitchell ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & McMillan 1996. P260
Customs House Raid
An I.R.A. Company of 120 volunteers ( including some of the 12 Apostles ) seized the Customs House, centre of the Local Government Board, Archives, Customs and Inland Revenue and second only in the British Administration of Ireland to Dublin Castle. The intention was to destroy all civil administration of the country from taxation to local government, and the building was systematically set ablaze. de Valera favouring more ‘open’ confrontation than Collins, proposed the plan originally and while the intention was to render both Local Government and Revenue ineffective, it was to be a costly move.
The fires took some time to light and smoke was spotted by passing Auxilliairies and soldiers who quickly surrounded the buildings, preventing the volunteers and staff from leaving the area. Staff were ordered to leave, all passing through and being searched by the surrounding troops while firing continued. In the ensuing gun battle with the Auxiliaries, six were killed, the rest wounded or captured. Everybody in the location of the building were held and questioned at the scene – those not satisfying the questions were taken to the Castle for interrogation. Some 130 were captured and Tom Ennis, O/C Second Battalion seriously wounded.
Meanwhile, simultaneous IRA attacks took place on Dundrum RIC barracks, Cabinteely RIC barracks (twice), Enniskerry RIC barracks, Military patrol on the Bray road at Stillorgan, Naval base and wireless station Dún Laoghaire, Military lorry, Alma Road, Monkstown.These attacks were carried out by IRA Volunteers from the 6th Battalion on orders from Dublin Brigade HQ to relieve pressure on the city Battalions as a result of the Customs House attack
The building blazed through the night and for most of the next week, totally destroying all except the external walls of the Gandon work. With it went not only many irreplacable historical documents but also any possibility of administering the country.
More details on the Custom House burning here
The Irish Bulletin commented:
‘The destruction of the Customs House reduces the most important branches of the British Civil Government in Ireland - already gravely disorganised - to virtual impotence. If it had been possible to strike as effectively at the tyranny it represented without injury to the structure, the Customs House would have been spared. But it was not possible: the destruction was an unavoidable military necessity.’
Macardle. ‘The Irish Republic’ Irish Press 1957. p463
Sir Hamar Greenwood threatened more oppression and the martial law extension throughout Ireland and is alleged to have demanded the capture of Collins.
Sturgis wrote ‘Its awfully depressing. One all sides we are told Sinn Fein in common with the rest of Ireland wants peace…yet how can this make settlement anything but more difficult and its difficult enough already. But peace or no peace to burn the finest building in ones own capital city simply because the hated Saxon uses it as a Government office and as an anti-British propaganda stunt is sheer lunacy…have we all been fooled? What in the name of God and common sense is going to happen?’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 182
The Cabinet met in Downing Street where it was decided the PM would impress on Craig before he saw de Valera again that:
- No separate navy, army or air force.
- Fair financial contribution by Ireland towards imperial expenditure.
- No imposition by Irish Parliaments of customs duties on goods of UK origin.
Montague, Churchill and Fisher voiced their opposition to point 3.
In the US, the National Executive of the American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic (AARIR) sent a supportive message to de Valera pledging the people of Ireland ‘its fullest support, moral and financial’, but there is no record of the organisation sending any money to Ireland’
Arthur Mitchell ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & McMillan 1996. P260
26
The Irish Situation Committee met and set out the practical advantages of martial law in unifying military and police control.
It was quickly determined that if the Southern Parliament was not in operation by July 12th, martial law would be extended nation-wide with the exception of Ulster.
Constable Edgar Budd (23) from Hampshire was killed in an ambush at Cooga, Co. Clare. Another constable, injured in the attack was pursued across country for two miles before escaping.
An IRA attack on the Naval base and wireless station in Dún Laoghaire. When the attack was in progress, an armoured car leading a party of troops from the naval base advanced up Marine road. Another party from the wireless station proceeded from Clarence Street. Both patrols were attacked on the way and shortly after capturing Georges Street. they (British patrols) clashed and opened fire on each other. They suffered some killed and 5 wounded before the mistake was realised.
Brig.Gen Ormonde Winter raided offices believed to be Michael Collins new HQ office. ‘Among the captured documents a letter written to Michael Collins this morning saying what a bloody business it was ‘that we lost all those gallant fellows yesterday at the Custom House’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 182
Major criticism from within the IRA leadership resulted from the Custom House attack. Issues such as inadequate preparation for escape from the location to Oscar Traynor’s leadership of the Dublin Brigade followed. Collins agreed and along with Mulcahy had originally expressed disquiet at such a large operation in the city centre, feeling it appear to be much like an insurection. The general consensus is that responsibility lay with De Valera and his alleged liking for ‘big gestures’. Either way, the ASU and the Squad were merged and named the Dublin Guard. Many however refused to serve under Paddy Flanagan’s replacement as O/C, Paddy Daly.
Lloyd George invited de Valera and the First Northern Irish PM James Craig to talks in Downing Street.
By the end of May, most police control had vanished from much of the country but still the old voice of a now fast disappearing Administration could be heard, as in County Inspector G.Ross of King’s County maintaining
‘that stern determination to restore order in this ‘blood sodden country’ would win through. ‘These continuous peace rumours’ he wrote’ hearten the ill disposed and give them encouragement’ But the peace rumours could not be checked.’
George Dangerfield “ The Damnable Question - a study in Anglo-Irish relations” Constable, London. 1977. p325
The Irish Situation Committee met and set out the practical advantages of martial law in unifying military and police control.
It was quickly determined that if the Southern Parliament was not in operation by July 12th, martial law would be extended nation-wide with the exception of Ulster.
Constable Edgar Budd (23) from Hampshire was killed in an ambush at Cooga, Co. Clare. Another constable, injured in the attack was pursued across country for two miles before escaping.
An IRA attack on the Naval base and wireless station in Dún Laoghaire. When the attack was in progress, an armoured car leading a party of troops from the naval base advanced up Marine road. Another party from the wireless station proceeded from Clarence Street. Both patrols were attacked on the way and shortly after capturing Georges Street. they (British patrols) clashed and opened fire on each other. They suffered some killed and 5 wounded before the mistake was realised.
Brig.Gen Ormonde Winter raided offices believed to be Michael Collins new HQ office. ‘Among the captured documents a letter written to Michael Collins this morning saying what a bloody business it was ‘that we lost all those gallant fellows yesterday at the Custom House’
The Last Days of Dublin Castle – The Diaries of Mark Sturgis. Irish Academic Press Dublin & Oregon 1999. p 182
Major criticism from within the IRA leadership resulted from the Custom House attack. Issues such as inadequate preparation for escape from the location to Oscar Traynor’s leadership of the Dublin Brigade followed. Collins agreed and along with Mulcahy had originally expressed disquiet at such a large operation in the city centre, feeling it appear to be much like an insurection. The general consensus is that responsibility lay with De Valera and his alleged liking for ‘big gestures’. Either way, the ASU and the Squad were merged and named the Dublin Guard. Many however refused to serve under Paddy Flanagan’s replacement as O/C, Paddy Daly.
Lloyd George invited de Valera and the First Northern Irish PM James Craig to talks in Downing Street.
By the end of May, most police control had vanished from much of the country but still the old voice of a now fast disappearing Administration could be heard, as in County Inspector G.Ross of King’s County maintaining
‘that stern determination to restore order in this ‘blood sodden country’ would win through. ‘These continuous peace rumours’ he wrote’ hearten the ill disposed and give them encouragement’ But the peace rumours could not be checked.’
George Dangerfield “ The Damnable Question - a study in Anglo-Irish relations” Constable, London. 1977. p325
For additional news-clippings and articles, click here
27
Paddy Boland O/C Crossard Company IRA, Ballyhaunis IRA killed by Crown forces
27
Paddy Boland O/C Crossard Company IRA, Ballyhaunis IRA killed by Crown forces
For additional news-clippings and articles, click here
28
Over the next 14 days, an intensive British dragnet continued exclusively for Michael Collins. Writing of a close shave with British Forces on the 28th, he said ‘The information was good, and I ought to have been there at the time…it was the most providential escape yet…it will probably have the effect of making them think that I am even more mysterious than they believe me to be, and that is saying a good deal’
Arthur Mitchell ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & McMillan 1996. P273
28
Over the next 14 days, an intensive British dragnet continued exclusively for Michael Collins. Writing of a close shave with British Forces on the 28th, he said ‘The information was good, and I ought to have been there at the time…it was the most providential escape yet…it will probably have the effect of making them think that I am even more mysterious than they believe me to be, and that is saying a good deal’
Arthur Mitchell ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & McMillan 1996. P273
For additional news-clippings and articles, click here
29
Commenting on the Ulster elections, Collins writing to Art O’Brien ‘they are beginning to see what they have always known as Ulster I nothing more than a handful of people in one corner of the country, whose material interests depend on the maintenance of their foreign ascendancy, and who are bent on securing their material interests at all costs.’
Arthur Mitchell. ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & Mcmillan. 1995. P285
Special Constables Robert Coulter and James Hall were killed in an ambush at Mullaghfad Cross, Co Fermanagh. Its alleged that Hall dragged himself seriously wounded to a local farmhouse owned by a Sinn Fein member and was refused assistance. He was found dead outside the farmhouse later that morning.
29
Commenting on the Ulster elections, Collins writing to Art O’Brien ‘they are beginning to see what they have always known as Ulster I nothing more than a handful of people in one corner of the country, whose material interests depend on the maintenance of their foreign ascendancy, and who are bent on securing their material interests at all costs.’
Arthur Mitchell. ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & Mcmillan. 1995. P285
Special Constables Robert Coulter and James Hall were killed in an ambush at Mullaghfad Cross, Co Fermanagh. Its alleged that Hall dragged himself seriously wounded to a local farmhouse owned by a Sinn Fein member and was refused assistance. He was found dead outside the farmhouse later that morning.
30
Collins writing to de Valera commented on his unease as regards the $3million plus raised during the Bond drive and resting in various US accounts and bonds ‘ Between ourselves, I may say that I have a very nervous feeling about our American accounts’ Writing also to Art O’Briain, he commented on the results of the elections in Ulster: ‘ They are beginning to see that what they have always known as Ulster is nothing more than a handful fo people in one corner of the country, whose material interests depend upon the maintenance of their foreign ascendancy, and who are bent on securing their material interests at all costs’.
Arthur Mitchell ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & McMillan 1996. P260 & 285
Constable George Redding (21) from Buckinghamshire was killed at Kilrooskey, Co. Roscommon when an RIC party surprised a party of armed IRA digging a trench across the roadway.
Volunteer Tommy Murphy was shot dead in his home in Foxrock, County Dublin, by British forces. Before leaving his house the raiders attached a label to Murphy's body "Executed by the IRA". This allegation was refuted in a subsequent issue of An tÓglach.
After an attack on RIC patrol at Kill O'The Grange, IRA volunteers from the Deansgrange Coy, 6th Battalion, Dublin Brigade encountered another party of RIC at Monaloe under Sergeant Cullen. An engagement ensued but both sides retired safely.
Constable Walter Perkins (27) from the Isle of Wight was killed in an ambush of a cycle patrol at Tullyvarragh, Co. Monaghan.
Collins writing to de Valera commented on his unease as regards the $3million plus raised during the Bond drive and resting in various US accounts and bonds ‘ Between ourselves, I may say that I have a very nervous feeling about our American accounts’ Writing also to Art O’Briain, he commented on the results of the elections in Ulster: ‘ They are beginning to see that what they have always known as Ulster is nothing more than a handful fo people in one corner of the country, whose material interests depend upon the maintenance of their foreign ascendancy, and who are bent on securing their material interests at all costs’.
Arthur Mitchell ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & McMillan 1996. P260 & 285
Constable George Redding (21) from Buckinghamshire was killed at Kilrooskey, Co. Roscommon when an RIC party surprised a party of armed IRA digging a trench across the roadway.
Volunteer Tommy Murphy was shot dead in his home in Foxrock, County Dublin, by British forces. Before leaving his house the raiders attached a label to Murphy's body "Executed by the IRA". This allegation was refuted in a subsequent issue of An tÓglach.
After an attack on RIC patrol at Kill O'The Grange, IRA volunteers from the Deansgrange Coy, 6th Battalion, Dublin Brigade encountered another party of RIC at Monaloe under Sergeant Cullen. An engagement ensued but both sides retired safely.
Constable Walter Perkins (27) from the Isle of Wight was killed in an ambush of a cycle patrol at Tullyvarragh, Co. Monaghan.
For additional news-clippings and articles, click here
31
General Macready requested the Government provide prison space in Britain for 2,000 internees, all available space in Ireland was already filled and taking up five battalions to guard them. He also specified that these internees were not prisoners of war.
The IRA recorded 107 operations against British forces during May 1921.
Collins writing to Art O’Brian on the continuing British Forces hunt for him throughout Dublin ‘They have kept up a very raging offensive during the weekend for me. They are continuing today. It is a pretty close tug of war this time – one man and a few helpers against many men and a big Empire, but somehow there must be some other equalising force’.
Arthur Mitchell ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & McMillan 1996. P273
British tactics to counteract the Flying Columns now included using special forces and techniques along with large scale sweeps through countryside.
IRA volunteers explode a remotely detonated mine under a British Military band at Youghal, County Cork. Seven British soldiers (military bandsmen from Hampshire regiment) are killed. 20 others are wounded in the explosion.
31 May 31–June 1 – Tulsa Race Riot (Greenwood Massacre): Mobs of white residents attack black residents and businesses in Greenwood District, Tulsa, Oklahoma. The official death toll is 36, but later investigations suggest an actual figure between 100 and 300. 1,250 homes are destroyed and roughly 6,000 African Americans imprisoned in one of the worst incidents of mass racial violence in the United States.
31
General Macready requested the Government provide prison space in Britain for 2,000 internees, all available space in Ireland was already filled and taking up five battalions to guard them. He also specified that these internees were not prisoners of war.
The IRA recorded 107 operations against British forces during May 1921.
Collins writing to Art O’Brian on the continuing British Forces hunt for him throughout Dublin ‘They have kept up a very raging offensive during the weekend for me. They are continuing today. It is a pretty close tug of war this time – one man and a few helpers against many men and a big Empire, but somehow there must be some other equalising force’.
Arthur Mitchell ‘Revoloutionary Government in Ireland – Dail Eireann 1919-22’ Gill & McMillan 1996. P273
British tactics to counteract the Flying Columns now included using special forces and techniques along with large scale sweeps through countryside.
IRA volunteers explode a remotely detonated mine under a British Military band at Youghal, County Cork. Seven British soldiers (military bandsmen from Hampshire regiment) are killed. 20 others are wounded in the explosion.
31 May 31–June 1 – Tulsa Race Riot (Greenwood Massacre): Mobs of white residents attack black residents and businesses in Greenwood District, Tulsa, Oklahoma. The official death toll is 36, but later investigations suggest an actual figure between 100 and 300. 1,250 homes are destroyed and roughly 6,000 African Americans imprisoned in one of the worst incidents of mass racial violence in the United States.