COSANTA
ROINN
OF
BUREAU
MILITARY
STATEMENT
DOCUMENT
BY
NO.
1913-21.
HISTORY,
WITNESS
556
W.S.
Witness
Mrs.
Mary
Walsh,
Killountain,
Bandon,
Cork.
Go.
Identity.
Captain,
Bandon
South
Cumann na mBan,
area,
1917-1921.
Subject.
(a)
Cumann
na mBan,
South
Bandon
district,
1917-1921;
(b)
Military
activities,
1919-1921.
South
Bandon
area,
Conditions, if any, Stipulated by Witness.
Nil
File No
S.1708
Form B.S.M.2
OF MRS. MARY WALSH
BANDON, CO. CORK.
STATEMENT
KILLOUNTAIN
1921.
1917
CORK III
CUMANN NA mBAN.
BRIGADE,
BANDON SOUTH DISTRICT
FRESIDENT:
ADJT.
or
SEC.
Mary
O'Neill
Nora
Crowley.
Hannah
TREASURER:
COUNCIL.
(now
O'Brien
Mrs.
(now
Walsh).
Mrs.
O'Mahony).
BRANCHES OR SQUADS.
Kilbrittain
Branch.
Captain:
Adjt.
or
Sec.
Timoleague
or
Crowley.
(now
O'Brien
(now
Mrs.
O'Mahony).
Strength
Foley
Sec.
Mary
(now
Mrs.
or
Sec.
Harte).
O'Driscoll.
Strength
Catherine
Walsh
Josephine
Flynn.
Kate
Treasurer:
(now Mrs.
McCarthy.
Strength
Coleman
Nellie
Captain:
or
(Mrs.
Sec.
Treasurer:
Santry
(now
Nora
Captain.
Mrs.
Treasurer:
Sec.
O'Donovan.)
Whelton.
Strength
Margaret
or
29.
deceased).
Branch:
Clogagh
12.
Lombard)
Branch.
Barryroe
12.
Kelly.
Maureen
Captain
26.
Walsh).
Mrs.
Branch.
Gaggin
Adjt.
Nora
Margaret
Treasurer:
Adjt.
O'Neill
Branch.
Captain
Adjt.
Mary
Hannah
Treasurer:
Adjt.
Strength
Janie
Kathleen
O'Donovan
(now Mrs.
Burke).
O'Donovan
Murphy.
(now
Mrs.
O'Donovan).
15.
2
BALLINSPITTLE
Captain
Adjt.
or
Sec.
Treasurer:
BRANCH.
Strength
13.
Hannah
Hannon
(Now Mrs.
Curran)
Mary
Ryan
(Now Mrs.
O'Sullivan).
Kate
(Now Mrs.
McCarthy).
1916.
to the Kilbrittain
were attached
My brothers
Two Of them were ordered
to a Parade
Company.
the destination
was Macroom.
The sisters
of
were called
on to help
in their
which
absence,
interested
in the Movement.
after
more
After
time,
anxious
Volunteer
on Easter
Sunday
the Volunteers
made us very
our home was raided,
the Parade
mentioned
time
R.I.C.
Those
raids
made us
by the local
only
to help
out those
boys.
At this
Miss Walsh,
Hill,
period,
Kilbrogan
Bandon,
Rising
was trying
whose brother
took part
in the Dublin
to get
in
Cumann na mBan Branches
the area,
started
having
got
instructions
from Headquarters,
Dublin.
She approached
me
a branch
about
in the Kilbrittain
area.
Each branch
forming
was to have ten members and to get affiliated
with
Headquarters
Cumann na mBan, Dublin.
Miss Walsh got instructions
from
Dublin
them
to
the
and passed
Branches.
on
1917.
At this
Branch
the Kilbrittain
was in working
period
I was appointed
Nora
Miss
order.
Captain,
Crowley
the members
and Miss H. O'Brien,
Treasurer.
All
Secretary,
an
which
was
held
Irish
Class
in
Kilbrittain.
joined
weekly
After
Class
each Sunday we held
our Cumann na mBan Meeting
and practised
Aid lectures,
Lordan
Nurse
bandaging.
gave First
also
Dr.
near
Clonakilty,
Cullinane,
gave instructions
Dr.
Aid Course
and later
Kilbrittain,
Stopford
gave a First
which
was attended
Branches.
by members from many outside
From our weekly
subscription
a small
Aid Outfit,
First
containing
bandages,
pins,
etc.,
each girl
scissors,
Our Branch
and successful
was so useful
them in forming
districts
to assist
by other
where the Officers
Bandon as District
Council,
Branches
met
to report
Battalion
periodically
was supplied
with
lint,
gauze,
we were asked
having
Branches,
of the
on activities.
1919.
A Cumann na mBan organiser
came to the Brigade
Area
She advised
that
the 1st Battalion
from Dublin
Miss Price.
to the difficulty
of working
area
be divided
from a
owing
to be north
Council.
One area
s
and the
Central
District
other
consisted
of
south
of the Bandon river.
The latter
Branches
Ballinadee
attached
its
in Kilbrittain,
to which
3
branch
Barryroe
of
Ballinspittle,
Gaggin,
Clogagh,
and
Timoleague
a meeting
to which the Officers
Miss Price
called
branches
came.
was held
at Callanans,
It
Bally-catten
I do not remember.
the date
our
From that
period
was formed.
Council
those
District
I was unanimously
Officer
and Ciss
senior
appointed
was
Our
to
duties
were
visit
appointed
Secretary.
Crowley
to
each Branch
in our area
and
under
report
monthly
progress,
a covering
That
to
order
Headquarters,
envelope,
Dublin1
was faithfully
carried
out until
the Truce
came.
her
in the 3rd
Miss Price
remained
on active
we got instructions
while
Brigade
service.
Area
and
from
Activities.
raising
Dispatches,
funds,
Flag Days,
concerts,
socks
for Column,
Each member
knitting
cooking,
etc.,
etc.,
was always
to do anything
ready
required
by the different
such as,
and at times
of
Companies,
scouting,
taking
charge
arms and ammunition.
a Chapel
In Kilbrittain
collection
was made each
gate
at both Masses
1920-1921
and food parcels
Sunday
during
period,
were regularly
to the interned
sent
men of the area,
the
of which was often
out under
carried
difficult
very
posting
a means to overcome.
which we always
found
conditions,
Memories
First
Shots.
1917-1918.
a military
One evening,
raid
took
place.
My brother,
were at Supper.
They had been sowing
Mick, and Dan Manning
to chance arrest
corn all
Not wishing
they
got out and
day.
on but got away from
the fields.
were fired
ran through
They
over the
that
to run into
another
only
party
party
raiding
hill
which also
fired
on them.
They had to "put them up"
for
some months.
and were interned
the boys secured
lead
and several
Arms were scarce:
were made at our house and packed
in
boxes of buck-shot
on the
This
cases.
used in the attacks
was later
cartridge
Barracks.
in
an
out-house
on
R.I.C.
our
Also,
surrounding
a Timoleague
Blacksmith
several
weeks
(Con Lehane')
spent
farm,
He was helped
rifle
Volunteers.
bayonets.
by the local
making
with
all
their
from O'Mahonys,
requirements
They were supplied
our
and
house.
Cloundreen,
1919.
a party.
then to
The first
shot was in kilbrittain.
policeman
at our house and it
of the boys assembled
to the
date
so from that
go "on the run",
was
That
night
decided
4
at home for
were never
they
any
Previous
to that
Charlie
often
Hurley
to correctly
able
writing.
(Not being
that
to be adjusted).
length
spent
place
of time.
with
us
hours
I leave
dates,
the Elections
in those
troubled
During
in many ways
Cumann na mBan helped
assisted
and also
to vote
refreshments
people
supplied
the schools.
the
years
in bringing
and meals
in
Our first
of an ambush was when a party
experience
of military
at Rathclarin.
was successfully
disarmed
to the attack
I was asked
to sew some masks which
Previous
It
I
consisted
of horse
hair
and cloth.
was next
morning
Mick was
what they
were used for,
when my brother
learned
I
brought
got a bad head wound in the attack.
home, having
learned
later
he let
another
go his man to assist
companion
That
was how he came by his wound
who was being
overcome.
a blow of a rifle.
and ammunition
were all
The rifles
secured
set free.
and dumped and the patrol
Another
brother
several
removed
Mick and some others
miles
away in a horse
8 a.m.
and trap
about
and he was home again
In the meantime
our house was raided
and military.
by R.I.C.
was brought
area
Dr.
to our Battalion
to give
Stopford
a
Aid.
number
Classes
were
and
lessons
in First
arranged
of girls
from each Company attended
and were billeted
in the
class
district.
The first
took place at
Nurse
Ardacrow
also
an examijation
was
assisted.
Lordan,
Brigade,
Later,
Con
Dr.
and
carriedout
M.D.
several
Brigade
by
lucey,
girls
with
the
received
certificates.
remained
Dr.
Stopford
Service
Truce
Active
Column until
came.
attacks
Week after
week military
took place
on R.I.C.
and Coastguard
Stations.
Barracks
were
The. Column,
also,
a
active.
raids
became
Military
very
enemy
weekly
and,
a daily
a day passed
occurrence.
Still
scarcely
sometimes,
from Kilbrittain,.
or
but someone
called
Bandon,
Timoleague
were
with
the
and
in
touch
Battalion
we
nearly
always
Clogagh,
to report
on where the different
and were able
men
activities
to their
The same applied
were to be found.
word
billeting;
that
to
so
we
were
able
was nearly
give
passed
on,
always
of raids
or get the required
person.
warning
to remember
that
I am glad
full
honours
were
military
and
to.
two
of
the
Volunteers
W.
M.
paid
Company
Hurley
who died.
The coffins
with
the flag
O'Brien
were covered
was represented
as
and, marched,
and each Company in the area
also
did the Cumann na mBan.
Ambush a number of the Column
the Kilmichael
After
to rest.
came into
our area
had a scalp
John
Hennessy
I cleaned
for
two days.
was not dressed
wound which
bullet
it
was healed.
the wound and he remained
until
and dressed
the care
have been
A Doctor
for
he might
only
said,
later,
blood
poisoned.
Lordan.
Later,
He,
I nursed
was
too,
a shoulder
soon as well
bullet
wound
as ever.
for
Denis
5
4th
February,
1921.
at this
in our
time
P. Crowley
remained
Volunteer
A dump
an
He
was
district.
appendix
operation.
awaiting
our
house
had
his
meals
in
us
for
was prepared
him.
(He
by
the
was
no
told
after
there
Unfortunately,
raiding).
being
in
this
was
surrounded
by military
single
morning
place
When word
houses.
in on the suspected
which
closed
formation
a
to
ran
fence
to
brother
and
only
by
cover,
came, Paddy
my
their
retraced
run in to Percival
himself.
steps,
They
the
and I ran after
and firing.
Percival
My sister
following
as we felt
sure
two boys hoping
to save them from the firing
that
not fire
then gave up hoping
he would
on us.
My brother
but
out
as
he
had
to
be
held
another
could
prisoner,
Paddy
get
was called
him.
on to cover
Then my sister
soldier
caught
Percival
and held
him fast,
even
(he was on a gate)
by the legs
beat
a
her
knuckles
When
he
could
not
he
with
though
gun.
he pointed
he
release
himself
the gun at our brother,
and said
would
him dead if
she did not let
him go.
We had hoped
shoot
He was followed
that
time
by this
Paddy had got well
away.
by
a quarter
of a mile
and was found
Percival
stretched
dead about
from our home by a Cumann na mBan girl
that
was crossing
to let
a
us know of the raid.
sister
and
few
with
My
I,
others,
the body back to our house before
the military
had time
brought
a
to collect
it.
with
man
to
came
local
R.I.C.
along
They
the
but
was
did
not
interfere
He
waked
identify
body,
again.
and buried
and was given
from our house in Clogagh
full
military
Charlie
at
the
after
his
honours;
also,
Hurley
spoke
grave
burial.
1921.
Both the Column and the enemy were very
active.
One
shots
I
went
back
the
to
learn
fields
the
hearing
morning,
cause.
On the hill
in our farm is a cottage
owned by an old
who
out.
I
it
I
was
worked
When
to
seen by the
man,
got
in Cloundreen
Black
and. Tans from Dunmanway.
raiding
party
in a lorry
to where I was.
I stood my ground
They rused
I
fatal.
was
would
have
been
and
questioned
running
severely
I had given
maintained
word to someone in the cottage.
One
they
of them. caught
and pressed
it
me.
up an old pike
against
They
stout
around
found
there
and then
set fire
to the
passed
they
bed and left
it
I was glad
to be allowed
home.
slip
burning.
The same day a scout
came to me with
word that
four
girl
men had lost
at Crois
lives
na Leanbh,
their
all
from Kilbrittair
surrounded
a road.
while
The
Company,
being
trenching
that
asked
I see to the arranging
Quartermaster
of burial.
I had been instructed
to this
what to do in such a
(Previous
I cycled
to the house of Mr. M. Crowley
the
case).
to where
bodies
We were in touch
were taken.
with
the time..
the O.C. all
We spent
the night
at this
house and at dawn I went to Bandon
and ordered
coffins
which were got at M. O'Reillys
and he had
them sent
out in time for the burial
that
In the course
evening.
of the day Percival
called
at the house
but took no action.
The dead ware:
Jeremiah
Tim Connolly,
John McGrath
O'Neiil,
and Con McCarthy.
the Truce,
the bodies
of those
four
During
were re-interred
in the Parish
Church
Yard by permission
of the
Rev. Dr.
Cohalan
of Cork.
Bishop
Soon after,
my brother
6
Mick
was
laid
to
rest
beside
them,
B.I.P
ah ambush took
near Gaggin.
In December,
1920,
place
A military
car got away and got reinforcements
in Bandon,
of retreat.
so the Column had to change their
plans
was made in Clanbogue,
for
Provision
beyond Kilbrittain,
their
not
be
carried
out.
which
could
arrival,
to us to prepare
for
the column to
Word was brought
at
to
our
and
without
provide
leaving
camp
place
provisions,
home or going
and
to any village.
that
night
They arrived
with
and
us
for
two
We
made
bread
butter
nights.
put up
their
wants while
remained.
We
and provided
for
all
they
them
baths
for
who
also
hot
several
needed
badly
provided
from 50 to 80 were there.
As many despatches
were
roughly
That
in
short
notice
shows
what
the Camp.
brought
during
in the Cumann na mBan.
confidence
they
placed
We lost
Of the Crossbarry
our
Ambush much is said.
three
and
three
others.
Those
were
friend
Charlie
Hurley
but
Charlie
to
buried
in the Republican
wished
Bandon,
Plot,
with
in
Battalion
O.C.
his
The
be buried
family
Clogagh.
a message
to the Kil-brittain
sent
to me to get his
body removed
area.
When I went to get this
done the Cumann na
I was one
the body to Clogagh
mBan had already
sent
Church.
that
and
Cumann
in
the
Church
of many who kept
vigil
night
at the dawn of
at his
funeral
na inBan and Volunteers
marched
the Green
when the bagpipes
the morning,
Wrap
Flag
played
in arms fired
three
comrades
round me boys" and his
volleys
R.I.P.
over his grave,
A supply
from the military
near
of meat was taken
stationed
at. the Old Head by
Kinsale
intended
for
military
to our house awaitin
It
was sent
the Ballinspittle
Company.
there
and passed
on to the
It
was cooked
instructions.
in the vicinity
of Clogagh,
and
Column who wore billeted
appreciated.
greatly
1921.
A Brigade
near our house and scouts
took place
meeting
A number spent
the night
in our house and
out.
were sent
a
the
distance.
After
food.
Some
had
travelled
long
got
for their
horses
and got away in the
many came along
meeting
of Timoleague
Con Murphy
including
Company.
early
morning,
from
the
scouts
a
a
While
party
message
military
awaiting
some got away
to the house of call
in Cloundreen:
came along
was
The Officer
of that
but Con was shot dead,
raiding
party
at the
Our house was surrounded
from Courtmacsherry.
Silver
We were not
with
his men in shorts.
same hour by Percival,
the military
had
the house that
until
allowed
leave
morning
to
the body,
which
was taken
in a pony and trap
removed
was also
Old James O'Mahony
the country.
across
Kinsale
man
was
his
son.
the
dead
in the trap
as they
taken
thought
who
or
dead
were.
were never
told
The military
prisoners
in Bandon
to the workhouse
was customary
bodies
It
to return
after
identification.
Word
was
brought
to
us
to
get
the
body
to
Clogagh
7
and myself
were provided
Cumann na mBan girls,
Timoleague
a pony and trap
with
to
our
the body
and,
disappointment,
at
had not been returned
to Bandon.
this
time
Travelling
was difficult,
roads
cut.
Next
I
was
many
being
up.
day
to
sent with
secure
the
if
Mary O'Mahony
body
possible
to town,
word came he was in Bandon.
We cycled
got some
a
men and got the coffin
with
in
farm
cart
some bran
placed
and
the
loaded
around
it
driver
and
sittin
bags
Mary O'Mahoney
a
on the load.
roundabout
road
and
arrived
They travelled
in the evening
I gave word to our
in Clogagh.
Meanwhile,
of
at
our
different
lads,
points,
progress.
like
was carried
out
The funeral,
Charlie
Hurley's,
at the dawn of next
of
his
with
many
morning,
companions
present
honours
I wish to state
were accorded.
Military
that
to find
the Workhouse
was guarded
out who
by military
but for
a short
that
would
claim
the bodies,
time
day they
were called
off
to surround
as Captain
Kilbrogan
graveyard,
F. Hurley
that
shot in Bandon Park
was buried
day also.
that
when the soldiers
and found the
We were told
returned
to burn down the
were furious
and threatened
body gone they
saw
the
coffin
and
the nurses
were
place.
Nobody
leaving
very
good.
1921.
hours
one evening,
Con Lehane,
Curfew
Timo-league
During
to our house,
came hurriedly
much beaten
very
Company,
He was put
He had been arrested
by a military
up.
patrol.
When alone
with
him Con
in the
of an armed soldier.
charge
came across
him.
He then
the
attacked
him and disarmed
We dressed.
to our house.
him and Bird
and
Crowley
ground
him to safety
and dumped the captured
scouted
my sister,
Maud,
miles
to report
the
rifle,
Later
several
they had to travel
as Con told
to Battalion
them it
occurrence
Headquarters,
the same patrol.
more from running
into
may save several
Curfew
This
was all
hours
and I had to give
wozd
done during
to some lads
who were staying
When I returned
in our area.
our house was surrounded
and being
searched
by Percival,
as mine.
which I claimed
He
soms cigarettes
found
having
made me smoke one,
I never
smoked.
They had to leave
though
the absence
me about
of
after
disappointed
very
questioning
my sister.
(signed)
Witnessed:
Walsh
Mary
C
Davin
(Mrs)
Col
EXTRACT
FROM "THE
CATHOLIC
IRISH
DATED JUNE
HERAID",
WOMEN IN
Uniformed
25TH,
1921.
THE TERROR.
Ruffians.
Who laughed
Officer
Assaults
on Young
at Savage
ladies.
These
soldiers
young and inexperienced
into
circumstances
been plunged
infinitely
to nerves
and temper,
and not in one single
have they
acted
instance
unworthily"
have
trying
is an extract
from a paragraph
in
This
appearing
the
of June 3rd,
on the conduct
of the Regular
Mail"
"Daily
which
the "Irish
has been
Bulletin"
states
Army in Ireland,
inserted.
"in orders"
and circulated
the troops
in
amongst
statement
The following
O'Neill
of
Ireland.
M.
Miss
by
is a sufficient
Co
Cork,
commentary
Kilbrittain,
Victim's
Statement.
"On Monday morning,
about
7 a.m.,
May 9th,
fifty
an Officer,
under
our house.
A
surrounded
soldiers,
number of these
rushed
the bedrooms
of my
upstairs,
entering
who
were
both
father
in
bed.
The
Officer
asked
sister,
and
them to get up,
but my father
was unable
to do so.
They
then
the rooms.
searched
and I were having
our breakfast
in the
"My mother
and one soldier
of
tea
and
drank
it
kitchen,
my
seized
cup
off
The
other
were
soldiers
and
immediately.
about,
moving
a
noticed
one taking
from
box
the
in
my mother
eggs
dairy.
We went towards
the dairy
door and saw some of them drink
and
and they
also
took about
six pounds
of butter.
spill
cream,
called
the attention
of the Officer
in charge
to
My sister
the looting,
and he denied
it.
Just
then a soldier
came
with
a capful
of eggs;
the cap dropped
from him as he
along
was passing
the Officer,
and the eggs got broken.
was
That
sufficient
and the Officer
Said:
"If
proof;
you will,
keep
b
mouth shut I will
them".
your
pay for
"THE OFFICER THEN TOLD ME TO GO UPSTAIRS AND
GET MY CLOTHES ON AS I WAS UNDER ARREST.
I DID
AND WAS FOLLOWED BY TWO SOLDIERS AND FOR
THIS,
THAT REASON I CAME DOWNSTAIRS AGAIN WITHOUT
CHANGING MY CLOTHES
but
the
all
and I were then ordered
outside
the door,
"My sister
we refused
to go, as our mother
and
was feeling
unwell,
soldiers
were at large
in the house.
Their then locked
the doors
and put the keys in their
pockets
-2-
A BRITISH
OFFICER!
and when
went to work as usual
outside,
"My sister
who twisted
was held
the pigs
feeding
up by two soldiers,
her they
wanted
her
her back.
her hands behind
They told
take
but she said
should
for
some time;
they
up the road
them.
The
with
to go willingly
as she refused
her,
b
head in the
'I will
Officer
said:
bury your
about
manure
They then pushed her to the gate,
heap
all
the
twisted
time.
and
her
hands
away,
kept
yards
forty
treatment
of
her
such
mother
daughter,
against
protested
My
about.
She asked what was the
knocked
and so got roughly
She stood between
and got no answer.
them,
charge
against
to pull
as the Officer
me and the soldiers,
gave the order
us and
to do so, but she kept
between
me out.
They tried
the girls
to me.
she would not let
She said
go, as
clung
and the Officer
she had now to help
were all
her;
they
have them long,
'You won't
replied:
he should
be
the Officer-in-charge
"I told
as the doctor
if
happened
my mother,
anything
responsible
me that
had told
would
prove
any shook or excitement
fatal,
to paralysis
as she was subject
and has a weak heart.
They
the butts
of their
struck
her hand with
rifles,
and she fell
to drag me out,
The soldiers
tried
and,
being
prostrate.
to do so, one of them caught
me by the throat,
unable
put
me down.
He said he would
and knocked
his knee to my back,
out of me.
choke the
b
life
A RUFFIAN
AMUSED.
"WHEN MY SISTER SAW MY MOTHER UNCONSCIOUS IN
THE YARD SHE RAN TO HER ASSISTASCE.
SHE ALSO SAN
ME BEING CHOKED BY A SOIDIER:
SHE CAUGHT HIS ARM
BUT WAS BEATEN BY ANOTHER WITH SOMETHING HARD
WHICH CUT HER KNUCKIES
all
this was taking
the Officer
in charge
"while
place,
on and laughing.
was looking
the
My father,
hearing
the soldiers
crawled
not to
out of bed and asked
commotion,
at him,
a Jam-pot
kill
fired
and it
smashed on the
us,
They
wall
near his head.
to beat us with
their
They continued
and rifles.
in the yard,
and
fists
They had two prisoners
for their
to raise
called
assistance
my sister
up my mother.
The Officer
and she then asked if
one of them would
refused;
for
a
and
was
refused.
go
that,
doctor,
too,
Apparently
was dying,
us go.
I then
so they
let
my mother
they
thought
a
to
a
a
the
and
and
officer
got
pony,
get
priest
doctor,
and another
soldier
best to prevent
but
did their
me;
went.
I
eventually
prepared
"The foregoing
is
to
stand
it."
by
a correct
(Signed)
statement,
M.
O'NEILL.
and
I
am