PROGRAMME
FOR THE DAY
1.00pm
Remembrance Mass in St Senan’s Church, Kilkishen, celebrated by Fr. Hugh O’Dowd and Fr. Harry Bohan
2.00pm
Assembly at Glenwood Site.
(cars to arrive via Fox’s Cross)
2.15pm
Welcome by Chairman; Patsy Neville
Unveiling of Memorial
Wreath laying ceremony
Address by Minister Tony Killeen, TD
Military salute
3.00pm
Blessing of Site
Fr Bohan’s address
Beautiful Vale of Belvoir sung by J P Guinane
3.15pm
Mock Ambush by K McCormack re-Enactment Group
3.45pm
Safe exit from Site
4.00pm
Refreshments in Donnellan’s, Kilkishen
1
FÁILTE ON
gCATHAOIRLEACH
Is cúis mór athais dom fiorchaoin fáilte a fhearadh romhaibh go léir
don áit seo inniu.
On behalf of the Glenwood Ambush memorial committee it is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome to you all on this very special day when
we mark to spot where the Glenwood Ambush took place all of ninety
years ago. This entrance here in Glenwood was also the location where
later in the same year in Dec 1921, Eamonn DeValera reviewed the 1st
Western Division I.R.A. under the command of Michael Brennan. It is
widely believed that it was the same day that the treaty was signed in
London. As we commemorate the bravery of the men from the active
service unit of the East Clare Brigade I.R.A. for the stance they took here
at Glenwood, we also recognise the very important support role played
by their families and friends during the war of independence and the role
played by Cumann na mBan. We are aware that for years after this engagement the participating volunteers were slow to discuss the events
of that particular day and its understandable as there was loss of lives.
Should we have any relatives of the victims with us today we thank you
for coming and offer you our hand of friendship.
I want to pay a special tribute to all who helped in any way to making
today’s event possible including those who gave donations to finance the
project. I want to thank the Minister for Defence Tony Killeen for taking
time out from his busy schedule to unveil our memorial. I want to thanks
the memorial committee for their unselfish dedication to the project and
their hard work over the past eleven weeks which was a rather short planning window for such a major undertaking.
Patsy Neville memorial committee chairman
2
INTRODUCTION
On the 20th of January, 1921, at about 4pm, a motorised patrol of ten
armed Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and Black and Tans, travelling
from Sixmilebridge to Broadford, approached the back gate of Glenwood house.
Waiting for them, concealed behind the walls of the Glenwood estate,
was a group of approximately 37 armed volunteers from the East Clare
Brigade of the IRA, led by Michael Brennan of Meelick As the patrol
passed by the gates, a fusillade of gunshot, fired by the waiting group,
struck the patrol. Six RIC and Black & Tans were killed, two were
injured and two escaped unhurt. One IRA volunteer was injured.
The ambush party withdrew in good order through the forest and
mountains to the East of Glenwood, towards Oatfield. The surviving
members of the patrol made their way back to Sixmilebridge. The local people, on hearing of the news of the ambush, braced themselves
for the inevitable retribution which would follow. In an orgy of violence, on that evening and in the following days, Black and Tans and
Auxiliaries burned houses, destroyed property and terrorised and assaulted local people.
All the participants in the ambush are now deceased. However, the
location of the ambush, the ambush itself and its aftermath and the
people who were involved stayed in the memory of local people, with
stories and anecdotes passed on. A primary purpose of this booklet is
to preserve these memories for future generations.
Today is about remembering those tumultuous times during which the
Republic of Ireland was born, and the people of East Clare who lived
through them.
3
BEFORE THE AMBUSH
The political situation in Ireland
Since the 1880s, Irish nationalists in the Irish Parliamentary Party
(IPP) had been demanding Home Rule, or self-government, from Britain. Fringe organizations, such as Sinn Féin, led by Arthur Griffith,
instead argued for some form of Irish independence, but they were in
a small minority at this time.
The demand for Home Rule was eventually granted by the British
Government in 1912, immediately prompting Ulster Unionists to form
an armed organization—the Ulster Volunteers — to resist this measure
of devolution. The unionists resisted the idea of being governed by
a majority Nationalist and Catholic population and regarded Home
Rule as a form of Rome Rule. In turn, Nationalists formed their own
military organization, the Irish Volunteers. Branches of the Volunteers
were set up throughout Ireland.
The implementation of the Home Rule Act was postponed by the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914. The majority of Nationalists followed their IPP leaders’ and John Redmond’s call to support
Britain and the Allied war effort by joining Irish regiments of the British Army, the intention being to ensure the commencement of Home
Rule after the war. But a significant minority of the Irish Volunteers
opposed Ireland’s involvement in the war. The Volunteer movement
split, a majority leaving to form the National Volunteers under John
Redmond. The remaining Irish Volunteers, under Eoin MacNeill, held
that they would maintain their organization until Home Rule had been
granted. Within this Volunteer movement, another faction, led by the
separatist Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB), began to prepare for a
revolt against British rule.
4
The Easter1916 rising was a military failure but the execution of
its leaders and the arrest of thousands of nationalist activists swung
popular opinion behind the desire for full independence from Britain,
as proclaimed by the IRB. The surviving members of the rising, led
by Éamonn de Valera, joined Sinn Féin, a small party at the time, and
took it over. Sinn Féin contested the 1918 election and won 73 out of
105 seats. They refused to sit in Westminster and in 1919 convened
the first Dáil. The Dáil reaffirmed the 1916 declaration and issued a
message which stated that there was an “existing state of war between
Ireland and England”. The Dáil directed that the Irish Volunteers be reconstituted as the ‘Irish Republican Army’ or IRA. The IRA was thus
perceived to have a mandate to wage war on the British administration. This was the official beginning of the War of Independence.
The Situation In East Clare
Volunteer Units had been set up in Clare in 1915. Training, drilling
and public parades had continued in the intervening years. However,
the organisation had become moribund with no more than 25 turning
up when summoned. Michael Brennan of Meelick who had been in the
IRB, had been arrested, interned and had been on hunger strike was released in a general amnesty in 1918. He returned to Clare in early 1918
and took part in DeValera’s election compaign. While he was away,
Clare had been divided into three Brigade areas; East, Mid and West
Clare. Each brigade area was subdivided into battalion areas. Each
battalion had its own structure. For example, Kilkishen was in the 5th.
battalion area. Joe Clancy of Kilkishen was the training officer because
he had been in the British Army during WWI. Jack Egan of Pollough
was the battalion’s intelligence officer. Quartermasters (QM) stored
weapons for the battalion. Paddy Cox was the QM for the neighbouring 1st. battalion and he used the Hickman premises in Fenloe. Major
Hickman was an officer in the RIC and did not stay in his house.
5
Michael Brennan was appointed officer commanding the East Clare
brigade and he set about revitalising his area and restoring morale to
his volunteers. He was 23 years old at this time. Drilling and training
re-commenced, weapons were procured via raids on big houses and
sometimes sent down from HQ in Dublin. Brennan suspected Michael
Collins of favouring his native Co.Cork when it came to the delivery
of weapons. Money was needed to buy these weapons from Collins
which was of course not readily available. However, in a raid on Limerick post office, Brennan obtained sufficient funds to allow the brigade to equip itself. Vacated RIC barracks were burned and occupied
ones attacked. Michael Brennan’s book; “The War in Clare” describes
a slow build up of attacks on the enemy. The volunteers were initially
constrained by lack of experience, lack of weapons and lack of knowledge of which houses and places were safe to hide out in. With the
passage of time, all of these constraints were resolved. By the time of
the Glenwood ambush, his guerilla force was well trained and experienced.
The volunteers overwhelmingly came from a rural background. The
majority were aged in their 20s. They came from small farms, typically 10 to 40 acres. They lived in houses which typically contained 2
parents, 4 to 6 children, 1 or 2 grandparents and sometimes a servant.
In East Clare, there were no combatants from large farms or businesses. That the volunteers were strongly politically motivated is without
doubt. This can be shown by the way families split after the Treaty
in July 1921 when brother argued with brother. Michael Neville of
Kilkishen tells the story about his father and his two uncles. All three
brothers were in the IRA. After the truce, arguments in the house became so heated that their mother instructed her daughters to get the
collection of guns and grenades that were hidden on the property and
to throw them into the nearby lake. She was concerned that the arguments would turn into a shooting match. Setting aside the risks inherent in giving live weapons to teenage girls, the incident shows the total
commitment of the young men to the cause of Irish Independence.
6
Another item of interest is how the volunteers travelled around. The
accounts of the participants show that they walked everywhere. When
summoned by their commanding officer, they walked. At Glenwood,
there were seven men from Feakle, a distance of more than 20 miles.
There were 2 men from Mountshannon, which is some miles further.
After an action like Glenwood, these men would have to be accommodated until things had quietened down. Bicycles were not an option
for travel outside one’s own area, as the police had placed a restriction
on this type of travel.
The volunteers could not have operated without the support of the local
people. They were fed, accommodated and their clothes were washed.
Injuries were treated by the local doctor and nurse. A preferred house
for the men on the run was one where there was a long avenue leading
up to it and a forest or woods to the rear.
In spite of the misery and terror that the Volunteers had indirectly
brought on nearly every parish in East Clare, the people continued
to support them. Shortly after Glenwood, Brennan authorised an appeal for funds for the Brigade to purchase clothes, food, cigarettes
and boots and to pay for medical expenses. Collections were made,
principally outside church gates and the enormous sum of £1500 was
realised. Brennan states in his book that the collection showed that
people were determined to back his group.
7
8
DeValera on the campaign trail in 1918 in Killaloe
MICHAEL BRENNAN
Officer commanding East Clare Brigade, IRA
Age 23
9
THE COMBATANTS
IN THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE
IRA
As explained in the previous section, the IRA were officially created
by the first Dáil and initially consisted of the Irish Volunteers.
The Chief of Staff of the IRA was Richard Mulcahy, who was responsible for organising and directing IRA units around the country. In
theory, Mulcahy were responsible to Cathal Brugha, the Dáil’s Minister of Defence. However, in practice, Brugha had only a supervisory
role, recommending or objecting to specific actions. A great deal also
depended on IRA leaders in local areas (such as Michael Brennan)
who organised guerrilla activity, largely on their own initiative. For
most of the conflict, IRA activity was concentrated in Munster and
Dublin, with only isolated active IRA units elsewhere.
While the paper membership of the IRA, carried over from the Irish
Volunteers, was over 100,000 men, Michael Collins estimated that only
15,000 men actively served in the IRA during the course of the war,
with about 3,000 on active service at any time. There were also support organisations Cumann na mBan (the women’s group) and Fianna
Éireann (youth movement), who carried weapons and intelligence for
IRA men and secured food and lodgings for them.
The IRA benefited from the widespread help given to them by the
general Irish population, who generally refused to pass information to
the RIC and the British military and who often provided “safe houses”
and provisions to IRA units “on the run”. Much of the IRA’s popularity
arose from the excessive reaction of the British forces to IRA activity.
10
Officially, the IRA disbanded after Independence. Many joined the
new National Army or the guards. Republicans who disagreed with
the treaty, retained the name in the subsequent Civil War. In modern
times, the IRA we are dealing with here are sometimes referred to as
“old IRA”.
RIC
The armed Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) was Ireland’s major police force for most of the nineteenth and the early twentieth centuries.
The force was composed of Irish men and one of its rules was that a
member could not serve in the County in which he was born. About
seventy five percent of the force were Roman Catholic, in line with
Irish demographics of the time. A separate civic police force, the unarmed Dublin Metropolitan Police or DMP, served the capital. Prior
to the outbreak of hostilities, the force was generally well regarded
by the general population and as being effective by the authorities.
Although armed with revolvers, the members were not inclined to use
them as they regarded their weapons “as encumbrances” to successful
policing. The RIC’s system of policing influenced the Canadian North
West Mounted Police and the Victoria Police force in Australia and
the Palestinian police force. During the War of Independence, the RIC
(along with the Courts and Inland Revenue collection) were targeted
by the IRA as they were regarded as “the eyes and ears” of the government.
The RIC was disbanded in 1922.
Black & Tans
In January 1920, the British government advertised in British cities
for men willing to “face a rough and dangerous task”, helping to boost
the ranks of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) in policing an increasingly anti-British Ireland. There was no shortage of recruits, many of
11
them First World War army veterans, and by November 1921 about
9,500 men had joined. This sudden influx of men led to a shortage
of RIC uniforms, and the new recruits were issued with khaki army
uniforms (usually only trousers) and dark green RIC or blue British
police surplus tunics, caps and belts. This mixture gave rise to their
nickname, the Black and Tans, from the name of a famous pack of foxhounds from Limerick, the Scarteen Black and Tans, whose colours
were and are similar. The name stuck even after the men received full
RIC uniforms.
They were employed by the RIC as Temporary Constables from 1920
to 1921 to suppress revolution in Ireland. Although they were established to target the Irish Republican Army, they became notorious
through their numerous undisciplined and arbitrary attacks on the Irish
civilian population.
The actions of the Black and Tans alienated public opinion in both
Ireland and Britain and abroad. Their violent tactics provided a propaganda coup for Sinn Féin, embarrassed the British Government and
encouraged both sides to move towards a peaceful resolution.
The War of Independence is sometimes referred to as the “Tan War”
or “Black-and-Tan War.” The “Cogadh na Saoirse” medal, which was
awarded to IRA Volunteers after 1941, bears a ribbon with two vertical
stripes in black and tan.
The Black & Tans were disbanded in 1922.
Auxiliaries
The Auxiliary Division RIC (ADRIC) was recruited in Britain from
among ex-officers who had served in World War I. Most recruits were
from Great Britain, though some were from Ireland. Recruiting began
in July 1920, and by November 1921, the division was 1,900 strong.
12
The Auxiliaries were nominally part of the RIC, designated TCs or
temporary cadets, but actually operated more or less independently in
rural areas. Divided into companies, each about one hundred strong,
heavily armed and highly mobile, they operated in ten counties, mostly
in the south and west, where IRA activity was greatest. For example,
a company of Auxiliaries were based in the Lakeside hotel in Killaloe.
They wore either RIC uniforms or their old army uniforms with appropriate police badges, along with distinctive Tam-o-shanter caps.
Auxiliary companies were intended as mobile striking and raiding
forces, and they scored some notable successes against the insurgents.
However, such successes and near-successes were not common: the
Division was hobbled by its lack of reliable intelligence, and most
of its raids brought no result. Many of the Division’s members did
not cope well with the frustrations of counterinsurgency: hurriedly recruited, poorly trained, and with an ill-defined role, they soon gained
a reputation for drunkenness, lack of discipline, and brutality worse
than that of the Black and Tans. They were disliked by members of
the RIC.
Like the Black & Tans, the Auxiliaries sometimes took reprisals in the
wake of attacks by the IRA, as was the case in Kilkishen.
The ADRIC were and are often confused with the Black and Tans:
many atrocities laid at the door of the latter were in reality attributable
to the Auxiliaries.
Disbanded along with the RIC in 1922, many Auxiliaries joined the
Palestine Police Force.
British Army
The British Army in the East Clare area was represented by
the 1st Battalion Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, with
their headquarters in Limerick. The battalion, had outposts in locations such as the workhouse in Tulla and Dobbins (now O’Hallorans)
13
house in Kilkishen. Generally, the army did not get involved in day to
day policing and they usually refrained from reprisals and killing in
revenge for I.R.A. attacks.
One local incident involving the army occurred in November 1920.
Members of the Ox and Bucks were guarding a crashed RAF plane
near Punch’s quarry in the Cratloe area. A group of I.R.A. volunteers led by Joe Clancy of Kilkishen had seen the plane make a
forced landing and gathered up a few other Volunteers who were
hiding out at Hogan’s house in Cratloe. After dusk, Clancy and
the Volunteers climbed to the top of Punch’s quarry and opened
fire on the troops who had settled in for the night around a roaring fire near the crashed plane. Privates Baker and Spackman were
killed. Private Robins was wounded in the attack and died later.
In revenge for this incident the regiment went wild in Limerick city
the following night, rioting, beating up civilians and getting drunk.
This, however, was an isolated event.
14
AN AUXILLARY SEARCH
15
THE DAY OF THE AMBUSH
The following three accounts describe the ambush from differing
perspectives. The first is an edited version taken from http://www.
warofindependence.net/?page_id=118, and describes the event from
the republican side. It is based on interviews with the participants and
their written accounts.
The second account is an edited version from the Clare Champion of
30th January, 1921. The reporter appears to have been based in Sixmilebridge and describes what happened to the members of the police
patrol immediately after the event.
The third account is based on an interview given by the driver of the
police vehicle to a reporter from the Press Association.
1st. account of the ambush
“In mid January 1921, orders were sent to all six battalions of the East
Clare Brigade asking all available I.R.A. Volunteers to assemble at
Parker’s house, Castlelake on the morning of the 20th of January. The
officers of the Brigade had decided to attempt to ambush the regular
R.I.C. patrol travelling from Sixmilebridge to Broadford.
On the appointed day, thirty seven I.R.A Volunteers reported for duty.
Half of them carried rifles while the remainder were armed with shotguns and revolvers. A number of the republicans who had arrived unarmed, volunteered as scouts. Volunteer Joseph Clancy of Kilkishen,
a local and a former soldier in the British Army, suggested a suitable
location for the attack at the rear entrance to Glenwood House. Michael Brennan accepted his advice and divided up the men into different sections and explained the plan of attack. At Glenwood the republican scouts were posted along the road a short distance in both
directions from the I.R.A.’s new position. The thirty or so remaining
16
I.R.A. Volunteers were divided into three sections under the command
of Michael Brennan, his brother Austin Brennan of Meelick and Tom
McGrath of O’Callaghan’s Mills. The men in Michael Brennan’s section were all armed with rifles and positioned along a high stone wall
just north of the gate to Glenwood house. The stone wall would give
then a good cover from enemy fire and a direct line of fire for about
fifty or sixty yards. Michael Brennan himself was armed with a revolver and stood a few yards behind the men in his group positioned
along this wall. Joseph Clancy was hidden behind a large holly bush
on top of the wall keeping watch along the road as the other Volunteers
remained hidden. Austin Brennan’s group of Volunteers equipped with
rifles and shotguns, was placed fifty yards further north behind another
stone wall. The remaining men under Tom Mc Grath’s command were
located along the edge of a field a hundred yards to the south of the
gate armed with revolvers. The ambushers were to hold their fire, until
riflemen under Michael Brennan’s command attacked the lorry.
The intelligence information gathered by Jack Egan of Pollough,
showed that the R.I.C. patrol was due to travel through the area at
eleven o’clock. When there was no sign of the ambush by half eleven,
Mick Neville was dispatched to Kilkishen to see if he could get any
news of the R.I.C. patrols location. He returned with refreshments and
to report that the patrol had not passed through the village. By half
three, the I.R.A. officers at Glenwood came to the conclusion that the
R.I.C. patrol had travelled by a different route, and had begun to recall
their scouts when they reported that a lorry was approaching the ambush position. A few moments later, the Volunteers heard the roar of
the vehicle’s engine. With a number of the scouts already withdrawn,
the I.R.A. still did not know whether it was the R.I.C. patrol or not,
as a number of civilian lorries had passed during the day. After their
long wait the I.R.A. officers were anxious that the men would not fire
an accidental shot. As the lorry approached, Joseph Clancy climbed
on top of the wall which Michael Brennan’s section were positioned
behind, and kept watch to check if the approaching lorry was the ex17
pected R.I.C. patrol. Clancy made repeated appeals to the riflemen to
hold their fire until the lorry came into view and entered the ambush
position. He recognised the lorry as a police vehicle and then shouted
‘Police’ and dropped down into his position.
As the R.I.C. patrol entered the ambush position the I.R.A still did not
know the strength of the enemy patrol and whether there was a second
or possibly even a third Crossley Tender lorry following. Because of
this uncertainty Michael Brennan did not give the order to fire until
the Crossly Tender had almost drawn level with his sections position:
“There was no time to get the out posts posted, but as it sounded like
there was only one lorry, it seemed to be a fair chance. … The whistle
brought a burst of fire from front and side. My party all aimed at the
driver, but though they knocked off his cap and hit nearly everyone
else on the lorry, he was unscathed. His steering column was broken
though and the lorry went out of control rolling in against the wall
where we were standing.” While the R.I.C. lorry was slowing to a halt,
Dan Lenihan threw a Mill’s hand grenade into the back but it failed to
explode. As the I.R.A. continued firing on the lorry, its driver jumped
clear across the bonnet of the vehicle and ran for cover. He managed to
leave the roadway and disappeared into nearby woods throwing aside
his belt, revolver, ammunition and great coat in an effort to escape. A
second R.I.C. man. who had been seriously wounded left the rear of
the Crossly Tender and escaped while the republicans had turned their
attention from the lorry onto its fleeing driver.
Within two minutes the ambush ended and Michael Brennan ordered
a ceasefire. The I.R.A.’s initial attack had been so effective that the
entire R.I.C. patrol had not been able to return fire. Five were killed
instantly, one was mortally wounded but had not yet died and four
escaped, two with injuries.. The dead and injured were carried to the
roadside and one member of the flying column was sent to Sixmilebridge to summon spiritual aid for them from Fr. Daly and Fr. O’Dea.
The I.R.A. Volunteers searched the dead and wounded and recovered
18
eight rifles, seven .45 revolvers, almost a thousand rounds of ammunition. Knowing that the sound of gunfire would have been heard and
reported to the British forces, the I.R.A. withdrew eastwards toward
Oatfield after setting fire to the Crossley Tender.”
2nd account of the ambush
“Belvoir, about two miles from Sixmilebridge, was the scene of a fierce
ambush about 3:30 on Thursday evening of last week, when a District
Inspector of police, a sergeant and four constables were shot dead.
It appears that a motor lorry containing the D.I. and nine other ranks
were proceeding from Sixmilebridge to Broadford, and just as they
reached Belvoir, a thickly wooded district, a deadly fire was opened on
them by the ambushers, who, it is stated, were concealed at each side
of the road and were in large numbers. The attack was so startlingly
sudden and so fierce that the occupants of the lorry were practically
powerless to make any resistance. The names of the killed are: Major
Clarke, D.I., a native of the North of Ireland; Sergeant M. Molloy,
Constables John Doogue, M. Moran, T.E. Morris (English recruit1)
and W.J. Smyth (English recruit).
Sergeant Egan, who was also in the vehicle at the time, was seriously
wounded in the right thigh, and his right arm was fractured in two
places. Constable Selve, an English recruit, received light wounds to
the fingers. All wounded were conveyed to the military hospital, New
Barracks, Limerick.
Constable Seabright, driver of the lorry, and Constable Prior escaped
uninjured.
One of the deceased men, Constable Moran, who was a weekly communicant, and a man of deep religious character, was found dead with
his Rosary bead across his face. Major Clarke, a protestant, it is stated,
was found with a Sacred Heart badge sewed inside his coat. He was in
19
civilian clothes when killed. Sergt. Molloy, who is said to have been
very popular in the district, leaves a widow and three children to mourn
his loss. He was the only married man of the six who were killed.
The two men who had escaped injury came to the assistance of Sergt.
Egan and assisted him along the road towards Sixmilebridge. Eventually, as he became too weak, he was accommodated in the house of
a Mr. Parker, Castle Lake, and his comrades proceeded on and met a
trap in which Col. O’Callaghan-Westropp2 was returning home with
his driver. The constables entered the trap and drove to Sixmilebridge
with the news. Meanwhile, Constable Seabright, who had made his
way to the residence of Mr. Wilson-Lynch, Belvoir, by whom he was
driven to the village. The police at Sixmilebridge were not sufficiently
strong to send out a relief party, and the clergy were communicated
with, and asked to go to the place to minister to the dying.
Rev. J. Daly, P.P. and Rev. D. O’Dea C.C., left for the scene and
anointed Sergeant Egan. There being no medical attendance available,
Mr. James O’Regan3 and Mr. James O’Flynn4 , on being asked by Mr.
Wilson-Lynch, proceeded to the scene, and in the former’s motor lorry
removed the bodies to Sixmilebridge, Constable Doogue, who showed
signs of life being anointed.
It is stated that the affair affected Father Daly so much that since its
occurrence he has become quite an old man.”
1. English recruit was the official way of describing a Black & Tan.
2. Col. O’Callaghan-Westropp was a large landowner living outside
Tulla. He was quite a distance from home and it is interesting that
he used a horse & trap rather than a motor-car for such a long journey.
3. Mr. James O’Regan was former chairman of Clare Co. Council, the
owner of a sawmill and garage in Sixmilebridge and father of the
20
late Brendan O’Regan.
4. Mr. James O’Flynn was the owner of the Thomond Woollen mills
in Sixmilebridge. He was also a prominent businessman in Sixmilebridge and Limerick.
3rd account of the ambush
This account was published by the Irish Independent on 25th Jan.
1921. The reader will note that, in this account, the driver’s name is
given as Sievwright, in contrast with the Clare Champion’s Seabright.
My insertions are in square brackets.
“A graphic story of tho ambush of a police patrol by 100 men near
Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare……..was told yesterday by Mr. Geo. F. S.
Sievwright, the driver of the police car, in an interview. Mr. Sievwright,
whose home is at Aberdech [Aberdeen], said that Thursday’s affray
was the fourth ambush which he had experienced in 3 days. The car,
containing ten men, he said, was nearing Glenwood, when, on rounding a bend in the road, about 100 men suddenly appeared from behind
a hedge. A volley of shots was heard, and bullets hit the car from all
directions. D.I. Clarke, said Mr. Sievright, was the first man to be hit.
“He was sitting by my side when a bullet entered his left shoulder.
He shouted: ‘Drive on, Sievright; I am hit’. A terrific and uninterrupted rain of rifle bullets followed. I opened the throttle, and tried to
race through, but just as I reached mid-way between the fire the car
stopped, and a bullet grazed my hands at the wheel”.
D.I. Clarke fell out of the car on to the road and crawled by the roadside for several yards. The men behind the hedge turned their attention
to him, and made him the target for the whole of their fire. He was
riddled with bullets and killed outright. The rest of the patrol then
jumped out of the car and returned the fire. Sergt. Egan was hit on the
left side, the bullet passing out of his shoulder. Constables Silva and
Prior assisted the sergeant into a dyke by the roadside. Owing to loss
21
of blood, Egan could not move so the two constables left him under
cover and succeeded in getting away in the direction of Sixmilebridge
to call for reinforcements.”
According to the Saturday Record of 30th Jan. 1921, on Friday night,
the bodies of Sgt. Molloy, Const. Dooge and Const. Moran were laid
out in Sixmilebridge Catholic church. The bodies of DI Clarke, Const.
Smith and Const. Morris were similarly laid out in the Protestant
Church. On Saturday morning, they were removed to Sixmilebridge
railway station accompanied by several residents.
The Irish Independent of 25th. Jan. 1921 reported on DI Clarke’s funeral as follows: (note the last sentence of the report)
“The remains of DI Clarke were interred in the Presbyterian Cemetry at
Lurgan yesterday. Practically all business premises were shuttered and
there was an enormous cortege. At the morning service in First Lurgan
church on Sunday, Rev. W.B. Sproule said deceased was a fine specimen
of young manhood. He had done more than a man’s part in the Great
World War.
Some hay was burned between O’Briensbridge and Clonlara on Sunday
night.”
22
23
The inscription reads “17-3-21 Tactical Crossley on duty @ Killaloe-Nenagh, Co. Clare”
This tender is equipped with a machine gun in the front. Registration no. is TI 209, a Limerick city
registration. The men in the photo appear to be British Army as the caps and cap badges are not RIC
or Auxiliary or Black & Tan.
A TYPICAL CROSSLEY TENDER OF THE PERIOD.
AFTER THE AMBUSH CAME
THE REPRISALS
Here, we have three accounts. The first two are, as above, taken from
the War of Independence website and the Clare Champion. The 1st
account concentrates on the Kilkishen and Broadford areas, while the
2nd account describes what happened in the Sixmilebridge and Kilmurry areas. The 3rd account is an edited version of a report from The
Saturday Record of 30th January 1921, and goes into more detail of
what happened in the Broadford & Kilkishen areas. All three accounts
are consistent in their descriptions of the reprisals meted out to local
people and their property.
1st account of the reprisals
“As the I.R.A. volunteers crossed the hills to the East, they saw the first
houses burning as the British forces began another night of terrorism
and reprisals in revenge for the ambush. Lorry loads of Black and Tans
and R.I.C. from Sixmilebridge and Broadford converged on Kilkishen,
firing their weapons at random into houses along the roadside as they
travelled to the area. After raiding a number of pubs for drink, they
began to fire wildly at the inhabitants of the village as they made their
way towards Joseph Clancy’s home. When the Black and Tans arrived
and found the house empty, they began a ‘police search’ of the house
and reduced its entire contents to pieces. By now word of the ambush
had reached the Auxiliaries stationed at the Lakeside Hotel in Killaloe,
who set off to join in the reprisals at Kilkishen. They stopped on their
journey to burn the Bridgetown Creamery and various houses along
the way. Their next stop was at Clonaconry where they torched Hayes
and Ryan’s before continuing on their way stopping at Lissane, Ballykelly, Ahaclare, Belvoir and Knockatureen marking their progress
with a trail of burning farmhouses. Upon reaching Kilkishen they set
alight a number of farm buildings and haystacks belonging to the Dwyer family. When they eventually arrived in the centre of the village
24
they joined the Black and Tans in looting and burning more houses
before they all got so drunk and out of control that their officers had to
disarm a number of them that were shooting their rifles and revolvers
so freely that they were a danger to themselves and the other members
of the R.I.C. By morning the Black and Tans and the Auxiliaries had
reduced twenty-one houses to ashes but the British forces reprisals had
still not ended. The R.I.C. and Black and Tans returned early the next
morning with some British soldiers who assisted them in ransacking
houses, burning them and questioning or beating up their occupants.”
2nd account of the reprisals
“Following the ambush, scenes of terror and destruction were witnessed in Sixmilebridge and district on Thursday night. On hearing
of the encounter hundreds fled from their homes and spent the night
in the fields, while vast tongues of flame made a spectacle which told
their own tale of the deeds that were being enacted soon afterwards.
At least a score of families have been left homeless, and in many cases
penniless.
About 7 p.m. huge war-equipped forces swooped from Limerick and
Ennis into the countryside, and at once began a search for the men
implicated in the ambush. Fields, farmhouses and every conceivable
place for mile around were searched, and a big sweeping movement
was directed towards the mountains in the east of the county, towards
Shannon and Limerick City.
As the night wore on and the search continued, fires began to spring
up here and there. Farmer’s residences were being consumed. After 7
p.m., when the street of Sixmilebridge were deserted, an outburst of
fire, followed by loud explosions, prepared the people for what was
coming. The thatched residence of Messrs Casey Brothers, Railway
Rd., was observed to be on fire. The occupants, including an aged,
infirm man, had cleared out earlier. The house of Daniel Moloney,
victualler, was attacked. It also was unoccupied. Mrs. Moloney came
25
on the scene and opened the door for the attackers but was powerless
to prevent them, and she was ordered to clear away. It appears that an
attempt to set the house on fire failed, and the furniture was then taken
out and piled on the street and burned. The National Bank occupied
portion of the house as offices, and this met the same fate as the rest.
The internal fittings were all smashed. The house of Joseph Fennessy,
blacksmith, was also wrecked, and its furniture burned on the street.
Property belonging to Mr. T. Frost, C.P.S., which was at the rear of this
house, was also burned. There is nothing left of the premises of Patrick Moore, farmer. The residence and shop of John Gilligan, Rossroe,
father of Rev. M. Gilligan, C.C., Carrigaholt, were partly destroyed.
Houses of farmers named Messrs Fitzgerald, McNamara, Dillon and
Duggan at Belvoir, and of Patk. Herbert, Lisnagry, were consumed
whilst the village of Kilkishen and Meelick also suffered.
Along the Broadford hills ruined houses could be seen smoking on
Friday. It is impossible to estimate the damage, but it must run into
many thousands of pounds.
All business was suspended in Sixmilebridge during the week end and
all houses were closed and shuttered, whilst blinds were drawn. It is
also alleged that animals have also been shot in the district.”
3rd account of the reprisals
“The extraordinary activity of Crown forces, which began on Thursday night, following the ambush at Glenwood, continued over a large
portion of East Clare, and 28 arrests were made, but all have been released, except two farmers’ sons—James McNamara, Knockatoureen,
and Martin Fitzgerald, Cappalaheen.
John Kett, Cappalaheen; Tim Clune, snr; Tim Clune, junr., father and
son, of Scart; Con. O’Neill, contractor, -Kilkishen; James McNamara,
Knockatoureen; Martin Fitzgerald, Cappalaheen; Fred Baily, Mount
Baily; Patrick O’Loghlen, Enagh and Patrick Courtney, Ogonneloe,
who had been arrested in their homes during the night were brought
into the village and placed under an armed guard in the yard of Mr S.
26
O’Halloran’s premises. After a while, all, with the excep­tion of J. McNamara, were discharged, and proceeded to provide themselves with
refreshments in the village.
There were several marks and discolourations all over their faces and
bodies, and in several instances their clothes were torn. Within a short
time Tim Clune, senr., Con. O’Neill and Martin Fitzgerald were rearrested. Fitzgerald was taken in a lorry to Tulla, the military HQ for
the district. McNamara’s brother is an ex-soldier and has been interned
in Wormwood Scrubs.
So far as I have been able to penetrate the devastated countryside,
I have come across one burned creamery at Bridgetown, 17 burned
houses (12 being those of farmers) which brings the ascertained total
for this part of Clare for the past few months up to 32. The damage
caused by fire following the Glenwood ambush is estimated at not less
than £30,000. The creamery alone was worth £5,000.
Excluding the houses in Sixmilebridge, the following have also suffered:
Mrs. Linnane, Broadford - house, barns and hay;
John Dillon, Ahaclare - house and hay;
T Duggan, Ahaclare - house and hay;
Mrs. Fitzgerald, Belvoir - barns, hay and corn
Daniel McNamara, Killanena - hay and farmyard
McNamara, Kilkishen - house partly saved, hay burned;
Martin Hayes, Clonboyne - house;
Edward Hynes, Clonboyne - house;
Martin Hayes, Leitrim, - hay burned, house burned last Sept.;
Michael Larkin, Bridgetown - new house and hay
Mrs. Hayes, Clonaconry - house and hay;
John Ryan, Clonaconry - house and hay;
Hynes, Lissane – house
Donnellan, Lissane – house.
27
The burning of Bridgetown Co-Operative Creamery, the only co-operative enterprise of this kind in Clare, strikes a serious blow at the
farming community, over 200 of whom send their milk there.
A member of the Committee of Management told a press representative that at 9.45 p.m, on Thursday, armed men arrived in three lorries,
smashed in the doors, and, after some internal explosions, flames burst
out, and the whole house, with his machinery, was en­veloped. There is
nothing left except the bare walls.
Martin Hayes, of Clonboyne, stated that he was beside the kitchen fire
reading and his wife had retired, when armed and disguised men came.
They look him out and spoke about shooting. His wife was pulled out
of bed, and after some explosions the house was set on fire.
Describing the destruction visited on Martin Hayes of Leitrim, whose
residence was burned last September, an eye-witness stated that the
family were living in a barn and were reciting the Rosary when armed
men arrived.
Michael Larkin had his house, which was burned last September, just
fit for occupation again, but it is now a ruin once more.”
Comment
The Saturday Record reporter got some of the townland names wrong.
However, I have not altered his report as the actual properties that
were damaged are well known locally. The reporter also did not get all
of the names of the affected properties, probably because travel in the
area was dangerous at the time.
The following properties were also damaged:
Broughton’s, Killaderry – new house
Dwyer’s, Kilkishen – house and hay
Savage’s, Lissane – house and hay
Clancy’s, Kilkishen - house
28
Based on the above accounts, it would appear that the Auxiliaries and
Black & Tans approached the district from two directions. Those based
in Limerick and Ennis attacked the Sixmilebridge area and those in
Killaloe commenced their trail of destruction at Bridgetown, moving
to Broadford, then Belvoir and onward to Kilkishen.
The military’s advance through the area was not random. They knew
who were in the IRA and where they lived and they targeted these
houses.
Two weeks after the ambush, a Lady Sykes of the Peace with Ireland
Movement visited Sixmilebridge to survey the damage caused from
the reprisals and to make a short newsreel film. The film shows an
unknown single storey house, with a loft above and a lean-to at one
gable, totally gutted. Only the walls survive. The film may be seen at
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=17861
In addition to the properties listed above, other properties were visited
and escaped with minor damage or the occupants were beaten up. The
burning of hay ricks was second in seriousness to the destruction of
dwelling houses. Hay was needed for the farm animals to tide them
over the Winter. The burnings happened in January, leaving 4 months
before there would be sufficient grass to feed the animals. The farmers
had little or no savings, so the gift of hay that they got from their unaffected neighbours was especially welcome.
In the interest of balance, it should be mentioned that some of the
householders were compensated by the British Government in the
form of a cash grant to rebuild their properties.
29
30
A DESTROYED FARMHOUSE AFTER
A TYPICAL BLACK & TAN SEARCH.
Participants In The Ambush
NAME
FROM
ORGANISATION
DIVISION
RANK
Michael Brennan
Meelick
IRA
E.C. Brigade
C.O.
Austin Brennan
‘’
IRA
‘’
V.C.
Tom McGrath
O’Callaghans Mills
IRA
‘’
V.C.
Jack O’Grady
Kilnacrandy, Quin
IRA
1st Battalion
Volunteer
Danny O’Brien
Applefort, Quin
IRA
‘’
‘’
Jack Curley
Applefort, Quin
IRA
‘’
‘’
Mick Hehir
Bodyke
IRA
2nd Battalion
‘’
Jack McCormack
Clonlara
IRA
‘’
‘’
Martin Naughton
Oatfield
IRA
‘’
‘’
Seamus Hogan
Loughrea, Galway
IRA
‘’
‘’
Jackie Ryan
Kilbane, Broadford
IRA
3rd Battalion
‘’
Michael Cleary
Mountshannon
IRA
4th Battalion
‘’
Tom McInerney
‘’
IRA
‘’
‘’
Dinny Minogue
‘’
‘IRA
‘’
‘’
31
Participants In The Ambush
Joe Clancy
Kilkishen
IRA
5th Battalion
T.O.
Martin (Neighbour) McNamara
‘’
IRA
‘’
Volunteer
Mick Neville
‘’
IRA
‘’
‘’
Jimmy McInerney ‘’
IRA
‘’
‘’
Jack Egan
Pollough, SMB
IRA
‘’
I.O.
Pat ( Tadhg )
McGrath
O’Callaghans Mills
IRA
‘’
Volunteer
Dan Lenihan
‘’
IRA
‘’
‘’
Peter St. Ledger
‘’
IRA
‘’
‘’
Michael
O’Shaughnessy
‘’
IRA
‘’
‘’
Mick Moloney
‘’
IRA
‘’
‘’
Michael O’Dea
Tulla
IRA
‘’
‘’
Paddy Quinn
‘’
IRA
‘’
‘’
Paddy Hanrahan
‘’
IRA
‘’
‘’
Paddy McCarthy
‘’
IRA
‘’
‘’
32
Participants In The Ambush
Joe McNamara
Bodyke
IRA
‘’
‘’
Paddy Cox
‘’
IRA
‘’
‘’
Matty McGrath
Feakle
IRA
6th Battalion
‘’
Joe Tuohy
‘’
IRA
‘’
‘’
Joe Rocheford
‘’
IRA
‘’
‘’
Joe Nugent
‘’
IRA
‘’
‘’
Mick O’Brien
‘’
IRA
‘’
‘’
Matty Moloney
‘’
IRA
‘’
‘’
Mick Tuohy
‘’
IRA
‘’
‘’
William Clarke
Lurgan, Co. Armagh
RIC
Regular
D.I.
Michael Molloy
Co. Mayo
‘’
‘’
Sergt.
J Egan
??
‘’
‘’
Sergt.
John Dooge
Co. Laois
‘’
‘’
Const.
? Selve
??
‘’
‘’
Const.
Michael Moran
Co. Mayo
‘’
Black & Tan
Const.
William Smith
Kent
‘’
Black & Tan
Const.
Frank Morris
Richmond, London
‘’
Black & Tan
Const.
? Seabright
Aberdeen
‘’
Black & Tan
Const.
? Prior
??
‘’
Black & Tan
Const.
33
A VOLUNTEER’S LETTER TO HIS
SISTER IN CANADA
The following letter was given to me by Denis Lenehan of Cloncool,
O’Callaghan’s Mills, who in turn got in from Ms. Phil McGrath,
daughter of Tom McGrath of Clonloum, O’Callaghan’s Mills.
It was written by Pat (Thade) McGrath, aged approximately 30, of
Clonloum, O’Callaghan’s Mills to his younger sister Kit in Canada.
He was a brother of Tom McGrath and both men were at the Glenwood
ambush.
The letter is undated, but more than likely was written in early January
1921.
The Ned referred to is Ned Burke of Woodfield House, Broadford and
the husband of Kit. It is not known who the “little gal who loves me”
was. The “Two” refers to Thade and his brother Tom.
Thade survived the war, went to Australia for a year or so and returned
to work the family farm. He died unmarried in 1959.
This letter is valuable in that it gives an insight to the feelings of a
typical Volunteer of the period. Spelling and punctuation are as in the
letter. My insertions are in square brackets.
Dear Kit
Most sincerely do I wish you and Ned a Happy Christmas and a bright
& prosperous New Year. Though it is bright & prosperous for you,
what will it bring to us now as I write to you. I hear the sound of
the lorries, perhaps tis on a visit to ourselves they are. They cannot
do much more to us – they have left us the walls. We heard of the
atrocities of Belgium committed by the G[ermans]. Did we believe
34
that it could be committed by man under military command. I have
seen it – the excesses would make you skin creep. I suppose war is war
but why can’t they recognise it as such. Fancy treating our prisoners as
criminals – the best of Ireland’s sons – brains and brawn – but we will
get even with them yet. I don’t think you will ever see one of us again
or even hear from us as we mean to die fighting if needs require it. Tis
a hard lot to say you cannot rest or sleep in your own home. I have
given you the worst side of the picture already, though the other side is
not very bright. I am sure you would like to hear something different
to what I am telling you, but dear knows, Kit, tis a lot worse though we
have not had the worst of it. I would not mind so much about myself but
I got a little gal who loves me better than I can’t say what. Yet what can
I do when I haven’t done it before now – perhaps tis all for the better. I
am not grumbling, never did. Wish I could be with you and Ned but tis
not my place. Ireland needs all her sons at present. Tis a glorious fight
– though you don’t think so, we are winning and when the Crowning
day comes though we may not be there yet I hope and expect we will,
you will be proud of the Two who never failed her in her hour of need.
Don’t be one bit alarmed about the two of us. If we die, we die in a
good cause. Tis about time I would ask how [are] yourself and Ned,
though I am nearly sure a letter to Clonloum won’t find me. God bless
you and don’t cry when you read this. There is a silvery lining to every
cloud. We may enjoy each other society yet when our oppressors are
gone to the wall. This house to lett [sic]. Big heart you have. Don’t be
downhearted. I wish I could be with Ned now.
Get me my passport.
Your outlaw brother
To H[EL]L with England
I must say my prayers
35
36
DEVALERA REVIEWING THE THREE CLARE BRIGADES
OF THE IRA AT GLENWOOD IN DECEMBER 1921. (1)
(On his left is Cathal Brugha, Minister for Defence in the first Dáil)
37
DEVALERA REVIEWING THE THREE CLARE BRIGADES OF THE IRA
AT GLENWOOD IN DECEMBER 1921. (2)
(The flag on display is that of the 1st. Western Division of the IRA. The three Clare Brigades had been
combined to form the 1st. Western Division, under the command of Michael Brennan)
Vol. Seán O’Keefe (left) from Kilrush
and Vol. Martin (Neighbour) McNamara of Kilkishen
in dress uniform on the day
DeValera reviewed the 1st. Western Division.
38
What Happened To The Participants
After The War Of Independence
NAME
FROM
What happened to them?
Michael Brennan
Meelick
Aged 24 at the time of the ambush, joined National Army, married in
1938, 3 children, retired as Lt-Gen in 1940, joined OPW. Lived in Dublin
til his death in 1986, aged 90, buried in Deansgrange, Dublin
Austin Brennan
Meelick
Joined the army, married in 1938 to Christine Hogan of Bodyke. Lived in
Dublin til his death in 1983, buried in Balgriffin, Dublin
Tom McGrath
O’Callaghans Mills
Member of the Clare team of 1914. Aged 33 at the time of the ambush.
Became Colonel in the Army, retired in 1946, died in 1977 and buried
in Glasnevin.
Jack O’Grady
Kilnacrandy, Quin
Aged 26 at the time of the ambush. Married in 1922, 6 children. Briefly
in the army then worked with Clare Co. Co. Lived in the barrack in Fenloe,
died in 1980.
Danny O’Brien
Applefort,
Quin
Aged 26 at the time of the ambush. Went to USA in 1923, married,
never returned.
Jack Curley
Applefort,
Quin
Originally from Galway, used to come to visit his sister Katie who worked
in Glenwood House, married Babs Clandillon a teacher in Kilmurry, 5
children, lived and farmed in Drumullan.
Mick Hehir
Bodyke
Possibly not from Bodyke, but a member of the mid-Clare Bridade from
Kilmaley/Kilnamona area.
Jack McCormack
Clonlara
Aged 20 at the time of the ambush. Captain in the Army, then fisheries
inspector on the Shannon, then became post - master in Castleconnell,
Co. Limerick. Died in 1956.
Martin Naughton
Oatfield
Aged 21 at the time of the ambush. Joined Volunteers in 1917. Married
with 7 Children. All emigrated to USA in the late 40s. Lived in NY state,
died in 1980.
Seamus Hogan
Loughrea, Galway
Aged 20 at the time of the ambush. Brother of Paddy Hogan, Minister of
Ag. in 1st Dail, who coined the phrase “1 more cow, 1 more sow, 1 more
acre under the plough” Became Prof. of History in UCC, died in Cork in
1967.
Jackie Ryan
Kilbane, Broadford
Aged 20 at the time of the ambush. Joined the Army based in Cork, then
farmed at home. Married with 3 children. Died 1957.
39
What Happened To The Participants
After The War Of Independence
Michael Cleary
Mountshannon
Aged 23 at the time of the ambush, joined the National Army rising to
Captain. Killed in an accident in Listowel in 1923. Buried in Holy Island.
Tom McInerney
‘’
Emigrated to USA, returned and lived in Corbally, Limerick where he died.
Dinny Minogue
‘’
Aged 20 at the time of the ambush. Emigrated to Canada in 1923,
then to St. Louis. Came home in 1966 for the 50th. anniv. of the rising.
Married with family in St. Louis and died there.
Joe Clancy
Kilkishen
British army in WWI. After the truce, was a carpenter in Killaloe, died in
1961 aged 62.
Martin (Neighbour)
‘’
McNamara
British army in WWI, after the truce, emigrated to Australia with 5
siblings, died there. 4 siblings stayed in Ireland
Mick Neville
Officer in Army til mid 1940s. Emigrated to London and worked as an
attendant in the Tate Gallery, died in 1956 aged 57 (?), married with
children, buried in London
‘’
Jimmy McInerney ‘’
Aged 25 at the time of the ambush. Worked for Clare Co. Co., married &
had 6 children. Farmed in Kilkishen, died in 1973.
Jack Egan
Pollough, SMB
Returned to Farming, married, no children. Hurled with SMB, Died in
1969 in his 80s
Pat ( Tadhg )
McGrath
O’Callaghans Mills
Returned to farming. Unmarried. Died 1959, buried in Killuran,
see letter to Kit
Dan Lenihan
‘’
Aged 19 at the time of the ambush. Joined National Army, killed in a
road accident in 1928, buried in Broadford.
Peter St. Ledger
‘’
Aged 24 at the time of the ambush. Joined guards, made Sgt. on his first
day, posted to Co. Kildare. Married with family. Died in 1961, buried in
Monasterevin.
Michael
O’Shaughnessy
‘’
Aged 31 at the time of the ambush. Farmed & worked with Clare Co. Co.
Died C. 1960.
Mick Moloney
‘’
Aged 28 at the time of the ambush. Farmed, then Post-master in OCM
from 1936. married, 1 child. Died 1973.
Michael O’Dea
Tulla
Fought in the 1916 rising. Aged 24 at the time of the ambush. Joined
the Army and was promoted to Captain. Returned to farming in Cutteen
Tulla, Married with 5 children. Died in 1982.
40
What Happened To The Participants
After The War Of Independence
Paddy Quinn
‘’
Aged 25 at the time of the ambush. His brother Jack and sister Mary
Ellen were very involved in the War of Independence. He was in charge of
the barracks in Tulla. Afterwards, he returned to farming and married.
Paddy Hanrahan
‘’
went to USA, returned in 1932 & bought a farm in NOF. Married, no
children. Sold farm in 1969 and retired to Tulla. Died in 1973.
Paddy McCarthy
‘’
Aged 28 at the time of the ambush. Joined the Army and served as
Captain in Templemore. Retired to farming in Knappogue, married with 3
children, died 1957.
Joe McNamara
Bodyke
Aged 18 at the time of the ambush. Joined the Guards with his 4
brothers, detective in Birr, married with family. Died in 1956, buried in
Birr.early 50s
Paddy Cox
‘’
Aged 29 at the time of the ambush. Driver/Mechanic for Clare Co. Co.,
married and had 4 children, lived in Shandangan, died in 1968 aged 76.
Matty McGrath
Feakle
Aged 20 at the time of the ambush. Captain in the Army. Died in a
shooting incident in Co. Kerry in 1922, buried in Tulla where there is a
memorial to him.
Joe Tuohy
‘’
Emigrated to USA, married, died and was buried there.
Joe Rocheford
‘’
Joined the Guards, served in Westmeath, Buried in Feakle.
Joe Nugent
‘’
Captain in Army to 1927, farmed in Kinnitty, Co.Offaly til his death in
1975, aged 79, unmarried, buried in Feakle
Mick O’Brien
‘’
no account
Matty Moloney
‘’
Emigrated to USA, settled in Texas, married no children
Mick Tuohy
‘’
Became manager of Collinstown (now Dublin) airport
William Clarke
Co. Armagh
died in ambush
Michael Molloy
Co. Mayo
Died in ambush, left a wife and 3 children. Descendants live in Co.
Galway.
J Egan
??
?
John Dooge
Co. Laois
died in ambush
? Selve
??
?
Michael Moran
Co. Mayo
died in ambush
William Smith
Kent
died in ambush
Frank Morris
London
died in ambush
? Seabright
Aberdeen
?
? Prior
??
?
41
Vol. Paddy Quinn of Moymore, Tulla.
He is wearing a Junior All- Ireland medal on his watch chain.
42
Vol. Joe Clancy, Kilkishen
43
Vol. Mick O’Dea, Tulla
44
Vol. Jack Curley, Applefort, Quin
45
Vol. Jack O’Grady, Kilnacrandy, Quin
46
WEDDING PHOTO OF VOL. TOM MCGRATH IN NATIONAL
ARMY UNIFORM AND HIS WIFE KATIE HURLEY
47
CAPT. DAN LENIHAN IN NATIONAL ARMY UNIFORM
48
VOL. JACKIE (BISHOP) RYAN IN THE MID 1950s.
He got his nickname from the time the Bishop of Killaloe gave him a
lift to his confirmation in the Bishop’s pony & trap
49
STORIES
Martin Kennedy, the Bard of Violet Hill, composed a song about the
Glenwood ambush. However, Cook, an RIC man in Kilkishen, threatened “ to plug him” if he sang the song in public. The song is probably
now lost. The opening lines went;
On the 20th. day of January in 1921
The Black and Tans with petrol cans
To Glenwood came along.
Pa Heffernan, Pullough
Martin Kennedy was in Glenwood the day after the ambush when he
came across two schoolboys kicking the remains of a petrol can from
the tender. The schoolboys were John Hassett and Paddy Casey from
Ballyvorgal and Pullough, who were returning home from Belvoir
school. Kennedy was inspired to compose the following lines about the
ambush:
They tanned them and they banged them
‘til the guns fell from their hands.
And put schoolboys kicking football
With their rusty petrol cans.
Mary Keane née Neville, Mountcashel, Kilmurry
Every house had to have a list of occupants pinned up on the back of the
front door. When the police visited, the occupants had to give an account
of the whereabouts of everybody on the list.
Michael McNamara, Ballynevin, Sixmilebridge.
The remains of the Crossley tender were brought to Sixmilebridge and
left in the Square outside the then Fennessy’s forge. Over time, pieces were scavenged from it. Parts from an axle were used to decorate
a home-made Brian McMahon headstone in Ballysheen graveyard in
Sixmilebridge.
50
Seán Lonergan, Ballysheen, Sixmilebridge
Hickman was a large land-owner
and an officer in the RIC. He did
not stay in his house in Fenloe
as he did not feel safe there. The
house was then used as a weapons
cache by Pat Cox.
James Cox, Shandangan
Mike Neville, Jack Curley and
Neighbour McNamara were in
Boyle’s bar in Kilkishen (now
Eva’s) when the Black and Tans
raided. The three men escaped
through the fields at the back of the
Brian McMahon headstone in old
bar. However, Neighbour was shot
Ballysheen graveyard, Sixmilebridge
in the knee. The two uninjured men
with parts of an axle from the
brought him to Hassett’s in BallyCrossley tender.
vorgal. The following day, he was
brought by Stevie Heffernan & Paddy Hassett in an ass and cart to either Murphy’s of Carnmallow or O’Shea’s of Cant. Pat Cox, who lived
nearby, brought him into Limerick Hospital on market day, hidden in
a load of hay. He was nursed by a Mrs. Hannon.
Michael Neville, KilkishenJames Cox, Shandangan
The destruction of property by the Black & Tans was so total that
Fitzgeralds of Belvoir did not even have a pitch-fork to unload donated hay.
Pa Heffernan, Pullough
A derelict stone building in Castlelake, called the boat house, was used
as a hide by people on the run.
Paddy Carroll, Castlelake
The men on the run constructed a dug-out at Cullane. It was roofed
51
with a dancing platform taken from a nearby crossroads. Locals would
bring supplies and changes of clothing. Conditions in the dug-out were
very unhealthy.
Michael Neville, Kilkishen
A few days after the ambush, the Black & Tans caught Paddy Quinn’s
younger brother, Michael. They beat him very severely, trying to find
out Paddy’s whereabouts and then threw him into a nearby flooded
river. He managed to get out but contacted pneumonia. He never really recovered from the ordeal and died in 1923, aged 21, from another
bout of pneumonia.
Joe Quinn, Sixmilebridge
Josephine Neville née Gunning from Kilbane, then aged 6 or 7, remembered having to give up her bed for 3 nights to accommodate
some men who arrived at the house late one night.
Michael Neville, Kilkishen (her son)
Parker of Castlelake donated hay to Heffernans, Fitzgeralds, Dwyers,
Hassetts and Nevilles in the Belvoir & Kilkishen areas to replace their
hay ricks burned by the Black & Tans.
Several people
Some days after the ambush, Stephen Roughan was going into Johnny
Walton’s door in Rathmore, Sixmilebridge. Black & Tans passing by
in a lorry, shot him dead. In the subsequent inquest, they claimed that
they thought they were shooting at a goat!
Seán Lonergan, Ballysheen, Sixmilebridge
We salute Nora Hannon of Belvoir who was born on the day of the
ambush and wish her all the best on her birthday!
The Committee
52
53
MICHAEL
NEVILLE
WITH A
DISUSED
REVOLVER
&
GRENADE
FROM
THE
WAR
OF
INDEPENDENCE
PERIOD.
THE 1917 TO 1921
SERVICE MEDAL WITH BAR
The service medal was issued from 1941
to persons who were members of Oglaigh
na hEireann (Irish Republican Army), Fianna Eireann, Cumann na mBan or the
Irish Citizen Army for the three months
ended on the 11th of July 1921.
The bar across the ribbon contains the Irish
word comhrac, meaning struggle/conflict.
This bar was awarded to combatants.
The design of the medal is described as
follows:
A circular medal approximately one and
three fifth inches in diameter bearing on
the obverse the Arm of the Four Provinces
of Ireland. In the centre appears a standing
figure, facing front, depicting a Volunteer
of the period 1917 – 1922 in typical dress
(trench coat and cap with rifle, revolver
and bandolier). The word “EIRE” appears
horizontally across the centre of the medal
in large letters (two either side of the figure). The words “Cogadh na Saoirse” appear below.
The Black and yellow colouring on the ribbon led it to be unofficially
termed the Black & Tan medal.
Several people in the Kilkishen area have these medals, awarded to
their relatives. This photo is courtesy of the Cox family.
54
CERTIFICATE PRESENTED TO VOL. PADDY COX
55
SOURCES
O’Ruairc, Pádraig Og, Blood on the Banner, Mercier Press, 2009.
Brennan, Michael, The War in Clare, Four Courts Press, 1980.
Ryan, John (Bishop), Activities of the East Clare Brigade 1917-1921,
Bureau of Military History 1913-1921, Doc. No. WS1136, 1955.
O’Dea, Michael (Miko), Activities of the East Clare Brigade
1917-1921, Bureau of Military History 1913-1921,
Doc. No. WS1152, 1955.
Clancy, Joseph, Activities of the East Clare Brigade 1918-1921,
Bureau of Military History 1913-1921, Doc. No. WS1370, 1956.
Moroney, Seán (Sergeant), Activities of the East Clare Brigade 1919Truce, Bureau of Military History 1913-1921,
Doc. No. WS1462, 1956.
Brennan, Michael (Lieut. – Gen.), National Activities, East Clare,
1911-1922, Bureau of Military History 1913-1921,
Doc. No. WS1068, 1955.
O’Kelly and Mulvey, The Ambush at Glenwood in With the IRA in
the Fight for Freedom – 1919 to the Truce , The Kerryman (1955)
Ainsworth, John, British security policy in Ireland 1920-1921, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia,
unpublished, (2000). Available at http://eprints.qut.edu.au/6/
Websites
http://theirishwar.com/
www.warofindependence.net/
http://irishmedals.org/
Newspapers
Clare Champion
Irish Independent
Saturday Record
The personal recollections of many local people.
56
ORGANISING COMMITTEE
In November, 2010, Patsy Neville of Kilkishen, whose uncle Mike,
took part in the ambush, felt that the Glenwood ambush should be
commemorated in some way. He was inspired by reports in the Clare
Champion of commemoration ceremonies of the 90th anniversaries of
the Rineen ambush and the Killaloe massacre. He called a meeting in
Kilkishen to see what level of interest there was in remembering this
event. About 25 people turned up that first evening and that number
stayed constant during subsequent meetings, in spite of the sometimes
Arctic weather conditions in December. Many of the people at the
meeting were relatives of the volunteers who took part in the ambush
and were keen to have their contribution in the War of Independence
remembered in some physical way. Others had stories and anecdotes
of events associated with the ambush and wanted to share them.
Having got the go ahead from the meeting, tasks had to be allocated
and decisions made. The following list gives an idea of the things that
were done to get the memorial in place.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Permission from land owner
Decide on what kind of memorial
Decide on what wording on memorial
Check with Clare Co. Co. roads and planning sections.
Funding of the memorial via donations and fundraising events
Publicity via local newspapers, radio and church newsletters.
Presentation to the public of the proposed memorial.
Open a bank account
Insurance for workers on site and public liability
Appoint a stone mason to carve the dedication
Carry out site works: clearance, demolish wall, rebuild wall with
memorial stone inserted, clean and resurface the gateway.
Refurbish the old gate.
Prepare a souvenir booklet to include photos, stories,recollections and
reports from newspapers of the time.
Arrange traffic flows, special mass, speakers and a re-enactment on the unveiling day.
57
The following report by Patsy Neville is a summary of who helped
with what in the course of the works.
With the Glenwood Ambush Memorial Committee meeting on a
weekly basis for eleven weeks to plan the project, the hard grafting
took place at sub-committee level at the site in Glenwood. Dan McNamara, Paddy Carroll and Denis Lehihan were assigned the task of
having repairs done to the two wing walls and the piers. This also included improving the terrain around the entrance. John Lyons carried
out significant repairs on the cast iron gate and the other members of
this group were John Lenihan and John Lonergan.
The publication committee were Michael McNamara, Marguerite
Keane and Sean Lonergan. The people charged with coming up with a
suitable citation for the monument were: Joe Brady, Jim Lynch, Marguerite Keane, Paddy Carroll, Michael McNamara and Patsy Neville.
The personnel that were tasked with getting information on the ambush participants were: Denis Lenihan, Sean O’Driscoll, Aggie McCarthy, Noreen Ryan, John Lenihan and PJ Ryan.
The personnel given the task of co-ordinating with local residents
in Glenwood, planning car parking and traffic flow for the unveiling
were: John Lyons, Sean McMahon, Paddy Carroll, Dan McNamara,
Tom Quinn and PJ McNamara.
Kevin Lynch was engaged to do the stonework and he had good help
from his brother Jim and son Tom . Others to help here were Greg
Shanahan, Pat Conlon, Daniel McNamara and his cousin Patrick.
The Mini-Digger was provided by Pat Keane and the driver was Pat
O’Sullivan. Paddy Carroll provided the rectangular blocks of Limestone and John Lyons made up the Lantern and the Flagpole with assistance from PJ Corbett.
John Power covered the photography and Michael McTigue was the
sculptor.
58
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Patsy Neville, Chairman
Michael McNamara, Secretary
John Lenihan, Treasurer
Paddy Clancy, Hon. President
Mick Ryan, Hon President
Flan McCarthy, Hon President
Frank Cahill, Hon President
John Lyons
Dan McNamara
Paddy Carroll
Marguerite Keane
Sean Lonergan
Denis Lenihan
PJ Ryan
Sean O’Driscoll
Sean McMahon
Jim Lynch
Tommy McMahon (Clonbrick)
Joe Brady
Aggie McCarthy
Noreen Ryan
Pa Joe McNamara
Ann Shanahan
John Crowe
J P Guinane
59
60
Glenwood Memorial Planning Session, January 2011.
Front row from left: S McMahon, M Ryan, P Clancy, M Keane, J Lenihan, A McCarthy, P McCarthy,
A Shanahan, F Dillon, M McCormack, P Neville. Middle row: F Cahill, K McCormack, S Lonergan, J
Crowe, M McNamara, T Quinn, PJ Ryan, M O’Grady, N Ryan, T McMahon, T O’Brien, P McCarthy. Back
row: P Heffernan, PJ McNamara, D McNamara, K Lynch, J Lyons, J Lynch, P O’Carroll, D Lenihan, S
O’Driscoll, M Minogue
61
Memorial under construction, January 2011
From left to right: Paddy Carroll, PaJoe McNamara, Kevin Lynch, Michael McNamara, Dan McNamara,
Patrick McNamara, Daniel McNamara, Paul Heffernan, Seán Lonergan.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This project was a community wide endeavour. Very many people
gave their support in different ways. In particular, the committee
would like to thank the following people.
Paul and Marguerite Heffernan
Michael Hogan, Chairman, Kilkishen Development
McCarthy Family, Donnellans Bar
Paddy and Marion Hannon
Tony Killeen, Minister for Defence
Kevin McCormack’s Re-Enactment Group
Paddy Carroll, Castlelake
Sean and Margaret Hannon
Dan and Kathleen McNamara
Stephen and Joan O’Brien
Griffin Family
Fr O’Dowd & Fr Bohan
Mary Gallagher
Joe Cooney
Timmy Dooley
Civil Defence
Sgt.Tracy Stanley and Garda Team Sixmilebridge
John Power
Alan O’Callaghan
Pat Keane
Clare Champion
Clare People
Kevin Lynch
Tom Lynch
Aine Lynch
Pat O’Sullivan
John Keane
Greg Shanahan
Junior Lynch
62
DONATIONS LOG
The Glenwood Memorial Committee wish to thank the following for
their donations to the memorial fund (It is regretted that some lodgements to BOI Tulla are excluded as the lodgement did not include a
name )
Pa Heffernan, Belvoir
John Crowe, Sixmilebridge
Paddy Clancy, Kilkishen
Sr. Eva O’Dea
John Clancy, Kilkishen
Niall Gilligan, Sixmilebridge
Dan McNamara, Killanena, Kilkishen
Rita Higgins, Sixmilebridge
Martin O’Grady, Quin
Joe Cooney, Ballymacdonnell
Joe Carey TD, Clarecastle Erica Broge/Kathy Beirne Vets, Tulla
Sean McMahon, Rathluby, Quin
Dermot Ryan
Joe Brady, Enagh, Kilkishen
Donal & Mary Ryan, Fedamore
Kerry Creameries
Mary Teresa Ryan
Pa Joe McNamara, Enagh, Kilkishen
Lenihan Family, Enagh East, Kilkishen
Pauline Taylor Dillon
Tommy McMahon, Kilkishen
Frank Cahill, Kilkishen
James Francis & James Junior Downing
Cox Family, Kilmurry
Ann Shanahan
Sean Crowe, Broadford
Michael & Sean Brennan
Sean O’Driscoll, Broadford
Michael McGrath, Ballinachinch
Mick & Noreen Ryan, Kilbane
Sean Moloney, Kealderra, Bodyke
Denis Lenihan, O’C Mills
Jack Murphy, Main St. Tulla
Paddy McCarthy, Quin
Michael Lynch c/o Aggie McCarthy
Vardins Pharmacy, Quin
Paul Heffernan & Family, Belvoir
Pat Hannon, Ardsolus, Quin
St Ledger Family, O’C Mills
Seamus Moroney, Enagh, Kilkishen
Ann & Ger Duggan
Mike Flannery, Drumullen, Quin
Duggan Family, Gortadromma
Peggy Moloney, Post Office, O’C Mills
Duggan Family, Clashduff
Mike Neville, Gortnacorragh, Kilkishen
Sean & Tom Nugent, Scariff
J P Guinane, Enagh, Kilkishen
Jim & Angela St Ledger, Monasterevin
Lenihan Builders, Clonloum, O’C Mills
Pauline Broughall (née St Ledger)
Tom Quinn, Sixmilebridge John & Eileen Gunning, Kilbane
Fr Jim Quinn, Miami
Bobby Frost, Enagh Cross, Kilkishen
Ita Quinn
Quinn Family, Moymore
Joan Quinn Chaplin
Michael Quinn
Michael Quinlivan
John McInerney
Paddy Carroll, Sixmilebridge
Eddie Russell, Sixmilebridge
63
MY GLENWOOD EXPERIENCE….
... the making of a commemorative memorial.
by Patsy Neville, Chairman
It was the month of September 2010 as I was scanning through the
local newspapers that I came across a feature on the Rineen Ambush
and the pageant that the local committee there had put in place related to the 90th anniversary. As I became engrossed in the article and
the work this committee were doing to remember past events, questions began to come into my mind as to why nothing had been done
to mark the place in Glenwood where our local ambush took place.
As I compared Rineen with Glenwood there were a number of similar
situations. The six RIC / Black and Tans killed were the same in both
situations as was the aftermath related to the destruction of property.
However in the Glenwood situation there was no loss of life in the aftermath atrocities. In the next few weeks Glenwood began to consume
me, and I asked myself questions as to why 90 years had passed and
little or anything had been to commemorate rate the event of to mark
the spot. I had previously chaired a committee that had produced History of O’Callaghan’s Mills GAA club and in this publication we had
also included some local history including the ambush at Glenwood.
Kieran Griffin had done this particular section from me, so I duly contacted him and he forwarded me his notes on the project which included a list of 37 participants in the ambush plus the 10 members of
RIC and Black and Tans who were in the patrol that was attacked on
that particular day. I then decided to check where the actual site was
so I visited Kieran’s dad Tony who lives very close to the spot and he
pointed out the spot to me. From reading Joe Clancy’s statement to the
Military bureau, the terrain did not appear correct. Joe stated that the
land behind the wall was well above the level of the road, whereas the
terrain at the gate that Tony pointed out was sloping the opposite way.
I visited Pa Heffernan down the road and he explained that the gate
entrance was correct but that the volunteers were spread a good length
64
along the road behind the wall and sure enough the terrain further
down the road towards Sixmilebridge fitted Joe’s account .
Later I had a chance chat with Thomas Tuohy in a local licensed premises and when the subject of the Glenwood Ambush came up he mentioned that he was a member of a class in Kilkishen school that were
taken to the site by the school principal of the time Mr Pat O’Connor
on the day of the fiftieth anniversary which was January 1951. This
story gave me the belief that something needed to be done. If the
schoolmaster in the village felt it was worth taking a senior class in the
school to the site then it should be suitably marked. I contacted Mary
Crawford the chairperson of the Rineen commemoration committee
and she gave me great advise and enthusiasm to proceed. Yes, I felt
well capable of undertaking what is a reality here today.
I called an open meeting for Friday Nov 5th at Donnellans Kilkishen
where approx 22 people attended. This was to be the nucleus of our
committee which has met weekly to bring today commemoration to
fruition. Our meeting of Nov 29th gave the committee a more formal
structure with yours truly being appointed chairman, Michael McNamara Sixmilebridge secretary and John Lenihan as treasurer. Later
we appointed four honorary presidents namely Paddy Clancy, Mick
Ryan, Flan McCarthy and Frank Cahill. The most difficult decision
that our committee had to make was related to the names on the monument. The mood of our very first meeting was that all names that were
in the public domain including Irish and British should be included.
There was only one dissenting voice at this meeting. However as we
progressed the project it became obvious that including the RIC and
Black and Tans names could be problematic as there were still very
deep rooted feelings floating around related to the atrocities carried
out by the Black and Tans during the war of independence especially
down in Killaloe with the torture and murder of the Scariff Martyrs.
We had 37 names on the Irish Republican Army side which were listed
in the Kerryman Publication as having participated in the Ambush and
65
we would include these names on the monument. However at a secret ballot at our meeting of Dec13th it was decided by a significant
majority to exclude all names This decision was made due to the fact
that we could not prove if the 37 names we had was an accurate or a
comprehensive listing. Others were mentioned as having participated
and while we believe that these additional people played an active part
in the war of independence we do not know if they were in Glenwood
on that particular day. It was a case of “ when in doubt leave it out
“. At a subsequent meeting it was agreed to revisit the names on the
monument issue at a later date when we have had time to do further
research. Should in the future we gain a high confidence level related
to the IRA participants, then these names can be added to another suitable position at the site.
In conclusion I must mention the weekly meetings we had around
a blazing fire in Donnellans Pub Kilkishen where many a story was
shared and a pint drank and I thank the McCarthy family for facilitating this. These Monday nights can never be the same again.
Patsy Neville
66
PERSONAL COMMENT ….
………by the author of the booklet
My father, Tim McNamara wasn’t much interested in history. I’m told
by Paddy Clancy that he preferred singing and his party piece was
“The Legion of the Lost”. I never did hear him sing it. However, he did
tell me one story concerning the aftermath of the Glenwood ambush.
He was 12 years old at the time, walking home from school in Sixmilebridge when an RIC man on a bicycle told him to get off the road
and to go home through the fields as the Black & Tans were coming in
a lorry and shooting wildly. This he did and he attributed his survival
to that RIC man.
So when Patsy Neville launched his memorial project, I decided to
get involved. I attended all of the meetings in Donnellan’s and volunteered to write this booklet. I have been involved in different voluntary
projects through the years and I can say that I have never experienced
the level of interest and commitment that was shown during those
Monday nights in Donnellans.
I would like to thank all those people who went off to remote parts of
Co. Clare and who made phone calls to far-away places and uncovered old papers, medals photographs, letters and other memorabilia
and who stirred up long buried memories in order find out what happened to the participants in the ambush.
It is good that all of this information came to light. There is an African
saying that when an old person dies, a library is lost. This booklet will
preserve some of that library.
Finally, I would like to thank Marguerite Keane and Seán Lonergan
for their assistance in sourcing information for this booklet. I have
handled enough old weapons now to do me for a long time and I definitely never want to be anywhere near a 90 year old grenade.
67
ERRORS AND OMISSIONS
It is probably inevitable that errors and/or omissions will occur in the
preparation of this booklet. There are some known omissions where
time and resources did not permit a fuller investigation.
For example, there is a lack of personal details of the RIC and Black
& Tans involved in the ambush. Also, due to space considerations,
it was not possible to give fuller accounts of the subsequent lives of
the republican participants. Another regrettable omission is an account
of the activities of Cumann na mBan. There were active Cumainn in
many villages in East Clare, but there is little or no contemporary reportage of their activities.
Should the reader like to comment on the contents, please contact the
author at the contact details below.
Michael McNamara
Jamaica Inn
Sixmilebridge
Co. Clare
Phone: 061 369220
Email: [email protected]
68