Tom Barry (61 page)

Dáil Eireann (Government of the Republic of Ireland)

The government of the Republic anxious to contribute its share to the movement for peace, and to found it on principles that will give governmental stability and otherwise prove of value to the nation, hereby proclaims its readiness to negotiate an immediate cessation of hostilities on the basis of the following:

1. That the sovereign rights of this nation are indefeasible and inalienable.

2. That all legitimate governmental authority in Ireland, legislative, executive, and judicial, is derived exclusively from the people of Ireland.

3. That the ultimate court of appeal for deciding disputed questions of national expediency and policy is the people of Ireland – the judgement being by majority vote of the adult citizenry and the decision to be submitted to, and resistance by violence excluded, not because the decision is necessarily right or just or permanent, but because acceptance of this rule makes for peace, order and unity in national action, and is the democratic alternative to arbitrament by force. Adequate opportunities and facilities must of course be afforded for a full and proper presentation to the Court of all facts and issues involved, and it must be understood that 1 and 2 are fundamental and non-judicable.

4. That no individual, or class of individual, who subscribe to these principles, of national right, order and good citizenship can be justly excluded by any political oath test or other device, from their proper share and influence in determining national policy, or from the councils and parliament of the nation.

5. That freedom to express political or economic opinions, or advocate political or economic programmes, freedom to assemble in public meetings, and freedom of all press, are rights of citizenship and of the community which must not be abrogated.

6. That the military forces of the nation are the servants of the nation and, subject to the foregoing, amenable to the national assembly when freely elected by the people.

We are informed that many in the ranks of our opponents will accept these principle, as we accept them. If that be so, peace can be arranged forthwith.

We hope that this advance will be met in the spirit in which we make it, and that it will be supported by all who love our country and who desire a speedy and just ending to the present national troubles.

As evidence of our good-will, the
a
rmy
c
ouncil is issuing an Order to all Units to suspend aggressive action – the Order to take effect as soon as may be, but not later than noon, Monday, 30 April.

EAMON DE VALERA

President

Dublin

27 April 1923

Correspondence with Rev. Father Henry, OFM,
The Capuchin Annual
(16/9/1963 [from Tom Barry's papers])

1. In all fairness to the British Empire in 1916 there were no disabilities for Catholics in Ireland, instead they were perfectly free to practice their Faith. It was different altogether in the Penal Days, in 1798 and up to Catholic Emancipation when all disabilities for Catholics were removed.

2. Leadership down through the ages since the Penal Days, i.e. 1798. 1867, even Land Fights was essentially by Protestants.

3. The Vatican (I know their difficulties) had never lent a helping hand since the Bull issued by Pope Adrian IV, gave the British the Right of conquest in Ireland. In fact, you will find that even in 1921, Mr. De Valera had to publicly correct a message sent by the Pope on the signing of the Treaty. The Vatican has always been concerned for the status quo and has never taken a stand against revolution. Indeed, when Catholic Nuns and Priests during the Penal Days were being hunted, caught and executed, the then Powers of the Vatican gave them no help whatever.

4. In the plantation did the Bench of Bishops of Ireland back any other attempt at freeing this country. You will remember Bishop Moriarty's statement that ‘Hell is not hot enough nor eternity strong enough to punish the Fenians'. There has never been from any Bishop a proclamation in support of any armed attempt to give Ireland freedom.

5. In my own days, with a few honourable exceptions like Archbishop Walsh, Bishop O'Dwyer and Bishop Fogarty, there was no support for the men of 1916. Although the Hierarchy backed the Anti-Conscription movement in 1918. I do not have to remind you of Bishop Daniel Coholan's excommunication against the I.R.A. when he had to look at Volunteers dying without the benefit of Confession. At that period, I myself, was on several occasions refused Absolution. Most of the Clergy of the Country backed the ban on the fighting men. There were, however, many who supported us and gave us the benefit of the Sacraments.

Despite this, I am not confusing members of the Vatican, Bishops and Priests with the Catholic Church, because I know quite well that the Catholic Church can not be wrong, whereas its members, from the Vatican down, can and have been throughout the ages on Ireland's armed efforts for freedom. In the years of the 1920–23 struggle we continued saying our prayers, attending Mass and receiving the Sacraments when and where possible.

... the Irish Revolution had been going on spasmodically for over seven hundred years before the Rising of 1916. It had manifested itself many times throughout the centuries against confiscation of lands and properties of the Gael; the destruction of the Catholic religion; the maintaining of the ascendancy; the keeping in check and subjection the peasant and the worker – even the strike of the Dublin workers or rather lock out of those men in 1913 was part and parcel of the Revolution. The Irish Revolution did not start in 1916. The Rising of Easter of that year was but a continuation of previous struggles deep rooted in the minds of those great leaders who decreed it and saw to the resurrection of a subject people at the cost of their own lives.

How does one judge the success or failure of a revolution? There has never in all the histories of all the Nations been a completely successful revolution. Each mind within the revolutionary forces has its own set of values of the degrees of importance of the results achieved. I had never the honour of knowing the dead leaders who made 1916 but I have read enough about them and spoken with those who knew them well to venture the assertion that if they had lived through the Anglo-Irish fight, and the Treaty aftermath they quite possibly would have divided into two or more parties. Clarke, the man of steel, Connolly, the social Revolutionary, Pearse the Gael, the dreamer and the romantic who had written ‘The Sovereign People', Plunkett the religious mystic and all the others can only have been agreed on the dominant aim of the 1916 Rising – To drive the British occupation forces from the land; to establish a Republic and to undo the Conquest, and it is necessary to remark here that the armed struggle was only one phase of the Revolution. Had the I.R.A. on the 11th July, 1921, driven the invader from our shores (and it certainly had not been strong enough militarily to do so) the Republic would not have been established nor the conquest undone. It would take many years more of planning and working before one could decide whether the revolution has succeeded or indeed failed ...

Those of us who lived through the period of struggle and were engaged in armed action were a rather immature twenty-two or twenty-three years of age, with no training in philosophy or economics ... the I.R.A. were not fighting for material and spiritual conditions ... There could be men within the movement imbued with those high motives but I never met one of them. The truth is that the issue was knit again because of 1916 and the General Election of 1918 and those men of the I.R.A. trained and armed to fight the British to force their evacuation. Those who were actively engaged were fully occupied in defending their own lives and the institutions set up by the Republic, attacking the British Forces and attempting to destroy the machinery of the British dominion over Ireland. There was little time to think of anything else.

Letter from Tom Crofts to Pension Board in relation to Tom Barry's pension

Grattan Hill,

Cork.

23rd, April, 1940.

Oscar Traynor Esq T.D.

Minister of Defence.

A Chara,

Tom Barry was called before the Service Pensions Board in January 1939 for examination on his claim to a service pension. In January 1940 – one year afterwards – he received the scandalous award of 5¾ years Rank B.

He appealed and submitted statements in support of Rank and Service from the following: – An Taoiseach, P. J. Rutledge, Gearóid O'Sullivan, Pa Murray, Bill Quirke, Seán Moylan, Florrie O'Donoghue, Tom Hales, Seán Buckley, Dan Holland, Con Crowley, Michael O'Herlihy and myself.

About a month ago, Tom was called before the Board for oral examination on oath. On the same day Bill Quirke, Gearóid O'Sullivan, and myself were also examined on oath. Since then Ernie O'Malley, Florrie O'Donoghue and Seán Buckley have also given evidence on oath. All this evidence was given on oath and in the hundreds of cases which I previously verified, I was never even once put on my oath. Neither I am informed were any of the others. This in itself is an extraordinary feature of the case especially coming on top of Tom's peculiar award.

I have seen all the written evidence submitted on behalf of Tom Barry's appeal and there is no doubt that it is conclusive, but moreover I have met the men who also testified on oath in Tom's case after they had been to the Board and from what they told me of the evidence they had to give I am satisfied that the evidence on oath was equally conclusive. Strange to say that despite all this Barry is again to go before the Board and bring more witnesses and furthermore, the Board themselves have called witnesses to testify as to (A) Barry's pre-Truce Service; (B) Barry's Rank 1st Critical Date: (C) Barry's Rank 2nd Critical Date and (D) Barry's Civil war service. The extraordinary fact about this is that the latest two men to be called by the Board – Maurice Donegan and Florence Begley – can have very little or no knowledge on the four points they have been called to give evidence on. Maurice Donegan was a member of the Bantry battalion staff in the early part of Tan War and was arrested early on. ‘He was not released until after the Treaty'. Barry's activities were around the Bandon battalion area which was about thirty-five miles from Donegan's area so he could give no information about Barry's activity during that period and he could hardly swear what Barry's rank was in July 1921 considering that he (Donegan) was in jail about nine months at that time and for about six months afterwards. Again, Flor Begley was a very minor officer attached to the Brigade Quartermasters and Adjutants staff and he cannot have any idea of Barry's Rank and very little of his Service.

Why has Barry been treated like this? That is the question that every officer who is aware of Barry's humiliation is asking. There is the further humiliation to all of us senior officers who testified in writing and on oath as to Barry's Rank and Service. We now see the Board calling very junior officers, who could not possibly testify in such a manner as we were able to do, as witnesses as to whether Barry and all of us were swearing falsely or not.

You will I am sure be the first to admit that Barry's case has been handled in a totally different manner to that of any other prominent officer. I would like to know if there is any truth in the suggestion that because Frank Aiken and Tom Barry are and have been bad friends in the recent past, certain members of the Board have taken up a hostile and unfair attitude in Barry's case.

We know that you personally are anxious that Tom like all others should get his due and a square deal. I recall your statement in a conversation with me in Cork last Easter Sunday twelve months, when you told me that you were extremely anxious to see Tom fairly treated regarding his pension. Therefore you will understand that there is nothing personal meant when I state that Barry and all of us who knew him are determined to see his case to the bitter end if certain members of the Board persist in their hostile attitude and do not give him the award he is entitled to on this appeal.

He has had a rotten deal and his claim is open and above Board if there was ever was one. Will you please examine his file and if you do I am sure that you will at once take the proper steps to see he gets a fair deal.

I shall be glad to hear from you as soon as possible. I hope that you are keeping quite well.

Mise le meas,

____________

Tom Crofts

(The following appears to be a letter from Mrs O'Driscoll to Mr Cornelius O'Driscoll, who forwarded it to Tom Barry. It is handwritten, with Number 34.S.P./55115 scribbled across it.)

c/o D Keohane

Gurtacrue

Midleton

August 25th [1943]

Dear Mr Barry,

I am in West Cork at present, but expect to see you when I return to the City.

The above address is permanent while in Ireland. This is a copy of the letter which was forwarded to [me] early January 14th 1943.

I am directed to inform you that in accordance with the terms of the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934, the Minister for Defence has granted you a Pension of £15, Fifteen Pounds – Per annum, which is Payable as from the 1st October 1934 and which will be subject to deduction under section 20 (1) of the Act in respect of receipts by you from Public Moneys.

I have also to state that it is your duty to inform the Minister at once of any receipts by you of any Public Moneys as defined by sections 2000 of the act.

To Mr Cornelius O'Driscoll

43.09 – 53 Street,

Woodside,

New York

Sincerely

Mrs O'Driscoll

THE BOYS OF KILMICHAEL

(Original words written by John F. Hourihane)

While we honour in song and in story

The memory of Pearse and MacBride;

Whose names are illumined in glory

With martyrs who long since have died.

But forget – not the boys at Kilmichael

Those brave lads so firm and true,

Who fought 'neath the green flag of Erin

And conquered the red white and blue.

The cold winter's morning was dawning

O'er mountain and valley and hill;

And the winds of November were wailing

Through woodland and fast rippling rill.

With a sharp ringing blast of the whistle

That rang out in the clear morning air;

The column rose up from their slumber

As quite as a fox from his layer.

With Barry their gallant commander

Through a country side slumbering still;

By Kenneigh's round tower famed in story

They marched over moorland and hill.

The rugged cliffs now rose before them

And onward they moved very light;

Then into their ambush crept slowly

Awaiting their glorious fight.

The sun o'er Mount Owen was descending

'Twas the eve of a cold winter's day;

When the Tans we were wearily waiting

Drove into the spot where we lay.

Then over the hills rang the echo

Of the peal of the rifle and gun;

And the fire of their lorries gave tidings

That Barry's famed column had won.

As the storm of battle was raging

And the bullets sprayed rapidly round;

Three shots from the enemy's muzzles

Dropped our brave gallant three to the ground.

They died as they lived for their country

No cowards were they for her cause;

Their blood they were willing to shed

'Gainst England's cruel hellish laws.

When the smoke of the battle had ended

And the enemy's guns were secure;

We set out o'er the hills and the valleys

To the far distant camp at Granure.

The men in their triumph marched onward

And a prayer for their heroes they said;

A line in that march was now vacant

O'Sullivan, McCarthy and Deasy were dead.

Three Volleys at Castletown-Kenneigh

Gave a last proud salute to the dead;

As three heroes were buried at midnight

By the light of the stars over-head.

O'Sullivan, Deasy, McCarthy,

Their glorious names will live on;

'Till the goal of their triumph is reached

And the ultimate victory is won.

Their banners were ours before sunset

And high over Dunmanway town;

Our battle-soaked colours were waving

O'er the foes of our land that were down.

The cool winter's evening was casting

Its shadows o'er bogland and moor;

As our men marched wearily southwards

Through a countryside rough and obscure.

Then onward by Manch and Kilkaskin

Around by O'Hurley's great hold;

The Third Brigade Column kept moving

Through a night wet and bitterly cold.

Then we gave three long cheers for old Ireland

And prayed for our comrades now dead;

Picked up our guns and our sabres

And started our long march ahead.

But now that the battle is over

And the smoke of the bombshell is passed;

Again we march forward to victory

And fight down the foe to the last.

For we'll in the end be triumphant

With our tricoloured banner, unrolled;

With the names of Tom Barry's Flying Column

Inscribed in bright letters of gold.

John F Hourihane wrote the above ballad, which originally contained three verses, after the famous battle of Kilmichael in November 1920. Hourihane of Grilough, Ballinacarriga, Ballineen, a member of C Company, Third Bat., Third Cork Brigade, who later emigrated to Boston Massachusetts, USA. In order to perpetuate and preserve the above event, Mr Hourihane has lately completed the full version as it appears here. In doing so he has made it that generations yet unborn, will have a more vivid understanding and better knowledge of the famous episode and its participants –
Tom Barry

THE MEN OF BARRY'S COLUMN

When British Terror failed to win

Allegiance from our people then,

The Black and Tans they were brought in,

They thought they'd teach us manners;

But instead of teaching they were taught

A lesson which they dearly bought,

For when Kilmichael's day was fought,

Low was their bloody banner.

They sought to wipe the column out,

From east to west, from north to south,

'Till at Crossbarry's bloody rout

They woke from their day dreaming.

Though ten to one they were that day

Our boys were victors in the fray,

And over the hills we marched away

With bagpipes merrily screaming.

The Essex brutes who tortured Hales,

They scoured the land to fill the jails,

They thought their foul deeds would pale

The cheeks of Irish mothers.

Paid dearly for their deeds were they

When passing by Toureen one day,

We dearly made the Essex pay

And well avenged our brothers.

When Barry saw the Tans efface,

The spirit of his fighting race,

Right through his soul did madly chase

His blood went boiling over.

He marched his men to Rossa's town

And burned that famous fortress down,

And never again will Britain's crown

Her foothold there recover.

Chorus
:

So piper pay a martial air

For the gallant boys who conquered there,

No merry tune to banish care,

Or mournful or solemn.

The grander tune of all is played

By the fighting squad of the Third Brigade,

Whose glorious deeds will never fade,

The men of Barry's Column.

THE THIRD WEST CORK BRIGADE

We'll raise our voice in Ireland's praise

Glad are our hearts today,

For Ireland's sons have proved their worth

In the good old IRA

All parts fought well for Roisin Dubh

But we a record made.

In good old Cork, in famed West Cork

The Third West Cork Brigade

At Newcestown we struck a blow

For Ireland and Sinn Féin.

At Ballinhassig next we proved

Our right we would maintain

The English foe we twice laid low,

We faced them undismayed

In good old Cork, in famed West Cork,

The Third West Cork Brigade.

The Black and Tans to Ireland came

To send us to our doom.

Their toughest warriors sallied forth

In lorries from Macroom.

But at Kilmichael's bloody fight

Their conquering course was stayed,

By good old Cork, by famed West Cork,

The Third West Cork Brigade.

Then at Crossbarry's battlefield

Tom Barry's boys saw red.

For ten to one the Saxon host

Before our onslaught fled.

And o'er the hills we made our way

Whilst our gallant piper played.

In good old Cork, in famed West Cork

The Third West Cork Brigade.

Rosscarbery's barrack strong and grim

Next fell before our fire

For Black and Tans and RIC

Had gone down to the mire.

The echo of our fierce attack

Was heard through glen and glade,

In good old Cork, in famed West Cork

The Third West Cork Brigade.