Newry Democrat
**Via Irish Aires
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
CONCERN and disbelief has been expressed by some families of old IRA veterans in the Newry area, who participated in the fight for Irish freedom but have been omitted from the Roll of Honour, recently unveiled at the Republican Monument in St Mary’s Cemetery.
Most glaring omission has been Patrick Rankin, who fought alongside Padraig Pearse and James Connolly in the Dublin GPO, during the Easter Rising. He was the only participant from the North, apart from Tom Clarke of Dungannon, a signatory of the 1916 Proclamation.
And Dr Padraig Quinn was seriously wounded, while fighting on the Republican side in the Civil War, after many exploits during the War of Independence. Later he presided over Newry’s Easter commemoration ceremonies in St Mary’s Cemetery, for three decades.
Tom Kelly, later chairman of Newry Urban Council, joined the Republican Movement at the age of 18 years, receiving a 14 years’ jail sentence for possession of firearms. He was savagely beaten by the Black and Tans, in a vain attempt to discover the name of his accomplice. At his death in 1969, the National Graves Association presented his widow with an Irish tricolour to be draped on his coffin, “as a symbol of his patriotism.”
Bob Savage officially unveiled the republican monument in the cemetery, where some of his old comrades are now remembered. His wife, Maggie O’Hanlon, was a member of the Cumann na mBan. A bullet had pierced Bob’s hat, during the famous ambush at the Egyptian Arch. It was pointed out that, if the bullet had been an inch lower, his name would now be honoured in perpetua on the monument!
Meanwhile, Tommy Mulligan recorded in his autobiography that volunteers like himself, who were married with families, were forbidden to take part in the Egyptian Arch ambush. It was for their role in that engagement that many of the Old IRA veterans have been chosen for the republican monument.
Leading organisers, John Stewart along with Niall Vallely from Armagh, sought my assistance in compiling a list of the Old IRA veterans in the Newry area. We had an intense debate whether those who fought in the War of Independence should be honoured, or just those who were killed in action, which they proposed and enacted. However, two of those selected were killed in `accidental shootings,` while another was shot dead, four years after the conflict had ended
Apart from their exploits, that gallant band of Old IRA veterans, such as Bob Savage, Tommy Mulligan, Dan Sheridan, Michael Boyle, Owen McNally and Gerry Monaghan, provided an inspiring and living link with the men of Easter Week. They led the Easter Commemoration Parades, from the 40’s to the 70’s, often in the face of Stormont bans. Indeed, Jimmy Savage (son of Bob) and Dan Moore were jailed for carrying the Irish tricolour at the head of such parades.
Owen McNally was father of Felix (chemist); Brendan (surveyor), Kathleen (Mrs Billy Ellison), Agnes RIP (Mrs Joe McDonald, newsagent) and Mrs Blinnia Forte. Also Thomas Price from William Street, father of three accountants, was later Chief Ranger and a Trustee of John Mitchel branch, INF. His wife was a member of Cumann na mBan, along with Nan Aiken, Mary Boyd, Rose O’Hanlon, Lily Farrell and the Fullerton sisters, etc.
Tommy Mulligan, a market trader, was also in the legendary St Joseph’s Silver Band, which won the British and Irish championships. He trained or conducted most of the bands in the Newry area, nationalist and unionist. Indeed, when the Altnaveigh Pipe Band would pass his home at Carnegat, en route to a Twelfth Demonstration, he would insist on testing their performance.
By coincidence, my father sold herrings in Mary Street Market, opposite to Tommy’s stall. And Peter Jackson, a founder of the Meadow Community Association, recalled how my dad would call with his horse and cart at their Killeavy farmhouse, where his father, Matt Jackson, a leading IRA figure, resided. “He would be delivering more than herrings,” Peter remarked.
Since my father never mentioned the exploits of the famous Second Battalion, Fourth Northern Division, under the command of Frank Aiken from Camlough, later Irish Minister for External Affairs, I have been indebted to historian Kevin McMahon from Cullyhanna, whose father also served in the `Fourth Northern.`
Most outstanding engagements was the bomb and gun attack on Camlough Barracks, combined with an ambush at the Egyptian Arch, designed to prevent police and military reinforcements from reaching the beleaguered South Armagh base.
Some houses were commandeered in the village, and a fierce volley of fire was opened up, as rifles, revolvers, and hand-grenades were utilised. Though the police returned fire, throwing beds and tables against the blown-open shutters, their assailants used large barrels filled with paraffin, a rubber connection and long poles to set the barracks alight.
Meanwhile, a rescue party of police and military headed out of Newry, and encountered a huge barricade of felled trees, blocking access through the Egyptian Arch. On arrival they were met by a fusillade of fire from the top of the arch, bombs being thrown down on the military vehicles. The British Army responded with machine-gun fire, which effectively quelled all opposition.
One IRA man, William Canning from Ballyaghan, was killed at the scene, while John F. O’Hare of Needham Street, was wounded, arrested and died 10 months later. One casualty, Peter Shields of John Martin Street, was spirited across the border, but died later, being buried privately at Omeath. When O’Hare died, Shields’ body was brought back to Newry for a joint funeral in the cathedral.
Several thousand Irish volunteers, along with a large contingent of Cumann na mBan, led the vast cortege, while funeral music was played by two bands. It was the largest funeral seen in Newry, apart from that of John Mitchel. A few days later, the home of Frank Aiken was destroyed at Carrickbracken, near Camlough, along with three other houses which he owned.
Another major operation was the attack on Newtownhamilton Barracks in May, 1920. About 200 armed and masked men took over the town, blocked off all access roads, cut communications and launched a fierce gun attack. After an exchange of fire, the volunteers inserted explosives in the wall of the barracks, and blew it up. Police stations at Whitecross, Mayobridge, Forkhill and Cullyhanna were targets of gun or arson attacks.
A dramatic episode was the derailing of a British troop train at Adavoyle, en route to the Curragh. The soldiers had provided an escort for King George at the official opening of the Stormont Parliament in1921. The line was blown up and two soldiers killed. A local farmer, Patrick McAteer was shot dead when running from the scene. Two RUC men were shot dead at both Crossmaglen and Cullyhanna, while a Special Constable was killed at Cregganduff.
The frontier town was the scene of gun-attacks on the RUC; and a magistrate, James Wolff Flanagan, was shot dead as he was leaving Newry Cathedral. When Constable Gabbie was fatally wounded at Mary Street Market, a security dragnet was thrown around the town. In the hunt for Paddy Fearon, security forces arrested his brother, Michael. Then a group of armed men raided the home of Joseph McGuigan at Kilmorey Street and took away a lodger, William Hickey. His bullet-riddled body was dumped outside the town.
When `B` Specials were ambushed at John Mitchel Place, one constable was shot through the heart, while another was wounded. In reprisal, local businesses and the old St Colman’s Hall at Castle Street were badly damaged. A young store-man, Joseph Garvey from Aughnagun, was shot dead on the Rathfriland Road. He had just been to Confession in Newry Cathedral.
Meanwhile, Tom Kelly, just like James Connolly, carried the torch of socialism within the council chamber, being the only Labour councillor on the ICA-dominated Newry Urban Council. After the 1958 landslide, he was elected chairman, and instigated a major house-building programme.
Born in 1904, the son of Michael Kelly and Margaret Larkin, he had been caught up in the turbulent troubles of an era that laid the foundations for the Irish State. Inspired by the writings of James Connolly, he played his part as a volunteer in the War of Independence.
Arrested by the Black and Tans, along the railway line South of Newry, Tom was savagely beaten, charged and sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for possession of firearms. Aged 18 years, he was taken to Crumlin Road Prison in Belfast. But, following the establishment of the Irish Free State, all prisoners were given an amnesty, and returned to Dublin for release.
In 1924, Tom Kelly joined the Jesuit Order, and spent six years in various colleges. During that period, he realised that armed force would never achieve peace in Ireland.
After working as a carpenter in Dublin for a few years, he returned to the frontier town and married Sarah O’Gorman from Damolly. They resided first in High Street, and then at Rooney’s Terrace for the next 30 years.
While employed as a joiner at Newry and Warrenpoint Docks, Tom got involved with working-class issues, fighting for the redundant at tribunals, etc, becoming a member of the Woodworkers Union, and joining the Irish Labour Party.
Contesting the Newry Urban Council elections in 1949, he was the only Labour candidate to be elected. Among those canvassing for him was a young Newry lawyer, later Lord Justice Turlough O’Donnell, son of Labour activist, Charlie O’Donnell. Following the electoral triumph of 1958, Tom Kelly was chairman for five years. But a bitter split in the Irish Labour Party, and the onset of Parkinson’s Disease ended his political career.
When he died in 1969, the National Graves Association presented an Irish tricolour to be draped on his coffin, and the Irish Labour Party donated the Plough and the Stars flag. At his wake, an elderly man introduced himself as the person on the railway line, when Tom was arrested. He had escaped that day, “due to the bravery of Tom’s actions. Despite two days of savage beating, he never gave my name, so I was never arrested nor served time.” Tom had never told family nor friends!
Meanwhile, only one person from the frontier town, South Armagh or South Down could claim to have been directly involved in one of Ireland’s most epoch-making events, played out in the Dublin GPO during Easter Week, 1916, - that man was Paddy Rankin.
When the painter and member of Down GAA Board died in Co Kildare during the 50’s, his funeral was accorded full military honours as it passed the GPO in Dublin, en route to his home in Newry. A massive gathering, including Frank Aiken, Minister for External Affairs, attended the interment at St Mary’s Cemetery. British military records have confirmed that Patrick Rankin was one of that elite band, who launched the fight for Irish freedom.
Born at Queen (now Dominic) Street, married to a girl from Ballyholland, Paddy was involved with the Irish language, music, history and Gaelic football. Sponsored by Bob Kelly and Johnney Southwell, he joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood. Departing for Canada on a fund-raising and recruitment mission, he also operated in New York and Philadelphia, meeting Roger Casement, who was later tried and hanged for treason by the British in Pentonville Prison.
Paddy Rankin returned to Ireland, as preparations were being made for the 1916 Uprising. However, confusion arose about the order for an Insurrection, issued by Padraig Pearse, described as the President of the Provisional Government. This had been countermanded by Eoin McNeill, who was described as Commander-in Chief of the Irish Army.
“I left Newry early on that Easter Tuesday morning, and eventually reached O’Connell Street in Dublin,” Paddy wrote later. “At the Parnell Monument there was a large crowd, looking down the street, and talking about the Rising. Proceeding past the Rotunda Hospital and into Moore Street, I arrived at the Coliseum Theatre.
“There were barriers, with armed volunteers behind them. I was asked for my name and where I came from. I replied: `Newry.` One volunteer said: `There’s a man here from Omeath.` That person was Paddy Boyle from Cornamuckla, who had been living in Liverpool, and came across before the Rising.”
Paddy Rankin added: “A short time later I was taken before Tom Clarke, whom I already knew. He asked me: `Any news from the North?’ I answered: `No.’ He thanked me for getting to the GPO, and would have been delighted to have hundreds more from the Northern counties, which he loved so well.
“No sooner had the barriers been erected than enemy shells began falling on the GPO, which caught fire. We had to remove all the coal. Then we rested on a bed of bricks and mortar. Later, we started to make holes in the walls of the building adjoining the GPO, leading to Henry Street and removed the inflammable material.
“Finally, the order to surrender was issued by Padraig Pearse, `to prevent the slaughter of unarmed people, and help save the lives of our own followers. The commanders of all units will order the ranks to down arms.` We were marched from O’Connell Street to Islandbridge Barracks, guarded by British soldiers, jeered and cursed by women, and spat at by the menfolk.”
The Newry insurgent described how he and his comrades were taken to Wormwood Scrubs Prison in London, spending weeks in solitary confinement, as well as scrubbing floors, etc. Then they appeared before a commission, and were released. Paddy Rankin arrived back home to a hero’s reception. He had ensured that the frontier town would be forever associated with a crucial period in Irish history. Later, Paddy played a prominent role in the War of Independence.
As Tom Kelly (junior) wrote in an epitaph to his grandfather, which could be applied to many Old IRA veterans: “Testimony to his life is not to be found on any building in Newry, nor even on the granite stone above his grave, which bears only the family name. While forgotten by the keepers of history, his monument can be witnessed by the lives he made better, and remembered in the hearts of those whom he touched!”
'So venceremos, beidh bua againn eigin lá eigin. Sealadaigh abú.'
--Bobby Sands