Thursday, January 9, 2020

News during Athenry's Land Agitation and Irish War of Independence 1919-1921 by Ronan Killeen


Irish Independnet 18/01/1919 A Sinn Fein Prisoner from Athenry stated that 2 Terryglas men had been arrested at Killeenen near Craughwell both were on the run and on was already sentenced and lodged in Athenry barracks.  The prisoners were given a barrack form and blanket, these articles proving the undoing of their captors. Camoflaging their activity with the blanket. They sang Sinn Fein songs to the Iron legs that was attached to them .  One of  them managed to escape that night. His companion however, had to remain and when the affair was dicovered he was promptly conveyed at Arbour Hill, Dublin as the investigation pended. 

Irish Independent 14/03/1919 - Lardner and Jordan from Lincoln and Birmingham jails were met by and enourmouse crowd headed by a band and torch barrells escorted procession to the town hall. Houses illuninated and tar barrells burned. The Rev. E. McGough stated ‘while the prisoners were in the jail great esteem continued for them and Lardner and Jordan replied  that pierce McGan M. P. who chairman refered to as Ireland’s lastest Martyr.  

Connacht Tribune 04/09/1920 - Two students of the Deptarment of Agriculture went to a country dance. Their bicycles were stolen. The volunteers of Athenry raided a young man’s house and showed a saddle to one of the victimes who claimed it was his property. On 15th August the town volunteers arrested the culprit whose house the saddle was found in he was tried at a ‘special court’ where he pleaded not guilty and was remanded on bail of £10  and 50 shillings. 


Irish Indepdent 09/11/1920 - Sensational reports of shooting in Athenry on Sun. And from early morning and military motors have been flying in that direction.

Irish Independent 21/04/1921 - At the Galway Quarter Sessions Martin Blackhall, Monivea for the burning of a barn was awarded £100. He said he heard the baring being broken into and looking out saw  men in police uniform.  

Freeman’s Journal 07/05/1921 - Searches on houses by the forces happened to Fr. Rev. Cannon Farragher, P. P. Athenry aswell as S. Jordan; L. Lardner and J. J. Broderick Athenry. Property of Mrs Jordan which was a green costume was removed. 

Irish Independent 01/06/1921 - Fras Healy Athenry was acquitted at Galway on a charge of being in possession. Accused denied seeing ammunition before. 


Irish Independent 27/06/1921 - The pay clerk of Deptarment of the Model Farm, Athenry was held up by about 10 armed men, who took from him £60 which he had to pay staff. Troops are encamped on the farm, and the local R. I.C. mail car was on the road at the time. 

Connacht Tribune 03/08/1921 - Christopher; Patrick Doherty and MI Tierney an ex-soldier have a conflict on the O’Malley Farm. 




I have written about the Bureau of Military History 1913-1921 one before but I am adding more content in this article. An aspect of oral ...