The families of

1916

INTO members’ family stories 1

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The families of

1916

INTO members’ family stories 3

Family Stories 1916

Contributors Zita Bolton/Lucy Travers Cover image The shell of the G.P.O. on Sackville Street (later O'Connell Street), Dublin in the aftermath of the 1916 Rising. Date: May 1916

Design Roisin O’Flaherty

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Family Stories 1916

PROLOGUE

The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation has published this e-book to mark the Centenary celebrations of the 1916 Rising. It contains writings from some of the relatives of those who fought or were involved in the 1916 Rising.

COLOPHON

Type: Gotham Book, Gotham Bold, Gotham Light Published by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, Vere Foster House, 35 Parnell Square, Dublin 1.

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CONTENTS

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The Byrne Family Of Susan Terrace - 1916 ZITA BOLTON, INTO Official, Grand-daughter and grand-niece writes about her relatives involvement in 1916.

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A Soldier’s Story LUCY TRAVERS, St Jospeh’s Boys School, Kilcock, Co Kildare, Grand-niece of Brian O’Higgins

05 The Byrne Family Of Susan Terrace - 1916 ZITA BOLTON

06 The Byrne Family Of Susan Terrace - 1916 ZITA BOLTON

07 The Byrne Family Of Susan Terrace - 1916 ZITA BOLTON

08 The Byrne Family Of Susan Terrace - 1916 ZITA BOLTON

09 The Byrne Family Of Susan Terrace - 1916 ZITA BOLTON

10 The Byrne Family Of Susan Terrace - 1916 ZITA BOLTON

11 The Byrne Family Of Susan Terrace - 1916 ZITA BOLTON

12 The Byrne Family Of Susan Terrace - 1916 ZITA BOLTON

13 The Byrne Family Of Susan Terrace - 1916 ZITA BOLTON

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THE BYRNE FAMILY OF SUSAN TERRACE – 1916 Written by Zita Bolton

George Byrne (Snr), was born at Elm Park, Merrion, in 1858, the youngest of seven children born to Church of Ireland parents, William Burne, a Land Steward, and Louisa McElligott. George (Snr) married Hester Bryan, a Catholic, in 1889. He converted to Catholicism and was, unfortunately, ostracised by his family. George (Snr) and Hester had eight children, William, George, Gerald (Garry), Winifred, Louisa-May, Cathleen¹, Elizabeth and Esther. Most of the children were born when their father was working as a gardener at Newtownpark House, Blackrock, which is now a nursing home. In 1901 the ‘Burne’ family lived at Mount Anvil, Co Dublin but, by 1911, the ‘Byrne’ family was living at Coombe Street in the Liberties area of Dublin city. It is not quite clear what brought the family from relatively rural living to the heart of Dublin city, but family lore has it that it was so the boys could have access to better education. It is also known that Hester had a sister living in Coombe Street at that time. With the move to the city, George (Snr) took a position as a gardener, with the Religious Sisters of Charity in Gardiner Street, Dublin. By 1914 the family was at Susan Terrace, Donore Avenue. Involved with the Gaelic League, attending céilís and other organised events, it was thought that this is where the interest in the Republican movement came from.

1 Cathleen Byrne, later Mrs Cathleen Potts, is the mother of the late Seán Potts, at one time Tin Whistle Player with the Chieftains and former President of The Pipers’ Club.

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According to Gerald’s Witness Statement his early interest with Irish Independence emerged during his school days. “My Masters at the time were Irish Irelanders who held Irish language classes after school hours due to its banishment from the curriculum. It was through my interest in the Irish language that I was approached to become a member of the IRB. Within the IRB I was taught how to use arms and was informed that the objective was to eventually hold a ‘Rising’. When the King visited Dublin, I and other members roamed the streets with bottles of

GERALD (GARRY) BYRNE

I was taught how to use arms and was informed that the objective was to eventually hold a Rising. 9

Family Stories 1916

paraffin oil and set Union Jack Flags on fire. It was soon after this that I joined the Irish Volunteers on the instruction of the IRB.” (Witness Statement No 143 – Gerald (Garry) Byrne)

My Masters at the time were Irish Irelanders who held Irish language classes after school hours due to its banishment from the curriculum. It was through my interest in the Irish language that I was approached to become a member of the IRB. Five of George (Snr) and Hester’s children were active during Easter Week 1916 – the boys, George, William and Gerald and the girls, Winifred and May. Cathleen also presented herself for action but was sent home as she was too young. George (Jnr), William and Gerald (Garry) had all been with ‘C’ Company 4th Battalion, Dublin Brigade but while my grandfather, George, served at Roe’s Malting House during the Rising, William and Gerald were at South Meath Bridge, Hill of Tara and Tyrellstown House during Easter week. George (Jnr) mobilised at Emerald Square, Dolphin’s Barn, on Easter Monday with the volunteers of the 4th Battalion and the women from Craobh Inghinidhe, Cumann na mBan. “Some of the fellows went into the Distillery at Marrowbone Lane, and we went into Roe’s. I had a German Mauser Rifle, an automatic pistol and some ammunition.” (Pension Application) Roe’s was under the command of Captain Thomas McCarthy. George was there for two days when ordered to vacate the post and leave their arms behind them. “I believe the man in charge (Captain Thomas McCarthy) tried to get in touch with the Union, as he was not satisfied with the position. He decided to leave it. A fellow came along to me and told me there was no use in staying on there. We went to a friend’s house in James’s Street and tried to get something to eat. We did not succeed, so we came out and separated. I could not go home, so I went out by Northumberland Road to Dun Laoghaire.” (Pension Application)

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Some of the fellows went into the Distillery at Marrowbone Lane, and we went into Roe’s. I had a German Mauser Rifle, an automatic pistol and some ammunition. George Jnr’s mother’s family lived at Bullock Harbour and it is thought that that is where he went when he could not go home.

GEORGE (JNR) BYRNE 11

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George (Jnr) married Mary Dunne, whose brother Patrick was also active during Easter Week. They had nine children, including my mother, Máire, whom they raised at Petrie Road, South Circular Road, Dublin. Two daughters still survive. While my grandfather attended the commemorative masses, I am told that he would not take his place on the reviewing stand during the 1966, 50 year anniversary of the Rising. I am also told that he never spoke about the Rising but, when he died in 1971, I remember clearly his coffin draped in the Tricolour and the gun salute at his graveside in Deansgrange. I have two of the shell casings from that day. We lived with my grandfather and I cannot imagine him carrying weapons. When I knew him it was his pipe and his rosary beads that were close at hand or maybe on a good day thrupence worth of acid drops or cough sweets!! William was a Linotype Operator. His job with the Meath Chronicle brought him to Kells where he organised and trained the Drumbaragh and Carnaross Companies. He took instruction to bring his men to Tara on Easter Sunday evening. According to his pension application, “We got word that night that the insurrection had been called off and that we were to return home. My brother Gerald got word the following day that the Rising had taken place in Dublin. Gerald borrowed a bicycle on Tuesday and headed for Dublin. He reached Tyrrellstown House, Dunboyne, where Donal O’Hannigan and the Louth men were. I made my way to Tyrrellstown House on Wednesday. We remained there until Monday 1st May.” (Pension Application)

“I was interviewed by two RIC men who demanded an account of my movements during Easter Week. I had been under constant police observation for some months before Easter Week.” William returned to Kells with his brother Gerald (Garry) on Monday 1 May 1916. According to his Pension Application he was interviewed by two RIC men who demanded an account of his movements during Easter Week. He also states in the application that he “had been under constant police observation for some months before Easter Week.” (Pension Application) William married Mary Anne Clerkin, a Kells woman, in 1920. They raised three daughters at St Catherine’s Avenue, South Circular Road, Dublin. Two daughters survive. His daughter Pauline tells me that he was a lovely, gentle man. She feels what he went through had a huge impact 12

We got word that night that the insurrection had been called off and that we were to return home. WILLIAM BYRNE

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on his life. Like George, he never spoke about 1916. William died in 1967. Gerald (Garry), was heavily involved in the run up to the Rising and after, including the Howth Gun Running and the War of Independence. According to his Witness Statement he was asked by Eamonn Ceannt, “two months before the Rising, that in the case of a revolt would I be willing to go down to the country. I would have preferred to have stayed in the city but it was decided that I was needed elsewhere to take charge of operations. My instructions were to go to Meath, work in conjunction with Louth with the objective of taking control of the District. I got in touch with my brother, William, who was living in Kells at the time and he introduced me to a number of local volunteers.” (Witness Statement No. 143 - Gerald (Garry) Byrne) Gerald’s son, George, told me that it bothered his father his whole life that he was not permitted to stay in Dublin during Easter Week. He had, he said, always felt hard done by. “On Thursday of Holy Week I got word to get the men to Tara by 7 p.m. on Easter Sunday. I instructed the men that they were to travel as if they were going to play a football match and to carry books and togs as well as weapons and ammunitions. At 12 midnight a car from headquarters arrived giving orders for the men to be dismissed as the ‘whole thing’ had been called off. The men returned to Kells. Despite this I heard on Easter Monday that the Rising had started. We remained at Kells and when no word had arrived by Wednesday for further mobilisation I borrowed a bicycle and made my way for the city. I was stopped a number of times but evaded capture.” (Witness Statement No. 143 – Gerald (Garry) Byrne)

We remained at Kells and when no word had arrived by Wednesday for further mobilisation I borrowed a bicycle and made my way for the city. I was stopped a number of times but evaded capture. “After reaching Dunboyne on that Wednesday of Easter Week, I made contact with Donal O’Hannigan. O’Hannigan had sent a scout who had managed to reach the GPO and bring back a written message from Pearse. The plan was that if necessary, we would fall back from the city in the direction of Meath and would await further instruction… The following Monday, word came that the city had surrendered and it was 14

Family Stories 1916

GERALD (GARRY) BYRNE

I instructed the men that they were to travel as if they were going to play a football match and to carry books and togs as well as weapons and ammunitions. 15

Family Stories 1916

decided to dump all arms, for the Dunboyne men to return home and to find billets locally for the Louth men.” (Witness Statement No. 143 – Gerald (Garry) Byrne) Gerald returned home having stayed with his brother, William, in Kells for three weeks. Upon Cathal Brugha’s release from hospital, they set out to reorganise the volunteers and “had the organisation going well in the city again by the time of the general prison release.” (Witness Statement No. 668 – Gerald (Garry) Byrne) Gerald served throughout the War of Independence. He and his father, George (Snr), were arrested on 6 December 1920. They were initially detained at Wellington Barracks (Griffith College) and then moved to Ballykinlar Internment Camp, Co Down. Soldiers called to the house at 16 Susan Terrace, Donore Avenue, looking for Gerald and George. Gerald’s father, George (Snr) said “I’m George Byrne”. He took the place of my grandfather, George (Jnr), whose wife was expecting their first baby. The arrest and internment of Gerald and his father is documented in Prisoners of War — Ballykinlar Internment Camp 19201921 — Liam O’Duibhir (Mercier Press). Gerald took the Pro-Treaty side in the Civil War and served with the Criminal Investigation Department from February 1922 to February 1924. He married Emily Finlay. They had 8 children, 2 of whom survive, and lived at Downpatrick Road in Drimnagh till his death in 1961. Winifred and May were members of Craobh Inghinidhe, Cumann na mBan, and served at Jameson’s Distillery, Marrowbone Lane, during the Rising, under the command of Rose McNamara. On Easter Monday morning, they mobilised at the Weavers Hall on Donore Avenue and marched to Emerald Square. It was from Emerald Square that volunteers of the 4th Battalion and members of Cumann na mBan left for the 4 Garrisons. Winifred and May were cooking food and tending the wounded. Winifred was called home on the Wednesday of Easter week as her mother was unwell. Her grandson, Fergus Whelan, told me that she was none too pleased at leaving as she was older than May but May was a Section Commander and outranked Winifred. This story is borne out in Winifred’s pension application: “Yes, mother was very ill at the time. Two of us were in it and one of us had to go home. My sister refused to go and I went.” (Pension Application) 16

Family Stories 1916

WINIFRED BYRNE

I had another brother who turned out on Monday morning and he brought three hams to the house to be cooked and I had them cooked and made into sandwiches and sent them down to the distillery by my aunt. 17

Family Stories 1916

However, Winifred continued to support the cause from home: “I had three brothers in the movement at the time, one was in Kells and the other was sent down to Kells organising, and I had another brother who turned out on Monday morning and he brought three hams to the house to be cooked and I had them cooked and made into sandwiches and sent them down to the distillery by my aunt.” (Pension Application) She also sent a small amount of ammunition to the distillery via her aunt – “She was a stranger in the place and not known.” (Pension Application) Winifred married Walter Somerville and raised a family in Dublin. Two daughters survive. May was one of the 77 women arrested and detained at Richmond Barrack and imprisoned at Kilmainham Gaol after the Rising. “We surrendered with the Garrison. On Sunday 30 April we were detained in Richmond Barracks for one day and then we were conveyed to Kilmainham Jail and released from there on 8 May.” (Pension Application) She was released on the afternoon of 8 May 1916, the same day as she would have heard shots fired to execute her comrades Con Colbert, Éamonn Ceannt, Seán Heuston and Michael Mallin. I had heard that May hid arms at the house in Susan Terrace, bullets in down the bedposts and grenades in the garden. This story has been confirmed in her pension application: “I did not do it officially, nobody knew, even my own people did not know. Guns — they would be in a parcel, I would put them anywhere I could. We had a place, not a regular dump, anywhere I could stick them — in the house in 16 Susan Terrace.” (Pension Application) May was involved in collections for national aid throughout 1916 and beyond. In 1917 May was elected 2nd Lieutenant. She was involved in General Election activities in charge of the first aid station in Donnybrook. She led the ‘Lá na mBan’ Parade to City Hall. She attended anti-conscription meetings and “had a meeting in Foster Place against the treatment of prisoners in Holloway Jail and we were batoned that day.” (Pension Application)

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LOUISA MAY BYRNE

We surrendered with the Garrison. On Sunday (30th) we were detained in Richmond Barracks for one day and then we were conveyed to Kilmainham Jail and released from there on 8 May. 19

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She made field dressings at “Madame McBride’s in the afternoons and evenings. I was not at business at that time.” (Pension Application) May was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in 1919 and to Captain in October 1920. She resigned from the organisation in January 1922. She is commemorated on a quilt made in memory of the 77 women imprisoned in Richmond Barracks. The quilt will be on permanent display at Richmond Barracks. She is also commemorated in We were there — 77 Women of the Easter Rising — by Mary McAuliffe and Liz Gillis (Four Courts Press). May married Michael Doyle in 1928 and raised her family in Dublin. Two daughters and a son survive. My Grandmother Byrne’s brother, Patrick Joseph Dunne, was a volunteer in ‘F’ Company of the 4th Battalion of the Dublin Brigade and member of na Fianna Éireann. Patrick Joseph Dunne, was a messenger under the command of Captain Con Colbert at Watkins Brewery, Ardee Street and at the Jameson Distillery, Marrowbone Lane. He was 14 during the Easter Rising. “I carried dispatches from Ardee Street to Marrowbone Lane, from Marrowbone Lane to Liberty Hall, GPO and South Dublin Union.” (Pension Application) Patrick was sent home by Con Colbert as “communications could not be established through the British Ring… On hearing that there was a surrender on Monday 1 May I returned to Marrowbone Lane and fell in behind the men. Con Colbert once again sent me home.” (Pension Application)

I carried dispatches from Ardee Street to Marrowbone Lane, from Marrowbone Lane to Liberty Hall, GPO and South Dublin Union. According to his pension application, Patrick served as a Fianna Éireann Battalion Adjutant until transferring to the IRA in late 1920. He served as a company Adjutant for the remainder of the War of Independence. He was involved in a number of attacks on British targets and personnel in Dublin including Dartmouth Road (21 June 1921) where he was captured and imprisoned. Upon release in 1922 he immediately rejoined his IRA Company and took part in a number of occupations of sites/buildings in the Dublin area by Anti-Treaty IRA forces. Patrick served as an IRA Battalion Quartermaster during the Civil War and took part in fighting against National Army Forces. He 20

On hearing that there was a surrender on Monday 1 May I returned to Marrowbone Lane and fell in behind the men. Con Colbert once again sent me home.

PATRICK JOSEPH DUNNE 21

Family Stories 1916

was again arrested and imprisoned on 21 May 1923. He married Mary Hitchcock and raised a family of 10 in Dublin — 8 of whom survive. I am immensely proud of my family’s role in 1916. It has been an emotional journey for me and a huge honour to research each of their rolls, before, during and after 1916. I have learned so much about these six brave people. To enable their voices to be heard and their stories to told for future generations of Byrne’s and Dunne’s has been nothing less than a privilege. A shorter version of the Byrne’s story is published in Ireland First — Comóradh Ár Sinsir 1916–2016 Relatives Remember — 4th Battalion Dublin Brigade 1916.

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My Grandfather

GEORGE BYRNE (JNR) as I remember him (Zita Bolton)

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A SOLDIER’S STORY OF EASTER WEEK A tribute to Brian O’Higgins

Written by Lucy Travers

The 100 year Commemoration of the 1916 Rising is upon us and many will look to tracing their ancestry for any connection to those involved in the struggle for independence and the birth of our Republic. I am privileged to be the grand niece of Brian O’Higgins, a patriot and republican who devoted the majority of his life to the cultivation of the Irish language and the preservation of Irish culture and Irish independence. Brian fought with the pen on most occasions and sought to dissuade fellow Irish men and women from succumbing to the influence of the English language and way of life, to the detriment of our native language and traditions. He is the author of countless poems, songs and verses which celebrate all aspects of what it means to be Irish, in his relentless attempt at preserving a language and a culture which he observed was under attack. In an era when we are somewhat ambivalent about the compulsory teaching of the Irish language in our

In an era when we are somewhat ambivalent about the compulsory teaching of the Irish language in our primary and secondary schools, Brian O’Higgins is an example of those who have gone before us who valued the Irish language and traditions of Irish dance and Gaelic games to the point where they were prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice. 24

Family Stories 1916

primary and secondary schools, Brian O’Higgins is an example of those who have gone before us who valued the Irish language and traditions of Irish dance and Gaelic games to the point where they were prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice. As a young girl, my father always recounted our family connection with Brian O’Higgins and how proud we should be to have such a scholar and patriot in the family. Indeed, I remember the Brian O’Higgins Christmas cards arriving in the post with the lovely verses composed by Brian and the distinctive Celtic designs. I can recall completing a history project in school on my grand-uncle and being very proud to tell my teacher that I was related to an Irish patriot. Much of the detail of Brian O’Higgins’s life can be found in the publication The Life and Times of Brian O’Higgins, written by Padraig O’Tuile SC and published by the Brian O’Higgins Memorial Committee in Navan, Co Meath in 1966. Brian O’Higgins was born in 1882, in the ‘Glen’, which he later called ‘Gleann na Mona’, in the parish of Kilskyre, four miles west of Kells in County Meath. To this day, the local GAA hurling ground in Kilskyre, Pairc O’hUigín, is named in his honour. At the age of 14, he went to serve his time in a relative’s shop in Clonmellon on the Meath-Westmeath border. There, at a young age, he began to write many of his poems and was strongly encouraged to continue writing by the then editor of the Meath Chronicle. He also published quite a number of these songs and verses in St. Patrick’s and in the Irish People which made him come to the attention of the authorities at that time. In June, 1901, he left to work in a public house in Lesson Street, Dublin, and he immediately joined the O’Growney Branch of the Gaelic League there. At the League’s classes, as well as learning the Irish language, they danced Irish dances and sang Irish songs and ballads. Around this time, he decided to write verses and songs with fun and humour in them. In 1902, Brian went to work in Sheridan’s public house in North Earl Street. It was here that he came into contact with Arthur Griffith, who encouraged him to keep writing. Michael Cusack, founder of the GAA, was one of his Irish teachers. Brian suffered ill health for much of his later adult life and he returned to Gleann na Mona in 1904, where he actively participated in community life and helped to establish the local hurling club. He also started Irish classes in Kilskyre for both children and adults. He wrote a column for the Meath Chronicle newspaper in Kells, The Leinster Leader in Naas and The Irish Peasant in Navan. In 1906, Brian got his Teastas or teaching certificate, despite the fact that he had not been taught Irish in primary school because it was not allowed during the regular school day and he became a travelling teacher. He started in Virginia and he soon had seven branches set up in a line from Trim in County Meath to lower Lavey, near Cavan town. He was on the road seven days a week teaching Irish classes in the evening. That year in 1906, he also published his first booklet of religious verse, A Bunch of Wild Roses and the following year his first 25

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volume of patriotic songs and ballads The Voice of Banba - ‘Banba’ being regularly used by him as a pen name. Brian married Anne Kenny in 1908 and went on to rear a family of six children. He continued to work hard, teaching Irish classes. It was around this time that he met Padraig Pearse and the two became great friends. The Soldier’s Story of Easter Week was told by Brian in Limerick, January 1918. It is simply his eyewitness account of the memorable events of that famous week. Brian belonged to the Reserve Army owing to his ill-health. On Easter Monday from 12 noon until 6 p.m., the Reserves were on ‘reserve’ at 41 Parnell Street. From 6 p.m. onwards they were stationed in the GPO which had been taken that day at noon. One of Brian’s proudest memories was the comradeship of Sean McDermott in the GPO. He pays tribute to him in the book; “I have known many men who were true patriots, who were willing to endure any pain, suffer any loss and make any sacrifice for the land that bore them, but I have known none more true, none more noble, none more heedless of self, none more worthy of love and respect than Sean MacDiarmada, and I think when the whole story of those strenuous years of preparation comes to be written, no name will shine out more brightly that his. Brave as a lion, tender and gentle as a woman, simple and lovable as a child, he held men with the magic of his smile, and fired them with a courage that was willing to dare all things for the land he served faithfully in life, and will continue to serve in death, for the memory of such a man as Sean MacDiarmada can never die.” (The Soldier’s Story of Easter Week, p 24)

I have known many men who were true patriots, who were willing to endure any pain, suffer any loss and make any sacrifice for the land that bore them, but I have known none more true, none more noble, none more heedless of self, none more worthy of love and respect than Sean MacDiarmada

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Brave as a lion, tender and gentle as a woman, simple and lovable as a child, he held men with the magic of his smile, and fired them with a courage that was willing to dare all things for the land he served faithfully in life, and will continue to serve in death, for the memory of such a man as Sean MacDiarmada can never die. Brian pays many tributes to all the men in the GPO, not least that of Padraig Pearse on the Thursday, their last night there. “It is as he appeared that night that Pearse always comes before my mind… It was seldom he was disturbed by anyone save the senior officers, because everyone knew he had got no rest during the week, but whenever it was necessary to go to him, he was the same gentle considerate Padraig MacPiarais we had always known, ready to listen and help and suggest, and to welcome the opinion of the humbliest private in his ranks, while he spoke in the low impressive tones that had made him master of many men’s hearts and that carried conviction to the hearer. He looked that night like one preparing for Extreme Unction, and the calm of a man who stands close to God and knows he has done right was in every word he spoke and in every movement of his body. It is idle to praise Padraig MacPiarais. His greatness is unknown to us yet. The years will praise him and show all men the nobility of his life and the magnificience of his deed.” (The Soldier’s Story of Easter week, p 33) Brian O’Higgins remained on duty all that Thursday night in the GPO. On Friday morning it was burned, but the garrison held out until that evening before evacuating. By Saturday morning, the survivors were completely surrounded, and so the surrender came on Saturday afternoon. They laid down their arms at Parnell Monument. They were hustled on to the lawn in front of the Rotunda Hospital, where they were kept all night. On Sunday morning they were marched into O’Connell Street and on to Richmond Barracks. Brian recalls that Sean MacDiarmada, although lame, was not allowed to use his walking stick. The identified leaders were retained and the remainder, including

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Brian O’Higgins, marched to North Wall, where they were deported that night in a cattle boat to start their term of imprisonment. In Brian’s case, this resulted in a term in Stafford Jail and then in Frongach in the Welsh mountains. Following his release from prison in February, 1917, Brian O’Higgins became Secretary of the Irish College at Carrigaholt, County Clare, known as O’Curry College. In March 1918, he published the first issue of the monthly called St. Enda’s. It was written entirely by young people and was doing very well when its editor, Brian O’Higgins, was arrested in May 1918 for his part in an alleged bogus German plot and he was imprisoned in Birmingham Jail. During this period in prison, Brian stood for election in West Clare and won his seat, despite being still a prisoner in Birmingham. The first meeting of Dáil Éireann took place on 21 January, 1919, “one of the greatest dates in the history of Ireland” says Brian. He was released from jail in the spring of 1919 and returned to Carrigaholt in West Clare where he was a Justice of the Dáil Éireann Courts, but when he was advised that his life was in danger, he took the decision to return to Dublin. We know little of his activities until the Truce in the summer of 1921. The signing of the Treaty caused him great anguish as did the long and bitter arguments in the Dáil before the split and eventual Civil War. Being on the losing side, prison awaited him once again, first Mountjoy and after a short while, the Curragh referred to as ‘Tintown’. He describes the Curragh (Tintown) as a heartbreaking depressing hole where he could neither read nor write. Brian commenced a 25 day hunger-strike which almost killed him but, when he recovered a little, he was subsequently released. While by no means giving up writing, he started delivering orations or speeches, and where better to begin than by giving the oration at Wolf Tone’s Grave at Bodenstown, County Kildare in 1924. He soon was in great demand, speaking in all of the 32 counties and he used both the Irish and English language in all his orations. In 1925 he published The Soldier’s Story of Easter Week, and in 1926 Ten Golden Years — incidents of the Rising, songs, ballads and pictures of the men of 1916. Brian O’Higgins’s close friend Austin Stack died in 1929. Fianna Fáil had now entered the Dáil and Europe had seen the rise of Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin. In 1932, the year Eamon de Valera became Taoiseach, the first issue of the Wolfe Tone Annual which is ranked among his greatest achievements, appeared. It was a book of about 100 pages devoted to various aspects and personalities of Irish history usually since 1798 except for a few exceptions, the Rising of 1641 and the Penal Times. It was very well researched, had some Irish articles and a selection of poetry, mostly ballads. Brian’s fearless and uncompromising Republicanism wasn’t liked by either the Free State or the Republic of Ireland authorities, the Wolfe Tone Annual being suppressed on one occasion. Typical of him he issued the banned publication unchanged 28

It is idle to praise Padraig MacPiarais. His greatness is unknown to us yet. The years will praise him and show all men the nobility of his life and the magnificience of his deed. 29

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He looked that night like one preparing for Extreme Unction, and the calm of a man who stands close to God and knows he has done right was in every word he spoke and in every movement of his body. the next year. The price at the beginning was one shilling, later rising to one shilling and sixpence and attracted about sixty advertisers, one of which was Cumann Lúithchleas Gael, advertising Ireland’s greatest national sporting attractions played in Croke Park. From 1924 until his death, Brian continued to publish the Wolf Tone Annual, Wolf Tone weekly and his series of Christmas cards. Brian O’Higgins died on March 10 1963. Solas na bhflaitheas dá anam dílis.

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Ten Golden Years Ten golden years ago In brave old Dublin Town They lighted Freedom’s fires anew, And dared the despot’s frown. Read out the deathless names again We love them, every one; Our hearts shall hold their memory green Till all the days are done. Clarke, Connolly, the Brothers Pearse, McDermott, loved by all, And Plunkett and O’HanrahanThey come at memory’s call. MacDonagh’s laugh rings down the years, McBride’s undaunted soul, And Eamonn Ceannt’s heroic heart, Make bright for us the Goal. Ned Daly, Heuston, Colbert trueThe young intrepid three Who died in manhood’s glorious dawn Their Motherland to free. And Mallin and the Brothers Kent, And Rory of the Gael, Who died for us in London Town, The pride of Grainne Mhaol. Some gave their lives with gun in hand, Their story proudly tellO’Rahilly and fifty more, Who bravely fighting fell. Ten golden years ago In brave old Dublin town They lighted Freedom’s fires anew, And dares the despot’s frown. They brought their shackled motherland To Freedom’s open door. God grant their hold dream comes true ‘Ere ten more years are o’er. Brian O’Higgins

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