Foreword to Ballina and its Troubles Times

Foreword to

Ballina and Its Troubled Times

  The Easter Rising of 1916 lasted from Easter Monday, 24th April, to 30th April, 1916, and it was the most significant uprising in Ireland since the Rebellion of 1798. The Rising was suppressed after seven days of fighting, and its leaders, among whom were Patrick and Willie Pearse, Joseph Plunkett, Thomas Clarke, John McBride, James Connolly, Thomas McDonagh, and others (15 in all), who were executed, and Sir Roger Casement was tried in London for high treason and hanged. Irish Volunteers units mobilised on Easter Sunday in several places outside Dublin, but due to Eoin McNeill’s countermanding order, most of them returned home without firing a shot. In the south, around 1,200 Volunteers mustered in Cork, but due to Eoin McNeill’s countermanding order, most of them also returned home without fighting.

There were brief attacks in Ashbourne, Co. Meath; County Louth; Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. In the West Liam Mellowes led 600-700 Volunteers in abortive attacks on several police stations, but being poorly armed, and after hearing that large British reinforcements were on their way west and by the time they arrived the rising had already disintegrated. On Easter Monday morning, according to a former resident of the town, and one who had a great knowledge of Ballina, wrote to the “Western People,” in 1981, and said that Ballina was the first place in Ireland to fly the Tricolour “as,” he wrote, “on that morning when the people of the town were at 8.20 Mass in St. Muredach’s Cathedral, two members of Fianna Eireann— viz Vincey Calleary and my brother, Martin Mark, climbed the staircase of the Cathedral Spire and hoisted the National Flag from the top window about two hours before P. H. Pearse and James Connolly commandeered the G.P.O. in Dublin, and hoisted the National Flag there”.

  Although there was open hostility to the Insurrection from the church and other public leaders support for Sinn Fein was gathering momentum due to the fact that although the public did not mind the prisoners being marched off to captivity they resented them being executed. The Conscription Crisis of 1918 further intensified public support for Sinn Fein before the general elections to the British Parliament on 14th December, 1918, which resulted in a landslide victory for Sinn Fein, whose MPs assembled in Dublin on 21st January, 1919, to form Dáil Éireann and adopt the Declaration of Independence. Some survivors of the Rising went on to become leaders of the independent Irish state and those who died were venerated by many as martyrs, and to this day they are remembered in an annual commemoration in Arbour Hill in Dublin on Easter Sunday. Likewise the Republican memorial in Leigue graveyard in Ballina is also a place of commemoration on each Easter Sunday.

  Meanwhile the Great War trundled on and still men signed up to join the British army even though the list of men killed and wounded were published in the local papers. I suppose that great saying that humans have—“it won’t happen to me” probably crossed their minds. To a lot of them it did and Ballina (182) and the whole of North Mayo lost some of its finest sons on the battlefields of Europe and in faraway Iraq and India. When we read of the war at present in Iraq it is already recorded in history that at least thirty-two Mayomen fell in battle and disease and are buried in the graveyards there.

  In a series of article printed in the “Western People” in January, 1964, the writer of the articles took us back to the year 1918 and began his first article with these words: “It was the year the Great War ended but it was the start of another struggle for Ireland. It was a year when the political leaven of Sinn Fein worked its way through the national conscience until the country found a new will and a new resolve. It was a year of momentous events in Ballina, a year in which riots, baton charges, arrests and mounting nationalism testified to the loosening of an Empire’s grip on communities and inevitably upon the nation itself.  It was a year when recruiting teams visited Ballina and asked for Volunteers for the British army and wrote their own individual page of local history by the reactions they provoked. It was a year in which an aroused Ireland faced the threat of Conscription and found unity in tribulations shared as when fifteen thousand gathered for an anti-Conscription meeting in Ballina. It was a year which saw the rising star of Sinn Fein on a brightening horizon.”

  He continued: “The year opened on a note of anticipation. It was a time when the Irish Convention under Sir Horace Plunkett was meeting behind closed doors to hammer out a solution to the national aspirations. But what were the national aspirations? Home Rule within the British Empire? Sinn Fein were boycotting the Meeting of the Moderates, as the Convention became to be called, and Mr. John Flanagan, chairman of Ballina U.D.C., was one of the delegates.”

  Wrote a correspondent: “We cannot contemplate the situation that would arise out of complete failure but a feeling as in existence that ultimately the convention, notwithstanding a failure, would bear good fruit. Just at first, for a year or two perhaps, the extremists might hold sway, might carry the people with them but good sense would prevail sooner or later . . . in bringing together again the men of moderation and standing . . . to apply themselves to the task of saving their country by the creation of an autonomous nation within the Empire.”

  “Well there have been more accurate forecasts but even then there were signs for the discerning. In the same issue of the paper was a report on Sinn Fein Clubs which stated in part: ‘The country is now studded with Sinn Fein clubs and despite, perhaps because of the minatory action of the Government, every day sees them spreading. Some indications of the thriving state of Sinn Fein in Mayo was provided on Sunday, January 26th, in a downpour of rain, when Mr. de Valera addressed a Sinn Fein demonstration in Castlebar which was attended by volunteers from all over Mayo. Police from outlying station reinforced the local constabulary.’

  “In early March a Sinn Fein meeting was held in Crossmolina and an address was delivered by Mr. John Clarke, Ballina, who was described as speaking as a soldier or the Irish Republic. He was followed by Mr. John Moylett, Ballina, and both left no doubts as to their opinion of British rule”.  The follow-up to this proved to be an interesting case heard at Ballina Petty Sessions in March, 1918, in which four men—Patrick Gallagher, John Clarke, William Lydon and Francis Jordan were charged with disorderly behaviour at Ballina Railway Station on March 12th, when Thomas Ruane, Volunteer Captain was being removed on remand to Sligo jail.

  As earlier mentioned the threat of Conscription brought spontaneous action all over the country and in Ballina over fifteen thousand people on Monday, April 15th, at the call of the Ballina Board of Guardians through the clergy to protest against Conscription proposals. The meeting was held in the Fair Green, and North Mayo, North Sligo, part of East Mayo and Erris, were among the areas represented by bands of Volunteers who marched unopposed into town. There were present Sinn Feiners, Irish Party men, O’Brienites and men of no politics at all, all united under one banner of “No Conscription.” The “Ballina Herald” wrote: “The proceedings were marked by unexampled enthusiasm and unanimity and on the whole everything passed off quietly and peacefully, an isolated incident of a regrettable character on the streets after the meeting, along marring the day.”

  As the weeks wore on there were more marches and drilling and the police were put to the pin of their collar trying to keep an eye on all the activities that were going on (see Martin Lacken story). Arising out of the Sinn Fein demonstration in Foxford on Easter Sunday prominent speakers, including Dr. Ferran, were charged with having taken part in an unlawful assembly on that date (see story). Then on to May and Mr. Patrick Ruttledge defended Edward Murphy of Druminariffin, Bangor Erris, who was charged with drilling in Bangor on May 26th. This case was held in Ballina in July. The case was noteworthy for the remarks of the chairman, Mr. Hill. “The court was not constituted to punish a defendant but to make him do right (!) They were living under the most free constitution in the world and 98 per cent of the population were excellent citizens. The other two per cent at the present were giving trouble. Drilling was illegal and defendant (Murphy) had given an undertaking not to act illegally again and in the circumstances they would bind him to the peace for twelve months and in default or bail he would have to go to jail for two months”.

  And so on through the deceptive calm of late July and August until the “Herald” on August 22nd reported on what became known as the ‘Battle of the Permits’! Consequent on paragraphs in the Dublin Press as to instructions from Sinn Fein headquarters and the reading of a manifesto on August 18th in each club district in Ireland and the holding of assemblies for that purpose without a Government permit, considerable subdued excitement was manifested in Ballina on Thursday, and from what we have read since this feeling was general throughout most of the country. A fairly large force of police was drafted into town from outside districts during the day but most of the men returned to their stations between 5 and 6 o’clock. Up to this time there was no attempt to hold a meeting and no inkling of any such intention came to the ears of those not connected with the club. Shortly after 7 o’clock the town bellman announced a pilgrimage to St. Patrick’s Well at 8.30 p.m. and from 8 o’clock a number of people, with no regard to formation, went in groups to the well which is situate about half a mile from the town. There was a crowd of about 200 at the well when the Rosary was recited in Irish after which Mr. John Moylett, President of North Mayo Sinn Fein Executive and of the local Sinn Fein Club, delivered an address and called on Mr. P. Melvin, Secretary of the Club, to read the ‘manifesto.’ This having been done the assemblage dispersed. There were half a dozen police or so present under Constable Dwyer but they did not interfere with the proceedings, but it is understood that Mr. Moylett and other prominent Sinn Feiners were warned the previous evening that any meeting the following day would not be allowed without a permit.

  The sequel to the ‘pilgrimage’ was not long in coming. Mr. Melvin, who it is stated to have read the manifesto, was taken into custody shortly after 11 o’clock that night just as he was stepping into a boat for a night’s fishing. Next morning Mr. Moylett went to the barracks to see Mr. Melvin and he was there and then apprehended. The charge against Mr. Melvin was for reading, as alleged, this seditious document, and Mr. Moylett was charged with having caused it to be read, plus having a second charge being preferred against him for some remarks he made in the course of his address at the Blessed Well. Both prisoners were kept in the barracks until Sunday morning, when in the ‘wee small’ hours they handed into military custody by whom they were conveyed to Castlebar, and eventually both were taken to Dublin. in the following week’s issue of the “Herald” the only reference of the Permit Prisoners was a paragraph stating that Mr. Moylett had been removed to Galway. No mention was made of Mr. Melvin.

  A report of a Great War recruiting meeting, which was to be held in Ballina on Monday, 7th October, in the Town Hall made news in the columns of the “Herald.” The paper felt there would be a big attendance, as Ballina was all the time heart and soul with the Allies and fighting in the hour of gloom and with all that the town had suffered it felt sure that the town and district would take its due share in the hour of triumph. The paper in its 10th October edition reported: “The hall was crowded from stage to balcony and it was quite apparent all through that the preponderating element was wholly in favour not only of giving the speakers a fair and impartial hearing but of supporting the cause for which the assembly was called together wholeheartedly and to the utmost letter. But it was equally manifest that a small section in the back of the hall were determined to cause disorder which however, was but fitful and intermittent until the organiser, Col. O’Sullivan, was speaking, then the occasional interruptions and interjections gave place to an incessant din but on the whole it can be honestly said that the honours of the evening were with the speakers who outstayed the row and insisted on and got a not as satisfactory hearing as the people who came to hear desired, but at any rate they made themselves heard and Judge Doyle made himself felt.”

 The “Herald” report goes on: “A scene of intense confusion and noise ensued, angry cries were raised from the back of the hall and for several minutes the speaker could not be heard above the din. This continued despite appeals for order and the singing of ‘We’ll Crown de Valera King of Ireland’ from the back of the hall added to the uproar. Judge Doyle came to the rescue with a stentorian voice and this is the verbatim report of what transpired that night in the Town Hall:

  “Judge Doyle who again made himself heard above the din, said he began his address with the usual phrase ‘Ladies and Gentlemen,’ and when he the word ‘gentlemen’ he excluded from the term (boos), the cads, ruffians and corner boys (loud noises) and he repeated the observation lest it might not have reached the ears of the hounds to whom he was speaking. “There are gentlemen in the hall,” proceeded Judge Doyle, “But I have no words to give expression to my feelings of contempt and abhorrence for the howling traitors who are in the back of the hall (noise). This is the first time in my life that I’ve been ashamed of anybody calling himself an Irishman, but those are not Irishmen, they are mongrel curs. They are paid ruffians and lending themselves to the devilish work that is prescribed for them (loud confusion) and no words of contempt, contumely or abhorrence are strong enough to hurt in the teeth of those wretched, grovelling vipers here to-night, of the breed of reptiles”. Strong language indeed! The “Herald” went on: “The scenes of excitement continued for some time”, ended the “Herald” with characteristic understatement, but it must have been a rip-roaring night in Ballina. (See story – The Court Sequels).

  In its 17th October edition the “Herald” stated in a paragraph that Patrick Melvin, Ballina, who was courtmartialled and found guilty for reading a seditious document on August 15th was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, one year being remitted. Then in its October 24th edition the paper reported of disturbances which followed the holding of a recruiting meeting in the Town Hall by the Queen Mary Army Auxiliary Group. The police used their batons and dangerous missiles were fired, so much so the streets of Ballina on Monday night were dangerous for the public. A number of police and civilians got hurt, some from batons and some from large stones and bottles which were used as missiles. The police followed a party into the Sinn Fen hall and an encounter took place there, and the following evening, acting under the recent proclamation, they closed the down the hall. There was also a sequel to this disturbance which ended up in the courthouse (See story—The Court Sequels).

  Unfortunately a large gap for the next two weeks exists in the files of the “Ballina Herald” so the narrative must be broken. Files of the “Western People” were destroyed subsequently and the “Herald” appealed to the public for any information that might help to fill in the missing links in the recreation of 1918. 

  By December the elections were about to be contested and nomination papers were due to be handed in by noon on Wednesday, 4th. At 11 a.m. a Sinn Fein band of supporters appeared, including the candidate, Dr. D. Crowley, and his election agent, Mr. P. J. Ruttledge, accompanied by Mr. John Moylett, President of North mayo Sinn Fein Executive, and Mr. Patrick Beirne, and a number of supporters handed in fifteen nomination papers relying on the one in which Mr. John Moylett, King Street was proposed, and Mr. P. Beirne as seconder. the assenting electors were: Thomas Gilmartin, Knox Street; Dominick Molloy, Bridge Street; John Clarke, King Street; John Caffrey, Mill Street; Thomas Ruane, Castle Road; Michael Tolan, Mill Street, and Martin McGrath, Gore Street. They were followed at 11.25 a.m. by Alderman Boyle of the Irish Party; H. C. Bourke, his election agent; and Mr. J. Ahearn arrived and handed in a nomination paper of Alderman Boyle. The assenting electors were James Murphy, J.P., King Street; T. A. Walsh, J.P., Editor of “Western People”, Arran Street; Dr. Francis Keane, M.B., Knox Street; Joseph McMonagle, Imperial Hotel; John Egan, Glencairn; John J. Murphy, Victoria Terrace, and John Carrigg, Ballina House. Both candidates were quite confident of being elected but already there were signs that the Sinn Fein avalanche was to bury the Irish Party. 1918 closed in an air of victorious delight for Sinn Fein but 1919, on the Ballina scene, was to carry its own crop of troubles.

THE 1920s

  In January, 1920, a visitor remarked on the number of ex-servicemen in Ballina, and the presence of these men wearing their badges showed that Ballina “did their bit” in the Great War. This was the year in which the local elections were due and it was noted that there was little or no excitement and the biggest stir of that week seemed to be occasioned by the absence of any band to play in the New Year. A notice in a newspaper stated that “Vigilance Committees are being formed in the West of Ireland to main order and suppress violence and although these committees are to a man Sinn Feiners, they will not tolerate shooting through windows, burning haystacks and maiming cattle and they are policing certain areas with great energy and success.”

  An irate contributor to a local paper notes that “the Dog Tax” in Ireland has now been increased to 4/6 and may be paid any time from now until the end of March. In addition to yielding more revenue this should help to rid the country of unwanted dogs.” On the local elections, the results were printed in the “Herald” on 22nd January and by the following week Mr. P. J. Ruttledge was elected chairman of Ballina U.D.C. on the spin of a coin. Over the next two months the “Herald” did not produce anything of note. However, in the issue of 8th April, 1920, there is this account of a local incident that was part of a nation-wide campaign.

  “The house of Mr. Carlos in Charles Street, Ballina (now Walsh Street), who is an income tax collector, was visited on Saturday night last at 11 p.m. by a party of masked and armed men. When a knock was heard at the door his daughter opened it and a number of masked men entered. Mr. Carlos was immediately covered with two revolvers and ordered to put his hands up and stand against the wall with which order he obeyed. Some of the party then went into the office while others made sure that any information of their presence would not leave the house until they had left. Those in the office went quietly through the books and papers and carried away with them nine books known as Schedule C and books Schedule B with other miscellaneous dockets. The dockets removed were in connection with Income Tax collection. The police were later on the scene and some time afterwards found traces of the documents which were destroyed by fire in the hollow under the Sisters of Mercy Convent in Upper Garden Street, and a bottle, smelling of paraffin, was found close by. The authorities are in search of information but it appears up to the present time no clue has been found. An attack such as this, in a thoroughfare of the town, and especially at such an hour, must make one feel the daring and determination of these concerned to carry out their instructions,” concluded the report. At a meeting of the Ballina Urban Council, as reported on May 27th, a proposition by the Chairman P. J. Ruttledge, and seconded by Tom Ruane, pledged allegiance to Dail Eireann. Another piece of interesting information was also reported on in the same paper in which the Clerk of the Council informed the members of the Council that he had been served with the final notice of the claim of the Revenue Commissioners in connection with the raid on the Income Tax Offices in Ballina. The £16,000 at first claimed had now come down to £66-11s.-4d.

  The “Herald” of 1st July reported that the first Dail Eireann Court was held in the Town Hall, Ballina, on Wednesday, the presiding arbitrators being Mr. Eamon Gannon, Esq., Co.C.; Mr. Luke Dodd, Esq., U.D.C.; and Mr. Tom Ruane, Esq., Co.C., and U.D.C. Mr. Martin McGrath acted as Registrar and a number of Irish Volunteers were present on duty and all the litigants had to sign an undertaking that they would abide by the decision of the court. The chairman, first addressing the court in Irish and then in English, said this was the first Sinn Fein Court held in Ballina and they, as arbitrators, would endeavour after heari8ng the evidence, to give a just and right decision. They would go carefully into the cases without any prejudice and nothing but the evidence could have any influence over their decision. They did not know a single one of the cases on the books and he now declared the Court open. A number of cases were heard and decided, and the paper stated that the report of the cases were unavoidably held over—in subsequent issues the cases never appeared, although further sittings of the court were published in full.

  Mayo County Council, at a special meeting in June adopted a resolution fixing a speed limit of 10 m.p.h. in towns and villages in the county and 20 m.p.h. in rural areas. In the “Herald” of July 8th the paper reported “that a very clever and daring raid was made on the Ballina railway station when a number of young men, all armed, entered and took possession of a wagon of petrol which had just arrived and in a short time had it removed to a motor lorry commandeered for the purpose and removed to a centre in town from where it was afterwards distributed by permit to merchants. We understand the company will suffer no loss as they are being paid for it.”

  The narrative for 1920 went on to the end of the year but the narrative in the following week’s edition, February 4th, did not deal with 1921, but with 1922. No explanation was given for this decision but since this period has now been covered in the book there is no necessity to cover it here. The last episode in this series was on Febraury 11th, in which the statement given to the Bureau of Military History by Stephen Donnelly is reported in full, in which it is called: “Ballina’s Part in the Fight for Freedom”. Other Ballina men who gave statements to this body were: Pappy Coleman, Ferran Terrace; John Moran, St. Muredach’s Terrace; Denis Sheeran, Lord Edward Street/St. Mary’s Villas; John Timony, Hill Street; Patrick Moylett, King Street, and George Hewson, Chemist, Arran Street (all Ballina). © P. J. Clarke, Ballina