February 1922
|
Feb-01 |
Provisional
government cabinet meets. Collins reports on meeting with Devlin.
They decide on ‘peace policy’ towards government of NI i.e. continuation of
what Craig and Collins agreed in London. Proviso is that Craig
reprieves a number of prisoners under sentence of death in Derry jail and
releases the ‘Monaghan footballers’ – see 14th Jan 1922. Later, Collins and
Griffith meet delegation from Newry and re-assures them on the boundary
issue. Collins says to the anxious Northerners that they “we’re only
trying to force an open door, and were using unnecessary energy in doing
so." |
Phoenix (1994), pg 179; McDermott (2001), pg 162 |
|
Feb-02 |
First full edition
of James Joyce's Ulysses printed in Paris by Shakespeare &
Co. It was Joyce's 40th birthday. Ulysses had been
serialised in the Little Review between March 1918 and December 1920. |
Ulysses (Oxford Edition 1993) Jeri Johnson - Ed., Appendix
B, pgs 740-741 |
|
Feb-02 |
The Irish Times
states that the Provisional Government "is established in office but not
in power. Its machinery for the enforcement of law and order does not
yet exist on any adequate scale." |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 89 |
|
Feb-02 |
Follow-up to
January 21st London meeting with another meeting between Craig and Collins in
Dublin. Breakdown on issue of amount of territory to be called into
question with Boundary Commission. More Detail |
Hopkinson (1988),
pgs 81-82; Curran J M (1980), pg 165; Phoenix
(1994), pgs 179-180; Parkinson (2004), pg 201 |
|
Feb-02 |
At Dáil cabinet
after the Collins-Craig meeting, they decide on a policy of non-recognition
and non-cooperation towards the NI government and that it “should be hampered
in every possible way”. Collins gets agreement to a statement (issued
the following day) saying that on the principle of “majorities must rule” the
South would “secure immense anti-partition areas” in five of the six
counties. The statement also denies that the “boundary clause” in
the Treaty smacks of any ambiguity (which is a direct contradiction of the
facts!). |
Phoenix (1994), pg 181 |
|
Early-Feb |
Provisional
Government sets up a committee to draft a Constitution. Collins is
chair and Darrell Figgis is deputy Chair. It includes Hugh Kennedy,
K.C.; James MacNeill, Prof Alfred O’Rahilly; James Douglas, John O’Byrne,
Kevin O’Sheil; C.P. France and Prof James A. Murnaghan. (Curran
gives considerable detail on the working of the committee.) |
Macardle (1999), pg
664; Curran J M (1980), pg 200 |
|
Feb-02 |
In a clash between
IRA and RIC in Killarney, Co. Kerry, an RIC man (Constable Charles Ednie) is
killed. Constable Ednie was
from Edinburgh and had one year’s service with the RIC. |
Abbott (2000), pg
275; Abbott (2019), pg 352 |
|
Feb-02 |
British army
evacuate Sligo military barracks and local anti-Treaty IRA take possession. |
Farry (2012), pg 91 |
|
Early-Feb |
Over Ł10,000 taken
in raids on two banks in Sligo Town.
Local IRA deny involvement. |
Farry (2012), pg 92 |
|
Feb-03 |
Two RIC men
(Constable William Gourlay and Constable Frank Kershaw) are shot dead after
leaving a public house in Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare. Constable Gourlay
was from Lanark in Scotland and Constable Kershaw was from Lancashire in
England with eight months’ and twelve months’ service with the RIC
respectively. |
Abbott (2000), pg
275; Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 291; Abbott (2019), pg 352 |
|
Feb-05 |
Cumman-na-mBan
registered a practically unanimous vote of 419 to 63 against the Treaty at
its Convention. Countess Markievicz was elected President and the
pro-Treaty members were asked to resign. They formed their own group
called Cumman na Saorise. (Dorney says the vote was 413 to 62.) |
O’Donoghue (1986),
pg 231; Litton (1995) pg 88; Macardle (1999), pg 658; Dorney (2017), pg 31; Townshend (2014), pg 363-364 |
|
Feb-05/06 |
British and Irish
representatives meet in London again to discuss procedural matters.
They agree that the Westminster Irish Free State Agreement Bill would
legalise the Treaty and transfer of powers to the Provisional Government who
would authorise an election to a Provisional Parliament which would enact a
constitution. The British would confirm the constitution as the final
ratification of the Treaty. Only then would Northern Ireland be allowed
to exclude itself. |
Curran J M (1980),
pg 166 |
|
Feb-06 |
Catholic barman,
Thomas Gray, is shot in the back as he serves in O’Boyle’s pub in Belfast and
dies the following day. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 211; McDermott (2001), pg 163 |
|
Feb-07 |
British Army
evacuate Kilkenny Military Barracks.
It is taken over by the IRA. |
Walsh (2018), pg 151 |
|
Feb-07/08 |
IRA kidnaps 42
prominent loyalists and ‘B’ Specials in Fermanagh and Tyrone (Hopkinson says
42; Phoenix says 70; McDermott says some 40 persons, Parkinson says 42 and Dooley says 60) to be
held as hostages for the ‘Monaghan footballers’ arrested on the 14th
Jan and the three men due to hung in Derry on 9th February. More Detail |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 80; Phoenix (1994), pg 183; Parkinson (2004), pg 211;
McDermott (2001), pgs 164-165; Dooley (2017a), pgs
103-104; Lawlor (2011), pgs 204-210; Ó Duibhir (2011), pg 61 |
|
Feb-08 |
A Catholic
ex-soldier, John McDonagh, is shot dead in York St., Belfast. |
McDermott (2001),
pg 165 |
|
Feb-09 |
Catholic teenager,
Patrick Hannigan, is shot dead in Cuper St., Belfast. (McDermott gives the
date as the 7th Feb.) |
Parkinson (2004), pg 211; McDermott (2001), pg 163 |
|
Feb-09 |
Meeting held in the
Gresham Hotel Dublin attended by among others Michael Collins, Richard
Mulcahy, Michael Staines and Michael Ring to discuss the setting up of a new
police force for the fledgling Free State.
As Collins knew that he would need the help of former members of the
RIC in setting up the new force, he invited a number of ex-RIC men who had
helped him during the War of Independence to the meeting. At the meeting, a
number of committees were set up and tasked with various elements required
for the setting up of the new force.
See February 21st. |
Durney (2011), pgs 44-45 |
|
Feb-09 |
British military
evacuate Ballymullen Barracks in Tralee and it is handed over IRA led by
Humphrey Murphy, O/C, Kerry No. 1 Brigade. |
Doyle (2008), pg 68 |
|
Feb-09 |
Both RIC barracks
in Sligo Town are evacuated and took over by local anti-Treaty IRA |
Farry (2012), pg 91 |
|
Feb-09 |
Robert Sadlier, a
blacksmith in the village of Butlersbridge, Co Cavan, is killed during a raid
for arms on his home by the IRA. |
Lawlor (2011), pgs 210-211 |
|
Feb-10 |
An Ulster Special
Constabulary patrol is attacked in the village of Clady, Co. Tyrone resulting
in the death of S/Con Charles McFadden. The attack is carried out by the
Donegal IRA. The USC retaliate by attacking
nationalist houses in Castlederg. |
Abbott (2000), pg
276; McDermott (2001), pg 167; McCluskey (2014), pg 119; Lawlor (2011), pgs 202-204 |
|
Feb-10 |
An attempt is made
to rob Lieutenant John Hubert Wogan Browne of the Royal Field Artillery at
Infirmary Road outside Kildare Town.
He had just been to the Hibernian Bank in the town to collect the pay
for the British troops in the nearby Kildare barracks. A struggle ensued and Lieutenant Wogan
Browne is shot dead. (The lieutenant
was unarmed.) Members of the IRA attended his funeral. |
Durney (2011), pgs
37-38 |
|
Feb-10 |
Dáil cabinet
discuss the payment of salaries to teachers in Catholic schools in the six
counties. Patrick Bradley (CEO of National Education) is sent north to
gauge support among Catholic secondary schools for a policy of
non-recognition of the NI Ministry of Education and getting paid by the
Provisional Government. 23 secondary schools agreed to refuse to
recognise the NI Government along with 270 elementary schools. The latter,
however, was only one-third of the elementary schools under Catholic
management. From January to October 1922 these schools were paid for by
the Provisional Government. Many priests disagreed with this
policy. |
Phoenix (1994), pgs 189-190 |
|
Feb-10 |
Writing from the
Riviera to her husband, Winston Churchill, Clementine Churchill says “Michael
Collins does not appear to be able to control his wild men”. |
Dolan and Murphy
(2018), pg 119 |
|
Feb-11 |
The Clones Affray - An 18-man party (Parkinson says 16) of ‘A’ Special Constables
is stopped in a train in Clones, Co Monaghan by the local IRA led by Matt
Fitzpatrick. The Specials had not
applied for a special permit with they would have required to travel through
Clones. Shooting breaks out and four
Special Constables are killed (S/Sgt William Dougherty, S/Constable James
Lewis, S/Constable William McFarland and S/ Constable Robert McMahon) and
nine wounded. A number of Special Constables are captured.
Fitzpatrick is also killed. The incident is
condemned in the British and Unionist press but the Irish Independent
blames it on the arrest of the ‘football team’ on the 14th
January. Sir Henry Wilson demands that the British reconquer the south. Craig
wants to send 5,000 Specials across the border to rescue the prisoners but
this is vetoed by Churchill. However, this
incident leads to the suspension of the evacuation of British troops from the
26-counties (on Feb-13). It also leads to serious rioting in
Belfast – see February 12th to 15th below. Some of the
captured Specials are released on the 22nd February with the last
released on the 10th April. |
Abbott (2000), pgs
276-277; Hopkinson (1988), pg 80; Macardle (1999), pg 660; Curran J M (1980),
pg 166; Dooley (2000), pg 45; Phoenix
(1994), pg 183; Parkinson (2004), pgs 211-212; McDermott
(2001), pgs 165-166; Dooley (2017a), pg 104; Lawlor (2011), pgs
212-246 & 328; Abbott (2019), pgs 353-354 |
|
Feb-11 |
RIC District
Inspector Michael Keany is shot and killed in Clonakilty, Co. Cork. (DI
Keany had led the RIC in the defence of Rosscarbery barracks.) |
Abbott (2000), pg
277 |
|
Feb-11 |
Catholic
shopkeeper, Margaret Page (42), is shot dead in her corner shop in North
Queen St in Belfast. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 212 |
|
Feb-11 |
Thirty armed men
raid the RIC barracks in Castleisland, Co. Kerry. They lock up the RIC constables and make
away with a large quantity of arms and ammunition. Almost definitely carried out by Tom
McEllistrim’s men. |
Doyle (2008), pg 78 |
|
Feb-12 |
Mass meeting held
in Dublin by anti-Treatyites – this is followed by many meetings around the
country by both sides. |
Curran J M (1980),
pg 167 |
|
Feb-12 |
James Street
barracks in Westport, Co. Mayo evacuated by RIC and handed over to IRA.
British army barracks in Castlebar also handed over. |
Price (2012), pgs
198-199 |
|
Feb-12/15 |
Rioting in Belfast
(sparked off by deaths in Clones – see February 11th) in which 27
people (Phoenix says 31) were killed between 12th and 15th
February. Macardle says 12 deaths by violence in Belfast. The most notorious incident was the Weaver St bombing in which six people
were killed including four children. McDermott names 32
people killed on 13th, 14th and 15th – 18
Catholics and 14 Protestants. Parkinson
names 37 people who died in Belfast between the 12th and 15th
– it would seem 23 Catholics and 14 Protestants. (However, two of the
people on McDermott’s list are not on Parkinson’s so the death toll could
have been as high as 39.) Phoenix says death toll for
month was 43 - including 25 Catholics. Parkinson says that there were
nearly 50 fatalities in February. More Detail |
Abbott (2000), pgs
276-278; Macardle (1999), pg 660;
Phoenix (1994), pg 183; Parkinson (2004), pgs 212-215 & 225-227; McDermott (2001), pgs 166-169 & 294 |
|
Feb-13 |
Led by Commandant
Sean Broderick, the IRA take over Renmore Barracks in Galway from the
departing British Army. (They had
taken over Lenaboy Castle from the departing Auxiliaries on the 15th
January.) |
Henry (2012), pg
239 |
|
Feb-13 |
In an altercation
with a British soldier in Donegal Town, two IRA men (Captain Hugh Britton and
Volunteer James Gallagher) are wounded and later die from their wounds. The
British soldier is subsequently arrested by the IRA but handed back to the
British military stationed in Finner Camp. |
Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs 66-67 |
|
Feb-16 |
While the violence
in Belfast had subsided, James McCormack (45), a Protestant, was shot dead on
his way to work. Also, S/Constable Hector Stewart is shot at the corner of
Edlingham Street and the New Lodge Road and later dies of his wounds. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 227; Abbott (2019), pg 355 |
|
Feb-16 |
By this point, the
three IRA prisoners in Derry had been reprieved and the Monaghan footballers
released (reluctantly by Craig at Churchill’s insistence). Collins
arranged for 26 of the loyalist hostages to be released. The remainder are
released during March. Churchill sets up a
border commission with Northern, Southern and British representatives to
monitor the situation but it never functions effectively. Collins
protests strongly to Churchill about the mobilization of the Specials “for
actions against our people in the north-east”. (Dooley and Hall
says that the releases of the Monaghan footballers and most of the captured
unionists did not happen until the 21st and the Specials captured
at Clones were still held. Dooley also
says that the USC subsequently trenched all the roads on the Tyrone-Monaghan
border so as to prevent further kidnapping.) |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 80; Phoenix (1994), pg 184; Dooley (2017a), pg 105; Hall (2019), pgs 90-91 |
|
Feb-16 |
The Irish Free
State (Agreement) Bill introduced to the Westminster parliament by
Churchill. There is fierce opposition from the Ulster Unionists and
their Conservative Allies. The key issue in the interpretation of the
Article 12 of the Treaty – the boundary clause. On Fermanagh and
Tyrone, Churchill admits that they are a weak point in the Ulster
position. However, he goes on to give a minimalist interpretation of
the areas that the Boundary Commission would change. Devlin attacks the NI
government in British House of Commons for its treatment of the nationalist
minority saying that his constituents were “the victims of a system of
terrorism without parallel in any country in Europe”. |
Curran J M (1980),
pg 169; Phoenix (1994), pg 184; Parkinson (2004), pg 227;
McDermott (2001), pg 171 |
|
Feb-17 |
Churchill
telegrammes Collins saying that “the North have ample forces to defend their
territory but if not more troops will be sent them to any extent that may be
necessary”. (It would seem that
Churchill had some intelligence on the Ulster Council.) |
Dooley (2007a), pg
105 |
|
Feb-17 |
Two RIC men were
attacked in Garryowen, Co. Limerick resulting in the death of one (Constable
Lauchlin McEdward). Constable McEdward
was from Edinburgh and had eight months’ service in the RIC. |
Abbott (2000), pg
278; O’Callaghan (2018), pg 102 |
|
Feb-17 |
A Catholic, John
Duffin (28), is shot by gunmen on Sunnyside St in Belfast and died the
following day. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 227 |
|
Feb-17 |
Charlie Daly is
replaced by Tom Morris as O/C of the 2nd Northern Division of the
IRA on the orders of Eoin O’Duffy who claims that Daly had failed to bring
the military activity of counties Derry and Fermanagh up to the level of
other counties. Daly makes a strong defence of his time in command and claims
that he is being removed because of his anti-Treaty views and resigned rather
than take the position on GHQ staff offered to him by O’Duffy. (Both Ó Duibhir and Ozseker says that O’Duffy wrote
to Daly on the 4th March, following a meeting with 2nd
Northern Division officers on the 2nd March, with Daly replying on
the 8th vigourously defending his record. Ó Duibhir also says that
O’Duffy had informed Richard Mulcahy, Minister of Defence, on the 21st
February of his intention to replace Daly) Subsequently, Daly
is made V/C of the anti-Treaty 1st Northern Division under Sean
Lehane. |
Grant (2018), pg
132; McCluskey (2014), pg 120; Ozseker (2019), pg 164; Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs 75-77 |
|
Feb-18 |
O/C Mid-Limerick
Brigade IRA, Liam Forde, issues a proclamation saying that “We no longer
recognise the authority of the present head of the army, and renew our
allegiance to the existing 1rish Republic”. |
Macardle (1999), pg
674 |
|
Feb-18 |
Ballylongford and
Ballybunion RIC barracks in Co. Kerry handed over to IRA. |
Doyle (2008), pg 66 |
|
Feb-18 |
Long serving RIC
Constable (or Sgt) Eugene Ahern accidentally shot dead by a Special in
Springfield Rd barracks in Belfast. (McDermott says 15th
February.) |
Abbott (2000), pg 315;
McDermott (2001), pg 170 |
|
Feb-18 |
Ulster Special
Constables fire at a lorry to get it to stop at Spawell between Enniskillen
and Kinawley in Co. Fermanagh. It transpires that they had fired on one of
their own lorries and killed S/Con James McInnes. |
Lawlor (2011), pgs 246-247;
Abbott (2000), pg 318 |
|
Feb-19 |
A bomb is thrown
into Flynn’s public house in Belfast – miraculously only minor injuries. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 227 |
|
Feb-21 |
At Sinn Féin Ard
Fheis, pro- and anti-Treaty sides agree that (a) no election would be held in
next three months; (b) that the Dáil would continue to function as before
Treaty and (c) new constitution would be put to the people at same time as
they would be asked to vote on Treaty. More Detail |
O’Donoghue (1986),
pg 213; Hopkinson (1988), pg 56; Phoenix
(1994), pgs 187-188; McDermott (2001), pg 172 |
|
Feb-21 |
At a special Labour
Party conference, the party’s secretary Tom Johnson welcomes the Treaty but
condemns both wings of Sinn Féin for being unable to deal with the mounting
economic problems. Labour decides to take part in the next general
election. |
Curran J M (1980),
pg 164 |
|
Feb-21 |
Civic Guard formed
to be the police service of the new Free State. Curran says that GHQ
ordered the disbandment of the IRA police in late January and open
recruitment for a new Civic Guard. See
March 7th. |
Abbott (2000), pg
293; Hopkinson (1988), pg 91; Curran J M (1980), pg 163; Ó Ruairc (2009), pg
294 |
|
Feb-21 |
During an IRA raid
for arms on the house of former British Army officer, Leslie Huddlestone, at
the Cairn, Ramelton, Co. Donegal, a shot is fired from the house and kills
IRA Captain John Duffy from Milford. |
Ó Duibhir (2011), pg 69 |
|
Feb-22 |
Collins secretly
authorises formation of a specially-paid unit of 70 IRA men (Parkinson says 72 including 12 officers) known as the Belfast City Guard to protect Catholics district from sectarian
attack. Divided into three sections. It continues to
function until August 1922. |
Phoenix (1994), pg 184;
Parkinson (2004), pg 219; McDermott (2001), pg
172-173 |
|
Feb-22 |
RIC leave their
barracks in Limerick. |
O’Callaghan (2018),
pg 102 |
|
Feb-23 |
An ex-British
soldier, Charles Herbert Burns from Kilmacrennan, is shot dead by an IRA
police patrol in a grocery shop in Milford, Co. Donegal. It was claimed that he tried to pull a gun
on the patrol. |
Ó Duibhir (2011), pg 71 |
|
Feb-24 |
Follow-up meeting
to meeting of 18th January of GHQ Staff and divisional commanders. Rory
O’Connor asked Mulcahy to get Dáil approval to hold an army convention on
26th March. (At his point only the 2nd Southern Division had
repudiated the authority of the Dáil.)
See February 27th. |
O’Donoghue (1986),
pg 212; Macardle (1999), pg 676 |
|
Feb-24 |
Edward Hardy, a
Protestant from Belfast, dies of injuries sustained earlier. Another
Protestant, James Hutton (45) was shot dead by gunmen who broke into his home
(possibly mistaken identity). |
Parkinson (2004), pg 228 |
|
Feb-25 |
Anti-Treaty IRA men
raid the arms store of John’s St RIC barracks in Kilkenny City. They take 90 rifles, 100 revolvers, a Lewis
submachine gun and assorted ammunition.
The arms belonged to decommissioned Black and Tans men who had left
Kilkenny the previous week. (The
raiders left a note “expressing thanks for the rifles had been oiled and
otherwise cared for”.) |
Walsh (2018), pg 153 |
|
Feb-25? |
Gunmen kill
publican, James Reilly, as he walks past the Mater Hospital in Belfast. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 227-228 |
|
Feb-25? |
Lt Mead, Royal Army
Service Corps, is shot dead during an attack on his car on the Naas Road
outside Dublin and QM Sgt Cunliffe is injured. |
Litton (1995), pg
37 |
|
Feb-25 or 26 |
In Belfast, a
Protestant, Issac McMillan (22) shot in the head by a sniper in the Short
Strand. An off-duty ‘B’ Special, David Fryer or Friars, also shot by a
sniper in Thompson St area and dies later. (Abbott says that he was
waylaid by a number of armed men – he also says that it was the 27th.)
James Hughes (20) was walking along the Crumlin Rd with his mother when they
are fired on. Mr Hughes dies later – he was a Catholic. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 228; Abbott (2019), pgs 405-406 |
|
Feb-26 |
At meeting of
British and Provisional Government ministers, Churchill expresses fears about
the postponement of the election and that an unacceptable constitution would
be drawn up. Griffith assures him that constitution would have to be
accepted by British government before being submitted to the Dáil.
Churchill agrees to resume troop evacuation. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 56; Macardle (1999), pgs 667-668 |
|
Feb-25 |
Young boy (aged 5)
called John Devlin dies from gunshot wounds after being shot the previous
day. |
Litton (1995), pg
49 |
|
Feb-27 |
Dáil Cabinet agrees
with Minister of Defence's request to hold Army Convention. Duly
announced by Eoin O’Duffy who also summons brigade conventions to elect
delegates. But see March 15th |
O’Donoghue (1986),
pg 212; Macardle (1999), pg 676 |
|
Feb-26 |
Clonmel RIC
barracks attacked by South Tipperary IRA and they capture a large number of
arms (including nearly 300 rifles and an armoured car). A number killed
and wounded. |
Hopkinson (1988),
pg 60 & 74; Curran J M (1980), pg 170 |
|
Feb-28 |
A patrol of
Specials is attacked on York St in Belfast – no fatalities. |
Parkinson (2004), pg 228 |
|
Feb |
Various meetings
and initiatives took place emanating from the IRA’s Ulster Council (set up in
late January). Michael Collins
instructed Eoin O’Duffy (Chief-of-Staff, pro-Treaty IRA) to discreetly begin
organising an offensive on Northern Ireland using the border counties as a
base. Meetings were held
with Lynch, Collins and their staff in attendance. It was agreed that both pro- and
anti-Treaty sides would select officers for the offensive against NI and they
would proceed to Counties Donegal, Louth, Monaghan and Cavan. Collins is insistent that, when the
shooting starts, it must be said that it is the anti-Treaty side which is
doing it. Among the officers
who were selected was Sean Lehane from Co. Cork who was to take over as O/C
of the anti-Treaty 1st Northern Division. Subsequently, Charlie Daly (see February
17th) is made his V/C. (In
April, Lehane and Daly recruit a large number of experienced Cork and Kerry
men to go north with them.) Another element was
an exchange of arms. Weapons which the
pro-Treaty side recently received from the British would be sent to the
anti-Treaty Cork brigades who in turn would send weapons north. In a related episode, over 400 rifles were
sent to Joe Sweeney, O/C pro-Treaty forces in Donegal and he handed them over
to Johnny Haughey and Dan McKenna of the Derry Brigade who took them over the
border. |
Ó Duibhir (2011), pgs 74-75
& 84-85 |
|
Feb |
McDermott says that
the “events of February seem to have affected the IRA and Sinn Féin in
Belfast profoundly. The IRA’s capacity to deal with loyalist attacks
was limited and on the Falls Road they had been reduced to sectarian
reprisals.” Hall says that 27
Catholics and 16 Protestants were killed in Belfast between 6th
and 25th February. |
McDermott (2001),
pg171; Hall (2019), pg 91 |