March 1919

Mar-02

First meeting of the brigade officers of the Cork No. 3 (West) Brigade Irish Volunteers since its founding.  The meeting takes place at Ballinvard, near Rossmore, Co. Cork.

Deasy (1973), pg 58

Mar-04

Irish-American delegation meets with US President Woodrow Wilson in New York.  Wilson says that he accords with their aspirations but refuses to commit himself to support the Irish position in Paris and them palms them off with the possibility that the League of Nations might do something in the future. On the same day, U.S. House of Representatives passes (by a majority of 261 to 41) a resolution which states that it is its hope that the Peace Conference in Paris will “favourably consider the claims of Ireland to self-determination”.

Hopkinson (2002), pg 167; Macardle (1999), pg 280

Mar-06

Rest on 'German Plot' internees released (due to flu epidemic after death in Gloucester prison of Pierce McCan, Tipperary TD).  Among those released are Arthur Griffith, William T Cosgrave, Darrell Figgis and Constance Markievicz.

Curran J M (1980), pg25; O’Farrell (1997), pg 58

Mar-09

A revolution begins in Egypt against British occupation.  Over 800 Egyptians are killed in two weeks of fighting.

 

Mar-16

Robert Barton escapes from Mountjoy Prison.  He leaves a note for the Governor saying that the accommodation was not up to his expectation.

Coogan (1990), pg 98; Gallagher (1953), pg 64; Brennan (1950), pg 260

Mar-19

Irish Volunteers raid (led by Patrick Holohan) on Collinstown aerodrome outside Dublin resulting in the capture of 75 rifles and 4000 rounds of ammunition.  (Henderson says 20th March and that 75 rifles and 6000 rounds of ammunition were captured.)

Townshend 1975, pg 19; Figgis (1927), pg 262; O'Farrell P (1997), pg 46; Gallagher (1953), pg 66;  Henderson WS 821, pg 55; Price (2017), pgs 72-74

Mar-22

Notice appears in the press (signed by Harry Boland and Tom Kelly - Hon. Secs. of Sinn Féin) that de Valera will arrive in Dublin on the 26th March and be met at the gates by the Lord Mayor who will escort him to the Mansion House.  (De Valera had been in hiding since his escape from Lincoln Jail.)  The Castle issues a proclamation prohibiting all meetings and processions in the city.

Figgis (1927), pg 241

Mar-22

The Irish Weekly reports that the Sinn Féin candidate (Patrick McGilligan) in a by-election in Unionist North Londonderry increased his vote by 400 over the December 1918 election. (According to Walker, by-election was on the 4th March and McGilligan increased his vote by 382.) 

Phoenix (1994), pgs 65 & 409; Walker (1992), pg 9

Mar-24

The old and new Executives of Sinn Féin (i.e. Executive elected before German Plot and one elected after arrest of most members of the Executive in wake of German Plot) meet to discuss Castle prohibition of de Valera’s entry into City.  More Detail

Figgis (1927), pgs 242-244; Brennan (1950), pg 238; Hopkinson (2002), pg 40; Macardle (1999), pg 284; Townshend (2014), pgs 82-83

Mar-24

The Local Government (Ireland) Bill tabled in Westminster with provisions to introduce proportional representation in local government elections in Ireland.  The introduction of proportional representation was generally seen as an attempt by the British Government to diminish the effect of support for Sinn Féin in Ireland.

Ó Duibhir (2009), pg 106

Mar-25

A notice appears in the press, in de Valera's name, that the public reception planned for the following day would be abandoned.

Figgis (1927), pg 244-245

Mar-29

20 Irish Volunteer prisoners escape from Mountjoy prison led by Piarais Béaslai, JJ Walsh and Ted Fleming.

Coogan (1990), pg 98; Murphy (2007), pg 439

Mar-31

Resident Magistrate John Charles Milling shot dead in Westport, Co Mayo.  Abbott says he was unpopular as he had sent Volunteers to prison for unlawful assembly and drilling.  Price names two IRB men who had been in Frongoch as possibly involved in the killing – Joe Ruddy and Charles Gavin. (Macardle, Price  and O'Farrell say it was the 29th March)

Hopkinson (2002), pg 26; Abbott (2000), pg 43; Macardle (1999), pg 292; O'Farrell (1997), page 69; Price (2012), pgs 25-37

 

Mar

Ernie O’Malley sent to Clare by GHQ of the Irish Volunteers.  Three brigades had been set up in Clare where there previously had only been one to the resentment of Patrick Brennan the former O/C – he was replaced by his brother Michael (who was later to be replaced by his other brother Austen). 

O’Malley (1990), pg 96

 

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