November 1920

 

Nov-01

Kevin Barry hung in Mountjoy Jail. Comment

 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xvii; Townshend (2014), pg 197

Nov-01

RIC reprisal in Templemore, Co Tipperary

 

Hopkinson (2002), pg 80

Nov-01

Using an attack on Ardmore RIC barracks as a feint, the West Waterford ASU, led by George Lennon and Pax Whelan, drew a British Army lorry from Youghal into an ambush at Piltown Cross (three miles west of Ardmore on the main Dungarvan to Youghal road). 

One British soldier (Private Anthony Leigh of the Hampshire Regiment) was killed and their commanding officer wounded.  The remaining 18 soldiers and two RIC men surrendered.  The IRA captured 20 rifles and several thousand rounds of ammunition.

McCarthy (2015), pg 72

Nov-01

RIC man Constable Peter Cooney killed at Breaghy between Balinalee and Granard, Co Longford by Frank Davis of the Longford Brigade IRA.

Hopkinson (2002), pg 142; Abbott (2000), pg 141; MacEoin in The Kerryman (1955), pg 102; Coleman (2003), pg 123

Nov-01

A young mother, Ellen Quinn, is shot through the stomach by Auxiliaries as she sits cradling her child on the wall in front of her home in Kiltartan, Co. Galway. She later dies. Mrs Quinn was pregnant at the time. Calls for an inquiry to Greenwood went unheeded.  A Military Court of Inquiry finds that the firing was “a precautionary measure” and brought in a verdict of death by misadventure. This killing gives rise to an outcry in the media. See November 11th for Tudor’s reaction.

In his poem ‘Reprisals’, W. B. Yeats makes reference to the killing of Mrs Quinn as follows: “Where may new-married women sit
And suckle children now? Armed men
May murder them in passing by”.

 

Yeats is even more direct in his poem ‘1919’:

“ ….       a drunken soldiery
Can leave the mother, murdered at her door,
To crawl in her own blood, and go scot-free”

[Yeats’ residence of Thoor, Ballylee was not far from Kiltartan – as was Lady Gregory’s residence at Coole.]

Townshend (1975), pg 113; O’Farrell (1997), pg 89 & Hopkinson (2002), pg 139; Macardle (1999), pg 394;  McNamara (2018), pg 124; Leeson (2012), pg 51

Nov-01

J. Conway from Rock St., Tralee, Co. Kerry dies.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 104

Nov-01

In their first night after taking over the Lakeside Hotel in Ballina as their HQ, the Auxiliaries G Company (under Lieutenant Colonel R. I. Andrews) burn three houses in O’Brien’s Bridge, Co. Clare and damage many more as well as terrorising the local people.

Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 187

Nov-01

Formal announcement from British Government that a Special Constabulary was to be raised – see October 22 above.  Advertisements printed in local press calling on all law-abiding citizens between 21 and 45 to “assist the authorities in the maintenance of the order of the prevention of crime”.  Selection committees were set up in each of the northern counties which were instructed to select “only men of unquestionable fidelity”.  Enrolees had to swear to “well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King”.

 

Parkinson (2004), pg 85; Abbott (2019), pg 179

Nov-01

IRA GHQ issues a General Order formally setting up a Police Force as a separate force which “heretofore been borne entirely by the IRA”. 

Townshend (2014), pg 133

Early-Nov

After a British military plane had to make a forced landing near Cratloe, Co. Clare, the British put a guard on it overnight.  This guard is attacked by IRA men from the East Clare Brigade resulting in the death of Private Alfred Spackman of the Oxfordshire regiment. A second soldier, Private Maurice Robins dies from the wounds he received four months later. 

Ó Ruairc (2009), pgs 193-194

Nov-02

An RIC lorry is attacked at Auburn Glasson, near Athlone, Co Westmeath resulting in the death of one RIC man (Constable Sydney Larkin or Larking) and the wounding of two others (Sgt Meany and Constable Costello). 

J. Finn from Auburn, Co. Westmeath also dies on this day.

Constable Larkin/Larking was from London.

Abbott (2000), pgs 147-148; O’Farrell (1997), pg 107; Abbott (2019), pg 187

Nov-02

Thomas Wall of Tralee killed by Crown Forces.

Macardle (1999), pg 394

Nov-03

RIC Constable  William Maxwell is shot dead in a public house in Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary.

Abbott (2000), pg 148

Nov-03

RIC Sgt Patrick Fallon is shot dead as he makes his way to the barracks in Ballymote, Co. Sligo.  That night there are reprisals by Auxiliaries and British army in Ballymote and a number of business premises, houses, hay barns and Ballymote creamery are burnt.  Newspaper reports say that the reprisals would have been much worse if it was not for the actions of the local RIC including District Inspectors Russell and MacBrien. It is reported that, if it wasn’t for the actions of DIs Russell and MacBrien, not a house in Ballymote would have survived.  In the coming period, four local Sinn Féin halls are burnt.

Michael Gray was arrested for the killing of Sgt Fallon and, at a trial in Belfast, is convicted of the killing after making a confession. See 26th January 1921.

 

Abbott (2000), pg 148; Gallagher (1953), pg 103; Farry (2012), pg 62; Lawlor (2011), pgs 76-77; Abbott (2019), pgs 187-188; Leeson (2012), pg 159

Nov-03

A large force of RIC and British military in 11 lorries enter the village of Ballinalee, Co Longford and attempt to burn down houses and businesses in reprisal for the killings of DI Kelleher and Constable Cooney (see October 31st and November 1st above).  They are are engaged by the Flying Column of the Longford Brigade under Sean MacEoin. The RIC retreat to the local barracks.  This became known as the Battle of Ballinalee.  The IRA hold the village for a number of days but eventually withdraw and the RIC/British military re-occupied the village. After re-occupying the village, the RIC set fire to many buildings

 

MacEoin in The Kerryman (1955), pgs 101-113; O'Farrell P (1997), pg xvii; Coleman (2003), pg 124; Lawlor (2011), pg 76

Nov-03

After an initial arson attack on the Athlone Printing Works by Crown Forces on the 16th October, they return to finish the job and completely destroy the building and printing presses.  (Athlone Printing Works is where the Westmeath Independent was printed.  The paper had been strongly critical of the actions of the Crown Forces.)

Kenneally (2017), pg 386

Nov-03

IRA attack Milford RIC Barracks in Co. Cork – Paddy O’Brien from Liscarroll injured.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 75

Nov-03?

Captain Henry Hambleton, British Army I/O, shot dead in Nenagh Tipperary by four members of the North Tipperary Brigade IRA ASU.  This is followed by reprisals by the military which included firebombing houses and a creamery. 

Also, the British military two kill young men, Patrick O’Brien and Thomas O’Brien, who were in their custody.  They were not members of the IRA.

Dooley (2015), pg 56

Nov-04

The Inspector General of the RIC, T J Smith, retires and the post was left vacant thereafter.  However, Leeson notes that “In the last year of its existence, the force was headed by the Police Adviser (later Chief of Police) Major General H. H Tudor”.

Leeson (2012), pg 233

Nov-04

RIC reprisals in Ballymote and Granard, Co Longford

 

Hopkinson (2002), pg 80

Nov-05

Crown forces kill Miss O’Connell and Michael Maguire of Ardfert, Co. Kerry

 

Macardle (1999), pg 394

Nov-05

M Scanlon from Kilmallock, Co. Limerick dies.  Possibly the Martin Scanlan referred to by O’Malley are being captured in an hotel in Limerick city.

 

O’Farrell (1997), pg 118; O’Malley (1990), pg 311

Nov-06

Two Auxiliaries IOs (Cadets Bertram Agnew and Lionel Mitchell) stationed in the Cork West Riding are reported missing at Macroom, Co. Cork.  It is believed that they were kidnapped by the IRA on their way from Macroom to Cork and then interrogated and killed.  Their bodies were never found.

Also on this day, RIC Constable Thomas Joseph Walsh, stationed in the Cork East Riding, is reported missing.  (His RIC record says that he was dismissed on this day.)

Hart (1998), pg 29; Abbott (2000), pgs 311-313; Abbott (2019), pg 401

Nov-06

IRA man Thomas Archer from Kilflynn, Co. Kerry is killed as the column of which he is a member flees the village of Causeway. 

William Mulcahy from Cork dies.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 102; Macardle (1999), pg 394; Horgan (2018), pgs 208-210

Nov-06/07

IRA men try to disarm two RIC men – Sgt T. Wiseman and Constable G. Waters – at the Customs House (or GPO) in Derry City.  The two RIC men are shot (but not killed).   Later, three RIC men were found wounded in Foyle St and one – Constable Hugh Kearns – later died from his wounds. More Detail

 

Gallagher (2003), pgs 32-34; Abbott (2000), pg 317; Grant (2018), pg 103-104; Parkinson (2004), pg 96; Ozseker (2019), pgs 155-156

Nov-08

IRA led by Donnacha O'Hannigan lie in ambush for British army patrol at Grange (on Bruff to Limerick road) - as IRA were expecting only two lorries they had to retreat when eight arrived.

 

Hopkinson (2002), pg 121; O’Farrell (1997), pg 80

Nov-08

The Flying Column of the Longford Brigade of the IRA under Sean MacEoin attack an RIC post in Ballinalee, Co. Longford killing three and wounded several others.  Lawlor says that only one RIC man is recorded as being killed – Constable Taylor from Surrey.  (Abbott does not mention any constable killed on this date in Ballinalee but does say that a Constable Frederick Taylor from Surrey was killed in an attack on Ballinalee Barracks on the 13th December – see below.  Almost definitely the same person.)

 

MacEoin in The Kerryman (1955), pgs 111-112;  Lawlor (2011), pg 76

Nov-08

Michael Brosnan from Castleisland, Co. Kerry dies as does John Cantillion from Ardfert Co. Kerry.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 103; Macardle (1999), pg 394

Nov-09

Lloyd George gives speech at the Guildhall Banquet saying that "We have murder by the throat, we had to reorganise the police.  When the Government was ready we struck the terrorists and now the terrorists are complaining of terror."

 

Coogan (1990), pg 156;  Abbott (2000), pg 179

Nov-09

Two RIC men (Constable Archibald Turner and Constable James Woods) are shot dead on a train at Ballybrack Railway Station, Co. Kerry. The attacking party included Tom McEllistrim, John Cronin, Bill Diggins and Jim Baily.

Constable Turner was from Kent in England and had five months’ service in the RIC.  Constable Woods was from Lancashire in England and have nine months’ service in the RIC

Abbott (2000), pg 149; Horgan (2018), pgs 296; Abbott (2019), pgs 188-189

Nov-09

The RIC break into the offices of the Leitrim Observer in Carrick-on-Shannon. The hold the editor, Thomas Dunne and his wife at gunpoint and proceed to wreck the printing presses and set fire to the building.  They then proceed to the jewelry shop of John Dunne (Thomas’s brother) and shot out his windows.  They chalk the following message on his walls “Three lives for one of ours. Take heed, Sinn Fein. Up the Black and tans”.

Leeson (2012), pg 164

Nov-09

D. Brennan and L. Danaher from Co. Limerick die.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 103 & 105

Nov-09

Jim Sugrue, O/C of Listowel Battalion of Kerry No. 1 Brigade, IRA is arrested and almost beaten to death by the RIC.

Horgan (2018) , pg127

Nov-09

As part of General Orders No. 9, the IRA states that women who are convicted of spying should be informed that it is only consideration of her sex that prevents the infliction of the statutory punishment of death.  Instead she was to be given seven days to leave the country.

 

Dooley (2000), pg 44

Nov-10

Christopher Lucy, 1st Battalion, Cork No.1 Brigade IRA is killed by Auxiliaries. O’Suillebhean spells his name as Lucey and says that he was unarmed.  The memorial for Lucey at Goughanebarra says he was killed on the 20th November.  Memorial to C Lucey

 

O'Kelly in The Kerryman (1955), pg 26; Macardle (1999), pg 394; O’Suilleabhean (1965); pgs 159-160

Nov-10

Richard Cruise appointed RIC Divisional Commissioner for Galway/Mayo.

Price (2012), pg 90

Nov-10

Frank Hoffman from Farmer’s Bridge, Tralee, Co. Kerry dies as does P. Lynch from Golden, Co. Tipperary .

O’Farrell (1997), pg 109 & 111; Macardle (1999), pg 394

Nov-11

The Government of Ireland Act passes its third reading in the House of Commons by 183 votes to 53.  Devlin makes a strong speech against the act saying that Northern Ireland's 340,000 Catholics would be placed “at the mercy of the Protestant majority in the North of Ireland”. 

British parliamentary Labour Party meets and calls for the withdrawal of the British Army from Ireland and the setting up of an Irish Constituent Assembly.  They also set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate conditions in Ireland.

Macardle (1999), pgs 402 & 405; Gallagher (2003), pg 34; Phoenix (1994), pgs 95-98; Parkinson (2004), pgs 100-101

Nov-11

Meeting of (mostly west Ulster) Sinn Féiners and some nationalists in Omagh to oppose the British government’s partition plans.

Phoenix (1994), pgs 970-98

Nov-11

Greenwood informs the House of Commons that 2,000 applications had been received for the Special Constabulary but refuses to answer Devlin’s questions about how many were former UVF members.

Phoenix (1994), pg 94

Nov-11

Charles A. Walsh, Deputy Inspector General of the RIC, issues a memorandum from Major General Tudor, Police Adviser, saying (among other things) that “There must be no wild firing from lorries…. Firing in the air or over the heads of crowds is strictly forbidden.”   This memorandum is possibly a reaction to the outcry after the killing of Mrs Eileen Quinn – See November 1st. 

However, Tudor’s call for discipline is somewhat blunted as the same memo says “The RIC will have the fullest support in the most drastic action against that band of assassins, the so-called IRA.  These murderers must be pursued relentlessly …. They must be hunted down.”

Abbott (2019), pgs 224-225; Leeson (2012), pg 51 & 217

Nov-11

In an apparent celebration of Armistice Day, Crown Forces burn four Sinn Féin halls in the Mohill district of Co. Leitrim.

Lesson (2102), pg 162

Nov-12

Arthur Griffith calls off remaining hunger strikes

Hopkinson (2002), pg 86; Corbett (2008), pg 65

Nov-12

Conflict between IRA and RIC at Ballymacelligot, Co. Kerry (on the road between Tralee and Castleisland) in which two IRA men are killed.  One is John or Paddy Herlihy and the other is John McMahon.  Horgan says that Herlihy was an IRA man but that McMahon was a local farmer.  He also says that they were killed by Auxiliaries at Ballydwyer creamery.  There was a gun battle in Castleisland later. 

(Macardle says that there was a third man killed called J. Walsh.  She also says that the men were not Volunteers killed in action.)

 

Hopkinson (2002), pg 126; O’Farrell (1997), pgs 109 & 113; Macardle (1999), pg 394; Horgan (2018), pgs 297-298

Nov-12

RIC Constable Daniel O’Brien is killed in a traffic accident in Cork City.

Abbott (2019), pg 411

Nov-13

Eight (or seven) RIC men were traveling in a lorry from Galbally to Bansha in Co. Tipperary when they are ambushed at Inches Cross (or Lisnagaul or Lisvernane) in the Glen of Aherlow by the No. 1 Flying Column of the 3rd Tipperary Brigade under Dinny Lacey.  Four policemen are killed (Constable Charles Bustrock, Constable Patrick Mackessy, Constable John Miller and Constable Jeremiah [O']Leary). 

Reprisals take place in Tipperary Town, including the burning of the pharmacy and home of PJ Moloney, local Sinn Féin TD. 

Constable Bustrock was from the Essex in England and had less than one month’s service with the RIC.  The other three constables killed were Irish. 

Abbott (2000), pgs 149-150; Ryan (1945), pgs 190-191, O’Halpin (2019), pg 20; Abbott (2019), pgs 189-190; Leeson (2012), pgs 130-134

Nov-13

A member of the AOH, Michael O’Brien, is returning to his home in Co. Monaghan from a fair in Shercock, Co. Cavan when he comes across a group of IRA men.  He is shot and dies from his wounds on the 2nd December.

Dooley (2017), pg 87

Nov-13

In Dublin, an eight-year old girl called Annie O’Neill was killed after shots were fired from a lorry at a group standing at a gateway.

 

Macardle (1999), pg 394

Nov-14

A Galway priest, Fr Michael Griffin, is called out on a bogus call - his body is found on the 20th November buried in a boggy field near Barna.  (Breen says he was called out on a bogus call to a sick parishioner – as does McNamara and Henry.  However, O’Farrell says that he was arrested at his residence – 2 Montpellier Tce., Galway – and taken to Crown Forces HQ at Taylor’s Hill.)  One version is that he had been killed by the Auxiliaries stationed in Lenaboy Castle to avenge the killing of Patrick Joyce – see October 15th.  Another version is that he was accidently shot while being interrogated in Lenaboy Castle. See November 22nd.

It is widely believed that the man who went to the priest’s residence with the bogus call was William Joyce (no relation of Patrick Joyce) – he later found infamy as the Nazi Propagandist Lord Haw Haw.

The house of Tommy Dillon (Professor of Chemistry in University College Galway) is also raided but he escapes.  He and his wife (Geraldine Plunkett Dillion – sister of Joseph Mary Plunkett) leave for Dublin soon afterwards.

 

Hopkinson (2002), pg 139;  Breen (1989), pg 75; O’Farrell (1997), pgs 39-40; Brennan (1950), pg 290-291; McNamara (2017), pg 617; Henry (2012), pgs 155-164; Leeson (2012), pgs 51-52

Nov-14

Three members of the RIC are killed and five injured when their Crossley tender crashes into the gateway of the Dromoland Castle in Co. Clare.  The three killed are Constables Patrick Driscoll, Michael Fleming and Edward Roper. (Abbott says 22nd September.)  The following night, a British soldier Private Dailey dies in an accident in Ennis (or it may be suicide).

Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 187;  Abbott (2000), pgs 316 & 318; Abbott (2019), pgs 405 & 412

Nov-15

IRA Volunteer John Conroy or Conry from Rathconnor, Co. Roscommon is taken from his home by armed men and shot dead.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 104; O’Callaghan (2012), pgs 90-91

Nov-15

A report appears in the press, written by an ex-officer, about the drunken behaviour of British soldiers in the village of Balla, Co. Mayo where they shot up houses in the village and terrorise a number of the inhabitants.

 

Macardle (1999), pg 395-396

Nov-16

De Valera (still in U.S.) announces the formation of the American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic (AARIR) at a meeting in Washington.  This marked the final break with the Devoy-Coholan led Friends of Irish Freedom (FOIF).  Macardle says membership of the AARIR rose to 800,000 within a year.

 

Hopkinson (2002), pg 173; Coogan (1990), pg 193; Macardle (1999), pg 410

Nov-16

Irish Labour Party and Trades Union Congress holds a National Congress in Dublin and advocates acceptance of the proposals put forward by the British Labour Parliamentary Party on the 11th Nov.

 

Macardle (1999), pg 405

Nov-17

After being arrested the previous night, four prisoners are taken by the Auxiliaries from their barracks in the Lakeside Hotel, Ballina (on the banks of the River Shannon) onto Killaloe Bridge where they are shot dead with their hands tied behind their backs. 

The four men (Alphie Rodgers, Michael ‘Brud’ McMahon, Michael Egan and Martin Kildea) had been tortured beforehand. Egan was not a member of the IRA but the other three were.   The British issue a statement saying that the four men were shot trying to escape.  The coroner’s inquest returned a verdict of wilful murder against the British Forces stationed at Killaloe.

Brennan (1980), pg 64; O'Farrell P (1997), pg 53; Ó Ruairc (2009), pgs 188-190

Nov-17

RIC Sergeant James O'Donoghue is shot dead by the IRA in White St, Cork.  The attack is carried out by Charlie O’Brien, Willie Joe O’Brien and Justin O’Connor of the Cork City IRA.  The attack on Sgt O’Donoghue had not been authorised and, a week after his killing, the Cork IRA apologise in writing to his family.

That night three men were shot dead in Cork by men in military uniform (Patrick Hanley, 2 Broad St; Eugene O'Connell, 17 Broad Lane and James Coleman, 15 North Mall) and two others (Charlie O'Brien; 17 Broad Lane and Stephen Coleman, 2 Broad St) were wounded. (O’Farrell says that Stephen Coleman died.)

 

Hart (1998), pgs 1-11; Abbott (2000), pgs 150-151; O’Farrell (1997), pg 104; Abbott (2019), pgs 190-191; Leeson (2012), pg 187

Nov-17

An RAF Bristol Fighter plane, which was dropping mail to the military barracks in Waterford city, crashes into houses near the barracks injuring the two crew members.

McCarthy (2015), pg 70; Ozseker (2019), pg 121

Nov-17

Two RIC men – Constables Edward Knights and William Johnson – are arrested in Roscommon for a series of robberies.  They are tried on the 18th February 1921.  They are acquitted of robbery but convicted of unlawful possession and dismissed for the RIC.

Leeson (2012), pg 83

Nov-18

The Irish college in Cloghaneely in Co. Donegal and the nearby co-operative stores are burnt by the British military and RIC.

Ó Duibhir (2009), pg 189

Nov-19

The American Commission on Conditions in Ireland holds its first public hearing in Washington.  Even though French and Greenwood are invited, no one from the British side appears before the commission. (Hopkinson says 19th December.)

Macardle (1999), pgs 407-409

Nov-19

Mulcahy's papers discovered in raid by British forces.  Included in the papers are the names of many IRA officers around the country.

Hopkinson (2002), pg 57 & 225; Ó Duibhir (2009), pgs 191-192

Nov-19/20

Four experienced IRA men (Maurice Donnegan - O/C 5th Battalion, Cork No. 3 Brigade; Ralph Keyes - Capt Bantry Company, Sean Cotter, Adj., 5th Battalion and Cornelius O'Sullivan) are captured at Durris, near Bantry, Co. Cork.  They are protected from serious injury or even death at the hands of the RIC by the intervention of local British Army commander, Colonel Hudson of the King's Liverpool Regiment.  (Deasy indicates capture of these men was about 18th or 19th and Crowley names the British officer who saved the lives on the four men as Colonel Jones.)

Deasy 1973, pgs 162-163; O'Farrell P (1997), pg 46; Crowley in The Kerryman (1955), pg 39

Nov-20

Two men, Patrick Blake and James O'Neill, were arrested for the killing of Constable Walter Oakley in Limerick (see July 24th 1920).  They had been taken to Dublin for court martial but were acquitted.  They were returning to Limerick with their families and had split at Limerick Junction.  The O'Neill family were stopped nearby by armed and masked men - James was removed and found shot dead the next day.  He had been blindfolded and shot four times in the head.  The Blake family was also stopped near Oola and Michael Blake (Patrick's brother) was shot dead.  (O’Callaghan says that the Blake brother shot was called James.) It is believed that the leader of death squad was RIC man Thomas Huckerby – see 20th September 1920. 

 

Abbott (2000), pgs 104-105; O’Farrell (1997), pg 102; Toomey (2008), pgs 64-65; O’Callaghan (2017), pg 552; O’Callaghan (2018), pg 83

Nov-20

Capt J Thompson, Acting I/O of the 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment, is captured and shot by the IRA at Carrigrohane between Ballincollig and Cork City.

Sheehan (1990), pg 71

 

Nov-20

J. McSwiggin from Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry dies.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 113

Nov-21

RIC Head Constable  John Kearney is shot in Needham St., Newry on his way back from attending devotions at the Dominican Church and later dies from his wounds.

Abbott (2000), pg 151; Lawlor (2011), pg 78; Leonard (2012), pg 140

Nov-21

J. Boyle dies as does P. Clancy from Cranny, Co. Clare.  Also C. Morrisey, Co. Cork.  Also, a civilian, Austin Cowley is killed by Crown Forces in Navan, Co. Meath after he failed to stop when called to by a sentry.  Mr Cowley was deaf.

O’Farrell (1997), pg 103 & 104 & 111 & 114; Leonard (2012), pg 140; O’Halpin (2012), pg 144

Nov-21

Members of Brigade staff of the Cork No. 3 brigade, IRA (including O/C Charlie Hurley) are stopped by the Auxiliaries (based in Macroom) at Copeen (on the Bantry-Cork road) as they return from a brigade council.  The Auxiliaries detain two IRA men but let the remainder go. (Barry disputes this happened in the way that Deasy describes.)

Deasy (1973), pg 163; Barry (1974), pg 12

Nov-21

A young man, Thomas Lyons, was killed by the British military as he stood in a field at Knappagh, near Westport, Co. Mayo.  No arms or ammunition was found on him.

Price (2012), pgs 103-104; Leonard (2012), pg 140; O’Halpin (2012), pg 144

Nov-21

Five RIC men are attacked as they leave Sheehan's Hotel in Leap, Co. Cork - it results in the death of one (Constable Harry Jays) and the wounding of another (Constable Mills).

Constable Jays was from Hampshire in England and had nine months’ service in the RIC. 

Abbott (2000), pg 151; Abbott (2019), pg 192 Leonard (2012), pg 140

Nov-21

An RIC man (Constable Issac Rea) is shot from a passing car in the village of Cappoquin, Co. Waterford - he dies in late December.

Abbott (2000), pgs 151-152; McCarthy (2015), pg 71; Leonard (2012), pg 140

Nov-21

Bloody Sunday

On this Sunday morning, the IRA kill 15 people in Dublin – they were British undercover military intelligence agents, court-martial officers, staff officers and an Irish civilian. (Abbott says 18 were killed, Gleeson & Hopkinson say 14 but differ in details and Townshend says 12 British officers and two Auxiliaries were killed.  In the most definitive list, Leonard says 15 were killed – 14 died on the morning and one more died from wounds weeks later.) 

On Sunday afternoon, in retaliation, Crown Forces shoot at a crowd in Croke Park attending a Dublin - Tipperary football match.  They kill 14 people and wound many more. 

 

Dick McKee, Peadar Clancy and Conor Clune are killed in Dublin Castle later in the evening.

 

In the period immediately after Bloody Sunday, the Castle Authorities restore internment and over the next week 500 arrests are made.

 More Detail

O'Farrell P (1997), pg xvii; Townshend (1975), pg 129-130; Gleeson (1962), pgs 121-143; Abbott (2000), pgs 152-155; Breen (1989), pgs 156-158; Biaslai in The Kerryman (1955), pgs 114-119; Carey (2001), pgs 52-54; O’Farrell (1997), pg 8 & 45; Hopkinson (2002), pg 88-91; Gallagher (1953), pg 110 & 243; Foy (2017), pg 423; Abbott (2019), pgs 192-196; Leeson (2012), pg 36; Townshend (2014), pgs 201-209; Leonard (2012), pg2 102-140

Nov-22

Capt. Patrick McCarthy (Newmarket Battalion, Cork No. 2 Brigade) is killed when taking part in an ambush on the RIC at Upper Mill Lane, Millstreet.

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 104; Horgan (2018), pg 166

Nov-22

Using Cockerill as a conduit, Patrick Moylette gets to meet with Lloyd George to discuss letter of the 16th November from Griffith which proposed a truce and direct negotiations with no preconditions.  (Lloyd George is reported to have made the callous comment to Moylette that the British agents shot in Dublin on the previous day 'got what  they deserved - beaten by counter-jumpers'.)

Coogan (1990), pg 187; Taylor (1961), pg 106

Nov-22

E. Carmody from Ballylongford, Co. Kerry dies.  As does J. McCann from Quay Lane, Rush, Co. Dublin

O’Farrell (1997), pg 103 & 112

Nov-22

Art O’Donnell, O/C West Clare Brigade, is arrested in Ennis.

 Ó Ruairc (2009), pg 202

Nov-22

An RIC patrol is ambushed outside Ardara, Co. Donegal resulting in the wounding of four RIC men, two seriously. 

Ó Duibhir (2009), pg 191

Nov-22

The commander of the Auxiliaries, Brigadier General Crozier, goes to Galway and fires the commander of D Company for being drunk. 

He also investigates the killing of Father Griffin (see 14th November).  Months later in May 1921, after he had resigned, Crozier told the press that he believes the Auxiliaries had killed Father Griffin.  On November 30th, Lieutenant Colonel F. H. W. Guard takes over as commander of D Company. See also November 24th.

Leeson (2012), pg 52

Nov-23

Paddy Flynn from Tarmon, Co. Roscommon is shot in his bed by a group of RIC men known as the ‘Castlerea Murder Gang’.  Flynn was Adjutant of the South Roscommon Brigade.  The RIC also burn the house in which he was sleeping. Later that day, the Brigade O/C, Dan O’Rourke, had a lucky escape from the same ‘murder gang’. 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg 108; O’Callaghan (2012), pgs 77-78

Nov-23

The Government of Ireland Bill receives royal assent. (McCluskey says 23rd December.)

Macardle (1999), pg 403; McCluskey (2014), pg 96

Nov-23

The Carrickmore Battalion of the Tyrone No. 1 Brigade of the IRA, led by Charlie Daly, attack Ballygawley RIC barracks resulting in the wounding of three policemen and two civilian drivers.

McCluskey (2014), pg 94

Nov-23

Dennis O’Donnell is shot and killed by the RIC in Meadstown, Co. Cork.  At the Military Court of Inquiry it emerged that the three RIC men (Constables A. E. Wood, A. Gray and S. W. Coe) involved in this killing were drunk on duty at the time of the killing.

Constable Wood admitted at the Inquiry to drinking in a pub after hours when on patrol.  He was asked if he knew it was illegal to drink in pubs after hours, he replied: “Yes. But there does seem to be any law now”.

Leeson (2012), pgs 208-209

Nov-23

Four IRA men (P O'Donoghue, P Trahey, James Mehigan & Stephen Dorman) from 2nd Battalion, Cork No. 1 Brigade are killed.

O'Kelly in The Kerryman (1955), pg 26

Nov-23

Among the IRA men arrested on this day in Dublin in the aftermath of Bloody Sunday was Thomas Whelan, a 23-year-old from Connemara who was living at 14 Barrow St, Ringsend.  He was to be hung on 14th March 1921.

Carey (2001), pg 55

Nov-24

RIC Constable Thomas Dillon is shot and killed on Infirmary Road, Dublin.

Abbott (2000), pg 155

Nov-24

In the British House of Commons, Greenwood says that “The murder gang in Ireland issues an illegal document known as the Irish Republican Bulletin.  … I consider it a loathsome alliance that men whose hands are red with the blood of gallant soldiers and policemen should come into the lobby of this House and be allowed  to circulate their hideous documents of falsehood.”

Gallagher (1953), pg 107

Nov-24

Liam Deasy and Jim Lordan - two officers of the Cork No. 3 Brigade, IRA are detained by the Auxiliaries (under Colonel Crake) at Castletownkenneigh but they are released.

Deasy (1973), pg 166

Nov-24

Labour leader, Arthur Anderson, accompanied by George Russel (AE), meet with Lloyd George in Downing St. to push for a ceasefire but with no practical results.

Macardle (1999), pg 412

Nov-24

Michael Moran, O/C of the Tuam Battalion in Co. Galway (who had led a number of attacks on the RIC – See January 12th, March 26th and July 19th) is captured.  When being transferred between RIC stations, he is shot dead ‘while trying to escape’.  The new commander of D Company of the Auxiliaries, Lieutenant Colonel Guard, is present when Moran is shot and may have been the shooter himself.  The Auxiliaries claim that an ambulance was called to take Moran to hospital but the medical evidence at the Military Court of Inquiry says that that Moran died three hours after being shot and this evidence is accepted by the court. 

Thomas Dunleavy replaces Moran. 

O'Farrell P (1997), pg 114; McNamara (2018), pg 123 & 152; Henry (2012), pg 71; Leeson (2012), pg 52-53

Nov-25

Arthur Griffith, Eamonn Duggan and Eoin MacNeil arrested - 500 arrests made in the week after Bloody Sunday during widespread raiding throughout the country in this period.  For example, in Galway, some 61 suspected IRA men were arrested in the last week of November.

Macardle says that Collins took over as Acting President of the Republic.

Hopkinson (2002), pg xiv & 91; Macardle (1999), pg 406; Gallagher (1953), pg 260; McNamara (2018), pg 143

Nov-25

Five houses and shops in the Manorhamilton area of Co. Leitrim have their windows shot out and two haystacks are burnt. 

Leeson (2012), pg 162

Nov-25

Denis Carey from Nenagh, Co. Tipperary is killed by four men believed to be members of the RIC. 

T. Doyle from Dolphin’s Barn, Dublin also dies

O’Farrell (1997), pgs 103 & 106; Dooley (2015), pg 56

Nov-25

Frank Carty, O/C Sligo Brigade IRA, is recaptured at his home near Tubbercurry by Crown Forces.  He had been recuperating from illness.  He is taken to Sligo barracks and then transferred to Derry Jail. Around this time three IRA leaders in Sligo (Seamus Devins, Eugene Gilbride and Andrew Conway) are captured when the car they are in (driven by Linda Kearns) runs into a convoy of RIC and military.  They are carrying arms captured at the Moneygold ambush (see October 25th).  They are badly beaten but they cannot be convicted of participating in the Moneygold ambush as nobody (including surviving RIC) will identify them as being present. 

Farry (2012), pgs 60-61

Nov-25

Constable Witherdon, who has survived an attack on the 21st August, is accidently shot in the head when a gun he is showing a friend discharges.  He is left in  critical condition.

Abbott (2000), pg 113; Lawlor (2011), pgs 57-58

Nov-26

M. Duggan from Broadford, Co. Limerick dies

O’Farrell (1997), pg 107

Nov-26

Ambush by Castletownroche Battalion Column, Cork No. 2 Brigade (led by Thomas Barry) on RIC and military convoy at Labacally, near Glanworth, Co Cork.  Three military killed.

O’Donoghue (1986), pg 108

Nov-26

On this day, two brothers, Patrick (29) and Harry Loughnane (22), are arrested by members of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC), mainly Auxiliaries, at their home in Shanaglish in south County Galway.  They were taken to the RIC station in Gort and, afterwards, they were taken to Drumharsna Castle (near Ardrahan, Co. Galway) where a sub-company of the Auxiliary Division of the RIC were stationed.  The Auxiliaries claim that the two brothers escaped on the night of the 26th November.  Nine days later, the battered and charred bodies of the two brothers are found at Owenbristy (or Umbriste), near Drumharsna Castle.

This case receives widespread publicity mainly because photographs were taken of the two brothers’ corpses in their coffins before they were buried.  These photographs showed that their bodies had been substantially mutilated.  It is widely believed that the brothers were killed by the Auxiliaries.  In an extended More Detail, the evidence for and against the brothers being killed by the Auxiliaries is reviewed.  This evidence clearly points to the Auxiliaries being responsible for the deaths of the two brothers.    While not as conclusive, the evidence also points to the brothers being brutally treated before they were killed.  Also, in More Detail, an attempt will be made to look into why the brothers were singled out for such seemingly brutal treatment.  Unfortunately, despite a number of possible reasons having being put forward by different authors, it is not possible (on the basis of the evidence currently available) to establish a definitive reason for the brothers being so badly treated.  However, a possible explanation is put forward on the basis of the context in which the killings took place.

 

See More Detail

Nov-26

Among the IRA men arrested on this day in Dublin (in the aftermath of Bloody Sunday) was Patrick Moran, a 33-year-old labour activist and veteran of the 1916 Rebellion from Crossna, Co. Roscommon. He was to be hung on 14th March 1921. 

Carey (2001), pg 68;

Nov-26

Two IRA men (C Morrisey & L Mulcahy) from 1st Battalion, Cork No. 1 are killed.  (O'Farrell says that a D Morrissey and a W Mulcahy from Cork are killed on this date.  Almost definitely same people.)

O'Kelly in The Kerryman (1955), pg 26; O'Farrell P (1997), pg 114

Nov-27

Constable Maurice Quirk (or Quirke) is shot leaving his lodgings in Cappaquin, Co. Waterford and dies two days later.  According to McCarthy, Constable Quirke was popular in the area and his killing caused resentment among local IRA men.

Abbott (2000), pg 156; McCarthy (2015), pg 71

Nov-27

Two RIC men are attacked near Castlemartyr, Co. Cork and one (Constable Timothy Quinn) dies the next day.

Abbott (2000), pg 155

Nov-27

After an RIC constable was kidnapped, Carnadoe creamery in Co. Roscommon is burnt by Crown Forces as well as two Sinn Féin halls.  The windows and furniture in seven houses are smashed.

Leeson (2012), pg 162-163

Nov-27/28

Riots in Derry.

Gallagher (2003), pg 34

Nov-28

Tom Barry, commandant of the (West) Cork No. 3 Brigade Column leads IRA ambush at Kilmichael in Co Cork - 17 Auxiliaries killed and 3 IRA men.  More Detail (Note:  The detail presented here is a quite in-depth look at the background to and the controversies that arose from the Kilmichael Ambush.)

Curran J M (1980), pg 40;  Hart (1998) Chapters 2 and 6; Abbott (2000), pgs 156-163; Barry in The Kerryman (1955), pgs 120-128; Townshend (2014), pgs 210-215

Nov-28

Six houses in Wexford are robbed by three men.  Two RIC men – Constables Patrick Myers and James O’Hara – and a British soldier are arrested, tried and convicted of robbery.  The two RIC men are dismissed. 

Leeson (2012), pg 83

Nov-30

Lunch takes place in London for the RC Archbishop of Perth, Joseph Clune, at which he tells the guests (including Joe Devlin) of the Lahinch reprisals (see 21st September).  Devlin arranges meeting for him next day with Lloyd George.

Coogan (1990), pg 194

Nov-30

Letter appears in press from Roger Sweetman (Sinn Féin TD for Wexford North) proposing a conference of public bodies to formulate peace proposals.

Coogan (1990), pg 196

Nov-30

British Labour Party Commission on Ireland meets in Dublin.  They subsequently travel to Limerick, Kilkenny and Cork.

Macardle (1999), pg 406

Nov-30

Two IRA men, Patrick Tierney (QM in Ardee Company) and John O’Carroll (Lieutenant in South Louth Battalion) are taken from their lodgings in Ardee, Co. Louth and summarily shot.

Hall (2019), pg 76

Nov

Two RIC men (Constable William Muir and Constable Coughlan) were captured by the Ballylongford Company of the IRA.  Constable Muir were brought to Moyvane where he was guarded by the local company.  The British Army issued an ultimatum that Ballylongford would be razed to the ground if two men were not released and the Kerry No. 1 Brigade HQ ordered their release.  Constable  Muir later committed suicide (27th December 1920).

Abbott (2000), pg 318

Nov

Warren Harding, the Republican candidate, elected as President of the U.S.

Macardle (1999), pg 410

Nov

Ballykinlar Internment Camp opened in Co. Down by the British army

Murphy W (2017), pg 443

End-Nov

Nineteen warehouses burnt by IRA in Liverpool and Boole

Hopkinson (2002), pg 148

End-Nov

Din-Din O'Riordan shot by IRA in Cork City as informer. Din-Din said that he had been recruited by another IRA man who worked for Mr Nicholson of Woodford Bournes and that he got money from Mr Nicholson. According to O'Callaghan, the Cork No. 1 Brigade IRA got information from Josephine Marchmont Brown (who worked in Victoria Barracks for Capt Kelley, I/O) that Nicholson was part of an Anti-Sinn Féin Society and they shot him and the IRA man who worked for him.  Three other businessmen (Alfred Reilly, Harrison Beal and George Tilson) were subsequently shot by the IRA as spies.

Hart (1998), pg 15; O'Callaghan (1974), pg

 

 

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