No. 3 in Centenary Year Series of remembering our band with pride ****************************************************************

Transcription

1 No. 3 in Centenary Year Series of remembering our band with pride **************************************************************** Michael Wickham A member of the Cork Volunteers Pipe Band and the Irish Republican Army until 1923, when he went to New York, USA. After being defeated in the Civil War by Free State Forces, a great many Anti Treatyites took that road. Many returned in later years, but Mick stayed there until he died in Whilst there he helped found the Corkmen s Association Pipe Band in the early 1930 s. Mick had an older brother, Mark, with him in the IRA and a younger brother, Augustine, in the pipe band also. His father, Mark, was arrested following the 1916 Rising and was sent to Frongoch Internment Camp in North Wales. During this period many other members of the Cork Volunteers Pipe Band were also involved in the armed struggle. It is recorded that at one time every member of the band were in prison, all political prisoners. To read Mick s account of his involvement in the armed struggle against the RIC, British Army and Black and Tans, go to pages 2 and 3 of this issue. This issue is to a great extent photographic, enjoy! View Also 1940 Unveiling of plaque to the memory of Tómás MacCurtáin in Cork 1944 Cork Volunteers Pipe Band at Croke Park, Dublin 1956 New Years Day Social at the Tómás Ashe Hall in Cork great photo 1957 The Burial of Séán South in Limerick * Some republican bands from Co. Kerry and DublinCity *

2 Mick Wickham s Fight for Irish Freedom Michael Wickham Street Astoria, Long Island, N.Y. U.S.A, On continuous active service from 1915 until March, Easter Sunday, April 23,1916 : On duty with Cork City Irish Volunteers. Under the Command of Tomas MacCurtain entrained for Dooniskey and marched to Macroom. Other officers present were Daniel (Sandow) Donovan, Mallow; Thomas Crofts, Cork City; Eamonn Barry, Windsor Terrace, St. Lukes, Cork. April 30, 1916 to March 31,1917 : Cork City Volunteers, CO Tomas MacCurtain. Attended all parades, drill classes and guard duty at Sheares Street Volunteer Hall. May 5, 1916 : House at 8 Merchants Quay, Cork, searched by British troops and RIC. Mark Wickham (father of Michael) arrested and sent to Frongoch Internment Camp, North Wales. Officers who can attest to this are Daniel Donovan, Mallow, Cork; Mark Wickham, 8 Merchants Quay, Cork; James Barry, Windsor Terrace, St. Lukes, Cork. April 1,1917 to March 31, 1918 : B Company, Cork City Volunteers. Helped in accumulating arms and ammunition, and manufacturing of home made bombs. With contingent sent to Waterford, March 1918, for the by-election. Officers who can attest to this are Mark Wickham, 8, Merchants Quay, and Maurice Fitzgerald, Inisfail,, Endsleigh Park, Douglas, Cork. April 1, 1918 to March 31, 1919 : Intelligence Officer, B Company Irish Volunteers ( later 1 st Battalion, 1 st Cork Brigade) under command of Company Capt. Mark Wickham. Took part in all Co. operations during this period. Continued to manufacture bombs. Arrested by British military at Ovens, Co. Cork, tried by summary court and sent to Cork Gaol for month of July, Officers who can attest to this are Adjutant General Gearoid O Sullivan ( who was in Cork Gaol at the same time), Mark Wickham, Séan Courtney, Water Supply Dept., Municipal Offices, Cork City. April 1, 1919 to March 31, 1920 : Intelligence Officer B Co. 1 st Batt. 1 st Cork Brigade. Co. Capt. Mark Wickham. Took part in all Co. & Batt. operations. November 18, 1919, took part in raid on Murray s Gun Shop, Patrick Street, Cork City, Officers who can attest to this are Mark Wickham, Séan Lucey, 2 South View, Summerhill, Cork, and Patrick Deasy, 17, South Main Street, Cork City. April 1, 1920 to March 31, 1921 : Intelligence Officer, B Company, 1 st Batt., 1 st Cork Brigade. Took part in all Co. & Batt. activities for this period, including the burning of Income Tax offices, South Mall, Cork; Blarney Barracks attack; burning of King Street RIC Barracks; capture of military stores at Macroom Railway Station; tapping, loading and capping of new type grenade at our workshop at 8 Merchants Quay; and the bombing of the Cork Examiner office. Officers: Mark Wickham; Pat Whooley, Tory Top Lane, Cork; Maurice Fitzgerald. 2

3 April 1, 1921 to July 11, Took part in all Co. and Batt. activities for this period. Séan Twomey, Co. Captain as Capt. Mark Wickham was arrested and interned at Spike Island. Took part in raids on mails and ambushing of military lorries in the streets. Reprisal attack on military and police for Dripsey executions. Officers : Maurice Fitzgerald; Séan Lucey, Pat Deasy. July 12, 1921 to June 30,1922 : Maurice Fitzgerald, Co. Capt. As Séan Twomey was arrested and wounded while trying to escape. Took part in all Co. and Batt. activities for this period. Occupation of military and police barracks in Cork and the raid on HMS Upnor and landing of arms at Ballycotton, Co. Cork. Officer: Maurice Fitzgerald, Séan Lucey, Pat Deasy. July 1, 1922 to March 31, 1923 : Co. Capt. Maurice Fitzgerald. Took part in all Co. & Batt. activities including the burning of Union Quay Police Barracks, evacuation of Cork City to Ballincollig & Macroom, burning of Ballincollig Military Barracks. Demobilized by order of Dan Donovan and Michael Murphy and returned to Cork City. Officers : Maurice Fitzgerald, Dan Donovan, Séan Lucey. Additional statement : Our house at 8 Merchants Quay, Cork, was used as a receiving post for messages carried by GS & W Railway men from Dublin H.Q. We also set up a back workshop for tapping and loading of large Mills grenade. We were repeatedly raided by the Military and Police and had type written reprisals notices put on our door by ther Black and Tans. Our shop was closed and we were ordered out of the city by military authorities just prior to the truce. Signed : Michael Wickham, April 23, *************************************************************************** The First Cork Brigade When Lloyd George s hired gunmen came and shot MacCurtáin down, They thought the IRA was dead in Cork s own rebel town. But they got a rude awakening when the debt was partly paid In Lisburn and the Lower Road by the First Cork Brigade. Chorus : Glory, Glory to old Ireland, Glory, Glory to our sireland. Glory, Glory to the men who fought and fell. No Surrender is the war-cry of the First Cork Brigade. We bombed them in the Abbey, we bombed in the Glen. We bombed them up in Dillon s Cross, they bombed us back again. We bombed them in the Wessie and we bombed them in the Parade, And we gave them who began it in the First Cork Brigade. Chorus : We have no shiny gaiters or no Sam Brown belt to show, But we are able to defend ourselves wherever we may go. We are out for the Republic and to hell with ye re Free State. We are the boys of the First Cork Brigade. Chorus : 3

4 Unveiling of plaque to the memory of Tómás MacCurtáin at Blackpool, Cork City on St. Patrick s Day 1940 In inclement weather several thousand people took part in an unveiling on Sunday 17 th March 1940, of a memorial limestone plaque on the front wall of the house, 40 Thomas Davis Street, in which, Tómás MacCurtáin, Lord Mayor of Cork, was murdered by the RIC in March, The impressive parade formed at the Grand Parade and marched to Blackpool Bridge, led by the Cork Volunteers Pipe Band. Several other bands also marched including the Fianna Eireann Pipers Band. ( See photo of this band on page 5) On the platform at Blackpool Bridge were, the Lord Mayor, Jim Hickey, Miss Eilís and Miss Sheila MacCurtáin, daughters of the late Lord Mayor, Miss Susan Walsh, sisterin-law,do., the Misses Máire and Annie MacSwiney, Miss Máire Óg MacSwiney and Maud Gonne MacBride. The Oration was delivered by Séan Ó Tuama Chairman of the Cork Branch, National Graves Association and the Gaelic League. 4

5 The Cork Fianna Eireann Pipers Band ( 1940 ) Left to Right :John Murphy, Pipe Major, Liam O Neill, Donal O Callaghan, Dominic McAuliffe, Mick O Brien, Mick Murphy. Front: Tom Daly, Denis Adj; Murphy. *************************************************************************** 1944: Cork Volunteers Pipe Band at Croke Park, Dublin Senior Hurling All-Ireland Final between Cork 2-13 and Dublin 1-2 For many years the Cork Volunteers Pipe Band enjoyed an excellent relationship with the GAA both locally and nationally. To lead out the Cork hurling team on the occasion of an All-Ireland Hurling Final was a signal honour for all our involvement with the national games down the years. It marked a particular boost for all those Cork republican prisoners languishing in either internments camps or prisons at home and abroad at that time. It was a particular thrill for us, that the Cork team won the day. More so, because they had won four Senior Hurling All-Ireland Finals in a row. The Cork Four in a Row were won as follows: 1941: Cork 5-11 v Dublin 0-6, 1942 : Cork 2-14 v Dublin : Cork 5-16 v Antrim : Cork 2-13 v Dublin 1-2 5

6 1948 : The band at the Easter Week Commemoration in Cork Back Row Left to Right : Séán Casey, Murty Lucey, Tom Twomey, Billy Cronin, Unknown, Unknown, Josh Lehane, Tom Crowley, Unknown, Leonard Stone. Front Row : Gerard Hughes, Donal Collins, Sonny Nation, Ollie Sullivan, Billy Kelly, Padraig S. Ó Cruadhlaoich, George O Connell. Mascots : Vincent Kelleher, -- Casey. 1950: Cork County Football Final. Garda 3-7 St. Nicholas 2-5 Our Drummer s Day : The big drummer: Ollie Sullivan, 1 st line (L-R) Harry Delaney, Tim Riordan, 2 nd line, Gerard Hughes, Raymond Cowhig. The Cork Volunteers Pipe Band led the pre-match march, despite objections from Garda sources. GAA officials saw the event simply as sport and rejected political objections, our band agreed 6

7 1950 s GAA event sponsored by Na Piarsaigh GAA club Cork Volunteer Pipe Band : Left to Right in no particular row order : Mick Murphy, Pipe Major, with head turned back, Con Elliott, Flag Bearer, Norman O Rourke, Séán Feeney, Mick Kennedy, Jim Lane, Denis Burke, Séamus Ó Líonacháin, Denis Crowley : Ag Céilidhe agus Seana Waltz i Halla na Cathrach, Luan Cásgha. Tómás MacCurtáin May Fleury Padraig S. Ó Cruadhaoich 7

8 1951 : The Band at an outing in Cobh, Co. Cork Left to Right : Pipe Major Mick Murphy, Séamus Ó Líonacháin, Dan Lane, Norman O Rourke, Tadhg Horgan, Mick Kennedy, Denis Crowley, Frank Cruise, Padraigh S.O Cruadhlaoich. Kneeling : Mick Mahony, Eddie Collins, Bertie Lane, Mick Leary. Front : Our mascot, Donie Lynch 8

9 Previous Page Piper : Séamus O Líonacháin, Big Drummer : Mick Leary, far left drummer, Bertie Lane, and drummers Eddie Collins and Mick Mahony : Our Band outside the School Of Commerce, Cork Back Left to Right :Mick Murphy, Pipe Major, Séamus Ó Líonacháin, Tony Reilly, Tadhg Horgan, Mick Kennedy, Frank Cruise, Derek Mc Donnell, Josh Lehane, Padraig S. Ó Cruadhlaoich, Jack Mulcahy. Middle Row : Eddie Collins, Mick Mahony, Mick Leary, Pat Murphy, Bertie Lane. Kneeling : Paddy Bruton, Séán Feeney. Mascot : Donie Lynch : Denis Crowley, Jim Lane and Séán Feeney in Carrigtowhill, Cork 9

10 1955 : Jim Lane ( Note IRA badge on arm), Bertie Lane and Mick Kennedy in Carrigtowhill, Co. Cork 1956 : Attending a social in the early hours of New Year s Day in the Thómás Ashe Hall. Among those present were many members of our pipe and drum band. The accordionist on the right, Tommy Mahony, was at the time a retired band member. Near to the other accordionist on the left is Jim Lane, next to him is Bertie Lane, both band members. On the top left with the window in the background, is Mossy Healy, Jim O Neill, Billy Horgan, Norman O Rourke, Brendan O Neill, Tadhg Horgan, and above them is Mick Kennedy, all band members. Otherwise among those at the event were IRA Volunteers Willie Gough, John Madden, Dave O Connell, Liam Heaphy, Mick Fitzgibbon, Paddy Fitzgerald and Tim Murphy. Cumann na mban members included Kitty O Callaghan, Nelly McCarthy, Joan Kennedy, Ann Linehan & Loretta O Leary. 10

11 Last Post Salute The Burial of Séán South in Limerick Volunteer Séán South was killed in a gun battle at Brookborough, Co. Fermanagh, on New Year s Day Later in the week, the Cork Volunteers Pipe Band attended his funeral in Limerick. Our drummers, Mossy Healy and Mick Mahony and our drummer/buglar, Bertie Lane, along with Fianna Eireann buglar, Eoin O Connell, gave him a Volunteer soldier s send off. 11

12 1957 : The Manchester Martyrs March in Grand Parade, Cork City Front Line : L to R. Paddy Murphy, Con Elliott Flag Bearer, Aubie O Rourke. 2 nd Line : Mick Murphy, Pipe Major, Séán Mahony, George O Connell, Norman O Rourke. 3 rd Line : Mick Linehan, Donal Varian. Connie Mullane, Denis Crowley. 4 th Line : Jim Lane, Denis Burke. 5 th Line : Brendan O Neill, Jim O Neill, Mossie Scanlan. 6 th Line : Mossie Healy, Bertie Lane, Eddie Collins, Mick Mahony. ( The hand-painted coloured finish to the above photograph was the work of Denis Griffin of An Stad, Leitrim Street. Denis was a former piper in our band in the 1930 s) *************************************************************************** Faith of our Fathers I have been asked in recent times why the Roman Catholic hymn, Faith of our Fathers was not include in the band s repertoire and if in fact we ever played it at concerts or GAA events. No, in my time from the mid 50 s onwards, the answer is, never, nor do I believe it was ever played in earlier years. I will provide the reason also, as to why it was never played by the Cork Volunteers Band. It was because we considered it a sectarian and triumphant song, which was sung by a majority to upset the minority of other Irish citizens. As republicans we were conscious of the teachings of the father of Irish Republicanism, Theobald Wolfe Tone. He and the United Irishmen, sought to establish an Irish Republic for Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter. To play that tune would have been in contradiction to our beliefs. As I understand it, the GAA sometime in the 1960 s put a stop to the playing or singing of this hymn. It was not before time in my opinion. 12

13 1958: The Cork Volunteers Pipe Band at the annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration held every June in Bodenstown, Co.Kildare. Out in Front : Con Elliott Front Line: Mick Murphy, Pipe Major, Eddie Williams, Séán Mahony, Norman O Rourke. 2 nd Line : Not known, Mick Linehan, Connie Mullane, Denis Burke. 3 rd Line : Denis Crowley, Donal Varian, Jim Lane. 4 th Line : Mossie Scanlan, Jim O Neill, Séán Varian. 5 th Line : Eddie Collins, Mossie Healy, Dessie Swanton, Mick Mahony. Areas visited over the years Our band had some solid commitments to attend to every year, both in Cork City, and throughout Cork County, and elsewhere. In the city our primary event was to attend the annual Easter Week Commemorations to honour all those who died in As so many were killed at that time and later, the Easter Event was also meant to honour the 1916 patriots and those who lost their lives in the other engagements that followed. There were also local commitments, such as football and hurling events, along with attending feiseanna, aeraíocht and local carnivals etc. For those interested, we would have gone to the Bodenstown Wolfe Tone Commemoration every year. In our time we performed in Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Tipperary and Kildare. In the early 1950 s we attended the unveiling of monuments to Tony Darcy in Headford, Co. Galway and to Séán McNeela in Ballycroy, Co.Mayo. The band were at the burial of Michael Gaughan at Ballina, Co. Mayo in We also attended Republican burials, commemorations and unveilings, always ready to go wherever requested by the republican movement. Throughout County Cork we performed at Ballinhassig, Ballinadee, Ballinaspittle, Kilmacsimon Quay, Drimoleague, Dunmanway, Skibbereen, Kealkil, Bantry, Bandon, Coachford, Carrigtwohill, Midleton, Ladysbridge, Ballymacoda, Glenbower, Cobh, Fermoy, Castlelyons, Kinsale, Riverstick, Belgooley, Knockmealdown Mountains (Liam Lynch). We also played up the Mardyke and down at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.We were busy! 13

14 This letter was published in the United Irishman in September 1958 The cheque below was a contribution from 7 Cork republican prisoners in Crumlin Road Prison, Belfast, back in In money value at the time it would have equalled a week s wages. The 7 prisoners were Séán Hegarty, Séán O Callaghan, Liam Mulcahy, Willie Gough, John Madden, Séamus O Lionacháin and Anthony Cooney. Líam Mulcahy also organised the making of some leather hand crafts for the band to raffle to raise funds. Five of the above have died since, Séamus and Anthony are still around. 14

15 Patrick Mc Manus of Kinawley, Co. Fermanagh, who was high on the Crown authorities wanted list with a price on his head, was killed in an accidental explosion on the Border near Derryrealt, Co. Cavan on 15th July A few weeks later, on the 24 th of August 1958, James Crossan, a Sinn Fein organiser for Co.Cavan, was shot dead by the RUC. Both events occurred within the general area of Swanlinbar, Co. Cavan. Both Jim Lane, piper, and Eoin O Connell, buglar, from Cork attended both events. 15

16 c. 1955: A day in Ladysbridge, East Cork, enjoying a pint or two. Front Kneeling : Bertie Lane and Eddie Collins enjoying a pint. Standing : Alfie Lane, Jim Lane, Willie Gough, Barmaid, Cooper Callaghan. Behind : Unknown, Mick Kennedy and Con Elliott. Left to Right : Jim Lane, Willie Gough, Mick Kennedy and Bertie Lane 16

17 A group of band members from the 40 s. Front Left: Jack Mulcahy, Eddie Williams and the tall man behind Eddie is Con Elliott. Rest are unknown. These two photos are connected to the presence of the Cork Volunteer s Pipe Band at the unveiling of a monument to the South Kerry IRA Volunteers, which was unveiled in Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry by John Joe Rice, Sinn Fein TD in August Both Eoin O Connell and Jim Lane played respectively their Pipes and Bugle, at the gravesides of both Patrick McManus and James Crossan in

18 1959 : Easter Sunday annual Republican Parade in Cork City Part 1 Colour Party : Front line- L to R George O Mahony, Paddy Madden,Gerry Collins, Mick Fitzgibbon. 2nd line : Mick McCarthy, Alfie Lane, Séán MacStiophan,Liam Early. 3rd line : Ned Smyth, Paddy Fitzgerald, Donal Buckley, Dinny Connors. 4 th line John Murphy, Denis Murphy, Fermoy Man and Con Elliot Part 2 The same names for the Colour Party and the three following rows, as are given in the above listing. The Cork Volunteers Pipe Band drummers are : Left to Right Eddie Collins, Bertie Lane and Mossie Healy. On the following page the full band can be seen marching behind Cumann na mban and Cumann na Caíliní. 18

19 Part 3 The photo above is the third of three, of the Easter Parade in 1959 Members of Cumann na mban from the front are: left to right, Nelly McCarthy and Kitty O Callaghan. 2 nd Row : Maura O Connell, Maisie Cronin, Eileen Coveney, 3 rd Row : Breda O Connell, Carmel O Riordan and her sister. The woman in the trench coat is, Loretta O Leary. In the distance behind is the Cork Volunteers Pipe Band with Mick Murphy there as Pipe Major. Others, I recognise from that distance are Séán Mahony, Norman O Rourke and Eoin O Connell. The parade steward on the left ahead of the band is, John Rocky Radford. The Laurence O Toole Pipe Band of Dublin This band was founded in 1910 at Saville Place, Dublin. Among those present at the founding meeting were Patrick Pearse, Tom Clarke, Séán MacDermott, Arthur Griffith, Douglas Hyde, and Séán O Casey. In the above photo Tom Clarke can be seen at centre back, he with the moustache. This band was very supportive of the republican cause. After 19

20 the Civil War they declared to have no political connections, nevertheless, they continued to attend regularly at the annual Bodenstown event. Several of the members of this band are recorded in the photo as dead. Since the photo was published in c. 1947, one can assume that all are deceased at this stage.we would welcome any further information on them The Tralee Volunteers Pipe Band c Further information on this band would be more than welcome This document was compiled by Jim Lane a former piper with the CVPB. I have included the Dublin and Kerry photos, because of their strong republican connections. No.4 in this Series will be available in December. 20