Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has welcomed discussion and forward planning on the decommissioned Marina power station in Cork city. “It was great to hear about formal confirmation this week that planning between the ESB, Cork City Council and the newly formed Land Development Agency in relation to possible future uses of the site is ongoing. For me the ESB site is one of four sites in South Docks, which have a lot of built and cultural heritage – the others being the old Ford Factory site, former Odlums Building and the R & H Hall grain silos. All four sites have been highly influential in the development of south docks historically plus also are iconic symbolic structures in the area. It would be a real pity to lose their presence in the future of south docks.
“I would like to see the future of South Docks with a mixture of old and new building stock, so that the area has a nuanced sense of place. For me as well, I would encourage any future development to work with the Council to create a riverside walk on the south docks, so that The Marina greenway would potentially lead and connect all the way into the city, and hence linking to walks just west of the city centre – all in all creating an iconic routeway all along the city’s River Lee sections with public health advantages, scenery and other uses in abundance”. concluded Cllr McCarthy.
On Thursday night, 23 June 1921, an IRA unit
in a motor car threw a number of bombs at an RIC post on the Grand Parade (see
last week’s column). The attack was followed by bursts of gunfire as the car
sped up Tuckey Street towards the South Gate Bridge. Josephine Scannell (aged
19) was killed in the shooting that followed the bomb attack. She was working
at a sewing machine inside the window of her first story residence at French’s
Quay when she was hit by a bullet that passed through the window. She died a
short time later. Josephine was buried at St Joseph’s Cemetery in Ballyphehane.
In the 1911 Census, she was one of the five children of the builder John
Scannell and his wife Jane.
There were many victims of the Irish War of
Independence just like Josephine Scannell. Over the past one hundred years,
there has been a tendency in Cork City to keep the focus on the larger fall out
events such as Tomás MacCurtain, Terence MacSwiney and the Burning of Cork.
However, the centenary commemoration has brought new scholars, new projects and
new foci on elements on the War of Independence that have not been publicly
commemorated before.
One such very insightful project is Dara
McGrath’s photographic exhibition entitled For
Those That Tell No Tales, which can be viewed in
the Crawford Art Gallery. It is a great contribution to thinking about life and
society one hundred years ago. That it was not just the IRA, RIC and Black and
Tans that caught up with tit-for-tat violence but also civilians and their
families.
Dara McGrath’s work is based on research by Dr Andy
Bielenberg (School of History, UCC) and Professor James Donnelly Junior
(University of Wisconsin) who are currently engaged in an on-going project to
document all the fatalities of the Irish revolution in County Cork between 1919
and 1923 of which approximately 840 have been identified so far. This
exhibition is based on the War of Independence element of the project in Cork
City and showcases over sixty lesser known War of Independent sites from across
Cork City.
Dara in his notes on his photographic exhibition
writes that the catalyst for this project came from a series of conversations he
had with Dan Breen, Curator of Cork Public Museum, in late 2017, as consideration
was given how best to commemorate the centenary of events that took place in
Ireland, and in Cork, between 1919 and 1921. Dan suggested Dara research and
photograph the sites and locations of the many fatalities from this period.
Dara relates: “I made contact with Dr Andy Bielenberg who was involved in the
Irish Revolution Research Project at University College Cork, and with his help
and research I was able to pin down the events that surrounded fatalities that
took place within the new Cork city boundary extension during the years 1919 to
1921. I then set out to take a photograph as near as possible to where the
event happened. Sometimes I photographed the almost exact spot on the ground,
others were to be a guess with logical thinking”.
Dara’s photographs elevate these spots or spaces as
sites of memory for those individual lost lives. For the first time, through Dara’s
photography and accompanying texts, one can see a cross section extent of the
lives of the people and the geography where they perished during the struggle
for freedom in Ireland’s War of Independence. Dara’s acknowledgement of
the place and circumstances of each individual’s death – which bore so heavily
on their communities – still resonate, so powerfully, today.
The Crawford exhibition notes that today
– sadly and almost universally – we pass by unaware of the
tragedies that took place at unmarked locations that are
daily traversed; “Beyond the recognised memorials and major landmarks
there are many more sites within the landscape where people lost their
lives. In Cork City, those ‘forgotten’ lives
lost may include the Norwegian sailor Carl Johansen whose life
was ended by being shot in the back while returning to his ship in the Port of
Cork docks; or Josephine Scannell who at nineteen years old was shot dead by a
stray bullet while sitting near a window in her house in the city
centre”.
Dara notes: “As I stood, I thought about the people
who had died in these locations, and wondered was I the first to remember them
at these sites of their deaths. The project forced me to think deeply about the
relationship between me as a photographer, the place, and the history of the
place. I’m aware this project may disrupt some firmly-held narratives. War is a
terrible thing, and amidst its fall-out comes the silence, the secrets, the
revisions, the stories told, and the stories hidden away. In death, some were
treated as heroes, others as innocents, still others as the villains, but this
understanding changes too depending on who you talk to. The stories I’m trying
to tell include tragic accidents, bungled bombs, executions on both sides, and
the abduction and murder of informants.
“My approach was to attempt to respect everyone who had died by treating
them equally. I sought to present them with dignity, to demonstrate they were a
member of a family, to show they were loved. In essence, this project seeks to
give a voice to those who did not live to tell their tales”, concludes Dara.
The
exhibition For Those That Tell No Tales by Dara McGrath runs to the end
of August and is kindly supported by The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts,
Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries 2012-2023 initiative,
Cork City Council and Cork Public Museum.
Caption:
1106a. Dara McGrath
at his exhibition entitled, For Those That
Tell No Tales, in the Crawford Art Gallery (picture: Kieran
McCarthy).
Cllr Kieran McCarthy has welcomed the sponsorship by Coillte of new native saplings at the Blackrock Castle Walkway. Cllr McCarthy remarked: “In total this year, up to 1,200 trees were planted by Cork City Council Operations (Parks) this year. Cork Chamber are sponsoring another 200 of the 1,200 native trees being planted this year and have committed to at least two more years of sponsorship at €3,000k per year. This is a very generous contribution as it assists with increasing tree cover throughout the City”.
Outgoing Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Joe Kavanagh said: “The Coillte trees planted are a representation of all primary and secondary schools in Cork City and speak to our past, present and future. The Lord Mayor’s Oak Tree Initiative 2021 symbolises the resilience, sustainability and growth synonymous with our schools”.
Coillte Supply Chain Manager, Dominic Joyce said: “Coillte is delighted to support such initiatives as they inspire future generations and increase awareness of the important role that trees play in mitigating climate change, improving habitats, increasing biodiversity and providing sustainable and renewable building materials. We are delighted to be associated with the Lord Mayor’s initiative to commemorate the independence struggle 100 years ago in this novel and environmentally friendly way”.
Saplings were also planted Glen River Park, Bridevalley Park, and the Curraheen Walkway. Plaques have been installed near the new trees and a QR code will direct people to the Cork City Council commemorations site, www.corkcitycommemorations.ie where further details of the initiative will appear.
1105a. St Luke’s Church Area, c.1910 from Cork City Reflections (Amberley Publishing, 2021) by Kieran McCarthy and Dan Breen.
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town Article,
Cork Independent, 24 June 2021
Journeys to a Truce: The Mid-Summer Ambushes
On the evening of 23 June 1921, there was a
concerted attack on all RIC barracks in Cork City and suburbs at an appointed
time by members of the first and second battalions of Cork IRA Brigade No.1. In the city centre, a fine summer evening was
disturbed closing on to 7.30pm. Loud explosions, quickly followed by shots,
startled everybody. The first reports were heard all over the city and within
the suburbs. The mobilisation of Crown Forces ensued, and the rattle of rifle
fire, the tearing of machine guns, added to the fear of citizens outdoors and
indoors.
In a
short time, the streets became deserted. Tram cars with their complements of
passengers went to the end of their journeys and then returned to the central
station. The occupants, motor men, and conductors of some ofthe cars were ordered off, searched, and questioned by the RIC and Black
and Tans. By 8pm, business houses that were open were soon shuttered and closed.
In various districts, and anyone out was halted and searched. Towards 9pm quiet
was restored, but the streets remained deserted. At the South and North
infirmaries, they were busily engaged attending to several people admitted
consequent to the explosions and subsequent firing.
The Cork
Examiner, the following day on 24 June, reported that bombs were initially thrown
at police in Tuckey Street, where constabulary occupied an old barrack and had recently
acquired premises, which fronted the Grand Parade. Some citizens who were in
Washington Street and Grand Parade about 7.30pm spoke to the press about a high
speed of a motor car passing down Washington Street and onto the Grand Parade:
As this car came along the Grand Parade by the Berwick Fountain, opposite
Tuckey Street Police Station. Two loud explosions, followed by quick firing,
startled everyone.
Revolver
shots also were discharged by the occupants of the car at the windows of Tuckey
Street barrack, but nobody was injured. The police fired on the occupants of
the motor, and believe that they killed one and wounded another, but the car
dashed on through Tuckey Street and over the South Gate Bridge.
A
stampede on the Grand Parade followed, and it was noticed that some people
fell, whether wounded or terror stricken. There was one fatality. Josephine
Scannell, aged 19 years, living at Frenche’s Quay, was shot dead through the
heart. She was seated at the window of her residence engaged working at her
sewing machine. The fast shots had barely sounded when a bullet struck through the
window and hit her over the heart. She collapsed immediately, and through
assistance was soon removed by the Cork Corporation ambulance to the
South Infirmary. She was dead on arrival. The body was later taken from the
Infirmary by her grief-stricken mother back to her house.
Apart
from the Tuckey Street incident, a bomb was thrown into the garden of a house
in Ashburton Terrace. No damage was done, but it is reported that the child of
the inmate of the house, who was playing in the garden, had a very narrow
escape, the bomb exploding under the little girl’s feet. It was following this
that the firing started in the St Luke’s Church direction, and several
civilians were wounded.
The
neighbourhood of St Luke’s was also thrown into alarm about 7.30pm. At that
hour two men came to the door of the public bar of Messrs. Henchy, Tea and Wine
Merchants, St Luke’s. They simply pushed glass door and fired two shots from
revolvers. They then hastened away. One man in the bar was shot in the face and
was seriously wounded. The wounded man was taken to the military hospital. The second
shot wounded another man and he was conveyed to the North Infirmary, where on examination
it was found that his wound was not dangerous.
The bomb
thrown at Shandon Barracks was, like those thrown at Tuckey Street, thrown from
a motor, but whether the distance from the roadway to the barracks was too far,
or through some other reason, there was no very great damage done, und there
were no casualties.
Robert C Ahern, D Company, 2nd
Battalion, Cork No.1 IRA Brigade in his witness statement for the Bureau of
Military History (WS 1676) describes that he was one of a small party of men
who took part in an attack on Douglas RIC Barracks that evening. The object of
these attacks was to show the enemy that we were still strong in numbers and
equipment, notwithstanding our losses in officers and men killed, wounded, or
taken prisoner.
Of the ambush on Douglas RIC Barracks, Robert
outlines a short five minute event but a dangerous situation: “Sailor Barry,
Eddie Fitzgibbon, one other man and myself opened fire on the front of the
barracks whilst other men from ‘D’ Company took the rere of the building. The
garrison of police and Black and Tans replied with rifles and machineguns. None
of us suffered a casualty, and I am not aware if any of the garrison of the
barracks was hit during the firing. So far as we were concerned, the affair was
over in about five minutes, although firing from the barracks continued for
some time after we had left”.
Caption:
1105a. St Luke’s Church Area, c.1910 from Cork City Reflections (Amberley Publishing, 2021) by Kieran
McCarthy and Dan Breen.
Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy wishes to remind business owners that the expanded Small Business Assistance Scheme (SBAS) for COVID is now open for applications through Cork City Council. Phase two of this scheme has been expanded to include those that had previously been ineligible. Cllr McCarthy noted: “SBASC gives grants to businesses who are not eligible for the Government’s COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), the Fáilte Ireland Business Continuity grant or other direct sectoral grant schemes. This scheme aims to help businesses with their fixed costs, for example, rent, utility bills, security. If you have received Phase 1 of SBASC you can apply for Phase 2 if you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. The closing date for this scheme is 21 July 2021”.
Businesses working from non-rateable premises are now eligible to apply and if they meet the other eligibility criteria will receive a grant of €4,000. Businesses with a turnover between €20,000 and €49,999 are also now eligible to apply if they meet the other eligibility criteria and will receive a grant of €1,000.
The scheme is available to companies, self-employed, sole traders or partnerships. The business must not be owned and operated by a public body. The business must operate from a building, including working from home, or similar fixed physical structure such as a yard or a street trading pitch for which rates are payable or in a co-working hub or a rented fixed desk. This does not include businesses carried on from motor vehicles, such as PSVs or construction trades. The business must have a current eTax Clearance Certificate from the Revenue Commissioners. Cllr McCarthy concluded: “Further information can be obtained from Cork City Council’s Business Support Unit on the home page of www.corkcity.ie or at the following phone number, 021-4924484 or at the following e-mail address, sbas@corkcity.ie”
18 June 2021, “Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy said the engineering problems blighting the Penrose Quay streetscape must be addressed once and for all. ‘I ask this question every year to keep it on the agenda, and I think this is my 13th time asking,” he said.“And the latest answer seems to be just kicking the can further down the road. It’s just not good enough”, Councillor blasts decade-long presence of hoarding on Cork quay, Councillor blasts decade-long presence of hoarding on Cork quay (irishexaminer.com)
Crown forces patrolled city centre streets en mass in
June 1921. Orders were issued that all prisoners should be chained to the
lorries so that they could not attempt an escape. In addition, if the lorry was
ambushed by the IRA, the prisoner could be caught in the crossfire. Prisoners
were also used when the lorries were being sent out on some essential business
to discourage any ambushers.
Prisoners were mainly detained in Victoria Barracks. Seán
Healy, Captain of A Company, 1st Battalion, Cork IRA Brigade No.1, in
his witness statement for the Bureau of Military History (WS1479) describes
that he was detained in a cell for three days before he was taken before the official
photographer. He was compelled to pose for a photograph in different positions,
and this was followed by the taking of his fingerprints. He was then removed to
a place called The Cage in the heart of Victoria Barracks.
The Cage was erected on the barrack square and consisted
of three large military huts surrounded by several rows of 12 feet high barbed
wire entanglements with armed sentries patrolling around it day and night. Prisoners
in The Cage were supposed to have taken part in the city shootings, and a
notice was hung on the outside requesting identification. There were about 150
prisoners in The Cage – roughly fifty in each hut. There was an outer circle of
barbed wire, which was covered with canvas. Between the two lines of wire the
sentries patrolled. The outer wire had a number of spy holes, which enabled
those outside to see in.
Seán describes that this camp was erected, as an
emergency measure and was more or less a clearing station. During the three
weeks that he was detained there he witnessed about 1000 prisoners passed
through its gates. Most of the men were arrested on suspicion and their records
were subsequently investigated. If evidence could be produced that any of them
took part in actions against the crown forces, they were then court-martialled and
sentenced by the Military Courts. In most cases they were sent to internment
camps without any trial. Spike Island was the destination of large numbers who
passed through.
As the stay was usually of short duration, no beds were
provided but blankets, which had to be frequently deloused. Seán remarks; “We
slept on low trestles on, which were placed three or four boards. The number of
boards depended on the number of prisoners that had to be catered for. Large
numbers of curfew breakers, tramps, down-and-outs and adventurers were brought in
nightly, during curfew hours, and simply bundled into the huts…I was attached
to No.1 dormitory”.
Newcomers were all screened next morning in the hope of
finding some wanted IRA man, and the rest were released. The usual procedure
was for a sergeant to enter The Cage, call out the names of some wanted men who
were removed there and then, no information being given of the business for
which they were required or of their destinations.
Amongst those brought in at night was an occasional spy,
but the Cork IRA members usually had not much trouble in spotting them, and after
hassling them this hastened their moving out again for their own safely.
Military matters were never discussed with strangers and IRA prisoners
generally were very guarded in their conversations as the smallest leakage
would lead to trouble. The spies were specially planted for the purpose of
seeking information regarding ambushes, etc.
Seán details that on the whole, life in these huts was
not the worse situation it could be; “The food, which was supplied was fairly
good, and we were allowed to receive parcels from outside friends. I must place
on record the kindness of my former landlady, Miss Mary Farrell of Lower Road,
with whom I was staying at the time of my arrest. This lady walked up the
steep. hill to the barracks with food and cigarettes almost daily. She was one
of those fine types of Irishwomen who bravely faced the perils of the time. No
visitors were allowed near the camp and all letters were strictly censored”.
Reveille was sounded at 7am and lights out were at 10pm. Activities brightened camp life considerably.
Seán describes that there were sing-songs and dances, and Micheál Ó Gráda held
Irish classes. Mass was said in one of the huts every Sunday morning by the
Military Chaplain. Seán recalls: “Solitaries were brought up from their cells
to attend Mass. Commandant Mick Murphy was amongst those unfortunate men. I saw
him being marched up the centre of the Mass hut with a soldier on each side of
him and nobody was allowed to go near him. No newspapers were allowed into the
camp, but the fresh prisoners who arrived almost daily, to replace those who
had been sent to Spike Island, Ballykinlar, etc., kept us supplied with up-to-date
war news”.
Seán’s trial was not proceeded with afterwards as the
Truce came into being on 11 July 1921. Others were not as lucky. Seán describes
the case of Mick Leahy; “I remember Mick Leahy being released about 1pm on a
certain Friday, and the very next night the murder gang called at the hotel
where he was staying (Wren’s Hotel, Winthrop Street) They asked to see Mr Michael
Leahy and when he appeared they immediately opened fire on him with revolvers.
Thinking that he was shot dead, they took their departure. This man was very
badly wounded but regained his health after a long illness”.
Caption:
1104a. Victoria
Barracks, now Collins Barracks, Cork, c.1910 from Cork City Reflections (Amberley
Publishing, 2021) by Kieran McCarthy and Dan Breen.
To ask the CE on an update on the Penrose Quay
hoarding? Whilst acknowledging, the recent creation of a smaller hoarding space
and the Crawford Art Gallery print display of historic Cork paintings, it is
now over a decade since my initial asking of when this remnant of the Cork Main
Drainage Project will be completed, and the site levelled off? (Cllr Kieran
McCarthy)
Motions:
That
Cork City Council in 2022 celebrate the 300th anniversary of
the construction of the Church of St Anne, Shandon recognising its impact on
the city and its unique landmark for Cork citizens (Cllr Kieran McCarthy)
[co-signed with Cllr Tony Fitzgerald).
That
the City Council with Ballintemple National School traffic review the
management guidance provisions in place for both school campuses currently.
With an increase in the number of children attending Scoil Iósaf Naofa and
increasing volumes of traffic in the surrounding community vicinities, the
Board of Management feels that further traffic and pedestrian safety measures
need to be implemented. In particular, the school seeks additional traffic
calming measures on Crab Lane itself, an increase in visual awareness
signage, and a pedestrian priority feature at the school gate itself, to ensure
all car users are aware of the school gate. At the Boreenmanna Road campus, an
additional lollypop person is sought for the senior school as an immediate
necessity. A pedestrian crossing is sought in close proximity to the senior
school as an important safety feature (Cllr Kieran McCarthy).
That Cork City Council enhance their directions / signage in City
cemeteries to help locate burial plots. Where the cemeteries are well
maintained, in some of the older cemeteries it is difficult to locate faded
inscribed numerical markers. In additional, that there be
an increased effort by the City Council to put burial records online so they
can be located, either on their own website or on Cork City and County Archives
website, and especially through the use of volunteers (Cllr Kieran McCarthy).
That Cork City
Council calls on An Post to create a maintenance plan for the older green
historic post boxes. These are historical artefacts which, literally, have
history inscribed on them, and which deserve to be preserved and
maintained. They are examples of craftsmanship and are part of our fine
national heritage and Cork’s fine street furniture (Cllr Kieran McCarthy).
1103a. Empress Place, Former Black and Tan Barracks 1921, Summerhill North, present day (picture: Kieran McCarthy).
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town Article,
Cork Independent, 10 June 2021
Journeys to a Truce: A Crown Interrogation
In mid-June 1921 Seán Healy, Captain of A Company, 1st
Battalion, Cork Brigade No.1, was elated at the prospect of bringing off a successful
ambush against crown forces. He had plans completed for a large ambush on a
patrol of Black and Tans whose daily beat brought them through Silversprings
Lane in Tivoli. About thirty fully armed Black and Tans passed through it every
evening. The Company considered this lane as an ideal place for an ambush. The
hills on both sides were heavily wooded, which would provide ample cover for the
men. A-Company company were only awaiting sanction from their Brigade Officer-in-Command.
However, events did go according to plan.
In his Bureau of Military History witness statement
(WS1479), Seán recalls that at 11am on the morning of 14 June, Seán was in the
Parcels Office at the Glanmire Station (now Kent Station) when two British
Intelligence officers, in mufti, entered and he was trapped and arrested. He
notes of his arrest: “I had no way of escape, being taken unawares. The railway
station had been surrounded by military and police. I was placed under arrest
and marched from the station to the nearby Black and Tan Barracks at Empress
Place, under a heavy escort. When climbing the long flight of stone steps
leading from the Lower Road to Empress Place, I felt that my race was run…It
was obvious that I was in for a rough time. Heavy fighting was taking place in
most parts of the country at that time. The enemy was being attacked on all sides.
The Dublin Custom House was burnt down a short time previously. The temper of
the Crown forces was very high”.
When Seán was taken into the police barracks he was
handed over to the Black and Tans by the military, as a temporary arrangement –
the British Intelligence Officer Lieutenant Dove remarking that he would call
back him back later. Seán was pushed into an office and the sergeant insitu
demanded his name and address. Seán gave him the required information and his
particulars were recorded. The sergeant then ordered two of his men to search Seán.
They removed his coat, vest and shoes.
Seán remarks of being interrogated: “We had strict orders
from G.H.Q. to remain silent during interrogations and to refuse to recognise
the enemy Courts. Next questions were: “Are you a member of the I.R.A.? Another
one of the Murder Gang? Where were you born? How old are you? What occupation
do you hold? Where does your father reside? Knowing that the military officers
were calling back for me again, I played for time and informed the interrogators
that I would not answer any questions until my solicitor was present”.
Seán
was then handcuffed and removed to a military lorry which was waiting outside
and was conveyed to Victoria Military Barracks. Before leaving Empress Place,
the military took possession of Seán’s belongings, which had been taken from him
by the police. The lorry halted outside the main gates of the military barracks
which were then opened by a sentry and Seán’s lorry was admitted. All alighted
from the lorry and an orderly wrote down the usual particulars.
Sean was then un-handcuffed and escorted to the
Intelligence Office: He remarks: “I was again searched and subjected to an
interrogation by three Intelligence officers. Your name? Your address? Your
occupation? Are you a Sinn Féiner? Did you take part in any of the attacks against
our forces? What do you know about Sinn Féin dispatches being sent on railway
trains? What business had you and three other Sinn Féiners outside the Cork
University at 9am on a certain morning? etc, etc”.
The Intelligence Officer had information that Seán was
prominent in Cork IRA Brigade No.1 and that he held the rank of an officer. It
now became quite clear to Seán that a spy had given information against him. He
again claimed privilege not to answer any questions until his solicitor Mr.
Healy, solicitor, South Mall was present.
Seán was abruptly told that this was a military inquiry and
under Martial Law they had a means of making him talk. The interrogation lasted
about half an hour. After leaving the Intelligence Office, Seán was taken to a prison
cell where he was kept in solitary confinement for three days and nights. The
weather was exceptionally warm so that bed clothes did not bother him. The only
ventilation in the cell was a small window, which was about ten feet from the
ground and strongly protected with iron bars. The only furniture in the cell
was the plank bed on which there was one army blanket.
A notice was crudely hand-printed on the wall over the
cell door – “All who enter here are doomed men”. This was evidently done for a
joke by some of the soldiers who were guarding the prison. Seán describes that
he slept very little on those nights; “I was expecting visits from the
Intelligence officers, who frequently took out their prisoners during the late
hours for further interrogations, but for some inexplicable reason they did not
interfere with me at night. The thought of the ordeals that confronted me did
not help to induce sleep. Realising that if any of the various charges which
could be brought against me were proved, torture, the firing squad, then the
release by death, would be my end, I prayed that I would be strong enough to
stand up to them all”.
To
be continued next week…
Captions:
1103a. Empress Place, Former Black and Tan
Barracks 1921, Summerhill North, present day (picture: Kieran McCarthy).
