Independent Cllr
Kieran McCarthy has asked that a historic archway belonging to one of Cork’s
oldest firms be removed from its hidden corner and get more public prominence
in the public realm to reflect its stature, history and design. The 1779
archway was once part of the entrance door to one of Cork’s oldest firms John Daly
& Co Mineral Water Manufacturers on Kyrl’s Quay.
Cllr McCarthy
noted: “The year 1779 was the foundation of their company. The archway may not
date to 1779 but may have been a later addition to the company’s premises
celebrating its earlier origins. In 1991-3 as part of the development of North
Main Street Shopping Centre the archway was placed at the back of an apartment
block built next to it. It now lys in the
public realm of Cork City Council.
“In 1915, John Daly and Co. were also the original creators of the well-known
Tanora brand. At that time, Temperance groups lobbied manufacturers of Lemonade
such as John Daly’s to produce another popular non-alcoholic drink. Tanora was
created through the importation of tangerine oranges”.
“Fifty years ago, Daly’s owned Kyrl’s Quay Bonded Warehouses and the
Victoria Hotel in Cork. Five decades ago Daly’s also bought the total issued
share capital of Coca Cola Bottling (Dublin). They had the Coca Cola franchise
for Munster which gave Daly’s extensive interests in the Irish market for soft drinks. However, it
was a Munster Coca Cola bottling company that eventually bought out the company”.
Cllr Kieran
McCarthy continued: “The archway is certainly a beautiful creation and deserves
a more visual presence in the public realm. It is a real shame to see bins and rubbish
piled high against it daily. It is in a very narrow and hidden corner, which
doesn’t do its elaborateness any justice.
In a report to Cllr McCarthy at the recent South Central Local Area Committee, the City Council’s Conservation Officer proposes to prepare a report for the next meeting which will examine the history and background to the siting of the doorcase in this location and make recommendations following an assessment of the implications of re-locating it, including the identification of suitable types of sites. Once Councillors have an opportunity to decide on the most appropriate action for the protection and enhancement of the doorcase, they will liaise with the relevant operational sections of the City Council to progress the matter.
1779 Archway insitu, mid twentieth century (picture: Cork City Library)
Cork Examiner Ad, 1915 announcing the launch of Tanora by John Daly & Co.
Independent Councillor Kieran McCarthy wishes to
remind the public on the public consultation, which remains open till 2
November for proposals by Cork City Council to continue restricting vehicular
access to The Marina. The proposal is to close the Marina to cars 24 hours per
day, 7 days per week, from its junction with the northern entrance of
Páirc Uí Chaoimh to its junction with Church Avenue.
Cllr McCarthy noted: “To open up public consultation on the pedestrianisation of The Marina is very welcome. Up to this year and for many years previously, the pedestrianisation process had been a goal of local councillors and many local residents, and in fairness to Roads officials and the Director of Operations they have responded to public calls”.
Cllr McCarthy continued: “During Covid-19 lockdowns, the
pedestrianisation of the road as a temporary measure was the life-saver for
many people who needed the outlet to walk and just take time-out during the 2km
and 5km restrictions. I have had much correspondence by locals and other
Corkonians calling for the continuance of the pedestrianisation beyond the
phase 1 temporary measures. Many have emphasised to me the importance of this historic
tree-lined avenue to public health and recreational use. However, I have also
received correspondence from those who wish to tweak some of the parts of the
pedestrianisation proposals. It is important that everyone gets their voice
heard on the future of the Marina”.
Submissions on the proposal may be
made via this online consultation portal, https://consult.corkcity.ie/. Alternatively, the documents will be made
available for inspection by appointment at Reception Desk, Cork City Council,
City Hall, Cork to Monday 2 November 2020 from 9am to 4.30pm. Please phone
021-4924000 in advance to arrange an appointment. Representations may be
also be made in writing to “Senior Executive Engineer, Traffic Operations, Room
339, City Hall, Cork”. The closing date for
receipt of submissions is on or before 5pm on Monday 2 November 2020.
Marina, Cork, October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy)
Beaumont Park, Cork, 25 October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy) Beaumont Park, Cork, 25 October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy) Beaumont Park, Cork, 25 October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy) Beaumont Park, Cork, 25 October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy)
Terence MacSwiney, 1920 )picture: Cork City Library)
This week, Cork remembers the centenary of martyred Lord Mayor Terence MacSwiney. A colossus in Cork history Terence has attracted many historians, enthusiasts and champions to tell his story. His story is peppered with several aspects – amongst those that shine out are his love of his family, city, country, social bonds, language, comradeship, and hope – all mixed with pure tragedy.
In many ways, the end of his 74 day hunger strike changed the future public and collective memory narrative of Cork history forever. Each generation since his death has marked his contribution, reflected on its history, and have made sure that his memory will not be forgotten about and that his legacy will live on.
In our time, never
before have ideas such as social bonds, family, comradeship and hope being so
important as we journey through our challenging COVID times. There is much to
learn from Cork 100 years ago and from some of the positive characteristics of
society that imbued such a time.
One aspect, which is
most welcome in 2020, is the continuous local history writing of new angles on
the lives and experiences of those involved with the Independence struggle. The
city is blessed with historians who spend each year retelling the story of the
war but who also go out into communities and local schools, refreshing the
stories amongst the older community and engaging the next generation.
Such latter scholars
are also pushing for more scholarship on the time. There is still much
work to be done in mining into Terence’s key works, his writings,
perceptions and learning from his legacy. His book Principles of
Freedom inspired many to rise up against British control in the
late 1920s and 1930s. He was also a playwright, poet, founder of the Cork
Dramatic Society with another of Cork’s famous literary sons Daniel
Corkery. Terence wrote five plays with themes around revolution, democracy and
freedom. Terence McSwiney was also a son, a husband, a father and a brother.
The journey his relatives had to go through during his hunger strike also need
to be explored more. The story of his sisters and their involvement in the
local Cumann na mBan with the Cork Cumann’s story being told more and more, and
this is most welcome.
Terence was also a proud Corkonian. His speech, when
elected Lord Mayor on 30 March 1920, made reference to Cork’s place as one of
Ireland’s first cities – indeed his call to work together for Cork’s
advancement is one, which transcends every Corkonian generation and ever more
important in the times we find ourselves in the at the moment; “Our spirit is but to be a more lively manifestation of the
spirit in which we began the year to work for the city in a new zeal…to bring
by our administration of the city glory to our allegiance, and by working for
our city’s advancement with constancy in all honourable ways in her new dignity
as one of the first cities of Ireland, to work for, and, if need be, to die
for”.
I have been blogging
about the centenary of the War of Independence in Cork in 1920 on my website at
www.corkheritage.ie, which contains links to my newspaper articles and
pictures. My work attempts to provide context to this pivotal year in Cork’s
history. My blog pieces also explores Cork in 1920 and how the cityscape
was rapidly becoming a war zone. Risky manoeuvres by the IRA created even
riskier manoeuvres as ultimately the IRA took the war to the RIC and Black and
Tans. Reading
through local newspapers each day for 1920 shows the boiling frustration between
all sides of the growing conflict. Tit-for-tat violence became common place.
Earlier this year I
released a new book Witness to Murder, The Inquest of Tomás MacCurtain with
John O’Mahony. The last time Tomás’s inquest in full was published was in
the Cork Examiner between 23 March 1920 and 18 April 1920.
Despite the ordeal and daily fallout from the interviews, over time the
fourteen hearing sessions have not overly been revisited by scholars of the
Irish War of Independence. The verdict has been highlighted on many occasions
by many historians, but the information of the inquest has never been overly
written about or the narratives within it explored.
What I have learned so
far through my journey trying to understand the War of Independence in Cork is
that the narrative is not black and white – it’s not a full on “them versus us”
narrative – but very nuanced with all those involved living in a
small city, where everyone knew each other – where harsh decisions on life and
death needed to be made.
The public
commemoration of the centenary of Terence MacSwiney may be lessened due to
COVID this year. But there is an onus on all those who have championed his
story to reflect this week on his sacrifice and also on the men and women, who
fought for Irish Independence one hundred years ago. Many put their lives on
the line and many were killed for what they believed in. Each one of their
stories is an important one. Terence and Tomás MacCurtain may be the duo who
annually receive much attention in our city but I have seen through my
engagement in local communities the many War of Independence medals in personal
collections, which are treasured, and the many stories still waiting to be
told. There is still much work to do to try to understand Cork and Ireland of
1920, which defined how Cork and indeed Ireland approaches its national history
narrative in the present day and going into the future.
The voices of those who
were on the frontline of the War of Independence must not be forgotten but
learned from – they all add up to the sense of pride amongst its public have
but also to the many complexities and nuances of the history of our southern
capital, and what makes it lovingly tick – with all its positives and ongoing
challenges.
Cllr Kieran McCarthy is a local historian and is an
Independent member of Cork City Council. His heritage website is
www.corkheritge.ie
Japanese Gardens, Ballinlough, 22 October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy) Japanese Gardens, Ballinlough, 22 October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy) Japanese Gardens, Ballinlough, 22 October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy) Japanese Gardens, Ballinlough, 22 October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy) Japanese Gardens, Ballinlough, 22 October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy) Japanese Gardens, Ballinlough, 22 October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy)
1071a. Terence, Muriel and Máire MacSwiney, c.1920 (source: Cork City Library).
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town Article,
Cork Independent, 22 October 2020
Remembering 1920: The Death of Terence MacSwiney
Monday 18 October 1920 coincided with day 67 of Terence
MacSwiney’s hunger strike in London’s Brixton Prison, and the continued
deterioration of his health. The diary of his sister Annie recalls that he was
conscious when she was with him from early that morning till lunchtime. Three
prison doctors Peddard, Griffith, Hijson visited him at 1pm. They were with him
some time, and when they left the room, they spoke to Terence’s wife Muriel. Dr
Griffith was adamant that he should take some food. Dr Peddard told her Terence
was developing scurvy and should take lime juice to ward it off. Muriel refused
to give permission as did other family members.
Over the ensuing days, Terence would waiver in and out of
consciousness and become delirious. Sometimes he tried to get out of bed.
Sometimes he struggled into sitting posture. In his emaciated condition
everything was difficult. Insistence by the doctors to take some food led to
further delirium of Terence and anger by his family members (brothers Peter and
Seán, and sisters Mary and Annie) who visited him and championed his hunger
strike position. Whatever was given was quickly vomited up as his condition
faded.Daily
British and Irish newspapers such as the Cork Examiner carried news of
his ordeal and pictures of family figures and friends of the Republican cause
coming and going from the gaol. There is tiredness and concern in their eyes.
Further afield public meetings were held as far away such as France and Germany
with other countries requesting his release.
At 5.40am on Monday 25 October 1920 or day 74 of Terence’s
hunger strike the advent of his expected death occurred. The immediate 48
hours, which followed, were recorded in detail by his sister Annie in her diary
account. It provides much detail into the emotion of being present, the grief,
the confusion but above all her and her siblings’ reaction to Westminster’s
Home Office and the policing authorities.
A short few hours after his death, Terence’s inquest was
fixed for 11am. Present were siblings as well as Fr Dominic, Florence McCarthy
(Town Clerk of Cork, William Hegarty (Lord Mayor’s secretary), and Donal J
Galvin (Cork City Solicitor). Terence’s wife Muriel was served with a notice by
the prison authorities to appear to identify the body, but the policing
authorities seemed rather anxious that she should not appear. Defiantly but
also traumatised she walked past the plethora of photographers at the prison
gate, appeared in a dark veil and answered in short sentences to the questions
before Coroner Dr G P Wyatt and the sworn in jury from the Brixton area. Muriel
became animated in her intervention when she described that Terence was a
soldier of the Irish Republican Army and that his occupation was to work for
his country. Sometime later, in his summing up to the jury the Coroner asked of
the jury three questions – did MacSwiney deliberately take his own life, did
refusing food unbalance his mind that he was not clearly thinking or was he
hoping that the hunger strike would lead to his release? The verdict of the
inquest read; “The deceased died from heart failure consequent upon his refusal
to take food”.
When the inquest was over, Mr James Heyman McDonnell, the
family solicitor, asked for the certificate that would give Terence’s body into
the family’s keeping. This was when further red tape were presented to the
family. The Coroner argued that he had no power to give release of the body for
burial outside England. Mr McDonnell asked for release to Southwark Cathedral,
but that, too, was refused. Eventually, it was decided that Muriel and Art
O’Brien should go to the Home Office and ask for an explanation. Art was the
envoy of Dáil Éireann in Britain (since 1919) and was also a leading figure in
organising campaigns for the release of Irish political prisoners held in
Britain and in orchestrating the publicity campaign surrounding the
hunger-strike of Terence.
At the home office Mr McDonnell was informed that a
government vessel would he placed at the family’s disposal, free of all
expense, and every facility offered if they went straight to Cork. Muriel was
quiet upset by this political call wishing for her husband to get a national
commemoration in Dublin. Going straight to Mr Edward Shortt, English Secretary
of State for Home Affairs, she made her case and asked for her husband’s body
without restrictions.
A short time late Mr Shortt sent a special message to
Muriel expressing his view and regret at any delay, and assuring her that he
merely wished to find out how he stood, and expressing the perspective that he
was not sure of his legal powers. He had attended the Home Office and got
clearance to have Terence’s body handed over to the family without
restrictions. Terence’s body was then taken from Brixton Prison to the historic
St George’s Southwark Cathedral in Bankside on London’s south of the Thames. At
that point thousands of people had come out to line the street as the funeral
carriage passed and more were present at the Cathedral. The coffin was
shouldered into the church by six members of Cork Corporation. A 21 member
delegation had travelled to London with members of the Cork Harbour Board to
accompany their mayor home. The coffin on its catafalque was ringed by the
Volunteers forming a sentry over their colleague for the night. On the coffin
was an Irish inscription, which was translated as “Murdered by the Foreigner in
Brixton Prison, London, England on October 25th 1920. The fourth
year of the Republic. Aged 40 years. God have mercy on his soul”.
Captions:
1071a. Terence,
Muriel and Máire MacSwiney, c.1920 (source: Cork City Library).
1071b. Terence’s
Coffin at Southwark Cathedral, London, 25 October 1920 (source: Cork City
Museum).
1071b. Terence’s Coffin at Southwark Cathedral, London, 25 October 1920 (source: Cork City Museum).
Douglas Road Councillor Kieran McCarthy has been blogging about the centenary of the War of Independence in Cork in 1920. His website at www.corkheritage.ie contains links to his newspaper articles and pictures. Kieran’s work attempts to provide context to this pivotal moment in Cork’s history. The centenary of Terence MacSwiney’s death after his 74-day is fast approaching on 25 October and Terence also once lived at Eldred Terrace on Douglas Road with his wife Muriel. Kieran notes: “Terence is truly a colossus in Cork history who has attracted many historians, enthusiasts and champions to tell his story. His story is peppered with several aspects – amongst those that shine out are his love of his family, city, country, language comradeship, and hope – all mixed with pure tragedy. In many ways, the end of his 74 day hunger strike changed the future public and collective memory narrative of Cork history forever”.
Continuing Kieran details: “The blog pieces also explore Cork in 1920 and how the cityscape was rapidly becoming a war zone. Risky manoeuvres by the IRA created even riskier manoeuvres as ultimately the IRA took the war to the RIC and Black and Tans. Reading through local newspapers each day for 1920 shows the boiling frustration between all sides of the growing conflict. Tit-for-tat violence became common place”.
Earlier this Kieran released a new book Witness to Murder, The Inquest of Tomás MacCurtain with John O’Mahony. The last time Tomás’s inquest in full was published was in the Cork Examiner between 23 March 1920 and 18 April 1920. Despite the ordeal and daily fallout from the interviews, over time the fourteen hearing sessions have not overly been revisited by scholars of the Irish War of Independence. The verdict has been highlighted on many occasions by many historians, but the information of the inquest has never been overly written about or the narratives within it explored.
