Following in the footsteps of local heroes

Easter Monday commemorations in Kilmeena and Newport

Anton McNulty

Over 100 people followed in the footsteps of Michael Kilroy and the west Mayo Flying Column as they escaped capture in the hills above Newport following the famous Kilmeena ambush.
The Kilmeena ambush was an action during the Irish War of Independence at Kilmeena on May 19, 1921 and in escaping from the pursuing British forces, the local IRA brigade sought shelter in the hills above Skirdagh on the Glenhest Road in Newport.
On Easter Monday, the walkers gathered in Newport to take part in a trek to follow in the footsteps of the IRA volunteers nearly 100 years ago.
The day started in upper Skirdagh where Niamh Chambers read the proclamation followed by Billy Chambers account of the west Mayo flying column. Newport man, Michael Kilroy had taken over command of the Brigade after Tom Derrig was arrested by the British, and he formed a relatively large ‘flying column’ of 40 to 50 men to carry out attacks on British forces in the area.
The flying column suffered casualties during the Kilmeena ambush and the suffering members had to flee over the mountains.
The walkers then travelled to the now ruins of safe houses where Michael Kilroy’s men rested after the Kilmeena ambush. Here Patrick Carey gave an account of the people who once lived there and the men they looked after.

Skirdagh battle
From there they moved on to the area where the Skirdagh battle started and again Patrick told how Michael Kilroy, when seeing the enemy, fired a warning shot to alert his column to battle. Here the large crowd present got a feel of the heat of battle before heading down to the spot where Volunteer Jin Browne was shot and would later die from his wound.
A few prayers were said for all the fallen rebels who died for Ireland’s freedom and two boutique of lilies were laid beside Jim Browne’s memorial. From there the group was on to the old Glenlara road to Chambers’s old house where Michael Kilroy and his men were fed before heading to the hills.
At Chambers’s old house they were treated to homemade bread and milk like Kilroy had all those years ago before retreating up the hill over Glenlara.
After leaving the great hospitality of the ladies of the house they headed up Glenlara, where Michael Chambers gave an account of the route the other members of the column took as Kilroy and his officers held back the Black and Tans so they could escape. He also told of the importance of the safe houses and the role of the non-column members who supported them in their fight for freedom. He then recited a poem called Forgotten Hero’s that he wrote in their honour.
It was then down to Letterkeen for homemade boxty and tea where Mickey O’Donnell then gave an account of his grandfather’s days in the war.
Taxis came to bring the group all back to Brannan’s in Newport and for tasty Irish stew and to a great night of Irish music, dance, poetry, song and fun galore as we relived what was truly an amazing day
The organisers would like to thank everyone who came out to remember their heroes and all who made this day possible from the guides, tea ladies, taxis and those who helped make the bread and jam and the boxy and the sound effects team.