Ballyglass IRA remembered in new book

THE role Ballyglass played in the struggle for Irish freedom has been remembered in a new book that has been hailed as ‘a remarkable piece of work’.

 ‘The Troubled Times: In Ballyglass (Claremorris) during Ireland’s War of Independence’, contains detailed information about the operations of the IRA in Ballyglass during the War of Independence and Civil War.

In the book, extensive first-hand testimonies from eight members of the Ballyglass IRA Company, were lauded by local county councillors Cyril Burke (Fine Gael) and Al McDonnell (Fianna Fáil) at its launch in Castlebar library.

Sean Nestor, who co-authored the book alongside Joe Nestor, cited Dr John Langan as the inspiration for the book.

Dr Langan, a former solider who worked as a GP in the local area, was central to the formation of an Old IRA Commemorative Committee around 1967.

The committee organised various reunions for veterans of the conflict – which later became known as ‘Dr Langan’s Do’ – that were attended by hundreds at the peak of their popularity.

During this time, the committee undertook to record the testimonies of several surviving members of the Ballyglass IRA Company on an old Elizabethan Poplar reel-to-reel tape recorder.

Sean Nestor paid tribute to Carmel Varley-Monaghan, who used a typewriter to transcribe the interviews with eight former Volunteers; Lieutenant Michael Staunton, Volunteer Patrick Quinn, Volunteer Jim Scahill, Volunteer Patrick Varley, Captain Patrick Keaveney, Lieutenant Michael Scahill and Quartermaster Malachy Casey.

Spanning 97 pages, the book also features writings from Dr Langan himself, which originally appeared in the Connaught Telegraph, documenting his boyhood recollections of the war years.

The booklet contains many fascinating insights and anecdotes into the war years in the Ballyglass area.

These details including the planning and execution of successful ambushes at Partry and Tourmakeady.

Dr Langan also recalls attending public address by Michael Collins in The Mall in Castlebar in 1922, a gathering so foul-tempered that Collins could barely be heard above the jeering and cat-calling.

The also book documents an ambush planned for Carnacon which never took place after an anticipated convoy never passed.

“I have no doubt that very many of you have connections with the people who were involved,” Sean Nestor told those gathered at the launch of the booklet.

_{Cllr Cyril Burke and Cathaoirleach of Castlebar MD, Cllr Al McDonnell, who both launched The Troubled Times, pictured  with Carmel Monaghan, Rita Nestor(Representing Editor Joe Nestor), Sean Nestor(Editor), and Jim O'Connor (Local Studies Librarian). Pic:Trish Forde.}

The Ballyglass Company was comprised of three sections; Ballyglass, Carnacon and Clogher.

At one point during the War of Independence, The Volunteers held control of Moorehall – the boyhood home of Colonel Maurice Moore, a former British Army officer who became a leading figure in the Volunteer movement.

Moorehall was subsequently burned down during the Civil War by men believed to be Anti-Treaty irregulars. Their exact identity has never been confirmed.

Former members of the Ballyglass IRA later erected a commemorative cairn at Maggie Ruane’s cottage, the founding location of the original Ballyglass Sinn Féin Club.

They also erected a similar monument in honour of the Moore family at Kiltoom beside Moorehall in 1964.

Describing the book as ‘a remarkable piece of work’, Cllr Al McDonnell noted that many of the descendants of people mentioned in the book were present at the launch.

“We owe them, those great men, a debt of gratitude, because without them we wouldn’t be where we are,” said the Moorehall-based representative.

Cllr McDonnell also acknowledged that many of the people mentioned took opposing sides during the Civil War after fighting side-by-side during the War of Independence.

“There were great men on both sides and there was no greater republican, no more ruthless soldier than Michael Collins, absolutely ruthless,” said Cllr McDonnell

“The Civil War was the greatest tragedy in Irish history, there is no question about that.”

The book is dedicated to the memory of PJ Murphy, who was described by Cllr Cyril Burke as ‘a great community man’.

‘The Troubled Times: In Ballyglass (Claremorris) during Ireland’s War of Independence’ is available now in various local outlets.