Annals of Holy Cross Convent of Mercy Kilrush, Co Clare 1920 – 1921
The Decade of Centenaries 2012 – 2023 is nearing completion. This is a state initiative to commemorate and promote a deeper understanding of the significant events that took place during 1912 – 1923. Important events that have been commemorated include the Centenary of the Ulster Covenant, the foundation of the Irish Volunteers, the Home Rule and Land Bills, the 1913 Lockout, the 1916 Rising, World War 1, the Suffrage Movement, the First Sitting of the Dáil, and the Struggle for Independence. The focus for 2021 – 2023 lies with the Civil War, the Foundation of the State and Partition.
Architects Drawing of Kilrush Convent
A specific key objective of the Decade of Centenaries initiative is to recognise that the shared historical experience of those years gave rise to very different narratives and memories.
The Decade of Centenaries also provides an opportunity to identify and develop access to relevant historical records and primary sources.
The bulk of archival material relating to this period is held by the state, by military and civil authorities and by those organisations and individuals who were active participants in the events of that tumultuous time.
The Sisters of Mercy Archives are largely silent on this period, but there are occasional glimpses of an evolving Ireland in the annals and records of some convents.
The annals of the Convent of Mercy, Kilrush, Co Clare from July 1920 to July 1921 during the War of Independence provide more information than most. From July through December 1920 the annalist records brief notes on the deteriorating situation at local and national level. Reprisals and the fear of reprisals are a constant thread.
The entries from January through July 1921 are more particular to Kilrush and its people. The annalist provides more detail as events affect the town, the convent and people known to the Sisters. The war comes closer in March 2021 with the murder of Thomas Shannon of Moyasta, a magistrate in the Sinn Fein courts in West Clare, and younger brother to one of the Kilrush convent community, Sr Mary Bernard Shannon (1870 – 1933).
A month later on 22nd April, 1921, gunfire hit the convent during a co-ordinated attack on British Army, Marine and Royal Irish Constabulary positions. An RIC Sergeant died and houses burned in reprisal.
The annals do not record any further violence in Kilrush in May and June. On 5th July the military visit to investigate noise of digging in the convent grounds that turn out to be jackdaws on the convent roof.
The annalist’s war-related entries for July 1920 – July 1921 end with the signing of the Treaty on 11th July.
Extracts from the Annals of Kilrush Convent of Mercy July 1920 – July 1921
Kilrush Annals
1920
July 21 Great number of military located in tents on Fair Green, country very disturbed.
Sep 22 Country very disturbed. Military in great numbers. Auxiliary Police “Black and Tans”! Miltown Malbay partially burnt.
Sep 29 Mallow subjected to reprisals, great loss of property.
Oct
7 Kilrush and Kilkee threatened with reprisals.
8 Country very disturbed. Terrible reprisals, Miltown Malbay, Ennistymon, Lahinch and the neighbouring districts.
25 Old time resumed DG. Weather very fine. Lord Mayor of Cork died RIP.
Nov
2 Kevin Barry hanged !!!!
7 Ireland in a deplorable condition, ambushes, reprisals etc .
14 Father Griffin CC Galway, missing, called away by men to attend a sick call at midnight.
20 Poor Father Griffin’s body found in a bog hole. He was foully murdered, decoyed to his doom by unknown persons, without honour; he was a popular priest, loved by everyone. May God pardon his murderers and may his dear soul rest in peace.
27 Country in a distracted state. Reprisals on both sides. May God direct all accountable and see our dear land done justice.
Dec 28 Triduum opened. No priests.
It was considered more prudent not to bring a Father or to have midnight Mass, the streets being under control of the Auxiliary Police and military.
1921
Jan 7 Military visited Father Moloney’s room at presbytery. Examined all minutely. All done in silence. Took away his Irish manuscripts.
Mar 10 Mr Jack O’Dwyer, The Square, arrested, political offences, attending Co Council meeting.
Mar 14 Heard Tom Shannon was shot last night RIP. He was Sinn Fein Magistrate, a most inoffensive man. Canon Glynn, PP Kilkee, said the best man in his parish. Sister Bernard’s brother. Great sympathy for her and his family.
April 1921
22 At 12 new time town was raided, firing continued until 3am. Bullet penetrated our hall door and passed through wall opposite into corridor, a second through one of the windows in reception room, penetrated wall opposite, did not pass through, a third was found in St Xavier’s School. Sergeant McFadden RIC shot dead in Henry Street. Sisters all very alarmed not knowing what might happen. The convent was in the range of fire, military at workhouse, Black and Tans with RIC, Toler Street, Marines at Cappagh. Raiders supposed to be between 40 and 50 men kept all them at bay. Any amount of bullets found in fields adjoining convent, God protected the convent in His great mercy, may He be forever blessed.
23 All business stopped, no market, people sent home. Strains on every one. Several families in Henry Street expecting reprisals went out to the country.
24 Reprisals expected, everyone in suspense.
25 Removal of Sergeant McFadden. Father Enright came to convent in the evening to say no reprisals in town DG owing to our good Dean, Very Rev Canon McInerney.
26 Two houses burned, Mrs Haugh, Monmore, Leddy’s, Coonclare.
28 Market House burned, walls alone left standing.
July
5 Major Hall called said his men heard noise of digging etc in our grounds. Rev Mother brought him all round, no sign of “rifles or ammunition being hid”. He was very courteous. It turned out to be “Jack-Daws” on roof of convent at early dawn!!!
11 Truce signed, sweet peace DG.
Marianne Cosgrave
Congregational Archivist
