50 Years Ago

EASTER 1950: REPUBLICAN OBJECTIVES CLARIFIED

Easter Sunday 1950 was on April 9. As usual many Easter commemoration ceremonies were held throughout Ireland and abroad.

The Easter Statement from the Army Council of Óglaigh na hÉireann was read at every event under Republican auspices.

It began by stating that now it was clear to all thinking people that no "passing of bills in the 26-County parliament" or mere declaration of a Republic was going to achieve the goal of a free and united Ireland.

It went on: "the primary objective of the Irish Republican Army is a successful military campaign against the British Army of Occupation in Ireland.

"In furtherance of this policy and in order that no excuse may be provided for using coercion, and to define quite clearly the fact that the Irish Republican Army has only one enemy, England, no sanction will be given for any type of aggressive military action in the 26-County area."

It was for the ordinary people of Ireland to ensure that those who were pledged to attain freedom by force of arms were not molested by the politicians "who are bankrupt of everything except promises".

All the political parties in the 26 Counties had declared that under no circumstances would they resort to arms to free their country. Everything had been tried, they said. If that were so then everything had failed.

One way had not been tried and "the Irish Republican Army now calls on the people to rally behind them so that they can train, arm and equip the young men of Ireland to strike the final decisive blow".

Then came the policy; there was a place for everyone in the struggle. "For the young men there is the Irish Republican Army; for the boys there is the Fianna Éireann; for the women and girls Cumann na mBan and for all people, old and young, who are willing to work to achieve the ideal of a free Ireland, there is the historic Sinn Féin movement."

In the struggle there could be only one question: "For whom do you stand, Ireland or England?" If you stood for Ireland your place was with those pledged to fight for Ireland.

The statement concluded: "When the whole people of Ireland want and are determined to get freedom -- then, and only then, will freedom be achieved."

Tomás Mac Curtáin spoke at the 1916 Plot in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin. He quoted from the Army Statement and said that no one should be under the impression that a successful military campaign against the British army in our country is meant to include certain criminally irresponsible acts by private individuals.

"The ideal of the Irish Republican Army is now as always an Ireland free, Gaelic and united, with social justice and religious freedom and we state unequivocally that we mean to achieve that object by force of arms."

Significantly, he emphasised the need for public support: "When the whole people of Ireland are again behind the Army as the stiffening force, when all the young men are banded together, drilled and armed -- then the Irish Republican Army will strike and strike home."

In Tralee, Tomás Ó Dubhghaill, newly-appointed Ard-Rúnaí of Sinn Féin, was the speaker. Uniformed Fianna Éireann, IRA units and members of the general public marched from Denny Street to the Republican Plot at Rath.

Tomás Ó Dubhghaill said that the Republican Movement must be rebuild into the strong, virile organisation it was in 1919-21. The civil or political arm and the military arm must both be rebuilt. "For the political wing we put forward the following points as our programmes for National Unity and Independence:

"(1) To convene the elected representatives of all Ireland as the National Assembly of the independent Irish Republic;

"(2) to proceed to legislate for all Ireland;

"(3) to use every means in our power to overcome opposition to the re-established Republic;

"(4) to repudiate all treaties, pacts and laws that in any way curtail the nation's freedom.

"To this end we need the support of every man and woman, every boy and girl, for there is work for all in the ranks of our movement," he concluded.

In Dundalk and Drogheda, Seán Ó Néill of Cahersiveen gave the oration. He spoke of the Bombing Campaign in England by the IRA in 1939-40 and how the resources of the Dublin administration were used unscrupulously to turn the people against the Irish Republican Army and to justify the coercion which came afterwards.

"I have no wish to labour the tragedies and mistakes of the past. If I mention them at all, it is that we may profit by them and realise that Ireland has only one enemy -- England -- and that until she takes herself, bag and baggage from our soil, there can be no peace, between us."

In Nenagh the parade marched to St Mary's Church where High Mass was celebrated "for the repose of the souls of all those who died for Ireland". The Roscrea Piper's Band and the Portroe Fife and Drum Band took part.

After Mass the parade reformed and marched back to the Memorial in Banba Square. Seán Morrissey, Rossmult, Upperchurch recited a decade of the Rosary as Ghaeilge, the 1916 Proclamation was read by Sean Kennedy, Nenagh and the Army Statement by Daniel Gleeson, Ballymackey. Frank Gray, Roscrea, presided.

Mícheál Ó Conbhuidhe (Micksie Conway) in his address spoke first in Irish and later in English. The grand solidarity of 1916 to 1921 was broken by the wiles of English politicians who knew only too well the value of the old Roman slogan: "Divide and conquer", he said.

Yet the lessons of history are not always lost. One small band which included survivors of 1916, of the ‘Tan War and the later defence of the Republic was by January 1939 operating in England in the very heart of their Empire under the able leadership of General Seán Russell.

In Cork city the Volunteer Pipe Bane led the parade to the Republican Plot in St Finbarr's Cemetery where Séamus O'Regan delivered the oration.

Leitrim and Longford combined commemorations at Cloonmorris Cemetery in Barnacoola where the two counties meet. Hubert Wilson, Longford presided and read the Proclamation of the All-Ireland Republic. John Joe McGirl, Ballinamore read the Army Statement.

Críostóir Ó Néill, Dublin in his oration expressed pleasure in linking the memory of a modern soldier of the Republic (Staff-Captain JJ Reynolds killed on active service in 1938) with the men of 1916.

All should join Sinn Féin, the civil arm of the Republican Movement. The Irish Republican Army was girding itself for the final -- and successful -- onslaught on the bastions of British Imperialism in Ireland.

Three bands took part in a parade of 600-700 people from Johnston's Bridge.

At Drumboe, Stranorlar, Co Donegal more than 600 people attended. The Garvagh Pipe Band led the parade. Séamus de Faoite presided at the ceremony and read the Co Donegal Roll of Honour.

The Rosary in Irish was said by S O'Lennon. Joe Nolan of Dublin, a former Curragh internee, gave the oration.

In Clare, a Celtic cross was unveiled over the graves of Staff Captain Jack Hourigan in Drumcliffe Cemetery, Ennis. Joseph McMahon, NT recited a decade of the Rosary in Irish.

Members of the IRA formed a Guard of Honour and a bugler sounded the Last Post. Martin Whyte, Lisdoonvarna read the 1916 Proclamation and the Army Statement.

Caoimhghin Mac Cathmhaoil, lawyer, Swinford, Co Mayo addressed the gathering. "In every county in Ireland at an appointed Republic Plot a ceremony similar to this is taking place," he said.

"Pádraic Pearse taught us that as long as Ireland holds the graves of the Fenian dead, Ireland unfree shall never be at peace."

A commemoration céili at Ballymacnab, Co Armagh was hugely successful. Tony Magan of Dublin spoke to the very large attendance and said that ever since the English invader first set foot in Ireland many had dared all and sacrificed all in resistance.

Armagh city, Keady, Madden, Darkley and Tassagh were represented. Frank McGeough was fear-a-tighe and the Kevin Barry Céilí Band, Cullyhanna provided the music.

The Belfast commemoration at the Republican Plot in Milltown Cemetery was largely attended. Joe McGurk gave the oration.

Ruairí Ó Drisceoil, Cork, spoke in Offaly and Gearóid Ó Broin, Dublin at Carlow. Aoghagán MacCormack addressed the Cavan commemoration.

The Laois commemoration at Mountmellick heard Seán Kearney of Dublin give the oration. Pádraig Mac Lógáin read the Army Statement, the Proclamation and the County Roll of Honour.

But the most impressive parade of all was in Newry. Here four thousand people took part in the annual parade while thousands more lined the streets. Heading the marchers was a Colour Party bearing the Irish Tricolour flanked by the Irish Citizen Army flag and that of the Fianna.

Bands taking part were the Thomas Davis Memorial Pipe Band, Newry; St Catherine's Silver and Reed Band, Newry and Camloch Brass and Reed Band.

Outside areas such as Kilkeel, Warrenpoint, Rostrevor, Hilltown, Camloch, Rathfriland, Bessbrook, Meigh and Glenn were strongly represented by contingents.

Even uniformed members of the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland of the 6th (Newry) and 7th (Warrenpoint) South Down Troops marched behind their own flag.

Forming up outside the Cathedral after Mass "for all those who died for Ireland in every generation", the parade went via Hill Street, John Mitchell Place, Kilmorey Street, Quay Street and Chapel Street to St Mary's Cemetery.

There at the Mission Cross, Seán McArdle, Newry recited deichniúr den Choróin Mhuire and read the 1916 Proclamation.

A wreath of Easter Lilies was laid by Jack Shields, Bessbrook, whose father died in combat locally. All flags were dipped over the graves as the Last Post was sounded by Jack McGivern, Newry.

Gearóid Mac Carthaigh, Corcaigh spoke in Irish and continued in English. It would be a mockery, he said, to leave that spot saying "we have done our duty, we have honoured the dead".

"Let each of us say instead, ‘I shall go from this spot and I will never rest until I complete the task which these men served."

These reports from Ulster, Munster, Leinster and Connacht give a flavour of the time. They are taken from the May 1950 edition of An t-Éireannach Aontaithe / The United Irishman.

The level of the turn-out indicates the measure of national feeling that Easter, 50 years ago. Frustration was beginning to set in with the lack of momentum on the part of the constitutional politicians on the national question.

People were giving an ear to the Republicans whom they knew to be sincere. The Republican message was heard loud and clear but, apart from local papers, media coverage was scant.

Often the daily papers would report just that "appeals were made to young men to join an illegal organisation". Local papers were straightforward where they did give space.

Later, Fianna Fáil deputies would ask questions in Leinster House about what the Minister for Justice (General Seán Mac Eoin and later Dan Morrisey, also of Fine Gael would do about such appeals. The reply would disapprove of the speeches but no action was taken. But the Special Branch, north and south, was present at all events and noted the main participants.

And what of the large attendances at these ceremonies? All were nationally-minded people, of course: relations of the dead; in all areas of the 26 Counties some Clann na Poblachta members and supporters; in some areas the same could be said of the Labour Party; the faithful Republicans and a new generation of young people.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael members generally kept well away. In the Six Counties nationalists across the spectrum attended, apart usually from Anti-Partition members of Stormont and local councillors.

Regardless of who was present the Republican message was conveyed in unmistakable terms as can be seen from the reports quoted here.

It must be added that while the texts of orations were carried in local papers the Army Statement was seldom, if any, quoted.

In general Easter 1950 saw the Republican Movement extending its influence into new areas of the country which had not yet been reorganised.

It did so with a growing confidence that what it had been saying all along was being seen to be factual; that its analysis was right and that its means were deserving of support.

As to the content, the Army Statement and Tomás Mac Curtáin's address at Glasnevin made the vital points: a successful military campaign against British occupation was the primary aim of the IRA; as a corollary to that there would be no aggressive military action in the 26 Counties.

On the political side, Tomás Ó Dughghaill's exposition of the four cardinal points of the Sinn Féin National Unity and Independence Programme at Tralee was crucial: reconvene the All-Ireland Dáil and proceed to govern the 32 Counties, using every means to overcome opposition.

The stage was being set and the youth were being called on to participate.

(More next month. Refs. An tÉireannach Aontaithe/The United Irishman May 1950.)
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