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KILBRITTAIN’S BELOVED BRIGADIER: CHARLIE HURLEY (1893-1921) PART 1 OF 3
KILBRITTAIN’S BELOVED BRIGADIER: CHARLIE HURLEY
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PART 1 OF 3
By Denis O’Brien
but none of you will be with me”.
These prophetic words of Brigadier Commandant Charles Hurley, Brigade, came true on the 19th March 1921. Outside of Cork his name today is virtually unknown. Yet there are few soldiers of the War of Independence who have a stronger claim to remembrance or
Fig. 1 – Portrait of Charles Hurley, Baurleigh (Photo courtesy of Michael Coleman, grand-nephew).
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KILBRITTAIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY Volunteer Organiser of the Cork Third (West Cork) Brigade, was born in 1893 in Baurleigh, Kilbrittain. Parish birth records from the time show that he was born on the 21st March 1893 and baptised by then Curate of Kilbrittain, Timothy McCarthy C.C., on the 22nd March 1893. Son of John Hurley, a farmer and Mary Hurley nee Fleming from Barryroe, his godparents were John McCarthy and Ellen Buckley.1 The tradition of the time was to have the child christened the day following the birth as infant mortality was usually high. However the birth record from the Birth Registrar in the District of Kilbrittain, Co. Cork showed Charlie’s date of birth as the 29th March 1893. The birth record was registered on the 4th May 1893.2 The question could be asked: did Timothy McCarthy C.C., enter the incorrect date on the baptism record or brothers, James and William, and four sisters, Catherine ‘Katie’ (eldest), Mary, Ellie ‘Nellie’ and Margaret ‘Maggie’ (youngest).3 He came from that farming stock which has given Ireland so many of its great men.
By coincidence, also raised in Baurleigh at the time, was Charlie Hurley’s neighbour, friend and second cousin, Diarmuid 'Gaffer' O'Hurley (often called ‘Hurley’), who would become Midleton Company Commander and O.C. Cork No. 1 Brigade I.R.A. during the War of Independence.
EARLY YEARS
Charlie Hurley was educated at Baurleigh National School. In his early teenage years, Charlie had an interest in local Gaelic games and was a noted hurler for his local club, Kilbrittain. In 1910, Charlie lined out at right Shanballymore at the Cork Athletic Grounds.4
After leaving national school he worked in a store in Bandon. While employed there he studied for, sat and passed the Boy Clerks’ Civil Service Examination and was appointed to a post at Haulbowline Dockyard, Queenstown (now Cobh), Co. Cork. He served at Haulbowline from 1911 to 1915, when he was ordered to transfer to a Liverpool depot for promotion.5 He refused to accept the transfer as it entailed conscription in the British
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KILBRITTAIN’S BELOVED BRIGADIER: CHARLIE HURLEY years old, that he joined the Irish Volunteers. He was already in the national tradition, for he was a hurler and a lover of Irish customs and the Irish language.6 He resigned from his job in Haulbowline and returned to his native West Cork to organise the Irish Volunteers.7
Fig. 2 – An American warship moored in Haulbowline in 1918.8
The following letter was sent by Charlie Hurley to Seamus Fitzgerald, fellow volunteer and later Fianna Fail T.D. and industrialist, then residing at 3 East Beach, Cobh on 1st August 1916:
1. Kilbrittain Parish Birth Records.
2. 278 (Registered by Superintendent James Shorten, Registrar, District of Bandon, 4th May 1893) source, John Desmond. 3. 1901 Census, Hurley family, Baurleigh, accessed from www.census.nationalarchives.ie 4. 5. Southern Star 17 August 1963, p.7 – accessed from www.irishnewsarchive.com 6. Southern Star 24 March 1951, p.4 – accessed from www.irishnewsarchive.com 7. Southern Star 25 March 1961, p.12 – accessed from www.irishnewsarchive.com 8. Photo sourced from Ireland’s Naval Base & Navy booklet.
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KILBRITTAIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Dear Jim, Having learned from various sources that you are once again approachable and breathing the free air which many a patriot is denied, I write you that you may share your joy with an old friend with whom you once shared the labour which the good old cause demanded of you. There is no need to dwell, I’m sure, on how proud I feel when my old chums in Cove [Cobh] were pronounced “disloyal”, a good old word which means loyal to Ireland – and also there is no need to congratulate you on being crowned with the “Felon’s Cap” because I know as regards this you feel as only having done your duty, for which no congratulations are necessary. Speaking to Pat O’Dwyer, one of your fellow-prisoners, on the day following his arrival in Bandon, he told me you and Mick Leahy were term and I hope he will pass from the “hand so vile who dare not hold hearts so brave”. I need not refer now to the sudden shattering of our most cherished hopes, to that glorious, though bloody chapter recently added to our fair island’s story. Let us never forget the men who died and pray that their equals in other times may be blessed with better results attending their efforts. Prior to the outbreak, Jim, I was sorry I was compelled to knock off our correspondence with you through illness, am yet pretty bad and have would never rise. But I am well again thank God and never in my life so anxious to be up and doing. I would dearly like to see you all in Cove now and perhaps in the near future I will turn my steps to that dear place. I would have written sooner but have been enjoying solitude on the seashore for the last six weeks. I wrote to Maurice Mac some time ago, but as I never got an answer I take it he never received the letter. This is not at all unlikely as the matter it contained was deemed seditious by the Prison Authorities, I’m sure. I trust you and the boys in Cove are well and would you please remember me to any with whom you may come in contact – more especially your fellow comrade, Mick Leahy. I shall anxiously look forward to a letter from you and believe me still a member of the Cove Special Scouting Section.
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KILBRITTAIN’S BELOVED BRIGADIER: CHARLIE HURLEY
I remain,
Yours sincerely, (Signed) C. Hurley 9 After recovering from the long illness described in the preceding letter, Charlie Hurley went to work at McSwiney’s corn merchants in Bandon, where he befriended Liam Deasy. There he became associated with Sinn Fein and the Gaelic League. Liam Deasy would later recall that “as an enthusiastic young Gael he was prominent in hurling. He was an ardent member of the Gaelic League and a popular member in the dramatic class.”10
CASTLETOWNBERE AND THE BEARA PENINSULA
In early autumn of 1917, Charlie Hurley left Bandon to work in Castletownbere. He was employed as a managing clerk for Denis F. McCarthy, who was also a Naval contractor. Also working at McCarthy’s General Supply/Naval Stores were the sisters Maggie and Nora O’Neill from nearby Church Gate. They 11 During the years between 1917 and 1918 the harbour at Berehaven was full American, were anchored there on and off for fresh stores and water.
Charlie Hurley was in receipt of a wage of £3 per week. Of this sum he contributed £1 per week to the support of his father.12 Had he remained in civilian life, Charlie Hurley may have developed into a prosperous merchant but instead chose to become involved in organising and training the local branch of Volunteers, the Castletown Company IV which had only just started. In the more responsible clerk jobs he was a success, but they were no longer his main work. That was soldiering. He practised sections and platoons and soon, as was inevitable to one with such energy, imagination esteem in which he was held in the town was found in his immediate
9. Southern Star 29 May 1971, p.4 – accessed from www.irishnewsarchive.com 10. Southern Star 24 August 1963, p.4 – accessed from www.irishnewsarchive.com 11. Charlie Hurley Visit to the Beara Peninsula, Southern Star 05 June 1971, p.4 – accessed from www.irishnewsarchive.com
12. PDF_Pensions/R5/1D189%20Charles%20Hurley/1D189%20%20Charles%20Hurley.pdf
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KILBRITTAIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY brother of Maggie and Nora, was elected Second Captain and John Cronin was elected Third Captain. Charlie Hurley would rapidly rise (in days when command.13
A SURPRISE NATIONAL PARADE
hold a parade on St. Patricks Day, 17th March 1918. They marched from Company and also the Beara Battalion Engineer recalled:
“It was decided to carry out a St. Patricks Day Parade as a diversion and
The column of men on the parade carried hurleys and ash plants, pick handles, etc. It was a properly disciplined march and there were several military orders given. The townspeople were nervous as they didn’t know what was on.”14 It was arranged that Charlie Hurley would meet the Eyeries men (about one hundred volunteers led by John Driscoll, O.C. Eyries) there with his Company, men of the Eyeries Company would unobtrusively drop out of the ranks on the way to the assembly, slip back to the village, and approach as closely as possible to the R.I.C. barracks without being seen. There they would lie in wait till the door of the barracks was opened, and then rush it. The later of Crossbarry fame) who held up the barrack orderly (Constable 15 The against an R.I.C. Barracks after the 1916 Rising.
13. Southern Star 24 March 1951, p.4 – accessed from www.irishnewsarchive.com 14. irishnewsarchive.com 15. Deasy, Liam, ‘Towards Ireland Free’, Mercier Press (1973, Rept. Cork, 2015) p.29. 16. 17. Bureau of Military History – Witness Statement No. 1567. James McCarthy, Lieut. IRA, Cork 1921.
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KILBRITTAIN’S BELOVED BRIGADIER: CHARLIE HURLEY
Fig.3 – Le : Eyeries R.I.C. Barracks, (blue building) and right: Christy O’Connell, Eyeries (Photo courtesy of Diarmuid Begley).
No arrests were ever made in connection with this raid. On the night following the raid on the barrack, Constable Cahill met Peter Neill one of the raiders in a public house in the village. He referred to the raid saying that he had been in Drimoleague when a bomb had been thrown into the were dismissed from the R.I.C. following the raid.17
Fig.4 – Some 1918 newspaper accounts of the Eyeries RIC Barrack raid. 18/19
The R.I.C. were very active following the parade and the raid at Eyeries. James O’Sullivan, member of Castletownbere Company, recalled the situation:
“Our Company O.C. (Con Lowney) was arrested. I think that he was charged with illegal drilling. He was brought before the Petty Sessions
Court. He recognised the court and, for so doing, was removed from the post of Company O.C. by the Battalion O.C. (Charlie Hurley). It was an
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KILBRITTAIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY order at this time that Volunteers, if arrested and charged in connection with their activities, should refuse to recognise the authority of the enemy 20 About this time the R.I.C. raided for John Driscoll and Charlie Hurley in connection with the parade in Castletownbere on St. Patrick's Day. It was proposed to arrest them on a charge of illegal drilling. They were not at home when the raids took place and both now went “on the run". Charlie Hurley, who was now Battalion O.C, spent most of his time in the Eyeries district at this period.21
RAIDERS OF THE FLYING FOX
Engineer recalled: “Charlie Hurley was determined that we should raid the Naval Stores and also raid the ‘Flying Fox’, a British Naval patrol boat.22 A few weeks after the raid on Eyeries Barracks, Charlie Hurley, Captain of the Castletownbere Company, assisted by Billy O’Neill, carried out a daring raid on the British patrol boat, HMS Flying Fox, which was stationed at Castletownbere Pier. Armed with revolvers, the two Volunteers boarded the However, some of the crew of the HMS Flying Fox were local men whose and the Volunteers reluctantly agreed to do so.23 The courage of the duo’s raid was all the more remarkable as there were two hundred or more crew on board.24 The raid was successful with the arms and ammunition secured
18. Skibbereen Eagle, 18 May 1918, p.3 – accessed from www.irishnewsarchive.com 19. Irish Examiner, 16 May 1918, p.2 – accessed from www.irishnewsarchive.com 20. Bureau of Military History – Witness Statement No. 1528. James O’Sullivan,
Castletownbere, Member, IRA, Cork 1921. 21. Bureau of Military History – Witness Statement No. 1567. James McCarthy, Lieut. IRA,
Cork 1921. 22. Southern Star 05 June 1971, p.4 – accessed from www.irishnewsarchive.com 23. Deasy, Liam, ‘Towards Ireland Free’, Mercier Press (1973, Rept. Cork, 2015) p.31. 24. Bureau of Military History – Witness Statement No. 1474. Eamon O’Dwyer, Member IRB, 25. Based at Queenstown (modern Cobh) in the south of Ireland, this type of patrol boat escorted incoming ships from the North Atlantic and hunted German submarines.
HMS Flying Fox was built on the Tyne in the Neptune Yard of Swan, Hunter & Wigham
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KILBRITTAIN’S BELOVED BRIGADIER: CHARLIE HURLEY
without loss.
Fig.5 – e dazzle camou aged painted '24' class Naval Sloop HMS Flying Fox on her sea trials.25
About the same time, a small group of unarmed Volunteers of the same Castletownbere Company under their intrepid Captain, Charlie Hurley, carried out an ambush on a party of armed military. Jeremiah McCarthy, a local Volunteer, observed three soldiers leaving the town and going in the direction of Furious Pier. He immediately alerted Charlie Hurley and Billy O’Neill. The three Volunteers hastened to Rodeen Cross where they took up a concealed position in the narrow laneway near the main road, and waited for the soldiers to come along. It was still daylight and local people were passing by, but the Volunteers could not be seen from the main road. The military appeared, and each Volunteer was assigned a soldier to overpower and disarm. The soldier assigned to Charlie was nearest in line as the trio approached the crossroads. Ironically enough, the song he was singing as Charlie jumped on him and brought him crashing to the ground was ‘Johnny, Get your Gun!” But this soldier was merely carrying a parcel and swiftly snatched from them by the Volunteers. Bearing their precious prize they ran, Charlie Hurley remarked, ‘There is no Canon with us today!’26
FORMATION OF BEARA BATTALION
To meet the conscription threat of late spring of 1918, Charlie Hurley
26. Deasy, Liam, ‘Towards Ireland Free’, Mercier Press (1973, Rept. Cork, 2015) p.32.
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KILBRITTAIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY organised a very primitive munition factory in a vacant farm house at Eyeries. There he manufactured crude, but effective, canister bombs and mines for future activities.27
Commander.28 The Castletownbere area was organised on a battalion basis. There were now units at Bere Island, Castletownbere, Eyeries, Ardgroom, Urhan, Ballycrovane, Ardrigole and Inches. These companies formed Castletownbere (Beara) Battalion. On the 1st O.C. Charlie Hurley; Vice O.C. Sean Driscoll; Adjutant, Mick Crowley; Q.M. Dan Sullivan.30 The only type of training carried on was ordinary close order foot drill, with occasional public parades and route marches. Training was carried out under our own military training manuals obtained from members of the British garrison on Bere Island. The strength of the Battalion was about 700.31
Vol. James O’Sullivan recalled:
“Early in June, 1918, the members of Beara Battalion seized a large quantity of gun-cotton, primers; and detonators from the military stores on Bere Island. The whereabouts of this material was discovered by
Eugene Dunne (I/O Adrigole Company) who was employed by Bantry
Bay Steamship Company as a clerk. He reported the position to me and to his own Company (Adrigole) O.C. It was decided to raid the store and remove the explosives. The raid was carried out on the morning of 5th
June 1918. Operations began at about 1 a.m. Nearly every member of
Bere Island Company was engaged, acting either as scouts, outposts or in the actual removal of the explosives from the store to a boat at the pier. When the store had been cleared of explosives we rowed across the harbour from Bere Island Pier to Bunow where the men from
Adrigole were waiting to unload the boat. When the boat had been unloaded we returned to Bere Island some time about 5 a.m. This guncotton was dumped in Adrigole area, from where it was removed in small Quantities as required.”33 Engineer recalled the arms dumps:
“Charlie Hurley was the only man authorised to take stuff out of the arms dumps. Charlie stayed at my father's place and also at Timmy Kelly's of
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KILBRITTAIN’S BELOVED BRIGADIER: CHARLIE HURLEY
Pullincha. He was on the run at that time. The British were trying to trace a box of ammunition (500 rounds of shotgun ammo consigned to
D.F. McCarthy, Berehaven) taken out of the Bantry Bay Steamship pointed at Charlie. That man was the only man authorised to take stuff. An arrangement was made with Hurley to take stuff out of the dumps and let a little note as proof.
The great danger was if many people were allowed to go near the dumps it would show a trail. If arms were wanted they were taken out and put in a different place for distribution.”34 The Battalion O.C. (Charlie Hurley) was arrested on 26th July, 1918, in the street in Castletownbere by four R.I.C. men. The arrest however was in connection with the illegal drilling on St. Patrick's Day, 1918. He was replaced as Battalion O.C. by Adjutant, Michael Crowley.35
Fig.6 – Beara Battalion Monument in the square, Castletownbere Town. e inscription reads: ‘In memory of the men and women of the Berehaven Battalion who fought for the Irish Republic from 1916 to 1923.32
27. Southern Star 24 August 1963, p.4 – accessed from www.irishnewsarchive.com 28. Deasy, Liam, ‘Towards Ireland Free’, Mercier Press (1973, Rept. Cork, 2015) p.29. 29. Bureau of Military History – Witness Statement No. 1536. William O’Neill, Captain IRA, Cork 1921. 30. Bureau of Military History – Witness Statement No. 1528. James O’Sullivan,
Castletownbere, Member, IRA, Cork 1921. 31. Bureau of Military History – Witness Statement No. 1527. Liam O’Dwyer, Commandant, IRA,
Cork 1921. 32. Photo accessed from – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Baile_Chaisle%C3%A1in_ 33. Bureau of Military History – Witness Statement No. 1528. James O’Sullivan,
Castletownbere, Member, IRA, Cork 1921. 34. Southern Star 27 February 1971, p.11 – accessed from www.irishnewsarchive.com 35. Bureau of Military History – Witness Statement No. 1567. James McCarthy, Lieutenant IRA,
Cork 1921.
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Fig. 7 – e building formerly known as Castletownbere R.I.C. Barracks.36
LIEUTENANT WILLIAM HURLEY
Charlie’s younger brother by three years, William, was also a volunteer with Kilbrittain Company, Third Cork Brigade. William (Liam) was born on 25th of January 1896.37 Similarly to his brother Charlie, William was also a noted scholar:
Fig.8 – Newspaper account of William Hurley’s entrance examination to Haulbowline.38
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KILBRITTAIN’S BELOVED BRIGADIER: CHARLIE HURLEY
James Hurley recalled of his brothers, Charlie and Willie: “There was seven of us born & reared in a farm of 35 acres. Those two boys got education. They were both employed as clerks in Haulbowline Dockyards up to 1915 when they gave up their jobs to join the nation's call. They helped their father and mother out of their earnings up to then.”39
movement and was involved in a number of activities between January to 31st March 1918. He took part in an armed training camp held at the Lake House, Maryboro for the purpose of manufacture of buckshot, shrapnel, bombs and equipment for Kilbrittain Company. All the men engaged were trained in the use, cleaning and repairing of all arms. In February 1918, he took part in collecting all arms, principally shotguns and ammunition from sympathizers to be stored in local arm dumps. The houses of ten loyalists' families in the company area were raided for arms during March 1918, with all raids being carried out in one night.
As the company was engaged in resistance to conscription, William Hurley and the local parish priest addressed an organised public fund, after which all men of military age were immediately enrolled as Volunteers and put through a course of instruction in drill and manoeuvres in view of the local R.I.C. Barracks. These recruits were mobilised twice weekly for drill and other activities until all danger of conscription passed off. In May 1918, he distant and took part in the proceedings for the reinstatement of an evicted
Fig. 9 – Lieutenant William Hurley, Baurleigh (Photo courtesy of Michael Coleman, grand-nephew).
36. 37. record?id=ire%2fc1901%2f9073941 38. Southern Star 29 March 1913, p.6 – accessed from www.irishnewsarchive.com 39.
PDF_Pensions/R5/1D189%20Charles%20Hurley/1D189%20%20Charles%20Hurley.pdf
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KILBRITTAIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY in order to avoid arrest by military patrols who attempted to encircle the district. The same month he was engaged in raiding for arms at Ahiohill.40
During the months following the passing of the Conscription Act in April 1918, wholesale arrests of leaders of the Volunteers, Sinn Fein, and other nationalist movements were attempted by the British Government. To avoid arrest it became customary for a number of the more prominent Volunteers in adjoining Company areas to meet together at night and sleep in unoccupied labourers cottages and farmyard outhouses, and to post armed sentries for protection. The hardships incurred by this necessity were very great, and some Volunteers succumbed to the rigours of exposure. Among them was Charlie’s brother, Lieutenant William Hurley of Kilbrittain Company.41
On 2nd August, 1918, Lieut. Willie Hurley, age 22, "B" Company, 4th Battalion, Cork Brigade, I.R.A. died at his home in Baurleigh from typhoid 42
His brother James Hurley recalled of William’s death: “They came home, went organising and drilling the volunteers. They used to be away for weeks at a time. On the last occasion, William came home sick with typhoid fever. He had the care of two doctors but it killed him.”44
Michael J. Crowley, brother of Denis, Con and Paddy and Brigade Engineer with Kilbrittain Company, Cork Third Brigade later recalled of this tragic event in his witness statement:
“Charlie's younger brother, Liam, while 'on the run' had contracted typhoid and, after a brief illness, died. Charlie and I were present and, a few minutes after closing Liam's eyes, he and I walked out from the death chamber. I was surprised at his lack of emotion on the death of Liam whom, I knew, he idolised but when we had got clear from the house and friends, suddenly grasped me and moaned: "Oh, hillside". I mention this in an attempt to Fig.10 – Memorial Card of William describe this man whose love of country
Hurley, Baurleigh.43
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KILBRITTAIN’S BELOVED BRIGADIER: CHARLIE HURLEY its sake transcended all mortal things. Hence, I know that he himself died as he would have wished.”45
On the 4th August, 1918, there was a full muster of the members of Kilbrittain Company together with the other Companies in the Battalion at the funeral of Lieutenant William Hurley (Kilbrittain Company) in Clogagh old cemetery.46
The parade marched from Baurleigh to Clogagh and was watched by British forces.47 He was given a military funeral, including a area was under martial law. All Companies of the Bandon Battalion were mobilised and paraded at the funeral. There was no interference by the British authorities.48
Fig. 11 – Michael J. Crowley, Kilbrittain Village (Photo courtesy of Diarmuid Begley).
AN UNFORTUNATE RETURN TO CASTLETOWNBERE
After the funeral of his brother Willie in August 1918, Charlie Hurley was
40.
Cork 1921. 41. Deasy, Liam, ‘Towards Ireland Free’, Mercier Press (Cork, 2015) p.22. 42.
PDF_Pensions/R5/1D189%20Charles%20Hurley/1D189%20%20Charles%20Hurley.pdf 43. Accessed from Fonsie Mealy Centenary Sale Archive, p. 21 https://fonsiemealy.ie/auction/ life for the world, receive in a loving embrace the soul of our gallant comrade Liam, who gave his young life for Ireland. Queen of Martyrs pray for him. 44.
PDF_Pensions/R5/1D189%20Charles%20Hurley/1D189%20%20Charles%20Hurley.pdf 45.
Cork 1921. 46. Bureau of Military History – Witness Statement No. 1290. Laurence Sexton, Member IV, 47. Bureau of Military History – Witness Statement No. 1254. Michael Coleman, Captain IRA,
Cork 1921. 48. Deasy, Liam, ‘Towards Ireland Free’, Mercier Press (1973, Rept. Cork, 2015) p.22.
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KILBRITTAIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY captured upon leaving Baurleigh and was brought back to Castletownbere to stand his trial on the charge of illegal drilling on the previous St. Patrick’s Day, he was under such a heavy military guard that it prevented any possible hope of the rescue planned by the local battalion. On this occasion he received a sentence of two months, for the offence of unlawful assembly (drilling).49
ENTRY INTO CORK MALE PRISON
After receipt of sentence, Charlie Hurley was sent to Cork Male Prison (Cork Gaol). Some of the details from his record there showed the following: Age: 25 years old, Birth Year: 1893, Height: 5 feet 9 inches, Eyes: Brown, Hair: Brown, Complexion: Fair, Marks on Person: Fresh bruise on left arm. Mark on left hand. Weight on Admission: 148, Weight on discharge: 154, Trade or Occupation: Clerk. Date of Committal: 24th of August. Under Sentence: 31st of August. Offence: Unlawful Assembly. Court from which committed: Castletownbere, Expiration of Sentence: 30th October, 1918.
A letter from Cork Male Prison to his then sweetheart, Nora O’Neill, showed the indomitable spirit of the man which guided him all through his life: “Let England do her worst, our bodies she can have for the taking, but our spirit never.”
Fig. 12 – Cork Male Prison Record of Charlie Hurley, Baurleigh.50
49. Southern Star 24 August 1963, p.4 – accessed from www.irishnewsarchive.com 50. Prison Record S2_IRE_PRISR_RS00018281_4492708_00809– accessed from www. 51. The letter reads: “Cork Male Prison, Thursday. My Dearest Nora, I suppose you already know the "news". I am sure you have read in Cork E (possibly Examiner) all about that "young to be rearrested. I am & will be tried by courtmartial one of these days for resisting arrest, seditious documents, ammunition, drill book, whistle, letters, dispatches etc. etc. H__?___
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KILBRITTAIN’S BELOVED BRIGADIER: CHARLIE HURLEY
Fig. 13 – Le : Charlie Hurley’s letter to Nora O’Neill and right: Nora O’Sullivan nee O’Neill (right) (Photos courtesy of Bandon Historical Journal No. 13).51
Sean Buckley from Bandon, Brigade
Charlie Hurley’s treatment:
“In resisting arrest and while in custody afterwards, he got badly knocked about. I remember him being brought in to Cork
Jail looking terribly ill. He had his clothes wet through on his back for several days. The following day he was down with pneumonia and was brought to death’s door. I remember our anxiety about him and how I loved to get even one glimpse of him.”52
Fig. 14 – Sean Buckley (Photo courtesy of Diarmuid Begley).
use be something nice I'm sure by way of a holiday. Hence be a good deal of 'Separation do her worst. Our bodies she can have for the taking but our spirits, never.” 52. Southern Star 14 March 1936, p8 – accessed from www.irishnewsarchive.com
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in his possession plans for the capture and destruction of British posts servitude in Maryborough Gaol Convict Prison (modern Portlaoise Prison).53 Charlie Hurley was now under sentence of Penal Servitude for breaches of the Defence of the Realm Regulations. He was housed in ‘E’ Block section. His record shows that on the 17th December 1918, for Offences under Section: 9AA, and 19 A of the Defence of the Realm (Consolidation) Regulations 1914, Charlie Hurley was found guilty.
Fig. 15 – Charlie Hurley’s prison record on entry into Maryborough Convict Prison.
The initial record shows Charlie was guilty of having had in his possession a book containing instructions for the blowing up of barracks, bridges etc. in Castletownbere District. Also books on military training and 8 rounds of ball ammunition.
53. Southern Star 24 August 1963, p4 – accessed from www.irishnewsarchive.com
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KILBRITTAIN’S BELOVED BRIGADIER: CHARLIE HURLEY
Fig. 16 – Charlie Hurley’s full Maryborough Prison Record.55
His registration in the prison showed: Prisoner No. E500 approved for received from Cork Male Prison. Convicted on 17th of December 1918, rd of October 1918. Some of his record details showed: Age: 25, Height: 5 feet 8 inches, Visage [face shape]: Oval. He was received into Maryborough Convict Prison on 31st of December 1918. Sadly for Charlie while detained in Maryborough, his mother Mary died on the 14th of September 1919.
EFFECT OF THE CAT AND MOUSE ACT
While in prison, Charlie embarked on a hunger strike with others in protest under the Cat and Mouse Act on 6th of October 1919, and was supposed to report to his local RIC barracks once a month, but he didn’t. The Cat and Mouse Act, introduced by the Asquith government, allowed prisoners on once they were recovered.56
54. Prison Record S2_IRE_EASRIS_HO144_1734_376829_0644/RE/EAS/RIS/SP/038868– 55. Prison Record S2_IRE_PRISR_RS000_18282_4492780_00650 – accessed from www. 56. O’Malley, Ernie, ‘The Men Will Talk To Me, West Cork Interviews, Mercier Press (Cork 2015) p.72.
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KILBRITTAIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Fig. 17 – Le : Poster against the Cat and Mouse Act and right: Poster showing what the women’s Su ragette Movement thought about the Asquith Government’s tactic of force-feeding.57
In 1919 men from different parts of Ireland who had been sentenced to long terms of imprisonment for political offences were released (after undergoing hunger strike) under what was known as the "Cat and Mouse permitted and would then have to complete their sentence of imprisonment. Charlie Hurley, and, like the others who were released with him, went "on and now he devoted his whole time to organising and training in the different units of the Brigade. At the same period the Adjutant of the 1st Battalion (Liam Deasy) had to go "on the run" to avoid being arrested and he was appointed organiser for the Brigade. The perfect organisation and military activities for which Cork No. 3 became afterwards noted were due, 58
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KILBRITTAIN’S BELOVED BRIGADIER: CHARLIE HURLEY
Charlie Hurley returned home and it was during a brief period of recuperation in his own district of Kilbrittain that he saw the menacing military position which had developed while he was in prison. The enemy had been concentrating in the Bandon district and had strengthened their posts, in order to protect this vital gateway to West Cork. It was such history, the need produced the man, and Charlie Hurley stepped into the breach in the glorious tradition of Tone, Emmet and O’Donovan Rossa, and few have ever manned the Bearna Baoghail (gap of danger) with greater honour and success.59 Vol. Sean Buckley later recalled the concern for his friend:
“I remember discussing his career with some of the G.H.Q. staff in
Dublin at the time, they were anxious to get him out of the country for a while on account of the long sentence hanging over him. When
I mentioned this to Charlie he would not listen to it. He said his place was in West Cork and there he would stay. He threw all his energies into organising and building up the Brigade and was a driving force in the activities undertaken at this period.”60
During his stay in Kilbrittain and on the run after his time in Maryborough Prison, Charlie Hurley lived for a time with John and his sister, Margaret O’Driscoll (Burren) close to Burren Pier. Interestingly, a member of that same family, James O’Driscoll, would years later serve as member of An Garda Síochána in Adrigole, Castletownbere.
57. force feeding by prison authorities. In reaction to this and after a general election in which the Liberals had lost a lot of support the UK government passed the Temporary Discharge of Prisoners Act (1913) Hunger strikers who were very weak were released from prison but were then admitted back to prison once they were healthy. If a prisoner died from hunger 58. Bureau of Military History – Witness Statement No. 470. Denis Lordan, Captain IV, Cork 1916; Commandant IRA, Cork , 1921. 59. Southern Star 24 August 1963, p.4 – accessed from www.irishnewsarchive.com 60. Southern Star 14 March 1936, p.8 – accessed from www.irishnewsarchive.com
67
KILBRITTAIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Fig. 18 – Newspaper notice of the retirement of Garda James O’Driscoll in 1964, stationed in Castletownbere, whose family provided a safe-house for Charlie Hurley while he was “on the run” a er release from Maryborough Prison.62
FORMATION OF CORK 3RD (WEST CORK) BRIGADE
On the 5th January 1919, Cork Brigade was divided into three brigades; Cork I (city and surrounding areas); Cork II (North Cork); Cork III (West Cork). Cork III Brigade comprised of battalions in Bandon, Bantry, Castletownbere, new brigade (Cork Ill) were: O.C. Vice O.C. (Kilbrittain), Adjutant Quartermaster 63
Fig. 19 – Map showing the area covered by the ird Cork Brigade (Photo courtesy of Diarmuid Begley).
68
KILBRITTAIN’S BELOVED BRIGADIER: CHARLIE HURLEY
A VACANT POST IN BANDON BATTALION
Bandon Battalion was now 1st Cork 3rd Brigade was Tom Hales, Knocknacurra, Ballinadee. When Tom Hales became Brigade O.C. of the new brigade, his brother, Sean Hales, became O.C. Bandon Battalion.64 The companies of the Bandon battalion were:65
South Side Centre North Side
A. Ballinadee F. Bandon H. Crosspound B.1 Kilbrittain G. Innishannon I. Kilpatrick B.2 Ballinspittle K. Farnivane C. Timoleague L. Newcestown D. Barryroe M.Quarries Cross E. Clogagh
The 1st Battalion Staff up to this period were: O.C. - Commandant Seán Hales, Ballinadee, Vice O.C Adjutant Kilmacsimon and Quartermaster Battalion. In September 1919, for personal reasons he had resign as Vice Commandant of the 1st Battalion and went to live outside Cork No. 3 Brigade area so the position became vacant.66
After a Brigade Convention meeting in Caheragh 27th November 1919, Liam Deasy returned to Brigade Headquarters at Frank Hurley’s of Laragh, and there learned that Charlie Hurley had been released from Maryborough Volunteer activities, and with others had been unexpectedly released. Liam and Charlie arranged to meet a few days later at Fitzgerald’s of Clashreagh,
61. Diarmuid Begley, Personal Records. 62. Southern Star 17 October 1964, p.11 – accessed from www.irishnewsarchive.com 63. Bureau of Military History – Witness Statement No. 1567. James McCarthy, Lieut. IRA, Cork 1921. 64. Bureau of Military History – Witness Statement No. 1306. Denis O’Brien, Lieut. IRA,
Timoleague, Cork 1921. 65. 66. Bureau of Military History – Witness Statement No. 470. Denis Lordan, Captain IV, Cork 1916; Commandant IRA, Cork, 1921.
69
KILBRITTAIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Kilbrittain) close to Ballinspittle. It was a happy reunion, and sitting by the that had occurred since Charlie’s arrest and imprisonment twelve months earlier. Charlie’s one ambition now was to return to Castletownbere and resume there, the Volunteer activities that his imprisonment interrupted. But as the night wore on he came to appreciate the new situation that had would become the gateway to West Cork in the coming struggle, it was here that he could best meet the challenge. Once this decision was made known, the Brigade O.C. (Tom Hales) and staff were only too happy to offer him 67 Charlie Hurley, who had been 'on the run' prior to his appointment did not return to the Castletownbere after his release from prison. Charlie’s friend and comrade, Liam Deasy recalled:
“Charlie’s reputation as a soldier was widespread not only in the district of West Cork, but throughout the entire country. We were indeed fortunate to have such a man at such a time and in such a place: his experienced leadership, personal magnetism, indomitable courage, and initiative were so perfectly blended as to make him the automatic choice when a post of higher command fell vacant later on.”68
A JOYFUL AND MERRY HOLIDAY
Dick Barrett was a schoolteacher at Gurranes National School near Crossbarry and a member of the Crosspound Company. Unsuspected by the enemy of complicity with the Volunteer organisation, he was able to move about in all circles, and rendered very useful service from 1918 onwards. He was particularly valued as an adviser to the Brigade Staff. As December 1919 advanced, Dick invited Charlie Hurley and Liam Deasy to spend Christmas with him at his home in Holyhill, Ballineen, and they gladly accepted, knowing full well that their own homes would surely be raided during the Christmas period by the R.I.C. as they searched for them.
After midnight on Christmas Eve 1919, Dick, Charlie and Liam crossed the Bandon River at Enniskeane, and proceeded in high spirits to Hollyhill. Liam Deasy recalled:
“To add to our jubilation we found that a number of Kilbrittain
Volunteers had arrived in the same townland for Christmas before us. They had been forced to abandon their homes as a result of
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KILBRITTAIN’S BELOVED BRIGADIER: CHARLIE HURLEY the intensive raiding that took place after the shooting of the R.I.C. Constable (Bolger) on 15th December 1919.71 And to crown our joy we found among them the wounded hero of the Rathclarin ambush, Mick O’Neill, now completely recovered, and as courageous as ever. As we had to avoid appearing in public during the daylight hours, we were left with no option but to forgo the Masses on Christmas Day; it was indeed a strange experience for us to miss the Christmas ceremonies for the 70
Fig. 20 and 21 – Le : Dick Barrett, Ballineen and right: Liam Deasy, Kilmacsimon.69
On New Year’s Eve 1919, Charlie Hurley went with the Kilbrittain lads to the south side of the Bandon Battalion area, while Liam Deasy went to Brigade Headquarters at Laragh for a staff meeting with Tom Hales and Flor Begley to arrange for two barrack attacks: Mount Pleasant and Timoleague in the Bandon Battalion area. The prospect that presented itself as the New Year dawned showed the promise of dramatic action and plenty of excitement. It did not betray its promise. To be continued in Part 2 in the next Historical Journal…
67. Deasy, Liam, ‘Towards Ireland Free’, Mercier Press (1973, Rept. Cork, 2015) p.85. 68. Deasy, Liam, ‘Towards Ireland Free’, Mercier Press (1973, Rept. Cork, 2015) p.85. 69. Photos from Barry, Tom, ‘Guerilla Days in Ireland’ (Rept.Cork, 2013) Mercier Press. 70. Deasy, Liam, ‘Towards Ireland Free’, Mercier Press (1973, Rept. Cork, 2015) p.91. 71. See article by Fergal Browne elsewhere in this journal.
