Galway In Days Gone By

1920

Ardrahan’s agony

In the early hours of Sunday morning men who, it is alleged, described themselves as “Black and Tans”, committed much destruction in Ardrahan and the surrounding villages, ill-treated some of the inhabitants, and threw the people into a state of panic and terror.

The little village of Ardrahan had long been noted as one of the most peaceable and law-abiding in the county. The attack is supposed to have been in reprisal for the ambush on the preceding Thursday.

The following is a list of the principal places destroyed:

Pk. Joyces, Ardrahan, dwelling-house and furniture totally burned;

Ml. Burke, Ballinaguive, dwelling-house and belongings, totally burned;

John Higgins, Ardrahan, haggard burned;

St. Teresa’s Parochial Hall, Labane, burned to the ground. Only the walls remain.

It would appear that on Thursday last a party of five police was proceeding to Drumharsna Castle, for the purpose of protecting a man named MacKey, who for a number of years has been in charge of the property of Lord Ashtown.

The police are said to have opened fire upon the ambushing party, which thereupon fled, leaving two revolvers and a shot-gun after them. None of the patrol appears to have been wounded.

The events of Sunday morning may be summarised as follows: At about a quarter to one a.m. (new time) four motor lorries arrived at Ardrahan. Almost immediately the men, who were armed, some of them being disguised and wearing trench coats and soft hats, rushed at the licenced premises of Mrs. James Joyce, smashed in the door with a sledge, and rushed upstairs.

Accosting John Joyce, son of Mrs. Joyce, they pointed a revolver at him and threatened him. Mrs. Joyce and her two daughters came out of their rooms, and Mrs. Joyce asked the men what they wanted. Then, it is alleged, a voice from outside shouted: “That is not the house,” and the raiders retreated.

They thereupon went to the house of Patrick Joyce, a smith, who lived a couple of doors away, and asked for John Joyce (Patrick Joyce’s son). The father said he did not know where he was.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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