After the execution of the leaders of
1916 this changed public opinion for sympathy of the rebels. In the
post-war general election of 1918, Sinn Féin won a large majority across the
country, with the exception of north-east, where unionists, opposed to any
diminution of the union with Britain, held sway.
Dáil Eireann was
established in Dublin 1919 and declared Irish Independence to the world but
international recognition for the Irish Republic fell on deaf ears, and
the British government refused t countenance the concept of Irish democracy or
the Irish right to self determination. The Republic went underground and the
Irish Volunteers became the IRA.
IRA Volunteers mainly of the ages
18yrs-30yrs. IRA Volunteers occupations were mainly shop assistants,
farmer's sons, rural labourers, factory and transport workers.
One interesting piece of the Monivea
and the Irish War of Independence comes from Paddy King, who was Captain of the
I.R.A. Monivea company. It was in 1917 when a company had been organised in
Monivea along with other members William Dolly, Ryehill; Thomas Kelly,
Ballyskea; Patrick King, Monivea were appointed as 1st Lieutenant and 2nd
Lieutenant.
King was appointed secretary in 1917 of
the Sinn Fein Monivea club which was set up by Captain Dolly. All
military exercises and drilling were held in the barn of King's yard beside the
local school house. The Monivea company had fourteen member and drilling would
take place twice a week. Ordinary duty of the Volunteers took place during
1918 election meetings.
During the war of
Independence in Monivea, Patrick King gives the following account in his
Witness Statement:
"Captain Dolley, Lieutenants Kelly
and King, and Volunteers Michael Reilly Roundfield, and John Kelly Ballyskea, blocked roads at Knockback, Monivea, by felling trees across road on the occasion of the attack on Moyville R.I.C. barracks in March 1920 - also for attack on Loughgeorge R.I.C. barracks in May 1920.
We also blocked roads at Belville for
attack on Headford R.I.C. barracks in May, 1921. During the month of
June, 1920, 2nd Lieutenant King and Volunteer Keilly, Roundfield, took part in a ambush at Killatoher, about two miles from Monivea, on the Athenry -Mountbellew road. They were the only two members from Monivea Company to take part in the ambush.
The other members present were John J.
Cullinane, Patrick Cullinane, and Thomas Kennedy, Cussane Company; Michael and
Patrick Burns (brothers) and Patrick Healy, Newcastle, Monivea, Darby Forde,
Robert Lally, Peter Dolly, now deceased, Michael Jordan, Killacloher, Monivea,
Skeahana Company, Walter Costello and Waiter Coppinger, Skeahana Company,
Patrick Ruane of Menlough
Company.
The latter and Darb 3 Fords were in
charge of ambush. Particulars of ambush: The ambush was prepared
There was no wall on the other side of
the road. The land there is about eight feet lower that level of road. One would have to jump down to the field below, inside of road. At about 2 p.m. on the Sunday in question, four R.I.G. men accompanying Houtchinson (two in front of horse trap and two in rear) ran into the scene. Fire was opened, and the R.I.C. men were called on to surrender. The driver of the trap turned the horse, and raced back home at a galloping speed, standing up in the trap and whipping the horse, as fast as he could.
One of the R.I.C. men, Constable
McGloin, threw his rifle on the road. The other constable
over their heads, at the same time, taking a few side steps towards the opposite side; then suddenly the jumped right down to the field below where they had safe cover. Fire from both sides continued for some time. The R.I.C. eventually retreated under safe cover. One rifle and four bicycles were recovered by the I.R.A. who were the attacking party."
This attack on the Monivea company had
been at huge risk due the large number of military in
After the Truce 2nd Lt. King took the
R. I. C. barracks from the British, and was appointed Officer in Commande
(O/C). During the Irish Civil War period King resigned from the Tuam Brigade
because of the hostilities of this period .
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