Sean Treacy Songs
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This autograph book was kept by a
Republican in Mountjoy Gaol in 1917 and it contains the names of Republicans
from Clare and elsewhere: here we see the name of Sean Treacy, Soloheadbeg,
Co Tipperary, dated 21/10/17. Clare Library http://www.clarelibrary.ie
Séan O
Treasaigh Autograph
book, Dundalk & Mountjoy prisons 1917, page 68 http://www.kilmainhamgaolautographbooks.ie/ga/book-pages/dundalk-and-mountjoy-prisons-1917-page-68
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Sean Treacy, (1895-1920) He was born 14 Feb 1895 in Soloheadbeg, Co. Tipperary,
son of Denis Treacy and Bridget Allis.
From an early age, Seán had nationalist leanings, and in his teens he joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) which later evolved into the Irish Republican Army (IRA). In August 1917, Seán was arrested and spent two months in jail. The following year he was rearrested and spent four months in jail. Then on 21 January 1919, along with other members of the IRA's Third Tipperary Brigade, including Dan Breen, Seán took part in the Soloheadbeg ambush in which three members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, who were escorting a transportation of explosives, were waylaid and shot dead. This was the first military incident of the War of Independence. A few months later, in Co. Limerick, Seán was seriously wounded in a successful attempt to free an I.R.A. prisoner who was being escorted to jail. He recovered, and throughout the latter half of 1919 and most of 1920 he led attacks against the British in Dublin and Co. Tipperary. But on 14 October 1920, in Talbot St. in Dublin, he was recognised by a police detective and in the ensuing gunfight Seán was killed, in front of the 'Republican Outfitters' at No. 94 Talbot Street. A small bronze shield above the door commemorates the spot. His fiancée was May Quigley, and he was killed just eleven days before his intended wedding. He
is buried in Kilfeacle Cemetery which is about
six miles east of Tipperary Town. |
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Ref:
Ambrose, Joe
(2007) Seán Treacy and the Tan War. Mercier Press, Cork.
Breen, Dan
(1924) My fight for Irish Freedom.
Gillis,
Elizabeth (2009) Ireland over all: the story of Sean Treacy. Wild Apple Press,
Bethesda, Md
O'Donnell,
Ruan. introduction (2009) Limerick's Fighting Story 1916-21: Told by the Men
Who Made It. Mercier Press, Cork [published by The Kerryman in the 1940s]
Ó
Gráda, Mathúin agus Ó Ceallaigh, Seamas G. (1942)
Náire náisiúnta nó Seán Treacy's shame.
Clólann an tSeabhaic nó Craobh na hAiseírighe, Baile
Átha Cliath.
Ryan, Desmond
(1945) Sean Treacy and the Third Tipperary Brigade IRA. Anvil Books, Tralee.
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In
November 1900, John Treacy (Sean Treacy) a farmers son from Solohead enrolled
in Hollyford N.S. 1901 Census Bridget
Treacy, 45, F, 15 Solloghodbeg, Solloghodbeg, Tipperary, Farmer, R Catholic,
Head of Family, Widow, Tipperary Michael
Allis, 28, Male, Brother, R Catholic, Farm Servant, Not Married, Tipperary Nora
Allis, 26, Female, Sister, R Catholic,
Not Married, Tipperary John
J Treacy, 6, M, 1 Lackenacreena, Donohill, Tipperary, Scholar, R C
Church, Nephew, Co Tipperary James
Allis, 34, Male, Head of Family, R C Church, Farmer, Not Married, Co Tipp 1911 Census Bridget
Treacy, 48, F, 2 Solloghodbeg, Solloghodbeg, Tipperary (head, farmer, widow) John
J Treacy, 16, M, Solloghodbeg, Solloghodbeg, Tipperary M
A Allis, 54, F, 2 Solloghodbeg, Solloghodbeg, Tipperary (sister, single) |
A young Sean Treacy |
Sep 15, 1917 (IT) Trials in Cork
A
District Courtmartial assembled at Victoria Barracks Cork, on Friday to try
five menwho were arrested recently for offences under the Defence of the Realm
Act...John Tracey, Solohead, Co. Tipperary was charged with having worn a
uniform of a military character in the public street of Tipperary on the 19th
August, and with having carried a hurley on the occasion.
Sep 22, 1917 (IT) Irish Courts
Martial Findings
John
Treacy, civilian, was tried at Cork on the 5th September 1917 and was found
guilty of an offence against the Regulation prohibiting unauthorised wearing of
uniform of a military character, and carrying an article capable of being used
as a weapon, and has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard
labour.
Carrying Hurleys', Irish
Independent, 8 Sept. 1917.
In
Soloheadbeg, Co. Tipperary, John Treacy would not enter a plea to charges of wearing
a military uniform and carrying a hurley
https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/415953/1/LIBRARY_COPY_Revised_Thesis_Final.pdf
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Ireland, Prison Registers John
Treacy Also:
Bridget Treacy Prisoner
1917 Dundalk, Louth, Ireland Residence:
Sologheadbeg Co Tipp Age:
22 b. Sologheadbeg Co Tipp Offence:
Breach D O R A Victim: Item:
2 Book: 1/16/1 County: Louth John Treacy
of Soloheadbeg Clare, 19 Aug 1917 Courts martial case registers file A2/1861,
No 9AA DRR, offence 9/8/1917 arrest 24/8/1917 count martial 7/9/1917 DCM held
at Cord, found guilty of all charges (3), 2 years Imprimt with hard labour,
one year & six months of sentence remitted by G.O. CinC when confirming,
Due for release 11 March 1918 16 March 1918 letter from Dundalk Prison by Seán
Treacy. https://whytes.infinitebidding.com/index.cfm?method=getLotInfo&lotref=C954192B6C&seq=212 Treacy,
Corringham & Carroll, 06 Jan 1921 Courts of inquiry in lieu of inquest
2/2543 No. 37. Seeing some of their agents fall caused panic among the British soldiers and they began firing indiscriminately on the crowds of civilians caught in the street. Two innocent bystanders were killed by the soldiers, a 15-year-old messenger boy called Patrick Carroll and Joseph Corringham, who was hit in the stomach by a bullet as he cycled up the street. http://www.anphoblacht.com/contents/12416 Shawn
Tracey of Dublin, 29 Mar 1921 Courts of inquiry in lieu of inquest, list of
civilians who have been shot by crown forces, not halting when challanged. |
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National Museum Ireland
Funeral of
Sean Treacy, Tipperary, October 1920
Luger
parabellum pistol, Sean Treacy, 1920
Luger parabellum
pistol, Sean Treacy, October 1920
Newsreel
War between British
forces and Irish Republicans
“This film opens with titles proclaiming ‘Terror In Ireland’. We then see a scene in which a British checkpoint blocks an Irish street. The scene then switches to show a crowd gathering around an IRA man shot dead by British troops. It is probably Sean Tracey, a prominent Republican.”
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/terror-in-ireland/query/22029
https://archive.org/details/TheFilmOnWar
[download]
Youtube
Dan Breen and
Sean Treacy Documentary Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecWw_TcsG3U
New film from Dundalk maker
http://www.independent.ie/regionals/argus/news/new-film-from-dundalk-maker-35305282.html
Dan Breen Interview 1967 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emBbgo1DZTk
Sean Treacy by Dominic Behan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNkD3oJczuk&feature=related
Sean Treacy 'Tipperary so Far Away' by
The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Maken http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enBpyP84EQA
Sean Tracy – WolfHound http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90xMvXyrPYk
Sean Treacy - Tipperary So Far Away- Brian Corrigan Erins
Own http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayxPm0VwOrg&feature=related
Sean Treacy by The Threshing Mill
Boys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOpQG0ThiRQ
Sean Treacy The Wolfe
Tones http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-42KmHX7ZA&feature=related
Bureau of
Military History (1913-1921) - Witness Statements
Daniel Breen
W/S No: 1763
Address: St. Kevin's
Park, Dartry, Dublin 6
Brigade: 3rd
Tipperary Brigade
Position:
Quartermaster
Also in the
1920s the Waterford Barracks was renamed the Sean Treacy Barracks.
Séan Treacy
by Dominic Behan
Give me a Parabellum and a bandoleer of shells,
I'll wait in ambush for some men and I'll blow them all to hell,
For just today, I heard them say that Treacy met defeat,
Our lovely Séan is dead and gone, shot down in Talbot Street.
They were at the front and at the back; they were all around the place.
None of them anxious to attack; or meet him face to face.
Lloyd George did say, 'You'll get your pay - and a holiday most complete',
But none of them knew what they would go through, in that house in Talbot
Street.
When he saw them in their Crossley trucks, like the fox inside his lair,
Séan waited for to size them up before he did emerge,
With blazing guns he met the Huns, and forced them to retreat,
He shot them in pairs coming down the stairs, in that house in Talbot Street.
'Come on', he cried, 'Come show your hand, you have boasted for so long,
How you would crush this rebel band with your armies great and strong'.
'No surrender', was his war cry, 'Fight on lads, no retreat'
Brave Treacy cried before he died, shot down in Talbot Street.
Sean Treacy by J. Crofts
We often heard our fathers tell
How in the Fenian times
The noblest of Tipperary's sons
Imprisoned spent their lives.
Those tales we can hear daily,
And the deeds of valiant men,
As the war goes on unceasingly
Through valley, hill and glen.
They searched for Sean at midnight;
His comrade with him slept.
Macready's murdering bloodhounds
In silence on them crept.
Our heroes fought as brave men should
And made a gallant fight;
With bullet food they did conclude
The lives of Smith and White.
In a crowded Dublin Street Sean died
On a dim October day;
The story will be told with pride
While men in Eirinn stay.
With trusty gun held in his hand,
Two sleuth hounds he laid low:
'Twas well they knew this island through
They had no brave foe.
When the British saw the battle
They shook with fear and dread
A machine gun then did rattle
And our hero bold lay dead.
Sean Treacy killed! Sean Treacy killed!
Was borne along the breeze.
No bells were rung; no caoin was sung;
He died for Ireland free.
While grass grows green in Eirinn
We'll think of you, brave Sean!
We'll sing your praise o'er hill and vale
When grief and gloom are gone.
And when the dawn of Freedom's sun
Shines out in Eirinn's skies,
In our Gaelic tongue we'll tell our sons
How brave Sean Treacy died.
Sean Treacy by Peadar Kearney
To you! O Flower of Ireland’s Youth,
Across the grave we send a Nation’s praise
Hailing your name - the greatest name of all,
Young Ireland’s pioneers!
Chanting your courage cool;
Your deathless love for her,
Your changeless hate for those
Who sough her soul to rend-
Those you pursued and slew
Without remorse-
Those you destroyed and conquered
To the end.
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Sean Treacy (Air: Spailpin a Rúin) A Threasaigh cháidh! Molaim-se do láimh, Cé go bfhuil tú go tláth ‘san uaig anois. Ba láidir tú i bpáirt i n-aghaidh Ropoirí Sheáin Bhí ar buile ‘sar fán trid an nduithche. I dteangain na mBárd, béidh t’ainm go h-árd, Mar gheall ar do grádh d’ár staire- Do throidis gach lá go meanmnach grádhach Ag saothrú siothcán agus buaidh dhi. Is truagh linn tú ar lár id’ óige ‘sid bhláth, Nuair atáimid ag tnú le saoirse. Ach mairfidh do cháil an fhaid a bheidh trácht Ar fhearaibh gan sgáth ‘ sa tír seo. Roimh ghramaisg an áir do seóladh thar sáil’ I leith go h-oileán ár sínnsear, Ag dóghadh ‘sa robáil ar fuaid Inse Fáil, ‘S ag creachadh gan náir’ ár ndaoine. Meireach tusa ‘s do shórt do bheimís go deó Mar bhacaigh ag cur stró ar gach éinne Mar do sgiobadh ár stór’ sár maoin ós ár gcómhair Mar sguabtar an ceó des na sléibhte. Ba cheap-magaidh is spóirt ár mbuaidhreamh ‘sár
mbrón Ag an Sgriosadóir Seón úd an Eirligh, Gur airigh sé an gleó ar gach taobh de go beó ‘S gur mhothuigh sé cómacht bhúr bpiléar-na. Anois codail go sámh, a Ogánaigh breágh, ‘San roilg sin lámh led’ ghaoltaibh, No go dtagaidh an lá nuair a ghlaodhfar go h-árd Ar ár shíolruigh ó Adhamh agus Eabha. I bhFlathas na ngrást go rabhair go h-árd I measg sgata breágh lághach de Gaedhealaibh, Is go raibh sé indán dom féin tar éis bháis Bheith i d’ fhochair i láthair an Aon-Mhic! |
O mild O’Treasaigh! I praise your strong hand, Atho’ you lie limp in the grave. Strong indeed Was your part against the Saxon ravishers running Stark mad through the land. In the Tongue of the Bards your name will be on high For your love for our own Love, Each day you fought with courage and yet
magnanimously, Striving to bring her peace and victory. We mourn that you are stretched low in your youth
and Bloom even as we await freedom, But your fame shall live as long as our heroes are Commemorated in our land. Before that slaughtering rabble that were hurled On us from beyond the sea on the island of our Ancestors, burning and ravaging all Inis Fail,- And shamelessly plundering the people- Ah, well, but for you and your comrades, we should Have been for ever like a beggar asking alms from All and each. Because our wealth and store were Swept away like mists from the hills. Our sorrow and anguish were but a laughing stock and
a mockery To yon John of the destruction and Slaughter; until he heard the noise of battle all
round Him, and felt the power of you rifles. Sleep gently then, brave Soldier in the Churchyard Beside your kindred. Until the day comes When all the seed and kindred of Adam and Eve Shall be called from their graves. In God’s Heaven may you be among the kind And gentle kin of all the Gael, And may it be my fate to be with you in the presence Of God’s Only Son! |
Tipperary Far Away
The moon shone down in Talbot Street
Where a dying rebel lay,
His arms were crossed and his body was stretched,
And his life blood flowed away.
A passing comrade heard his moans,
And the sufferer soon was found,
He gently raised his aching head,
Up from the cold damp ground.
" Softly, gently, comrade,"
he cried,
" No longer on earth must I stay,
" I will never more roam to my
own native home
" In Tipperary far away.
" A lock of my hair I pray you
take,
" To my mother so far away,
" And so as she will gaze on it,
" She fondly will think of me.
" Tell her it's down by the
Liffeyside,
" My mouldering bones do lay,
" There's a vision of light,
before me to-night
" In Tipperary far away."
His comrades gathered round him,
To bid him his last farewell,
He was as brave a young soldier
As ever in battle fell.
They dug a grave and beneath they laid,
Sean Treacy, brave and gay,
Who will never more roam to his own native home
In Tipperary far away.
The Station of Knocklong.
The news has spread thro' Ireland and spread from
shore to shore
Of such a deed no living man has ever heard
before,
From out a guarded carriage 'mid a panic-stricken
throng
Sean Hogan he was rescued at the Station of Knocklong.
When a guard of four policemen had their prisoner
minded well
As the fatal train sped o'er the rails conveying
him to his cell,
The prisoner then could scarce foretell of
hearts both brave and strong
That were planning for his rescue at the Station
of Knocklong.
The shades of eve were falling fast when the
train at last drew in
It was halted for an hour or so by a few
courageous men
They sprang into the carriage and it did not take
them long,
" Hands up or die "
was the rebel cry at the Station of Knocklong.
Now King George's pampered hirelings they
shrivelled up with fear
And thought of how they placed in cells full
many a Volunteer
Now, face to face with armed men to escape how
they did long
But two of them met with traitors' deaths at the
Station of Knocklong.
From Solohead to Limerick such deeds as these
were seen
And devil a tear was ever shed for Wallace of
Roskeen,
They did Old England's dirty work and did that work too long
But the renegades were numbered up at the Station
of Knocklong.
Now rise up Mother Erin and always be of cheer,
You'll never die while at your side there stand
such Volunteers,
From Dingle Bay to Garryowen the cheers will echo
long
Of the rescue of Sean Hogan at the Station of
Knocklong.
Ashtown Road.
(Air : The Snowy-Breasted
Pearl)
'Twas a cold December day
A lorry ploughed its way
Midst bullets splash and play
On Ashtown road.
In that car a living tool
Of England's hated rule
There was begun a duel
On Ashtown road.
Young Savage, unafraid,
With rifle and grenade
Attacked them undismayed
On Ashtown road.
But a bullet laid him low
From a rifle of the foe
That's another debt we owe
For Ashtown road.
But another day shall dawn
Like that cold December mom
When a Martyr's name was born
On Ashtown road.
We laid him in a grave
Where the willows sadly wave
Oh, Son of Erin brave
Farewell to thee.
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Second
Anniversary Obituary Notices Irish
Independent Oct 14, 1922
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The second anniversary of Sean Allis Treacy was observed as a general holiday in Tipperary. Photograph shows crowds around the grave at Kilfeacle cemetery during an oration.
Freeman’s
Journal, Oct 23, 1922 |
Dec 19, 1923 (FJ) In Memoriam
Savage - In
proud and glorious memory of our dear comrade, Lieut. Martin Savage, who gave
his life for Ireland 19th December 1919, at Ashtown, Co. Dublin; also his
comrades of that day, Tom Keogh, Seagan Tracy and Seagan Doyle. Inserted by
their comrades O'Daly and Leonard.
Military Service Pensions Collection
19
June 1925 - 8 November 1941
Subject Information File relates to Bridget Treacy's receipt of a Dependant's
Allowance under the Army Pensions Act, 1923 in respect of the death of her son
Sean Treacy killed in a gun battle with British forces on Talbot Street, Dublin
on 14 October 1920. According to the material on file Sean Treacy was serving
as Brigade Officer Commanding, South Tipperary Brigade IRA at the time of his
death. It is also stated that his death occurred following an attempt by
British forces to raid a meeting being held between Treacy and members of IRA
GHQ and IRA Dublin Brigade GHQ in connection with a planned attempt to rescue
Dan Breen from the Mater Hospital in Dublin. Dan Breen had been wounded the
previous day when involved with Sean Treacy in an incident with British forces
at the home of Professor Carolan in Drumcondra, Dublin as a result of which two
members of the British forces and Professor Carolan were killed. It is further
stated that along with Sean Treacy, members of the British forces were killed
and wounded and three civilians also killed in the incident which led to
Treacy's death. Bridget Treacy was awarded a Gratuity of £100 (one hundred
pounds sterling) in [October] 1925 which she refused to accept. This award was
then increased to £150 (one hundred and fifty pounds sterling) in [November] of
that year but Bridget Treacy again refused to accept it. In March 1927 Bridget
Treacy was awarded and accepted an allowance of £1 (one pound sterling) per
week in [March] 1927 payable from 1 April 1922. File includes: original signed
handwritten and copy typed correspondence between Bridget Treacy and the
Department of Defence and the Army Finance Office regarding the processing of
her application/claim; signed typed report dated 16 July 1925 from Captain
[Donnchadh] O Súilleabháin, Office of the Director of Intelligence to
Lieutenant Tully, Adjutant General's Branch G.H.Q. regarding the circumstances
surrounding the death of Sean Tracy; reports dated 1 August and 9 November 1925
from the Chief Superintendent's Office, Tipperary Division, Gárda Síochána
regarding the general circumstances and means of Bridget Treacy;
representations on behalf pf Bridget Treacy from J. J. Walsh T.D., Minister for
Posts and Telegraphs and Seamus Burke T.D., Minister for Local Government and
Public Health (1925 - 1926); handwritten signed memo marked
"Personal" from [] dated 26 January 1926 addressed to the Army
Finance Officer regarding Bridget Treacy's application; typed copy
letter/report dated 11 June 1926 from the Army Finance Officer addressed to
"President" regarding Bridget Treacy's case stating that it has been
found impossible to assess the claimant's case as one of total dependency under
the Army Pensions Act, 1923 and stating the writers view that the award of a
total dependency allowance would not meet the merits of the case which in the
writer's view deserves the award of a substantial lump sum of not less than
£500 (five hundred pounds sterling), recommending that the proposed inclusion
in the estimates under the Amending Pension Bill of a sum for extra regulation
expenditure might be used as a means of increasing gratuities without the need
for specific provision within the Bill, and noting that Bridget Treacy's case
may not be able to wait until such monies might be made available; two typed
copy signed and unsigned letters dated 9 March 1927 from Thomas Gorman, Army
Finance Officer to the Secretary, Department of Finance regarding the case of
Bridget Treacy and enclosing typed copy report dated 4 March 1926 from Eoin Ua
Dubhthaigh (Eoin O' Duffy) regarding a personal visit he had made to Bridget
Treacy at her home, stating his findings as to her means and circumstances and
reporting her comments and views as to her application; and material relating
to Bridget Treacy's sister and brother.
Files:
1937 OPW
"A61/1/18/37"
"National Education Buildings: Proposal To Change Names Of Talbot St And
Earl St To Seantreacy St" "1937" "Edu" "B4"
Last update: 01
April 2021