War of Independance
Joseph Taylor from Glencar shot by Black and Tans at his home
The song commemorates Joseph Taylor who was an officer in the Volunteers. Both he and his brother Séamas were active in the Volunteers and both died during the conflict: Joseph, during the Black and Tans and Séamas, during the Civil War.
Joseph Taylor spent six months in jail in 1918 for illegal drilling. Following his release ‘he lived in the mountains carrying out the work of the Republican army’. As mentioned in the song, Joseph was killed in early Spring, Sunday, 27th February. He had returned home to get ready for Mass when he was captured by the Black and Tans. His parents and sister were present when Joseph was dragged from the house and shot by a hedge outside. His brother Séamas was watching on. The Black and Tans had taken three other prisoners that morning and Séamas was one of them. Though Joseph had been wounded, the Black and Tans forbade anyone present to help him. ‘The mother and father came rushing from the house, but the Black and Tans held them back. They would let no-one go to the wounded man.’ After about an hour, the Tans left, releasing Joe’s brother Séamas. Joseph’s family tended to him and did not think he would die. He died, however, later that day from loss of blood. This song was collected from Phil and Paud Collins, Loher and the McCann sisters of Glencar.
On 29th September 1920 in the Mastergeehy company area, an R.I.C. Sergeant and six constables were called out to investigate the hold-up of postman, Pádraig Ó Suilleabháin, Meall Corr. The postman had been carrying civil bills in registered letters and orders to farmers for non-payment of rent. Raiding of mail was very common during the Independence War as the post provided local companies with information about the goings-on in an area and often proved to be an invaluable source of intelligence. In a shared statement with other rebels, the O/C of the company, Micheál Breathnach described how he and six Volunteers armed with shotguns and a revolver, lined one side of the main road at Bunadreen and opened fire on the R.I.C. patrol when it refused to halt. The battle lasted two and a half hours.The fight continued until a constable and ex-soldier named English was wounded in the face. The ambush at Bunadreen lasted 2 ½ hours. According to a report in the ‘Liberator’ a Constable Quinn had a miraculous escape when a bullet passed through the peak of his cap leaving behind the wadding of the bullet. The R.I.C. patrol was armed with four rifles and three revolvers. According to the shared statement by Breathnach, Daly and Ó Conchubhair, two of the rifles were captured and seven bicycles. Moreover, their statement varies slightly from the song describing how the priest, Rev. Fr Courtney, arrived on the scene almost immediately after firing ceased. He then, along with two members of Cumann na mBan, rendered first aid to the wounded R.I.C. man and had him conveyed to Waterville.
The song was collected from Phil and Paud Collins, Loher and was sung by Rosaleen Mullarkey for the centenary remembrance of the ambush and the unveiling of the plaque at the site of the ambush.
A $30 Dáil Éireann Bond Certificate from 1921