History Studies : University of Limerick History Society Journal

128 Pages·2012·19.086 MB·English

by  University of Limerick History Society

History Studies
University of Limerick
History Studies
University ofLimerick
History Society Journal
Volume 13
2012
HislOIY StudiesVolume 13 History5111dies Volume 13
His/ory Studies is a refereed publication of the University of Acknowledgements
Limerick History Society and is published annually. It is registered
with the Irish International Standard Serial Number (ISS ) Centre
The editors would like to thank Dr Bernadette Whelan, head ofthe
at the ational LibraryofIreland.
DepartmentofHistory for her support both morally and financially.
ISS 1393 -7782.
In terms of willingness to act as invaluable advisors, Dr David
Copyright © by the contributors listed herein and His/ory
F1eming must alsobe thanked in this regard. We would like to thank
S/lIdies, 2012, includingall bibliographical references.
UL President, Don Barry, and Dean, Faculty of Arts, Humanities
No part of this publication may be reproduced. stored in a
and Social Sciences,Tom Lodge, for theircontinued support for this
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form. or by any means.
venture.
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
withoutthe priorpennission oftheeditorsofHis/orySwdies.
Ourgrateful acknowledgement goes to the editorial committee of
Jeffrey Leddin, ura Power and Martin Walsh. Paul Hayes, the
Cover design by Jennifer McCaffrey and Nora McGillicuddy,
previous editor, was generous with help and advice. We'd like la
Limerick School of Art and Design, Limerick Institute of
express special recognition to Ger Browne of Browne Print and
Technology. The cover incorporates theconcept ofpast, present and
Design for the high production valueofthis edition.
future, which is depicted, firstly by the use of the Buddhist symbol
AIiII1. The idea is secondly represented by three illustrative heads Last but not least, we would like to extend our appreciation to all
looking in different directions. Theysymbolise thesearch for history
thecontributors' efforts in helpingbring this work to fruition.
bypast, present and future historians.
Printed byGer Browne, Print and Design Ltd, Unit 2,
Crossagalla Industrial Estate, BaIlyneety,Co. Limerick.
[email protected]
11 III
History Studies Volume 13 HislOlY StudiesVolume 13
Preface
Editorial
Once again historical concerns dominate newspaper and magazine We are very pleased to present this year's selection of articles
headlines, and television and radio programmes. Politicians. from both Ireland and abroad. These student and early-career
commentators, journalists as well professional historians are contributions reflect the breadth of scholarly engagement with a
thinking, talking and writing about 'commemoration' and also about diversityofhistorical issues.
the 'diaspora'. The former focuses attention on the period 1912-22 Articles range from domestic issues such as the vaccination
and how best tocommemorate pastevents whilethe lattercentreson controversy in the early-twentieth century to often giant steps into
the causes and consequences ofemigration in the past, present and the 'next big thing' in terms ofentertainment media as well as more
future. Both themes seem exclusive yet both rely on historical light-hearted but equally enlightening issues as 'bleeding' statues in
scholarship to provide the context and on historians to explain the conflict-struck Tipperary and the tribulations of a charitable
complexity of past events. These twin themes. like the past in German. Workson thecold war-era; one specific to the sub-Saharan
general, are contested with different meanings and interpretations SomaU nation and another more broadly butcomprehensively on the
and it is the role of historians to elucidate this complexity and not containment policy as well as population issues, gender and
serve political agendas. Constructing the past is a challenge and is denominationally-specific. from nineteenth-century Bulgaria and
challenging and the essays in volume illustrate how that challenge inter-war Francecomplete thisedition.
can bemet. As in past years, many fine essays could not be included
because of lack of space in the printed edition. However, this year
Essays areincludedon the nineteenthand twentieth centuries. on we have the added facility of online-publication for two
arange ofthemes such as politics,culture, war, folklore, genderand contributions. We hope that this facility will be expanded and
nationalism and they are situated within an Irish, British, European, maybe eventually completely replace the production of costly
African, American and Asian contexts. Each of these essays offers hardcopies. This brings us to the establishment of the new Hisro,)'
new insights and interpretations and makes a valuable contribution Studies website www.ul.ie/historysludies. For now, it provides an
to the cannon ofhistory. I congratulate the University of Limerick online presence for the journal and allows for free access to past
History Societyand theeditorsofthe 2012-13 issue. Jutta Kruse and volumes. In future, other functions may be added. In this context.
Gear6id 6 Faole.n. Ph.D. students in the Department of History, we would like to thank Mairead Loughran and Kristofer Harte of
have dedicated extensive time and effort to producing this journal. Information Technology Division of the university without whom
maintaining high production and scholarship standards and we would havebeen lost in thisregard.
developinganon-lineversionofthejournal.
BemadetteWhelan M.A. Ph.D. Jutta Kmseand Gear6id 6 Faole.n,
Head,
DepartmentofHistory Editors
University ofLimerick
iv v
History SllIdies Volume 13 History Studies Volume 13
Contents
Acknowledgements 11\
Preface iv
Editorial v
John 'Supernatural manifestations,
Reynolds accompanied bycures' - the
phenomenon ofthe 'Templemore
miracles', 1920
Luke Rhetoric and Reality- Ahistoryof 25
Butterly the formation ofthe 'Domino Theory'
Gerard Entertainment in independent Ireland: 47
Duoley Evolution ofIrish parochial versus
commercial dance hall culture
Sharon E. 'Acrisisofthe hearth?' The post-War 69
Burke challenge togenderorderin France
1919-1929
Julta Kruse Saving Irish national infants or 91
protecting the infant nation? Irish anti-
vaccination discourse, 1900-I930
Sam Mealy Slate-buildingin the Horn ofAfrica: 114
the pan-Somali project and Cold War
politicsduring the 1960s
William The venerableJohnJoseph Steiner: A 133
Buck German-Irish saint?
PinarOre Immediateeffectsofthe 1877-I878 153
Russo-Onoman Waron the Muslims
ofBulgaria
vi vii
History SwdiesVolume 13 History SwdiesVolume 13
'Supernatural manifestations,accompanied by cures'
Noteson Contributors 171 - the phenomenon ofthe 'Templemore miracles',
1920
Call for Papers 172
John Reynolds
On 16 August 1920, District Inspector William Harding
Wilson of the Royal Irish Constabulary was shot dead in
Templemore by a party ofIRA volunteers consisting ofPaddy
Kinnane, Jimmy Leahy, 'big' Jim Stapleton, John Fahy and
Jack Ryan. Reporting the death of Wilson to Dublin Castle,
County Inspector Dunlop from enagh stated that 'his fearless
manner in dealing with Sinn Fein was the cause ofhis death'.1
Later that night 'wild scenes were witnessed' in the town as
the military engaged in reprisals. Templemore town hall was
burned to the ground as were local creameries at Castleiney,
Loughmore and Killea. Houses were damaged and shops
looted.' The town hall burning resulted in the deaths of two
members of the Northamptonshire Regiment, Captain Sidney
Beattie M.C and Lance Corporal Herbert Fuggle. The regiment
I RJCcountyinspector'sreport forTipperarynorth, Aug. 1920.(N.A.l.,
CO904/112)
2TipperarySIll,.,21 Aug. 1920.
viii
History SwdiesVolume 13 History SwdiesVolume 13
'Supernatural manifestations,accompanied by cures'
Noteson Contributors 171 - the phenomenon ofthe 'Templemore miracles',
1920
Call for Papers 172
John Reynolds
On 16 August 1920, District Inspector William Harding
Wilson of the Royal Irish Constabulary was shot dead in
Templemore by a party ofIRA volunteers consisting ofPaddy
Kinnane, Jimmy Leahy, 'big' Jim Stapleton, John Fahy and
Jack Ryan. Reporting the death of Wilson to Dublin Castle,
County Inspector Dunlop from enagh stated that 'his fearless
manner in dealing with Sinn Fein was the cause ofhis death'.1
Later that night 'wild scenes were witnessed' in the town as
the military engaged in reprisals. Templemore town hall was
burned to the ground as were local creameries at Castleiney,
Loughmore and Killea. Houses were damaged and shops
looted.' The town hall burning resulted in the deaths of two
members of the Northamptonshire Regiment, Captain Sidney
Beattie M.C and Lance Corporal Herbert Fuggle. The regiment
I RJCcountyinspector'sreport forTipperarynorth, Aug. 1920.(N.A.l.,
CO904/112)
2TipperarySIll,.,21 Aug. 1920.
viii
Hist01)'Studies Volume 13 HistOl)'Studies Volume 13
was based at Richmond Barracks (now the Garda Sfochana the house ofThomas Dwan's sister-in-law Miss Maher at the
College). CUffaheen couage were shedding tears ofblood. James Walsh,
The regimental diary stated that Beauie 'died of a sixteen year old farm labourer from Bouladuff, Thurles who
accidental injuries received at Templemore·. and Fuggle had wasemployedby Miss Maherand lived in the couage, claimed
'accidentally burnt to death·] The Irish Times reponed that that he was experiencing Marian apparitions. He also alleged
Beattie had entered the burning town hall to 'rescue a trapped that a ·holy well' had sprung from the floor of his bedroom.
civilian with complete disregard for his own safety' . but the TheTipperaryStarreponed that 'aflertheoutburston Monday
Tipperal)" Star reponed a different account that the military night some of the statues from which blood had been oozing
and Black and Tans had taken petrol at gunpoint from were taken by Walsh to Templemore, and it is believed that it
Moynan's garage and used it to set fire to several premises in was this that saved the town from destruction'.7 The Limerick
the town.' It was also reported that when the town hall was sel Leader reported that 'prominent townsmen assembled around
ablaze, 'a cheer was given and a voice shouted 'Sinn Feiners the bleeding statues and offered prayers aloud, thanking God
all lie down'.' Shonly after the deaths of Beauie and Fuggle that the town was saved and that none of the inoffensive
the first reports of 'supernatural manifestations, accompanied peopleofTemplemore suffered any casualties'S Following the
by cures' taking place in the area appeared in local, national death of Wilson it was reponed that the Black and Tans had
and international newspapers.6 Attention focused on the town sworn retribution and to ·make the Catholics pay for it" Some
of Templemore and also a cottage in the townland of local people believed lhat divine intervention had taken place
Curraheen near Gortagarry, several miles away. It was to prevent the town being completely destroyed in revenge for
reported that religious statues in the Templemore premises of the death of Wilson, and that ·our Lady had saved
newsagent Thomas Dwan, the adjacent RIC barracks and also Templemore'.'o On 31 August 1920 County Inspector Dunlop
reported the incident to the inspector general of the RIC in
3Operationaldiaryofthe 1SI:battalionoftheNorthamptonshireregiment
in Ireland. 191923.Archivesofthe orthamptonshireregiment.
4
Northampton. 7TipperarySUlr,20Aug. 1920.
JIris" Times. 12Nov. 1920. 8LimerickLeader,3Sept. 1920.
5TipperaryStar.21 Aug. 1920. , Ibid.
6Iris" Times.23 Aug. 1920. 10Ibid.
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HiSfOf)JStudies Volume 13 HistOf)1Swdies Volume 13
Dublin Castle stating that 'on 20'" inst. miraculous apparitions Mayo who had joined the constabulary in 1913 resigned from
are alleged to have appeared in Templemore and Curraheen. the force on 7 September 1920 with 'no reason given'.14
Sacred statues belonging to a man named Walsh and a limmy Walsh was not known tothe local policeorto have had
constable stationed at Templemore are alleged to have begun any overt involvement with lhe Irish Volunteers or Sinn Fein
to bleed. and several miraculous cures are said to have taken before these incidents began, but his brother had been arrested
place,·11 for mililant activity and imprisoned without charge or trial in
Thomas Wimsey of Templemore barracks was the Wormwood Scrubs gaol in London, where he had undergone a
constable referred to. The Tipperary Star reported that the 'tryinghungerstrike'."
statue had been given to Wimsey by limmy Walsh several Dunlop reponed that a pilgrimage to Templemore had
weeks earlier, and had been kept in his room inside the started from all parts of Ireland with many thousands
barracks. Dunlop had the statue removed from the barracks thronging daily into the town.'· By 4 September upwards of
and placed with the other stalUes alleged to be bleeding on an 15,000 persons per day were making the pilgrimage to
improvised altar which had been erected in the yard beside Templemore and then onwards to Curraheen. This influx
Dwan's newsagents shop on Main Street. This followed an brought an economic windfall to the area which reponedly
incident during which the barracks was besieged by a large 'must have done better than many a seaside (Own in Ireland
crowd of pilgrims when rumours spread that the bleeding this year',17 Dunlop reported that the alleged miracles were
statue of Constable Wimsey was within,I2 Many people havingapositive effect on the locality, describing the conduct
entered the barracks and had to be forcibly removed by the ofthe large crowds as exemplary, while newspapers renamed
police. The Tipperary Star reported that Wimsey left the RIC Templemore as Pilgrimville or Pilgrimstown. To cater for the
to join a religious order.13 The relevant extract from the RIC thousands ofvisitors described by newspapers as 'the halt, the
service register shows that Wimsey, a Catholic from county maim and the blind,' additional trains depaning from
11 RICcountyinspeclor'SreportforTipperaryNorth Riding.Aug. 1920 I~ RICgeneral serviceregister,(N.A.L, HO 184).
(N.A.t..CO904/112). 15LimerickLeader,23 Aug. 1920.
12TipperarySwr.20Aug. 1920. 16TipperarySwr,4Sept. 1920.
lJTipperaryStar.4Sepl. 1920. 17LimerickLeader,20Sept. 1920.
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HistOlYStudiesVolume 13 Hisrol)' StudiesVolume 13
Kingsbridge station in Dublin were added to the normal holy well in Walsh's bedroom. The practice of pilgrimage to
schedule." The Reverend P. Collier, a correspondent for The holy wells pre-dates the introduction ofChristianity to Ireland
Catholic Times newspaper visited Templemore on 23 August but in more recent times they have been closely linked with
and wrote that his train from Dublin was packed with pilgrims. Marian devotion. Pilgrims visiting Curraheen adhered to the
He estimated that 6,000 to 8.000 people were at Dwan's yard. traditional practiceofreciting five decades ofthe rosarybefore
many of them having been there overnight. He saw four kneeling beside the well for more prayers. They then walked
statues, each trickling blood down the face. neck. breasts and three times around the well before drinking from it, and then
bodyl' taking water to bring home.23 Walsh shared many of the
The alleged visionary James Walsh was described by characteristics ofother Marian visionaries. Generally they are
newspapers as a 'simple-mannered youth' or a 'saint if ever young people from rural backgrounds who have shown strong
there was one'.20 He toldjournalists that he had spent a period religious devotion prior to becoming visionaries. Many have
of time in the Cistercian Monastery in Roscrea as a novice, been involved in religious practices such as pilgrimages,
leaving because ofill health, but that he intended 'to re-entera devotions, processions and prayers, which have been defined
religious order" in the near future.21 Walsh became an instant as 'popular piety'." In 1974 Pope Paul VI, writing in
celebrity both within Ireland and internationally, and within Evallgelii """tia"di (article 48) commented that such piety
days advertising had appeared in newspapers offering 'indicates a certain thirst for God such as only those who are
'photographs ofthe boy to whom the blessed virgin appeared' simple and poor in spirit can experience. .... It can bear such
22
for sale. Pilgrims visiting Templemore travelled on to excellentfruits and yet is fraught with danger'.
Maher's cottage at Curraheen which was also regarded as a The throng of pilgrims prompted one elderly local to
place of pilgrimage because of the reponed existence of the make an analogy with the Alaskan gold rush of 1897-98 that
he had experienced, remarking that 't'was easier to get from
Skagway to the Klondike' than from Templemore to
18Irish Times. 23Aug. 1920.
19LimerickLeader.4Sepl. 1920.
20Irish Times. 23 Aug. 1920:TipperaryStar.20Aug. 1920. 23PeterHarbinson,Pilgrimagein Ireland: themonumenrsandthe
21 Irish Times. 23 Aug. 1920. eeop/e(London, 1991),p.230.
22TipperaryStar,4Sepl. 1920. -~DonalFlanagan,ThemeaningofKnock(Dublin. 1997),p.46.
6 7