We publish below brief references to the thirteen men commemorated on the Kilbannivane Republican Monument, Castleisland.
Michael O Brosnacain / Michael Brosnan (1900-1920)
Son of Cornelius Brosnan and Margaret (née Collins) Brosnan of Close, Castleisland. Michael Brosnan was shot by Black and Tans on 8 November 1920. Account of incident in Dying for the Cause (2015) by Tim Horgan, pp195-196. See also ‘Centenary Ceremony for Michael Brosnan, Castleisland’ by John Reidy in The Kerryman, 11 November 2020.
Tomas Pleimionn / Thomas Fleming (1895-1921)
Son of Michael and Mary Fleming of Cloonclogh, Currow. Thomas Fleming died on 16 June 1921 from injuries received during the delivery of a lesson in mine construction. Account of incident in Dying for the Cause (2015) by Tim Horgan, pp203-204. A memorial was unveiled at Glountane, Cordal, the site of the accident, on 2 July 1950 by his three-year-old niece (or grand niece), Rosalie (or Rosarie) Fleming. In attendance were his brothers Pat and Edmond and his sister Annie.
Risteard O Seanachain / Richard Shanahan (1902-1921)
Son of Richard Shanahan, shopkeeper, Main Street, Castleisland. Richard Shanahan died on 10 July 1921 following an attack on a British Army patrol in Main Street, Castleisland. Account of incident in Dying for the Cause (2015) by Tim Horgan, pp226-228.
Seaghan De Prendibhile / John (Jack) Prendiville (1899-1921)
Native of Breahig, Scartaglen. John Prenderville died on 10 July 1921 following an attack on a British Army patrol in Main Street, Castleisland. Account of incident in Dying for the Cause (2015) by Tim Horgan, pp221-223. Census of Ireland of 1901 names John Prendiville’s siblings as Thomas, Ellen, James, Edward and Denis.
Note: A monument, in the care of the National Graves Association of Ireland, was erected near Castleview, Castleisland, in memory of Richard Shanahan, John Prendiville and Seán Ó Floinn (John (Jack) Flynn). John Flynn (1893-1921), native of Gurranemore, Gortatlea, was a member of the Ballymacelligott Company. He participated in actions at Gortatlea and Scartaglin RIC Barracks and other incidents in Kerry. He was buried in Rath Cemetery, Tralee, in the same plot as Richard Laide, killed in Gortatlea in 1918. Further reference, Dying for the Cause (2015) by Tim Horgan, pp253-254. The monument is believed to have been erected circa late 1960s/1970s.
Cormach Ó h-Analáin / Charles Joseph O’Hanlon (1906-1922)
Son of Michael O’Hanlon, victualler, Listowel. Died on or about 4 August 1922 following wounds received on 2 August 1922. Account of incident in Dying for the Cause (2015) by Tim Horgan, pp180-182. ‘Free State activity in North Kerry prevented the completion of Charlie O’Hanlon’s final journey.’ He was buried in Kilbannivane Cemetery, Castleisland.
Partolan O Murcadha / Bartholomew Murphy (1905-1922)
Son of Daniel Murphy and Julia Horan of Main Street, Castleisland. Bartholomew Murphy was shot in the head by Colonel David Neligan on the steps of the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney on 27 September 1922. A commemorative plaque on the wall almost opposite the steps of the hotel was erected by the National Graves Association. Account of the incident in Dying for the Cause (2015) by Tim Horgan, pp207-209.
Seaghan Ó Sabháin / John Savage (1899-1923)
Son of Thomas Savage and Mary Sullivan. Born at Woodview, Ahaneboy, Castleisland. John Savage died on 1 March 1923 from injuries and shot wound inflicted by Free State soldiers. Account of the incident in Dying for the Cause (2015) by Tim Horgan, pp224-225.
Padraig O Buachalla / Patrick Buckley (RIP 1923)
Patrick Buckley hailed from West Limerick. He married Delia Brosnan of Inchincummer, Killeentierna, near Castleisland, and had five children. Patrick Buckley numbered among those killed at Ballyseedy, where his name is recorded on the monument there (see ‘Ballyseedy 2 am March 7 1923’ www.odonohoearchive.com). An account of his role in the Civil War is given in Dying for the Cause (2015) by Tim Horgan, pp197-199. See also recollections of Sean Buckley, one of Patrick Buckley’s sons, in ‘Beyond the Walls: A Monk’s Journey to Wholeness’ in A Brosnan Gathering (2013) pp26-27 (Collection Reference IE MOD/C17).
Seaghan Ó Dalaigh / John Daly (RIP 1923)
Native of Ahaneboy, Castleisland. John ‘Jack’ Daly numbered among those killed at Ballyseedy, where his name is recorded on the monument there (see ‘Ballyseedy 2 am March 7 1923’ www.odonohoearchive.com). An account of his role in the Civil War is given in Dying for the Cause (2015) by Tim Horgan, pp200-202.
Micheál Ó Conaill / Michael O’Connell (1900-1923)
Son of James O’Connell of Fahaduff, Castleisland. Michael O’Connell numbered among those killed at Ballyseedy, where his name is recorded on the monument there (see ‘Ballyseedy 2 am March 7 1923’ www.odonohoearchive.com). An account of his role in the Civil War is given in Dying for the Cause (2015) by Tim Horgan, pp213-214.
Seumas Breathnach / James Walsh (c1899-1923)
James Walsh was native of Currow. A memorial to Lt James Walsh, who was shot at Mount Falvey, Scartaglin, by Free State troops on 27 March 1923, was unveiled there by his 11-year-old nephew, Seumas Walsh, on 2 July 1950. Also in attendance his brothers, Jack Walsh, Patrick Walsh, and Brother Boniface Walsh, Tralee. An account of the unveiling of this memorial (and that to Tom Fleming) in Kerryman, 8 July 1950. A seven verse song, ‘The Ballad of Seamus Walsh’ which begins, From a humble Kerry Homestead in the springtime of the year, records the shooting of James Walsh. See Willie Relihan’s music collection, Hills of Home (‘The Summit of Mount Falvey’).
Note: James Walsh should not be confused with James Walsh (1900-1923) son of Patrick Walsh, farmer, of Lissodeige (Lissogeige), near Tralee who numbered among those killed at Ballyseedy. An account of his role in the Civil War is given in Dying for the Cause (2015) by Tim Horgan, pp80-81.
Diarmuid Ó Laoghaire / Jeremiah O’Leary (1894-1923)
Born at Mount, Scartaglin, only son of James O’Leary, farmer, and Hannah (née Scanlon) of Knockafreaghaun, Brosna. Jeremiah O’Leary was shot in the back by Free State soldiers on 29 May 1923. A plaque on the wall of the former Hartnett’s Hotel, Castleisland marks the place where he fell. It was unveiled on 5 June 1924. A memorial cross was unveiled in Scartaglin on 26 May 1946. An account of Jeremiah O’Leary’s role in the Civil War is given in Dying for the Cause Kerry’s Republican Dead (2015) by Tim Horgan, pp218-220. Jer O’Leary, as he was known, had four known sisters, Ellie, Kate, Maggie and Norah. He is believed to have been engaged to Miss Hickey of Ballinattin, Knocknagoshel at the time of his death. If anyone can help with the Christian name of Miss Hickey, please email danielulickosullivan@gmail.com who is researching Hickey family history.
Padraig O Ceannaigh / Patrick Kenny (1903-1924)
Patrick Gerald Kenny, known as Eric Kenny, was born at Ballymacadam, Castleisland in 1903. His father was John Kenny of Ballymacadam (about which family see Poff and Barrett: The P D Kenny Affair on www.odonohoearchive.com). Patrick Kenny contracted Tuberculosis after going on hunger strike in Gormanston Camp, and died from the effects of the disease on 15 May 1924. An account of Patrick Kenny’s role in the Civil War is given in Dying for the Cause (2015) by Tim Horgan, pp205-206.
