Autumn Run: 20th October 2024
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What a Sunday afternoon of contrasts. Here we were in the heart of West Cork commemorating a sad event of a century ago; our 100 year old Ford ICE cars being led for the duration by the all-electric Ford Explorer; where “ Autumn leaves on’t fall, they fly; they take their time and wanderon this their only chance to soar”. Compare this with the day’s complex scenario Storm Ashley, bringing to coastal areas of the country, especially as it coincides with to some of the highest tides of the year.
Happily we weathered the storm and everything turned out well.
Beforehand, Bob Clarke circulated our route sheet at the drivers’ briefing at Bandon Motors, while the drivers and crews of the 8 Model Ts were happily enjoying their morning sustenance kindly organized by Deirdre.
Therewith the plan for the re-enactment of the Dick Barrett funeral cortege from Ballineen to Ahiohill.
11:00 am Refreshments served at Bandon Motors
11:30 am Leaving Bandon Motors for Ballineen, via scenic route arriving at Beda Community hall for lunch
12.15pm. Unveiling of plague at Enniskeane Railway Station by Minister Micheal Martin TD .
1:30 pm: On to the monument site, the Former Enniskeane Courthouse Heritage Plaza for the unveiling by Dick Barrett’s nieces and nephew of the Monument at 2pm.
2.45pm: Cortege leaves via Hollyhill, the home of Dick Barrett, arriving at Ahiohill cemetery
3.30pm: Graveside oration approximate 20 minutes.
4:00 pm: return to Bandon Motors approximately 20 minute drive.
As I have already stated, Catherine is a great grandniece of Dick Barrett. We are pleased that so many of the Club members brought along their model Ts for the occasion.
Thanks for your attendance,
Regards Bob Clarke. 20-Oct-2024
Eoin English, senior reporter with The Irish Examiner, penned an article on the happenings, a precise account of the event and its origins. With Eoin’s kind permission, we reprint his essay in full:
The government of the fledgling Irish State breeched the core founding principles of its constitution by executing four anti-Treaty republican leaders, the Tanaiste said yesterday as he unveiled memorials in West Cork to commemorate the centenary of the reinternment of the remains of Richard (Dick) Barrett.
Born on December 17, 1889, and raised In Balllneen, Mr. Barrett 32, was executed on December 8th 1922 along with Rory O’Connor, Liam Mellows and Joe McKelvey, in reprisal for the killing of pro-Treaty TD Sean Hales the previous day.
He was buried in the grounds of Mountjoy, but in October 1924 his body was returned to his family for reinternment in Ahiohill Cemetery in West Cork.
Yesterday, Tanaiste and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin unveiled a plaque at Ballineen’s Courthouse Heritage Playa before joining Mr. Barrett’s nieces and nephew, Nuala McCarthy, Theresa McCarthy, Moira O’Sullivan, and Kevin Barrett, to unveil a bust of their uncle, by Christian Belling and Julia Gebel, nearby.
Mr. Martin said Mr. Barrett’s murder was a source of great trauma and regret for a community which felt the loss of a true leader who had given them so much in his short life.
“Along with Rory O’Connor, Liam Mellows and Joe McKelvey, he was a victim of people who could not understand that a state gets its authority, not by shows of wild force, but through insisting that all citizens are subject to the same laws, and benefit from the same rights,” he said.
“The ideal of a republic was, for him, one where the Irish people, and the Irish people alone, controlled all parts of their destiny”.
“When he was captured in June 1922, he was an honoured and respected leader. For five months he sat as a prisoner and looked on as a cycle of reprisals took off, and precious opportunities for peace were scorned”.
He let it be known that he strongly opposed targeting pro-Treaty TDs.
“This is one of the many reasons why the decision of ministers to execute him in reprisal for the murder of Deputy Sean Hales was so vindictive and so wrong.”
Mr. Marlin said that Dick Barrett “manifestly” had nothing to do with the reprisals and murders of that month, both because he was in jail and because he opposed them.
“At the very moment that a constitution came into force for an Irish State, the government of that state breeched the core founding principles of that constitution.”
“What’s more. the record of the Dall shows that they knew this, with even one member of the Treaty delegation denouncing the government.”
Yesterday’s event was organised by the Dick Barrett Commemoration Committee, in partnership with Cork County Council and the Ballineen and Enniskeane Tidy Towns Association.
“We set out to do justice to the memory, the ideals, the heroism and the legacy of Dick Barrett and, indeed, his comrades who sacrificed so much for the freedom and liberty that we enjoy today,” said committee secretary Michael O’Mahony.
Margaret O’Donovan, secretary of the Ballineen and Enniskeane Tidy Towns Association, said: “As custodians of the Courthouse Heritage Plaza, the association is privileged to be associated with this collaborative event.”
Eoin English Irish Examiner – by kind permission.
Decision to execute Richard Barrett in reprisal for TD’s murder ‘so vindictive and so wrong’
We were all glad to have been present at this historical event especially as every living soul in West Cork has a deep knowledge and interest in the subject matter. Outsiders will get lots of opportunities to validate the same as they see fit.
In military tradition, the Last Post is the bugle call that signifies the end of the day’s activities. It is also sounded at military funerals to indicate that the soldier has gone to his final rest, and at commemorative services, such as the Dick Barrett Remembrance Day. A truly wonderful and fitting gesture by a solo trumpeteer.
WE arrived back at base for a warm cuppa and bickies. It being the final event of 2024, we go forth, to wrap up our Ts in the happy knowledge that they served us very well in the seven month long touring season across all of Ireland.
Thank you Bob for initiating this event and embracing us with the usual West Cork welcome.
Post Script: The event would not ever have happened without the support of volunteers and interested persons. Bob has kindly furnished a list of who’s who for the record:
The MC for the day was Finbarr Walsh chairman of the Dick Barrett Committee.
The first speaker was Gillian Coughlan, standing in for Chairman of Cork County Council.
Second speaker was Margaret O Donovan secretary of Ballineen/Enniskeane tidy towns association.
Third speaker was An Tanaiste Micheal Martin TD.
Fourth speaker was Kevin Barrett, nephew of the late Dick Barrett.
Fifth was Michael O Mahony, secretary of the Dick Barrett Committee.
Also present were nieces Moire O Sullivan, Teresa Mc Carthy, and Nuala Mc Carthy.
Commemoration and oration at the grave side in Ahiohill by Dr. Gabriel Doherty of UCC.
Wreaths placed on the Graveside in Ahiohill by Tesesa McCarthy, niece, on behalf the Barrett Family , and Louis Whyte in honour of Dick Barrett.
