Balbriggan & District Historical Society have embraced technology to present their Heritage Week talk on The Sack of Balbriggan 1920 by local historian Jim Walsh via Youtube.Jim a retired Librarian and founding member of the Society draws on a lifetime of research and some newly available material to present a fascinating talk which will be of huge interest to history enthusiasts as well as being very accessible to the general public.The talk begins with an introduction giving the local and historical context of the time and continues with the aid of many images, to give a comprehensive account of the Sack of Balbriggan, based on contemporary accounts, military and RIC archives, newspaper coverage, other publications and interviews with family members.The Youtube presentation is interspersed with many images from the time as well as contemporary images from Balbriggan provided by Society Secretary Kilian Harford to give context.The centenary of the Sack of Balbriggan by the Black and Tans in 1920 takes place on September 20th and as part of the Covid-19 restricted Commemoration the Society has a full seminar on the subject planned including a lecture from Diarmaid Ferriter, which will also be made available online.Speaking about this new venture into virtual content a spokesperson for the Society said “While we are very disappointed like everyone else that we haven’t been able to present our usual programme of talks to our loyal members and supporters in Balbriggan arguably these new challenges have presented an opportunity to reach a much bigger audience. We are delighted to be able to connect again with our friends in Balbriggan who we have missed this year and we think the availability of this lecture online will be of huge interest to Balbriggan people abroad as well as locally and nationally.”We would like to thank Eric Campbell for producing the video in such a fantastic professional manner.
Category: Featured
A History of Balbriggan Youtube video with Brian Howley
A History of Balbriggan
Listen to our Chairperson Brian Howley as he gives a tour of Balbriggan and an introduction to its rich history. Learn about the name Baile Brigín, Sinéad De Valera, the harbour and lighthouse, the coming of the railway, the rich hosiery tradition including Smyth & Co and ‘Balbriggans’ and of course the tragic story of the Sack of Balbriggan in 1920. See video here: A History of Balbriggan
The Sack of Balbriggan 1920
September 2020 is a very significant date in Balbriggan History as it marks 100 years since the Sack of Balbriggan. Balbriggan & District Historical Society in conjunction with other local groups and Fingal County Council had comprehensive plans in place to commemorate this 100 year anniversary with public events in September.
Due to COVID 19 government restrictions at the time of writing it is still not clear what level of commemoration can take place but it is clearly our intention to ensure that this does receive a fitting, appropriate and meaningful commemoration even if that means that it, like so many other things, has to be adjusted or delayed.
In the meantime the following is an account of the Sack of Balbriggan for those who don’t know about this event. A fuller account can be found in our publication Balbriggan a History for the Millennium
The Sack of Balbriggan September 1920
The tragic events of the sack of Balbriggan by Black And Tans have left an unforgettable memory on the town. Peter Burke the Head Constable of the R.I.C was accompanied by his brother William a Sgt and they entered Smyth’s pub (now the Millrace Pub) for a drink. There are confusing accounts of what transpired there but shortly afterwards Peter Burke was shot dead and his brother William was seriously wounded.
When word reached Gormanston Camp where the Black and Tans were stationed and a large body of them arrived in 2/3 lorries later firing indiscriminately in the streets. They stationed their vehicles outside the barracks on Bridge St (now the home of Ashling dry cleaners). They also burnt several houses and many families spent several nights sleeping outdoors in fear for their lives.
They looted the business of John Derham (a local Town Commissioner) now the Medical Centre on corner of Bridge St and Clonard St. and they burned several local businesses and several houses including 8 cottages on Clonard St (Known locally as Sinn Féin Alley).
Several licensed premises were also destroyed including Landy’s and the Gladstone Inn (now Harvest Pub and Milestone Inn). The Black and Tans were set on destroying the premises of Smyth and Co on Railway St however they burned down another factory,
Balbriggan Sea Mills, built by the English Company, Deeds Templar. Only the factory chimney remains.
Several locals were dragged into the barracks for questioning and 2 were murdered, Seamus Lawless a local Barber, and Sean Gibbons a dairy farmer. The plaque on Bridge St commemorates them. Both were buried in Balscadden cemetery. Peter Burke was buried in Glenamaddy,Co Galway.
Fulham Terrace has been named in honour of the bravery of Dr Fulham on the night along with the names given to Lawless and Gibbons Terrace in the town.
You can download our Sack of Balbriggan Memorial Calendar here Calendar 2020 BHS (9)
Balbriggan is the Place to be in 2020!
Balbriggan is the Place to be in September 2020
The centenary of the Sack of Balbriggan by the Black and Tans in September 1920 takes place next year and Balbriggan & District Historical Society is working to commemorate this major historic
event in an appropriate and inclusive manner.
This critically important part of our town’s history involved the shooting dead of one RIC member,
Peter Burke, and the wounding of another, which prompted the subsequent havoc wreaked on the
town and its inhabitants by the Black and Tans. Numerous houses, a factory and several business
premises in the town were destroyed as a result, and hundreds of people were forced to sleep
outdoors for several nights in fear of their lives.
The night of terror on 20th September culminated in the brutal murder of two local men, James
Lawless and John Gibbons by the Black and Tans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkWhvTCpwWM
Building on contacts that the Society has forged with local schools, we plan to work with them in
early 2020, providing them with information regarding the Sack, and encouraging enthusiastic
involvement from all.
In the weeks leading up to September 2020, Sack-related historical walks of the town will be
organised.
In co-operation with local businesses and Fingal County Council, we intend to organise a
photographic exhibition to be displayed in the streets and in local businesses throughout the town.
Weekend Commemoration, 19th & 20th September 2020
A full-day seminar will take place in the Bracken Court Hotel on Saturday, 19th September,
involving a series of talks related to the Sack of Balbriggan and its aftermath, including events from
the perspective of the RIC. We hope to have an exhibition of contemporary media reports of the
events, together with other memorabilia relating to the Sack.
On Sunday, 20th September, a religious service will be held, followed by a parade and a wreath-
laying ceremony at the Lawless and Gibbons plaque on Bridge Street – an opportunity for everyone to get involved.
In addition, we plan to publish a book on the Sack of Balbriggan, and the unveiling of a
commemorative memorial in the town is another idea that is gaining momentum.
Watch out for our Sack of Balbriggan commemorative medals and calendars which will be
available for sale from this November (2019).
Balbriggan &Distri ct Historical Society can be contacted at balbrigganhistsoc@gmail.com.
The above release was issued to the Press on Monday September 16th 2019
Balbriggan: People and Places 1893 Photographic Exhibition October 19th & 20th
Balbriggan & District Historical Society was very proud to host a unique photographic exhibition of the people and places of Balbriggan taken in the year of 1893.
In 2016, the Society acquired a collection of photographs taken by Mr. Lewis Whyte, amateur photographer and Managing Director at Smyco factory on Railway Street. Many of the photographs were taken on a single day and capture the people and familiar places of our beloved town.
Since acquiring these photographs we have got them digitised and a selection of them printed. We feel that the conservation and exhibition of these albums is an important contribution by our Society to the cultural heritage of our town. To this end we held an exhibition in the Bracken Court Hotel on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th October and were truly delighted to see so many of you there. Many people shared memories of the people and places featured in the photographs, as they marvelled at the wonderful transformation of the photographs from the tiny originals to the enhanced prints on display.The exhibition was launched on Friday the 19th October, and continued on Saturday, 20th between 12 and 6 p.m.
Looking forward to seeing you there and be sure to spread the word about this must see exhibition.
A Celebration of the life of Pte. Terence Joseph McMahon 1944-1997
On Saturday July 15th 2017 Balbriggan & District Historical Society hosted a Commemoration in honour of Pte. Terence Mc Mahon from Balbriggan who took part in the Siege of Jadotville in the Congo in 1961 at the age of just 16. The heroic efforts of the 155 soldiers of A Company 35th Battalion UN forces who held out against an opposition force of more than 3000 has been used as a case study for foreign armies but has only recently been acknowledged at home.
The really moving occasion, attended by a large crowd, commenced with a Commemorative Mass at St. Peter & Paul’s Church celebrated by Fr. Eugene Taaffe PP assisted by Fr. Anthony Gill and Fr. Liam Cuffe, son of Jadotville veteran Sgt Geoffrey Cuffe. with Irish United Nations Veterans Association Colour party in attendance. After Mass there was a parade to George’s Square where a Commemorative Plaque was unveiled by Mayor of Fingal Cllr Mary McCamley with Irish Defence Forces in attendance.
May McKeon spoke about her own memories of Terry as a boy growing up in Balbriggan and of her amazement when she heard the story of his involvement at Jadotville from his brother Anthony. When Terry returned home he never spoke about these events as they were ordered not to and even his own family didn’t know of his heroic past until recent years. Anthony praised the work of Jadotville Veteran John Gorman in campaigning to get their story told and Cmmt Leo Quinlan, son of Cmmt Pat Quinlan who commanded the troops at Jadotville gave an excellent talk on the Siege and on the campaign for recognition. It was poignant that among the many Defence Forces and UN veterans in attendance was Mick Dunne who himself was Veteran of Jadotville. Balbriggan & District Historical Society would particularly thank George Kirwan from the United Nations Veterans Association who spoke on the day, for all his help leading up to the event.
Before unveiling the plaque, Mayor of Fingal Mary McCamley said “It’s fitting that we have come together today to remember Terry, here in George’s Square where he was born and raised. It’s so important that we remember the contribution of Irish soldiers who have served with UN missions across the world.”
This was a fitting tribute to Terence and an important day for his native Balbriggan and his extended family, particularly his brothers John and Anthony and sister Julia, who travelled from America for the occasion. Balbriggan & District Historical Society would like to thank everyone, too numerous to mention who attended and assisted on the day to make this such a great occasion and acknowledge the generous support for this project from Fingal County Council and Heritage Officer Gerry Clabby.
For further information check out the film The Siege of Jadotville on Netflix which tells the story. Or check out the many links on YouTube that show actual footage or interviews in relation to the Siege.
Some samples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU7P7-zxEMI
Irish Troops in the Congo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9ZAAxeXk8s&t=226s
The Siege of Jadotville Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_JHsiQTTmg