Finally got a copy from the 1950's edition of "Casement's Last Adventure", written by Captain Robert Monteith, which names my great grandparents. My father owns a copy of the pre 1950's version with no names mentioned to avoid prosecution. My great grandparents are mentioned in the chapter "Tralee, page 165-166.
He (Monteith) is taken to the hall of the Ancient Order of Hibernians which was under the care of my Great Grandfather (John O'Sullivan) and he stayed in a flat above there. Monteith was playing cards late into the night with supporters.
"As we played a wire was brought in by John O'Sullivan from the stationmaster at Fenit. As far as my memory serves it ran: 'Germans landing arms at Banna Strand, reward offered for capture.'..." and later records, "I stayed the night in the flat occupied by John O'Sullivan who had charge of the hall. O'Sullivan worked on the railway, and was on night duty, but his wife and her sister-in-law, Miss Elizabeth O'Sullivan, took good care of me."
My father, who stayed with his grandfather when growing up, tells me John was indeed a member of the AOH and got quite bitter in later years referring to De Valera as "that bloody Spaniard". His mood probably wasn't improved by his fearsome wife, Ellen, who insisted they moved to Coventry- probably to ensure she had some say in the upbringing of her children and grandchildren there.
Does anybody know if the hall used by the AOH in Tralee still stands or if there would be any AOH records surviving?
Cheers all.
