Any stories/info from 1916 -1922

[Gary Deering]

I have heard that my Granfather trained with the IRA & was sworn in (due to his brothers influence) . From what I can make out the only thing he did that I know of was hide guns for them,under a mattress while his wife was pregnant,the after effect I was told was my Granmother suffered a nervous breakdown.So I think that's the human side of it.

[Ms. Smokestoomuch]

I don't think it was really valued what the wives were put through. And all the glory given to the volunteers themselves.
There's a story of someone comforting my Grannie because she was expecting and she could hear artillery coming from the city. They kept telling her it was the barrels in Guinness's. She had her first child while her husband was in Frongoch. He was imprisoned a number of times so I'd say it was likely he wasn't there for other important times too.
I always think of her having ten kids in the background while he got the glory.  And she supported him so many ways.

[Gary Deering]

Oh I agree Mrs Smokestoomuch, the other thing was the abuse & the gun shots over there heads from the Tans as they went shopping etc, no one ever talks about that.

[seanod]

There is a heartbreaking account in one of the witness statements - Bill Stapleton, I think - where he recounts that Thomas O'Reilly showed the body of his brother Patrick to him with the powder burns around the wound in his face, and also said that he was nearly certain his other brother was dead in the George V Hospital. He wasn't sure how he was going to tell his mother that Stephen O'Reilly had also died. It brings it home to you that while there is an official rhetoric about heroism and sacrifice and glory, these were real people whose death left an immense gap in other people's lives and caused them immense grief and suffering, especially the women. Thanks for putting these stories online. I still haven't found anything about a William Cusack, though I have found references to a D Cusack. Any relation?

[Gary Deering]

As I said Sean it was 30 years ago since Mrs Cusack gave me that stuff,It could have been her husbands Brother, there are one or two items that I have never seen anywhere else which if there any good to you you can use in the Book your writing (but there mostly Civil war)

[dc51]

Hi guys,
My father was born 14 sept 1922 in 31 Lr Dorset St. There was a reason he was born that day, as my grandmother went into premature labour. From what I'm told, my grandmother was heavily pregnant, probably close to her time, when a gun battle broke out outside. She was in the top floor and rebel forces were firing down to the street below where a free state army unit were passing. The army unit returned fire. They were not particularly good shots as there bullets flying through the window.
Anyway, my poor old granny got into such a state, my father was born in the middle of it.   

[Ms. Smokestoomuch]

Did she christen your Da , Rick O'Shea

[Gary Deering]

Hi guys,
My father was born 14 sept 1922 in 31 Lr Dorset St. There was a reason he was born that day, as my grandmother went into premature labour. From what I'm told, my grandmother was heavily pregnant, probably close to her time, when a gun battle broke out outside. She was in the top floor and rebel forces were firing down to the street below where a free state army unit were passing. The army unit returned fire. They were not particularly good shots as there bullets flying through the window.
Anyway, my poor old granny got into such a state, my father was born in the middle of it.   

Could have been worst, they could have been Tan Bullets ! there was a lot of FS soldiers that had little or no training,they where shown how to load & fire a 303 & that was about it !

[turvey]

my grandfather was in E Company 2nd battalion Dublin Brigade old I.R.A. His Name was Thomas
Reilly, sometimes used O'Reilly.  His cousins were Kavanagh's also involved.  I think he was on a wanted list
as my mother can remember the house being searched for him  They lived in  Fairview at the time but can find no record of membership of E Comnpany.  Any information appreciated.   He died in 1975 and had I.R.A funeral.