Dan Breen and the IRA

by Joe Ambrose

  I have enjoyed stimulating discussions concerning Dan Breen, and related matters, with many people. Ulick O’Connor was his usual urbane and forthright self; his perspective on the twilight years of the revolutionary generation was much appreciated. Frank Rynne pointed me in the direction of certain historians who’ve come on the scene since I quit Ireland and history. Prof. Liam Kennedy showed me how a true historian might tackle this matter. Des Farrell bought me a good lunch in the Shelbourne and shared his information and attitudes with me. Michael Murphy, in addition to chatting about Breen and Fianna Fáil, was kind enough to show me some of his research correspondence. Fintan Deere facilitated my first meeting with an tAthair Colmcille, and was also responsible for my meeting Mickey Joe Costello.

  I’m grateful to my sisters Gerardine and Caroline, and to their husbands Eamonn O’Meara and Val Needham, for putting up with me (and putting me up) while I’ve been in Ireland researching this book. My brother Robbie was an excellent companion during the same trips, as was my nephew James Needham. Jocelyn and Lucy Bradell were kind enough to offer me Dublin accommodation – it’s the thought that counts. Dr Declan O’Reilly gave me shelter from the storm and was a good historian to discuss this project with. Nick Szegda from Menlo Park Library tried to enthuse local historians on my behalf. Nicholas Allen marked my cards on the Talbot Press Archive in Ireland’s National Archive.

  While in Dublin I frequently met up with Daniel Figgis, Deirdre Behan, Shane Cullen, Shane O’Reilly, Gerry Ambrose and Frank Callanan. I hooked up again with old friends like Dennis McClean. Brendan Maher at the South Tipperary Arts Centre was, as ever, enormously helpful and constructive. Marie Boland and her staff at Clonmel Library made me feel right at home. They maintain a first-rate local history section. Martin O’Dwyer at Cashel Folk Village was, literally, a scholar and a gentleman.

  Paul Lamont is responsible for my website, and for www.outsideleft.com. Mary Feehan at Mercier Press was with the firm the first time I wrote about Breen, and she is still there today. She has shown saintly patience. Mary subsequently passed the baton to Brian Ronan, freshly arrived at Mercier. I gave him a baptism of fire.I consulted the Bureau of Military History documents in Dublin’s National Archive, where the staff are likeably reminiscent of James Joyce’s Dubliners.

  Seán Treacy, one of the most distinguished Tipperary parliamentarians, was kind enough to invite me into his home to talk about his Dan Breen adventures. Nancy Kersey did most of the research concerning Breen’s time in America, and interviewed Mike Flannery. Nicky Furlong met in the grounds of the Montrose Hotel in Dublin and gave a glimpse into Breen’s sunset years.

  Many of the people who were around when I first wrote about Dan Breen are now gone. My old professor, R. Dudley Edwards, a lively old coot with a head full of history and mischief, once gave me a taste for the past. Captain Seán Feehan published my first book on Breen (also my first book) and taught me a few sharp lessons about life and publishing. Diarmuid Cronin was one of my best school friends. He burned briefly but brightly and had some hands-on experience of guerilla life. My parents, George and Mai, saw that I got the kind of education I needed, and provided me with much else besides.

  Thanks go out to Tavis Henry, Tav Falco, Chuck Prophet, Hamri the Painter of Morocco, Elaine Palmer, Marek Pytel, Anne Foley, Seb Tennant, Spencer Kansa, David Kerekes at Headpress, Chris Campion, Malcolm Kelly, Eamon Leahy, Anna Lanigan, Seán Dowling, Pat Norris, Josie Heffernan, Jimmy Norris, Tom and Joan Ambrose, Michael and Deirdre Ahearn, Ernie Hogan, Kirk Lake, Carrie Acheson, Martin Mansergh, Margaret McCurtain, Brendan Long, Dave Barry, Martin Arthur, William Corbett, Bob Leahy, Eddie Bowe, Mike Flannery, John Ridge, and William Brennan.

  The author and publisher would like to thank Martin O’Dwyer for his kind permission to reproduce some of the photographs in this work. Thanks also to Rena Dardis from Anvil Press for the use of photographs originally published in My Fight for Irish Freedom.

  Every effort has been made to acknowledge the sources of all photographs used. Should a source have not been acknowledged, please contact Mercier Press and we will make the necessary corrections at the first opportunity.

  Other Mercier Titles:

  My Fight For Irish Freedom

  ISBN 9780947962333

  www.mercierpress.ie

  The story of the man who fired the first shot in the War of Independence, leader of the 3rd Tipperary Brigade.

  In 1919 a group of young men barely out of their teens, poorly armed, with no money and little training, renewed the fight, begun in 1916, to drive the British out of Ireland. Dan Breen was to become the best known of them. At first they were condemed on all sides. They became outlaws and My Fight for Irish Freedom describes graphically what life was like 'on the run,' with 'an army at one's heels and a thousand pounds on one's head'. A burning belief in their cause sustained them through many a dark and bitter day and slowly support came from the people.