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Carlow County - Ireland Genealogical Projects (IGP TM)


Pat Purcell Papers
Carlow Brigade Review 1922

By kind permission of Mr Michael Purcell


Were you out? I done my bit so I did ---

Upon seeing the thousands that assembled in February 1922 to attend this I.R.A. review, Martin O'Neill (Scorcher) commented, "the membership of the Irish Republican Army has increased two hundred-fold since the British soldiers left", and indeed it had.

In the following decades "membership" of the Old I.R. A. (as the organisation became known) would continue to increase.

It has been said that in 1966 when commemorating the 1916 Rising , therewas such a large turnout of the "survivors" of the General Post Office Garrison from 50 years before, that one wag remarked "the G.P.O. survivors is it! bejapers to hold that crowd it's Croke Park you'd want". The Review reported here was to be the last time the former comrades assembled in such large numbers in harmony and friendship.

In the months following this Review the "Spilt" occurred and many of the volunteers faced and shot at each other during the War of Brothers. (28th June1922 -----24th April 1923).

Nationalist 18th Feb. 1922.

Review of Volunteers.

CARLOW BRIGADE AREA.

On Sunday in glorious weather the above took place at the Polo Grounds, Browne's Hill, Carlow.

From about 10.30 the various contingents poured into the town from all parts of the Brigade Area in Wicklow, Carlow, Laois and Kildare accompanied by several bands.

A special train was run from Borris, which conveyed Volunteers from the southern portions of the county.

It was the first Sunday train run on this line for a very considerable time.

The scene at Browne's Hill was a memorable one. Thousands of spectators who had travelled by motors, bicycles etc, from all parts of the adjoining counties witnessed the review.

The various battalions were formed up in several lines reaching the full length of the field.

They presented a very smart military appearance which reflected the greatest credit on the various commandants.

About 3.30 the lines were inspected, and afterwards to the strains of the Carlow Fianna Pipers, followed by the Boy Scouts, the several contingents reformed and marched into the town.

Notwithstanding the huge gathering, which was undoubtedly the largest ever seen in Carlow, the utmost order prevailed, owing to the excellent arrangements which were carried out by the Irish Republican Police.

The companies were dismissed by their officers at various points in the town.

The following bands were present; --Graiguecullen Flute and Drum Band, Carlow Fianna Pipers, Rathvilly Pipers and Clashganny Pipers.

The above is a true and accurate transcript of the original document.


Transcribed by M. Purcell c2010.
Old newspapers in the PPP.
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