Ceremony told it is time to remember Black and Tans who died at Clonfin
In her address to the those attending the 89th commemoration of the Battle of Clonfin last Sunday, Honorary Secretary of the committee, Sr Maeve Brady, said that she had a dream that some day, "we would all be big enough" to inscribe in the stone which marks the spot where members of the North Longford Flying Column defeated the Black and Tans, the names of the four English soldiers, Lft Comm Francis Worthington Craven (32); Cadet George Bush (22); Cadet John Houghton 
and Cadet Harold Clayton who died on that fateful day in 1921.
"Whilst we remember the idealism of Oglaigh na hEireann and the quest of MacEoin and his men to fight for an Ireland that was free and one which we could be proud of, we should recall too that it is recorded that MacEoin ordered that the uninjured Auxies had time to tend to their wounded companions on the road," she said.
"He also ordered no further assault. Water was supplied for the injured from a nearby house. All of this did not go unnoticed because three cadets who gave evidence at the trial of General San MacEoin in June 1921 told of the favourable treatment they got at Clonfin."
Sr Maeve, whose father Tom Brady fought in the battle, went on to say that the living had become the keepers of the kind of spirit shown by those who fought the good battle, a spirit that could respect and forgive.
"It is said that every generation – because we have a greater opportunity – is called upon to be more than the generation gone before," she said. "Mary McAleese sums it up by saying that the peace process allows us to be a growing good news story. To be a good news story is to try and build a better Ireland in our homes, our communities and to make and effort to contribute our time, our resources, our energy or our ideas to a future that can live side by side in peace.
"We can appreciate the courage and the bravery of the 21 men whom we commemorate here today who 'longed for the rescue of the proud people of Eire'. At this moment in our history, with the rest of the country, and indeed, the rest of the world, we sincerely welcome the Peace Process as it evolves to a new stage with mutual respect, power sharing and tolerance. In this frame of mind, I feel that it is right and Christian to both understand and acknowledge that there is another side to the Battle of Clonfin."
And as the rain threatened to break through the clouds and the icy wind demanded the attention of those in her midst, Sr Maeve Brady shed some much needed light and warmth when she called for spirit and will to shine through.
"I will conclude by daring to suggest two ideas, or ideals, for us friends who come each year to remember at Clonfin. The first is one of spirit and that in the future as we pass this way we might commend to the God of all nations, not just 'our own' 21 men whom we are close to, but also the unfortunate Englishmen whom we did not know and who were casualties.
"The second one is of will, and is more concrete and I dream someday that we will all be big enough to inscribe in the stone that lies here, at this spot, the names of the four English soldiers who died in this ambush, here at Clonfin on February 2, 1921. The great challenge is one of forgiveness and of becoming beacons of peace," she said.
The occasion was marked with a guard of honour by the 54th Cavalry Squadron and members of the National Ex-Servicemen. Patsy Cooke and Andy Donohoe raised and lowered the tricolour and Mary Connell carried out the laying of the wreath. The rosary was said by Fr Cadam and Fr Tom Flynn and MC duties were conducted on the day by Sean Kilbride, committee member.
And as Brigie Burns called the names of the 21 members of the North Longford Volunteers– Sean MacEoin, Ballinalee; Sean Duffy, Ballinalee; James J Brady, Ballinamuck; Tom Brady, Cartronmarkey; Paddy Callaghan, Clonbroney; Seamus Conway, Clonbroney; Pat Cooke, Tubber; Seamus Farrelly, Purth; Paddy Finnegan, Molly; Larry Geraghty, Ballymore; Mick Gormley, Killoe; Hugh Hourican, Clonbroney; Jack Hughes, Scrabby;
Mick Kenny, Clonbroney; Paddy Lynch, Colmcille; John McDowell, Clonbroney; Jack Moore, Streete; Mick Mulligan, Willsbrook; Michael F Reynolds, Killoe; Sean Sexton, Ballinalee; Jim Sheeran, Killoe – the brave men who battled on that day 89 years ago, one could not help but ponder in the 'now' about the new seeds of forgiveness and love which had just been sown.
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Weather for Longford, Ireland
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 12 C
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