{"id":342,"date":"2013-07-18T22:30:11","date_gmt":"2013-07-18T22:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/?p=342"},"modified":"2014-08-18T22:31:44","modified_gmt":"2014-08-18T22:31:44","slug":"on-boycotting-the-sean-mac-eoin-statue-unveiling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/on-boycotting-the-sean-mac-eoin-statue-unveiling\/","title":{"rendered":"On Boycotting the Sean Mac Eoin Statue Unveiling"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_2540\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2540\" style=\"width: 693px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2540\" alt=\"Enda Kenny in Ballinalee at the Sean Mac Eoin staue unveiling\" src=\"http:\/\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/Enda-Kenny-in-Ballinalee.jpg\" width=\"693\" height=\"211\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2540\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Enda Kenny in Ballinalee at the Sean Mac Eoin statue unveiling<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I thought of it, attending&#8230;<br \/>\nThe unveiling, the Taoiseachs speech,<br \/>\nAbout a hero we have in common,<br \/>\nWho across the divide does reach.<br \/>\nHe fought the war, he made a choice,<br \/>\nThough my folks did not think his choice right,<br \/>\nHaving fought the war he had the right to choose,<br \/>\nSo against him and his we did not fight.<\/p>\n<p>Of few in the country truly neutral,<br \/>\nThough Republican was our hue,<br \/>\nWe had not turned on an Empire finally working<br \/>\nAs a country is meant to do,<br \/>\nFor the sake of a measly Free State<br \/>\nWho&#8217;s head of state was still the King,<br \/>\nFor so little they settled after such a fight&#8230;<br \/>\nTo accept what was given, next to nothing!<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Freedom to achieve Freedom&#8221;<br \/>\nSaid Michael Collins, who other folk hold as great&#8230;<br \/>\n&#8220;An honourable agreement with an honourable enemy&#8221;<br \/>\nSpoke Mac Eoin at Ballinalee chapel gate.<br \/>\nBut enhanced home rule for which Redmond campaigned<br \/>\nIt was all for their fighting they had got&#8230;<br \/>\nHatred fanned between Gael and Gall<br \/>\nThe best of our people shot.<\/p>\n<p>And as for today!!! Those who commemorate<br \/>\nDo they think that he had planned<br \/>\nTo replace landlords with banking corporations<br \/>\nWho would lay claim to the land?<br \/>\nRuthless, like the landlords before them,<br \/>\nWhen things dont go their way anymore<br \/>\nThe contract is what they hold important,<br \/>\nAnd the Irishman gets the door!!!<\/p>\n<p>The state in the sstem complicit<br \/>\nThink how much this is so &#8211;<br \/>\nWho who fight for householders rights<br \/>\nSo the people to the road the banks cant throw&#8230;<br \/>\nIts NOT the parties of the centre and right<br \/>\nOfficially the parties of the people of the land&#8230;<br \/>\nNo, its the Maxists of the Left<br \/>\nWho for the peoples rights to their homes stand!<\/p>\n<p>At a time when entrenched the people are,<br \/>\nTo exploit their own the government wont relax,<br \/>\nTo punish folk brave enough to buy a home&#8230;<br \/>\nThe cheek of him&#8230; his home let us tax!<br \/>\nCroppies so bold, that wont lie down,<br \/>\nWe had property rates before&#8230;<br \/>\nTax their homes through Revenue to subdue them<br \/>\nOr we&#8217;ll put them to the road once more!!!<\/p>\n<p>I will in my time make my way<br \/>\nTo where that statue does stand&#8230;<br \/>\nTo honour a hero, as he was, though flawed,<br \/>\nWho fought to free our land&#8230;<br \/>\nIll pray too for Mc Inertney and the McEvaddys<br \/>\nAnd for Andrew McKeowns sould sake&#8230;<br \/>\nAnd for my own, that if ever faced with options* such&#8230;<br \/>\nSuch choices I wont make&#8230;<\/p>\n<address>*Options &#8211; we have a family story of two families, Mc Evaddys and McIntertenys&#8230; one of whom was a sentry shot at his post in Custume Barracks in Athlone by Sean Mac Eoin for falling asleep on duty. A raw recruit, untrained he knew nothing of being a soldier, and the story is told with bitterness by Athlone locals to this day. The other story is of a family displaced from the house that the forge used to be before the Mac Eoin&#8217;s \/ McKeowns moved to Ballinalee from Bunlahy, at the point of a pitchfork according to the story told by my late father, who had taken the tenancy after the death of their father. Their mother had died some years previus. They got shelter with my great grandfather, who after sheltered McKeon when a boycott of him in revenge was organised in the village.<\/address>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I thought of it, attending&#8230; The unveiling, the Taoiseachs speech, About a hero we have in common, Who across the divide does reach. He fought the war, he made a choice, Though my folks did not think his choice right, Having fought the war he had the right to choose, &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[177,23],"tags":[115,190,557,38],"class_list":["post-342","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-irish-civil-war","category-north-longford","tag-ballinalee","tag-irish-civil-war-2","tag-irish-free-state","tag-sean-mac-eoin","column","twocol"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7EI4f-5w","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3473,"url":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/village-of-the-three-generals\/","url_meta":{"origin":342,"position":0},"title":"Village of the Three Generals","author":"Tom\u00e1s \u00d3 C\u00e1rthaigh","date":"5th January 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"St Johnstown, or Ballinalee From where the three generals hail Monroe, Wilson and McEoin Two Scotsmen, one of the Gael. All men brave in their own way By their enemies feared and respected Europe, America and Ireland Their destinies by them affected. The Huran, the German and the Tans Met\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Ireland&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Ireland","link":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/category\/ireland\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Monroe, Wison and Mc Eoin were all born and reared in the hinterlands of Ballinalee, or St Johnstown as it was also known in former times.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ballinalee.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ballinalee.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ballinalee.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ballinalee.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1454,"url":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/the-free-state-flag-from-a-yacht-mast-flew\/","url_meta":{"origin":342,"position":1},"title":"The Free State Flag From a Yacht Mast Flew","author":"Tom\u00e1s \u00d3 C\u00e1rthaigh","date":"27th October 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"The next and perhaps the most moving scene of the day was the hoisting of the Tricolour on the castle, which was not without its touch of humour. When Gen. MacEoin and his staff arrived to unfurl the flag it was discovered that there was no flag-staff. However, G.V. Simmons,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Irish Civil War&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Irish Civil War","link":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/category\/irish-civil-war\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Free State Flag Raised at Athlone Barracks by General Sean Mac Eoin. Still from Path\u00c3\u00a9 video","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/Free-State-Flag-Raised-at-Athlone-Barracks-by-General-Sean-Mac-Eoin-167x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3214,"url":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/ambush-at-dooney-rock\/","url_meta":{"origin":342,"position":2},"title":"Ambush At Dooney Rock","author":"Tom\u00e1s \u00d3 C\u00e1rthaigh","date":"11th October 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"When we come at the end of time, To Peter sitting in state, He will smile on the three old spirits, - \"The Fiddler of Dooney\" (W.B. Yeats) Two men there died, by forces slain Who were comrades not so long ago Such is Civil War, at Dooney Rock Watched\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Irelands Wars&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Irelands Wars","link":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/category\/irelands-wars\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Anti Treaty IRA forces captured \"The Ballinalee\" armoured car, and it saw action against the Free State Army in future engagements before being burned out when recapture was beyond prevention. It was renamed \"The Wild Rose of Lough Gill\"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/The-Ballinalee-Armoured-Car-was-renamed-the-Lough-Gill-on-capture-in-Sligo.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/The-Ballinalee-Armoured-Car-was-renamed-the-Lough-Gill-on-capture-in-Sligo.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/The-Ballinalee-Armoured-Car-was-renamed-the-Lough-Gill-on-capture-in-Sligo.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/The-Ballinalee-Armoured-Car-was-renamed-the-Lough-Gill-on-capture-in-Sligo.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5239,"url":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/who-are-we-going-to-fight-now\/","url_meta":{"origin":342,"position":3},"title":"Who Are We Going to Fight Now","author":"Tom\u00e1s \u00d3 C\u00e1rthaigh","date":"21st April 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"As the British left, one man in jest Asked \"Who will we fight now\", All too soon was clear as many did fear It was a matter of when and how: For how could any man since the fight began See his island cleft in twain Not with rage choke\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Family Stories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Family Stories","link":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/category\/family-stories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Battle of Clonfin as told by Auxilary officer Thomas Jocelyn Wilford","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Battle-of-Clonfin-as-told-by-Auxilary-officer-Thomas-Jocelyn-Wilford.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Battle-of-Clonfin-as-told-by-Auxilary-officer-Thomas-Jocelyn-Wilford.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Battle-of-Clonfin-as-told-by-Auxilary-officer-Thomas-Jocelyn-Wilford.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Battle-of-Clonfin-as-told-by-Auxilary-officer-Thomas-Jocelyn-Wilford.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Battle-of-Clonfin-as-told-by-Auxilary-officer-Thomas-Jocelyn-Wilford.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Battle-of-Clonfin-as-told-by-Auxilary-officer-Thomas-Jocelyn-Wilford.png?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19,"url":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/shot-sentry-forgotten-remembered\/","url_meta":{"origin":342,"position":4},"title":"Shot Sentry Forgotten, Remembered","author":"Tom\u00e1s \u00d3 C\u00e1rthaigh","date":"8th June 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"\"I'll wake him\" said Mac Eoin to the British officer on finding the soldier asleep at the gate of Athlone Barracks, and promptly shot the boy through the temple. Thats how my father told me of the story of the death of young McEvaddy as was told to him by\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Irish War of Independence 1919- 1921&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Irish War of Independence 1919- 1921","link":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/category\/irelands-wars\/irish-war-of-independence-1919-1921\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Sean Mac Eoin raising the tricolour at Athlone Barracks some time before the shooting of the sentry McEvaddy","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Sean-Mac-Eoin-raising-the-tricolour-at-Athlone-Barracks-some-time-before-the-shooting-of-the-sentry-McEvaddy.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Sean-Mac-Eoin-raising-the-tricolour-at-Athlone-Barracks-some-time-before-the-shooting-of-the-sentry-McEvaddy.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Sean-Mac-Eoin-raising-the-tricolour-at-Athlone-Barracks-some-time-before-the-shooting-of-the-sentry-McEvaddy.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/Sean-Mac-Eoin-raising-the-tricolour-at-Athlone-Barracks-some-time-before-the-shooting-of-the-sentry-McEvaddy.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1012,"url":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/no-more-the-hammer-strikes-the-anvil\/","url_meta":{"origin":342,"position":5},"title":"No More the Hammer Strikes the Anvil","author":"Tom\u00e1s \u00d3 C\u00e1rthaigh","date":"31st July 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"No more the hammer strikes the anvil As the blacksmith discussed the news With the clients from the country As he hammered on horseshoes And fixed items of iron In the furnaces flames As they talked culture, war and politics The future and sports games. All shades of opinion walked\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Ireland&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Ireland","link":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/category\/ireland\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Sean Mac Eoins forge in Ballinalee","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.writingsinrhyme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Mac-Eoins-Forge-300x241.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=342"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":343,"href":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342\/revisions\/343"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=342"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=342"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writingsinrhyme.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=342"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}