Ernie O’Malley

It is a somewhat ‘grainy’ photograph from the front cover of the Irish Press newspaper in March 1957 but it tells a lot about the respect in which the man was held. O’Maley was one of the most important and enduring figures of the Irish revolution and the same newspapers coverage of his death provides an interesting outline of his life (although later records probably superseded what was published in 1957). It is worth quoting in length in this blog for this extraordinary individual:

Death of Ernie O' Malley

MR. ERNEST (ERNIE) O'MALLEY, outstanding figure of the War of Independence, died in Dublin yesterday after a long illness. The end came at the home of his sister, Mrs. Catherine Hogan, wife of Capt. Harry Hogan, Nashville Park, Howth.

Ernie O'Malley, one of the most colourful and courageous of the freedom lighters, took a leading part in some of the greatest of the engagements against the British forces, was wounded many times in the fighting. He carries to his grave five bullets which were never removed from his body. His connection with the Republican movement began at the age of 18, in Easter Week, 1916. His native Castlebar, Co. Mayo, was a British garrison town when he was born there in 1898. Before the Rising he moved to Dublin with his parents and, when the fight for freedom began, his sympathies were at once with the Republican forces. As a medical student, he borrowed a rifle before the Surrender and, with a companion, undertook some sniping at the British.

Organised Volunteers

He joined the Volunteers id 1917 and, in the following year, became Staff Captain attached to G.H.Q. organisation staff. His first duties were In connection with the organisation of Volunteer Brigades in East Tyrone, Offaly, Roscommon, Galway and Donegal.

While engaged on this work, he had a remarkable escape when R.I.C. men attempted to capture him in Co. Galway. He was wounded In the wrist and returned the fire, causing the police officers to rush away for assistance.

In the fight which followed, Mr OMalley was wounded in the knee, but got away by swimming The River Suck after dark and traveling twelve miles to the home of friends.

He soon reported back s to G.H.Q., and at his own request was sent back to the West to complete his work.

He continued to organise the Volunteers throughout the country, and fought all through the Black-and-Tan war. During this period he took a leading part with Liam Lynch in the capture of Mallow Barracks, one of the most noted successes of the campaign.

Operating in the Kilkenny area in December,1920, he was captured by Auxiliaries and when he refused to give information about his comrades he was beaten and tortured and threatened with death.

He was sent as a prisoner to Dublin Castle, where he continued to be known as Stewart, the name he had given to his captors.

Barrack raids

In 1919 he spent much time organising the I.R.A. in Donegal, North Tipperary and South Dublin. In Monaghan he was one of the leaders in the attack on Ballytrain R.I.C. Barracks, the first such barracks to fall to the Republicans north of the Boyne.

It was in Tipperary that Mr. O'Malley had some of his most famous exploits. Two months after the Monaghan episode he took part, with Sean Tracey and Seamus Robinson in the attack on Hollyford barracks, and was badly burned on the face and hands in the effort to set the building ablaze.

In the attack a few weeks later on Drangan Barracks, he received further burns, but the building was taken and a large quantity of arms captured. He was wounded again in the shoulder n the attack on Rearcross Barracks.

Interned in Kilmainham Jail, he escaped in 1921 with Simon Donnelly and Frank Teeling. He was afterwards appointed G.O.C., Second Southern Division.

He fought on the Republican side after the Treaty, and while on the run and staying at Humphries's house in Aylesbury Road, Dublin, the place was surrounded by Free State troops on November 4 1922.

As they entered the house, Mr. O'Malley opened fire, and after an hour-long fight, during which he received 21 bullet wounds, was captured. Despite his ordeal, however, he took part in the great 41-day hunger strike of 1923.

He was sentenced to be shot, but he was later released—the last prisoner to be released in the Civil War—when the surgeon declared that he would never walk again.

He travelled to Catalonia, however, and after a stay there he regained the use of his limbs. He then travelled all over Europe, studying medicine and archaeology.

In 1927 Ernie O'Malley was in the United States collecting funds for the Irish Press. Later he travelled through nearly all the States of North America, doing a variety of jobs including school teaching in New Mexico and car driving in New York. He was out of Ireland for nearly a decade and also spent some time in the southern States of America.

In 1936 he published his famous book on the War of Independence, "On Another Man's Wound". It is an outstanding work on the events of that stirring period, giving a first-hand account of the great fight in which he had taken so active a part.

Music lover

In Autumn, 1955, O’Malley also wrote a highly Interesting series of articles on I.R.A. raids for THE SUNDAY PRESS. As well as being a capable writer and broadcaster, he had a keen appreciation of painting and was an ardent music lover. Mr. O’Malley was married in September 1936. His wife, Mrs Helen Hooker O'Malley, is an Internationally - known artist. They have three children — two boys, aged 20 and 14, and a girl aged 17. Full military honours will be accorded at the funeral. The remains will be removed this evening to the Church of the Assumption, Howth, at 6.30. The funeral will take place to Glasnevin after 10 o'clock Mass tomorrow morning. The cortege will halt for some minutes at Beresford Place and will resume its route along Abbey Street O'Connell St., and on to Glasnevin. A military band will lead the procession for some distance from the Church and again for the last few hundred yards to the cemetery.

For more information search the pages of the Irish Newspaper Archive (www.irishenewsarchive.com )