Most Commemoration Group members will have already seen the original Custom House Prisoner list covering the men arrested on 25 May 1921. It was compiled immediately after the attack. Our own Gerry Cassidy posted it on the Facebook page last year (A second list was completed later, omitting some uninvolved civilians who were released. That has also appeared on the Commemoration Group page).
We thought it would be worthwhile publishing that original list again on this site where it may reach a wider audience.
We are delighted to have met descendants or relatives of many men listed below.
However we are always on the look out for more information and new relatives of the Custom House Fire Brigade.
We have corrected some names and addresses which were misspelled on the original and added real names in a few cases (with special thanks to John Dorins). All addresses were in Dublin City. Any further corrections are most welcome.
Interned in Kilmainham
Name | Address |
William Adderley | 5 Wellington Place (Inn’s Quay district) |
Thomas Bates | 28 Goldsmith Street, Phibsborough |
Frank Bolster | 60 Oxmantown Road, Stoneybatter |
Frank ‘Terry’ Brennan | 1 Nugents Cottages, Broadstone |
Christopher Byrne | 45 St. Mary’s Road, East Wall |
George Byrne | 6 Quinn’s Cottages, Portland Row |
Michael Byrne | 8 Talbot Place, Talbot Street |
Francis Joseph ‘Frank’ Carberry | 2 Great Charles Street, North Circular Road |
John Cullinane | 9H Iveagh Buildings, Old Bride Street |
Cyril James Daly | 1 Leinster Avenue, North Strand |
William ‘Bill’ Donegan | 13 Dunne’s Row, Ballybough |
Myles Doody | 1 Addison Road, Fairview |
Walter Doolan | None shown (Came from New Ross, Co Wexford) |
John Doran | 17 Henrietta Street |
George Joseph Dowdall | 13 St. Patrick’s Terrace, North Circular Road |
Richard Downes | 11 Emerald Street, Seville Place |
James Joseph Doyle | 21 Rathmines Road, Rathmines |
John ‘Jack’ Doyle | 111 Philipsburgh Avenue, Fairview |
Peter Doyle | 11 Williams Place, North Wall |
William ‘Billy’ Doyle | 3 St. Kevin’s Cottages, Synge Street |
Leo Duffy | 9 Back Lane, Cornmarket |
Michael Duggan | 500 North Circular Road |
John Dwyer | 10 Lombard Street |
Patrick Evers | 28 George’s Place (Rotunda district) |
Peter Anthony Farrell (Peadar O’Farrell) | 11 Fontenoy Street |
Daniel ‘Dan’ Finlayson | 15 Northbrook Terrace, North Strand Road |
Lawrence or Laurence Finnegan | 34 Lower Glengariff Parade (Inn’s Quay district) |
James Foley (under alias Stephen O’Neill) | 12 Delahunty’s Buldings, Lower Mount Street |
Gerald ‘Gerry’ Hughes (under alias Hugh William Fitzgerald) | 111 Clonliffe Road |
Christopher Fitzsimons | 10 Newcomen Court, North Strand |
Michael Fleming | 140 Drumcondra Road |
Patrick Fleming | 11 St. Joseph’s Parade (off Nelson Street) |
(Patrick) Anthony Flynn | 28 Hardwicke Street |
Philip Christopher Flynn | Clarke’s Cottages, Lower Summerhill Bridge |
(Nicholas) Edward Fogarty | 15 Findlater Place, Sackville Street |
John ‘Jackie’ Foy | 28 Lower Gloucester Street |
James Francis ‘Frankie’ Freyne (under alias Francis Lewis) | 6 St Joseph’s Terrace, Phibsborough Avenue |
James ‘Jimmy’ Gibbons | 3 Dunard Terrace (Hanlon’s Corner) |
John ‘Jack’ Gibson | 7 Lower Gardiner Street |
(Michael) Joseph Gilhooly | 38 Hardwicke Street |
James ‘Jem’ Goggins | 96 Botanic Avenue |
John ‘Jack’ Grace | 50 North Strand Road |
George Matthew Gray | 12 Lower Dominick Street |
Thomas Gregan | 5a Upper Jane Place |
Patrick Joseph ‘Specky’ Griffin | 58 Dame Street |
Robert Halpin | 24 Summerhill Parade |
Patrick Harold | 43 Eccles Street |
James ‘Jim’ Harpur | Burren Cottages, Dillon Place |
James Michael Heery | 39 Hardwicke Street |
James Angleton (or Ingleton) | 62 Lower Gardiner Street |
Thomas ‘Tom’ Kehoe or Keogh | 3 Richmond Crescent, North Circular Road |
James Kelly | 9 Lower Gardiner Street |
Michael Edward (O’) Kelly | 20 Upper Oriel Street |
Thomas ‘Tom’ Kilcoyne (under alias George Lewis) | 4 St. Joseph’s Terrace, Phibsborough Avenue |
(Christopher) Thomas Kilmurry | 2 Luke Street (off Poolbeg Street) |
Edward John ‘Ned’ Lane | 613 North Circular Road |
Michael Joseph Lane | 613 North Circular Road |
Patrick ‘Paddy’ Lawson | 23 Lower Gloucester Street |
(Peter) Joseph Leddy | 14 Buckingham Street |
Michael ‘Mick’ Love | 10 Bessborough Avenue, North Strand |
Thomas Maguire | 45 Buckingham Buildings |
Cecil Malley | 7 Iona Drive, Drumcondra |
Charles McCabe | 5 Commons Street, North Wall |
Thomas McCabe | 93 Amiens Street |
Patrick McCourt | 76 Upper Dorset Street |
Michael Christopher McEvoy | 33 Lower Erne Street |
Patrick McGlynn | 10 Reginald Square, Meath Street |
Bernard McGrath | 9 O’Sullivan’s Avenue, Ballybough |
Richard A. McGrath | 3 Upper Northbrook Avenue, North Strand |
Thomas Francis McKenna | 10 Kings Avenue, Ballybough Road |
Patrick Moore | 6 Turvey Avenue, Inchicore |
John George Mulcahy | 26 George’s Place (Rotunda district) |
John Joseph Muldowney | 29 Hardwicke Street |
James (Joseph) Murphy | 6 Bessborough Avenue, North Strand |
Michael Murphy | 1 Leinster Avenue, North Strand |
Thomas Murphy | 9 Parkview Terrace, Wharf Road, East Wall |
John ‘Jack’ Nolan | 32 Norfolk Road, Cabra |
James ‘Sean’ Nolan | 17 Hawthorn Terrace, North Street end (North Dock) |
Peter Paul O’Brien | 43 Upper Wellington Street (off Mountjoy Street) |
Thomas (O’)Flanagan | 585 North Circular Road |
Peter Ratcliffe | 19 Emmet Street, North Circular Road |
Patrick Reilly | 107 Lower Gardiner Street |
Thomas Patrick Rigney (now known to be an alias for Jim Conroy) | 92 Lower Dorset Street |
Jeremiah ‘Sam’ Robinson | 38 Mountjoy Street |
Daniel Rooney | 3 Walsh’s Cottages, North Wall |
Charles Ryan | 11 North Wall |
Joseph Ryan | 10 Talbot Place, Talbot Street |
Richard Joseph ‘Dick’ Seville | 19 Findlater Place |
Patrick Sharkey | 1 Bella Street (off Upper Buckingham Street) |
Patrick Swanzy | 50 North Strand Road |
Francis Leo Waldron | 542 North Circular Road |
Jailed in Mountjoy
Edmond Joseph ‘Ned’ Breslin | 104 Seville Place, North Strand |
Patrick ‘Paddy’ Brunton | 128 The Coombe/James Street |
Thomas Flood (under alias James Thomas Shiels) | 6 Emmet Street, North Circular Road |
John ‘Sean’ Sliney | 15 Lower Dominick Street |
Michael Watchorne (or Watchorn) | 12 Paul Street (off Queen Street) |
John James ‘Johnny’ Wilson | 49 Thomas Street |
John ‘Sean’ Ward | 3 St. Teresa Place, Glasnevin |
We should also mention Michael C. Stephenson who escaped from the Custom House but was arrested on another charge a week later and sent to Mountjoy. And, of course, Charles McMahon who was severely wounded at the Custom House and kept under guard in King George V Military Hospital for some months. And finally, Joseph Griffin, 2nd Battalion Intelligence Officer who is pictured in Kilmainham and later listed as a Custom House Prisoner but whose name is not on British files.
Our research into all the above-named has produced varying amounts of personal information, from lots to a little, to absolutely zero.
We have been able to tell the life stories posted on this site primarily using historical records in the public domain. In some cases relatives have been crucial contributors, sharing fascinating details and insights from family knowledge. And we can always use additional information on any of the men!
We are now appealing for help particularly with nine of the men listed above who were held in Kilmainham. Our digging has failed to unearth any details beyond the name and address given when they were captured. Unfortunately there are no records of residents in any of these houses in/around 1921 – almost all were described as ‘Tenements’.
It would be a great shame if these brave Old IRA Volunteers were forgotten or left in obscurity.
So, if you recognise a name or know anything about the individuals, please get in touch via this site or on the Facebook page.
Here are the men we need major help with (alphabetical order):
- Michael Byrne, 8 Talbot Place. UPDATE Nov 2019: Michael died in 1937. Outline here.
- John Doran, 17 Henrietta Street. Update 2020: Now resolved.
- Peter Doyle, 11 Williams Place, North Wall. Mentioned in a British raid report dated 26 May 1921, father’s name was Patrick. UPDATE 22 Feb 2019: Birth and census records found. Born 1902, Co Wicklow. Lived in Denzille Street, Dublin as a kid. No later record found. Known info here.
- William Doyle, 3 St Kevin’s Cottages, Synge Street. UPDATE 9 Feb 2019: Identity confirmed by granddaughter Winnie. Billy Doyle’s story is here.
- James Ingleton, 62 Lower Gardiner Street. Gary has a note in his files he was in F Coy, 2nd Batt. Surname may have been Angleton, as shown on a British report dated 19 October 1921 saying a “James Ingleton (Angleton)” had been released on 12 Oct. UPDATE 11 Feb 2019: Surname was definitely Angleton. Died in 1958. Patrick Johnson’s inputs very helpful again. Known info here.
- Thomas Kilmurry, 2 Luke Street (off Poolbeg Street). UPDATE 29 Apr 2019: Traced by John Dorins. Christopher Thomas Kilmurry was a Limerick man who emigrated to the US after hostilities in Ireland, married in 1926 and died in Vermont, 1973. His story here.
- Charles J. McCabe, 5 Commons Street, North Wall. Listed in BMH WS0127 as a prisoner & Charley’s photo appears in the Kilmainham autograph book of Cyril Daly. UPDATE 10 Jan 2019: He was born in Co Clare 1899. In the Civil War he was a Commandant with 2nd Eastern Intelligence, National Army. He died in 1954. Full story here.
- Peter Paul O’Brien, 43 Upper Wellington Street (off Mountjoy Street). UPDATE 29 Apr 2019: A Dub from the Inner City, he married in 1922 and later emigrated to England. Peter died in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, 1981. His full story here.
- Patrick Reilly, 107 Lower Gardiner Street. UPDATE 28 May 2019: This young Dub, named in the Military Pensions as Desmond Patrick, was killed in action during the Civil War in Tralee, Co Kerry on 2 Aug 1922. He was buried in Glasnevin’s Army Plot with 8 other Dublin Guards who died at that time. Full story here.
We guess that in all probability Jim Conroy and Joe Griffin must be hidden under some alias among all those names….. UPDATE August 2020: Jim Conroy’s alias is now known – Thomas Patrick Rigney.
Held in Arbour Hill Detention Barracks and Released
These men were also rounded up and taken into military custody when they didn’t provide good enough reasons for being in the vicinity of the Custom House on 25 May. Over a period of 3 weeks or so they were all released after investigations proved nothing against them. However James Kelly was quickly re-arrested and sent to Kilmainham. But IRA Volunteers John ‘Jack’ Young and Thomas Mahon, as well as possible members Daniel Owens and Patrick Carpenter, managed to talk their way out of captivity and stayed free until hostilities ended with the Truce.
Myles Brady | 13 Leinster Avenue, North Strand |
Patrick Carpenter | 7 South Cumberland Street (National Army 1922 census) |
Michael Colley | 24 Lower Buckingham Street |
Vincent Dillon | 1 Clonmore Villas, Ballybough |
Thomas Doran | 17 Botanic Avenue, Glasnevin |
James Dorgan | 26 Lower Dorset Street |
Thomas Fitzpatrick | 25 Blackhall Street |
Edward Hackett | 20 Warrenmount Place |
Edward Hanbury | 10 Tram Cottages |
Thomas Hanefy | 78 North Circular Road |
Joseph Hennessy | 129 Baggot Street |
Patrick Hyland | 17 Father Matthew Square, off Church Street |
Michael Jenkins | 29 Coleraine Street, North |
James Kelly | 9 Lower Gardiner Street |
Thomas Kenny | 14 Mountjoy Square |
Thomas Mahon | Carraig Uladh, Drumcondra (IRA. 2nd Battalion asst QM) |
Joseph Mahony | 21 Arbour Hill |
James McBreen | 88 Grosvenor Square, Rathmines |
Thomas McDonnell | 2 Temple Street |
Thomas McKeon | 33 Summer Hill |
Michael McManus | Silver Lodge, Harold’s Cross |
James Motherwell | 56 Botanic Avenue |
Thomas O’Brien | 21 Garden Lane, off Francis Street |
Daniel Owens | 13 Killarney Street (National Army 1922 census) |
Christie Smullen | 44 Seville Place |
Thomas White | 4 Rutland Square (Now Parnell Square) |
John Young | 2 North James Street (IRA) |
William Young | St. Thomas’ Church, Marlborough Street (Son of the church Caretaker) |
We have hardly any information at all about most men on this list and could really do with your help here ……. do you recognise any names or addresses on it?
Thank you in anticipation.
The Team
Comment by Winnie Dunne — February 7, 2019 @ 8:06 pm
I believe no 4 William Doyle (sometimes referred to as Billy)is my grandad
Comment by chcadmin — February 7, 2019 @ 10:05 pm
Thanks very much Winnie.
And apologies for putting Billy in the mystery category!
We suspected that name was your grandfather but, for confirmation, we decided to throw it out there.
All the best
Des
Comment by Dara gannon — February 7, 2019 @ 9:54 pm
Bill Gannon was there and was one of the few men to escape the British Army cordon. He went to a dentists/barberd near Beresford Place and went to the top of the queue, when soldiers entered they took the man at the bottom of the queue…
Comment by chcadmin — February 8, 2019 @ 6:07 am
Hi Dara, Thank you very much for taking the time to comment. Your Grandfather seems to have been a member of No 2 section ASU, he wrongly named on the ASU cert as “Bill Cannon”. We had no idea he took part in the burning, we would be very interested in any further information you could provide about your Grandfather.
Regards
Gary
Comment by Maria Murphy — February 7, 2019 @ 11:26 pm
My Grand Father Robert Halpin is on this list. He lived in Pearse Street. Next to the Queen’s Theatre. There were paasages behi d our walls used as escape routes. Just before we moved from the house, where my Grandparents lived, and where we lived untill 14th December 1969, my father found guns hidden in the walls. Both my Grandfather, and his son, also named Robert, were involved in the 1916 Rising, and in the Free State Army.
Comment by chcadmin — February 9, 2019 @ 9:39 pm
Hi Maria,
Thanks very much for that fascinating info about Robert and the discoveries in his Pearse Street house.
Wouldn’t we love to have seen them!
We have one blurry photo of your Grandfather taken in Kilmainham.
I wonder would you have any others you could share with us, please?
We’d love to see you at a future commemoration event, this year’s due on Sat 25 May.
All the best
Des White
Comment by Liam O Brien — February 8, 2019 @ 3:17 pm
I have an uncle who was on the burning of the Customs house but his name is not on your list . His name was Morgan Durnin he lived in Shaw’s Lane of Constitution Hill , in his military pension application it’s states he was out on that day
Comment by chcadmin — February 8, 2019 @ 6:28 pm
Hi Liam, many thanks for contacting us. We’d love to hear any more details you can give us on your uncle. Have been having difficulties accessing the Pensions website this afternoon but will read up on him later. Thanks again & any information you can give, would be much appreciated…
kind regards
Liam Grace
Comment by Tina Kelly — February 8, 2019 @ 7:13 pm
I found out only last month that my children’s great grand-uncle Michael Duggan was one of these men, when I queried a copy of a document he wrote whilst in Kilmainham.
Comment by chcadmin — February 8, 2019 @ 11:06 pm
Hi Tina,
Thanks for the reply, Michael Duggan’s grandson also called Michael Duggan is a member of our group on Facebook he has uploaded a picture of Michael there in Kilmainham, if you are on FB join the group and you should be able to view the picture. He lives in the States & attended the commemoration in Dublin last year with his wife and daughter.
Gary
Comment by Patrick Johnson — February 9, 2019 @ 5:57 am
I have found a marriage for Michael Byrne, 8 Talbot St, Dublin in 1917.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1917/09761/5542840.pdf
OCT 8 1917 to Elizabeth Laird of 3 Foley St, Father: James Laird, Labourer.
Michael was a ‘soldier’. Father was Matthew Byrne, Labourer.
(There is a Matthew Byrne with son Michael at Mabbot St, Dublin 1911. Maybe right one ?)
(A number of Matthew Bryan’s at this time in British Army service. Couldn’t quite pin down. Might have been in R.Fusillers reserve and later Rifles)
Comment by chcadmin — February 9, 2019 @ 9:21 pm
Hi Patrick,
Many thanks for your very useful input, that marriage is an excellent find.
The Mabbot Street census return seems a prefect match too.
We’ll definitely follow up your leads further.
We owe you a well-deserved credit!
Best regards
Des White
Comment by Patrick Johnson — February 10, 2019 @ 3:18 am
A Doran family was living at 7 Henrietta St, Dublin from at least 1916 to 1926.
You can find this on FindMyPast and there are a number of newspaper articles related to [them]. Not sure if you have an email I can send them to?
There was a father John Doran and his wife Rose. One son was also called John, born in 1905. …..
A newspaper article has his brother Nicholas …. in 1926….. The address was still 7 Henrietta St.
….
John Jn’s birth cert is here at 5 Johnston’s Crt in 10 April 1905 to John Doran and Rose Whelan.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1905/01785/1701085.pdf John senior was from Cavan.
Here are the Census returns of the family.
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Dublin/Mountjoy/Temple_Court/1326602/
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Dublin/North_Dock/Tyrone_Street__Upper/29528/
(Comment edited, full version archived locally by site admin, 2 Mar 2010)
Comment by chcadmin — February 10, 2019 @ 4:39 pm
Hey Patrick, very impressive digging again!
Like to join our team?
Will send you a PM.
Thanks a lot
Des
Comment by Gerard Moore — February 10, 2019 @ 10:26 am
With reference to Bill Gannon, is this the same Bill Gannon that was one of 3 men who shot Kevin O Higgins, my great Uncle was Timothy Coghlan, and the third was Archie Doyle.
Comment by Patrick Johnson — February 10, 2019 @ 11:01 am
James Angleton married Catherine McVeigh in 1907. They had a son James in 1908 who died? and another son James in 1909: a daughter Mary 1914. James Sn is not with his family in 1911 ? James Sn on at his children’s births is described as a porter or waiter.
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Dublin/Kingstown_No__3/Wolfe_Tone_Avenue/99180/
James Sn had a brother Aloysius.
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Dublin/Mansion_House/Stephens_Green_North/1348402
James 18 yo, Aloysius 14yo.
They are working as ‘pages’. Their father was John, a Porter and mother Ann. Can not find parents marriage? James was orphaned by 13.
Aloysius married in 1919. He was a ‘musician’.
This is the link to Gardiner St. There is an ad April 30th 1929, Irish Independent. It is a violinist and saxophone player called ‘Angleton’ at 62 Gardiner St. Is this Aloysius? Perhaps they had cousins here?
Comment by chcadmin — February 10, 2019 @ 5:30 pm
Patrick, at this stage I think I’ll pass my research hat over to you!
Liam had spotted the Angletons in Gardiner Street and we’d also noted the page brothers in the census.
Definitely worth following up your leads – again.
Many thanks for your help so far.
All the best
Des
Comment by Jennifer — February 11, 2019 @ 2:36 am
I’d love to find out if Thomas mckeon is any relation but with my da dead have no way of finding out but nearly sure there was relations of my granda mckeon down around northwall/ringsend area
Comment by chcadmin — February 12, 2019 @ 11:33 pm
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for that info.
We can try checking your idea if you like.
Will send you a PM.
Cheers
Des
Comment by philip keaveney — March 4, 2019 @ 2:02 pm
My grandad John Jack Byrne was one of the new army that took over Beggars Bush, he was always with ODaly in Dublin then stationed at Brian Houlihan /Ballymullen near Tralee. His address on his marriage cert it also said he was a sargeant in the national Army.
I cant find his army record anywhere
Comment by chcadmin — March 4, 2019 @ 6:05 pm
Hi Philip,
Thanks for getting in touch.
You may already know this.
Your Grandad is in a brilliant photo of the Dublin Guards at Beggars Bush. He was Adjutant and as you say he must’ve been a close comrade of Paddy O’Daly.
Will email the photo to you.
I’m not sure if Jack Byrne was involved in the Custom House attack, maybe you do? Possibly Gary here will know more about Jack’s IRA activities.
As a relative you should be able to get his Army record (if on file) from Cathal Brugha Military Archives.
Their details are email militaryarchives@defenceforces.ie tel +35318046475 or the contact form at http://www.militaryarchives.ie/contact-us.
Good luck with that.
All the best
Des
Comment by Debbie Seville Whelan — April 4, 2019 @ 8:18 pm
Can you confirm the identity of the first man on the left with his hands up in the cloth cap in the arrest photo. I believe it is my grandad Dick Seville
Comment by chcadmin — April 5, 2019 @ 6:30 pm
Hi Debbie,
Thanks for your comment and follow-up email.
We haven’t 100% identified the men holding their hands up, so we’re always delighted to get inputs from relatives.
If you believe that man is your Grandad Dick, we definitely would not disagree.
For what it’s worth, I thinks there’s a resemblance to his photo in the Sevilles post.
Al the best
Des
Comment by Julie — May 20, 2019 @ 8:39 pm
Hi there I’m wondering if it’s possible for you to identify George Byrne to me in the photo of Kilmainham jail as I believe he’s my great grandfather, he was a prisoner at that time.
Thank you
Julie
Comment by chcadmin — May 21, 2019 @ 12:05 am
Hi Julie, I don`t think George is in those pictures, I remember the late Angela Kirwin pointing him to me in a picture it was taken outside Kilmainham Gaol. He was the older man at the front door of the Gaol the day they were released. There is a film of it online & for the life of me I can`t find it again after seeing it once. Gary
Comment by ciaran ryan — May 21, 2019 @ 3:27 pm
My grandfather on my Fathers’ side was Charles Ryan who was held in Kilmainham Jail following the Attack on the Customs House. He was a good friend of Vinny Byrne and I met Vinny a few times @ 45 Mountjoy Street. My Great Grandfather ran The Liverpool Bar at one time.
Comment by chcadmin — May 21, 2019 @ 7:45 pm
Good to hear from you Ciaran.
Thanks for that information.
We have a photo of your Grandad Charles taken in Kilmainham and will forward by PM.
All the best
Des
Comment by Pat Brennan — May 22, 2019 @ 10:44 am
Frank Brennan was my great uncle. He was more commonly known as Terry. He was from Finglas and took the anti Treaty side in civil war.
Comment by chcadmin — May 24, 2019 @ 3:47 am
Hi Pat from what we know he was best friends with Frank Carberry in Kilmainham . They shared a cell and were pictured alot together, from what we know they both rejected the treaty but we have no proof that they fought with the executive forces. Gary
Comment by Moya Brady — May 22, 2019 @ 8:27 pm
I was always told my grandad Thomas Brady and Great uncle Patrick “sha” Feehan were involved in the burning of the custom house. Do you have any leads for me? I believe it to be true. It was never bragged about but was always spoken of in rare moments. Thanks.
Comment by Leo Lalor — July 10, 2019 @ 4:43 pm
Hi folks,
My great Uncle was Patrick (Paddy) Evers who was a member of Section 2 A.S.U. He was interned in Kilmainham after the attack on the Custom House. In a few cases his surname is spelled Ivers which causes some confusion. He was part of the troop to whom Beggars Bush was originally handed over, very early Feb. 1922, prior to the more official handover a few months later. Next time he shows up he is on hunger strike in Kilmainham in 1923 which would indicate that he ‘moved’ to the anti-Treaty side at some point. Any information I’ve been able to get on him so far is from Military archives and Irish Genealogy sites. So, if there’s anyone out there who might have anymore info….? His sister Josephine Evers (whippet) was a member of Cumann na mBan and was arrested in April 1923 for storing guns and ammunition for anti-Treaty forces. Her name has shown up in graffiti in Kilmainham as being a hunger striker with the moniker whippet after it for some reason? The Rolls Royce engined armoured cars of the time were nicknamed Whippets by the Irish (not by the British). I have practically no other information on her so if anyone out there…. 🙂 I have only just discovered this site and also the FB page so hopefully I’m not misusing the comments section. Many thanks, Leo Lalor
Comment by chcadmin — July 11, 2019 @ 12:45 am
Hi Leo,
Thanks very much for all that brilliant info on Paddy and his sis Josephine.
Far from any “misuse” of comments, this is exactly what the site is all about. We’re always delighted to hear from relatives.
As you may know, Paddy ‘Ivers’ is in the famous photo of the Dublin Guard at Beggars Bush on 4 Feb 1922. Didn’t know he went anti-Treaty after.
I researched the public records for Patrick Evers thinking there wouldn’t be too many with that name. Haha, was I surprised….
But eventually sorted out the correct man.
If I’m correct (?), you will probably know that another sis of theirs, Alice, married Custom House Fire Brigade man Sean Nolan in 1926 – Paddy was best man.
We believe Sean also went against the Treaty.
Not sure if we can help about Josephine-Whippet, but we might know somebody who can. Let’s see, hope your comment will kick-start some inputs.
Will send you a private email.
Cheers
Des
Comment by Leo Lalor — July 12, 2019 @ 1:29 pm
Des, I hadn’t known that Alice Evers married a fireman from the Custom House (Sean Nolan) ! I hadn’t noticed either that Paddy was best man at their wedding. Another sister – Eileen was bridesmaid and she lived at the Evers’ family home ( 5, Grantham Place) until her death at 100 years of age in 2004! There was a ‘bit of stuff’ relating to Paddy’s time in the IRA in that house and for the past while I’ve been trying to ‘track down’ where it ended up to make copies etc. Fingers crossed that I’ll locate it soon. Thanks for the info on Sean Nolan’s role in the Custom House.
Comment by chcadmin — July 12, 2019 @ 8:48 pm
Hi Leo,
Glad we both learned some new info!
We wish you best of luck with locating those old family treasures. And it’d be great if you or a family member could make it to a future commemoration.
All the best
Des
Comment by Michael Heery — September 8, 2019 @ 10:11 pm
Photo of Volunteers in Kilmainham – 1921
I would like to send a copy of another photo taken of a group of volunteers when in Kilmainham after their capture in the Custom House raid. They are named as C Fitzsomons, Willie Doyle, George Carey, J Harpur, Jack Foy, P Evers, James Doyle, James Heery, J Muldowney, James Gibbons, Joseph Gilhooley, Peter Radcliffe.
James Heery looks the spit and image of one of my uncles. My cousin Brian Heery was the source of the photo.
Beir Bua,
Michael Heery
Comment by chcadmin — September 9, 2019 @ 5:31 pm
Hi Michael,
Thank you for taking the time to get in touch.
That’s fantastic info and it’s brilliant you have all the names for the men in the photo.
They are all very familiar to me apart from George Carey.
We’d be delighted if you would share the photo with us, please.
You can email it to us at customhousecommemoration@gmail.com.
Many thanks to yourself and your cuz Brian – go raibh míle maith agaibh.
Des
Comment by Dara Gannon — September 30, 2019 @ 5:56 pm
Hi Gérard Moore, yes Bill Gannon was involved in Kevin O’Higgins shooting. He was ‘out’ on Bloody Sunday 1920 he must have been very young. Family lore has it he escaped the cordon surrounding the Customs House. He was interned at some stage in Ballykinlar Camp I have a photo of him standing by his tent, luxury accommodation… He was also part of the Customs House Garrison, again being so young he was part of Sean Lemass’ command. He was interned after the destruction of the Customs House. During this time as reprisals for the shooting of Sean Hales and Padraig O’Maile, Rory Dick Liam and Joe were executed without trial. Bill was playing chess with Rory O’Connor as they though the executions would be of younger left leaning volunteers. When the decision was made to take the more senior men, O’Connor handed his chess set to Bill saying he wouldn’t be needing it now… (I have this chess set, Frank Ryan and Jack Nalty played on it before heading to Spain) I believe this is one of the reasons for the O’Higgins shooting. Bill went on to be involved with the Republican Congress. He was inside Connolly Hall when it was burned down and also was involved with sending men to fight against Franco in Spanish Civil War with his brother in law Sean Murray Head of the CP. His funeral made headlines for having the tricolour ‘tainted’ by the communist flag on his coffin in 1965. Bill was my Dad’s uncle, his brother Pa was also involved but not to this extent. I have some photos of them both which are interesting. Dara
Comment by Peter Ryan — January 27, 2020 @ 8:16 pm
My grandfather Michael “Mick” Doyle of 62 Lower Domonic Street was also interned in Kilmainham for being involved in the fire. Section F Cell 96. This was confirmed by letter for the Archives Department at the museum.
Comment by chcadmin — January 27, 2020 @ 11:00 pm
Hi Peter,
That’s very interesting, thank you for contacting us.
It seems the Kilmainham museum still holds a few secrets.
For example, one thing we are lacking is a list of the men released from the jail on amnesty day in December 1921.
Will send you a PM.
All the best
Des
Comment by CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL RYAN — February 13, 2020 @ 4:31 pm
All very interesting reading about the brave young men in connection to Kilmainham Jail.
I am also attempting to find out more about some of my relatives activities during the 1916 Easter rising and up to 1926 circa and have come up against a brick wall. One such great uncle a George A. Daly of Palmerston Road, Dublin was very active in the fight for freedom but for some odd reason left in hurry from Ireland 1926 leaving behind a wife, a son & two step children. I find him in USA in 1926 travelling to see a brother in the State of Michigan thereafter there is no trace of him. Some sources say he traveled to Canada & was subsequently shot by British Forces! I read his premises in Dublin were searched by British Forces for arms etc. but nothing was found. My mother only mentioned that he fled for his life as he was a thorn in the side to the British Forces. Would be such an advancement if I could find out more about his activities and I would really appreciate if I could be put in contact with some sort of historian or expert in that field. I read somewhere in a historic newspaper that he gave a great speech to the people of Navan, he was born in Kells, Meath though educated in a Jesuit College in Boston, Mass. 1899 Circa until 1907 .
Yours sincerely, Christopher Michael Ryan
Comment by chcadmin — February 13, 2020 @ 9:18 pm
Hi Christopher,
That’s an interesting story you tell yourself.
Leave it with us, we’ll see if we can turn up anything on George.
Thanks
Des
Comment by Louise Lowe — February 28, 2020 @ 7:27 pm
Hi my Great Uncle John Doran lived in 7 Henrietta Street
Comment by chcadmin — March 1, 2020 @ 9:20 pm
Hi Louise, thanks for getting in touch with that great info.
We’d love to hear more about your Greatuncle John.
Will send you a private email.
All the best
Des
Comment by Caroline Ryan Hogarty — March 20, 2020 @ 9:18 am
I have been researching my family tree from Baltinglass in Wicklow. I recognise the name Myles Doody, Fairview who is possibly from Baltinglass. There are a few Doyles mentioned under his name and there is a possibility they are from the Baltinglass area also. A huge amount of Doyle families from the area. There is a Baltinglass facebook page if you wanted to check up on this. Hope this helps.
Caroline
Comment by chcadmin — March 20, 2020 @ 12:55 pm
Thanks for that Caroline.
Will send you a PM about Myles to cross-check what i think I know of him!
Cheers
Des
Comment by Patrick Ryan — November 8, 2020 @ 12:04 pm
My great uncle was Charles Ryan of 11 North Wall. I notice there is a message from another relative below. I wondered if you still had a copy of the photo of Charles Ryan outside of Kilmainham Jail you could forward to me. Many thanks
Comment by chcadmin — November 8, 2020 @ 6:56 pm
Good to hear from you, Patrick.
Will send that photo by email.
All the best
Des
Comment by Robert Quinn — December 8, 2020 @ 8:49 am
According to my nan my grand uncle James Carroll was at the custom house burning. He was intelligence officer B company first battallion, Dublin brigade. I have his autograph book from his time interned at the Curragh in 1923. Obviously he is not mentioned here but just wondered if you had come across him at all?
According to his own writing he was finally captured in 23 and shot while being interrogated.
Comment by chcadmin — December 9, 2020 @ 2:08 am
Thanks for getting in touch, Robert.
Will reply to your email.
Des
Comment by Christy McCabe — March 12, 2021 @ 1:40 pm
I am a grandson of Charles McCabe.My father Frank, his son is still alive.
What information do you need?
Comment by chcadmin — March 12, 2021 @ 5:18 pm
Hi Christy.
Great to hear that and thanks for getting in touch.
Will send you an email from customhousecommemoration@gmail.com
All the best
Des
Comment by Suzanne Law — April 8, 2021 @ 9:26 am
My gran’s cousin was Jim Foley. She used to tell how she visited him in kilmainham jail. He collected, for her, a book of names and notes from the prisoners that were there at the same time as him. She also told how herself and her sister brought a cake into the jail that had a key in it. But they night they were supposed to escape another prisoner was supposed to be executed so they gave it to him. Not sure if any of this is true but we did have the book until my gran loaned it to one of his children. We also have a photo somewhere in my mother’s house of him with Joe Griffin and someone else he was in kilmainham with. Again not sure how true the story was but my gran never swayed from it.
Comment by chcadmin — April 8, 2021 @ 10:35 am
Hi Suzanne.
Great stories there, many thanks for sharing.
So Jim was another of the prisoners to keep an autograph book.
As for the photo you mention, we may have it here: https://www.customhousecommemoration.com/2020/12/31/joe-griffin-hidden-intelligence-man-forgotten-patriot/
Fair play to your gran and her sister for visiting him. The key in the cake may be a bit of a tall tale, but who knows?
We sure won’t spoil it by disagreeing.
Will email you with a few photos of Jim.
All the best
Des
Comment by Ruth O'Connor (On behalf of Joan Doody) — May 26, 2021 @ 10:01 am
Hello, I sent this website link to my cousin who lives in the US as she is the daughter of Myles Doody. Joan Doody is now in her late 80’s and only recently discovered how her father was involved in the Customs House Attack. We also discovered in a book written by Niamh O’Sullivan, “Every Dark Hour” where she mentions that Myles name is still legible on the walls of the punishment cell in the old 1862 Dungeon area of Kilmainham. Joan has given me permission to contact you on her behalf and she hopes to send me a photograph of her dad Myles to be included in the list of men involved.
Comment by chcadmin — May 26, 2021 @ 1:39 pm
Hi Ruth,
Thanks very much for getting in touch.
Brilliant to hear relatives like yourself and Joan keep Volunteer Myles Doody’s memory alive.
It would be fantastic to see a photo of Joan’s father at convenience. Our email is customhousecommemoration@gmail.com
Please send Joan our best wishes.
And thank you again for your information.
All the best
Des
Comment by Mary Moore — December 12, 2022 @ 11:05 pm
Paddy Moore was my Grandad – he shared a cell with Rory O’Connor – they played chess the night before Rory O’Connor was executed…he told Paddy to keep the chess set if he didn’t return…
Paddy went on to play football for Merthyr Town and then Cardiff City before returning to Dublin to raise his family
Comment by chcadmin — December 13, 2022 @ 12:53 am
Hi Mary, thanks for getting in touch.
Wow, that’s fantastic info on your Grandad Paddy.
I’m actually working on an article about him.
I’ll send you an email.
Seasons greetings
Des
Comment by Mary Moore — December 14, 2022 @ 10:12 pm
Thank you Des – that would be amazing!
My Dad is almost 90 and his memory is not great, I regret not paying more attention to the stories over the years.
Paddy wrote a lot and kept diaries from his time as a runner during 1916 (he was only 14 then) – he also documented his time during 1922 – and these writings are in my aunts house – I hope to read them soon
In the meantime, if you have any information I could share with my Dad, that would be great!
Thanks again, Mary