Former TD condemns 'deplorable depiction of Mitchelstown people'
Former Fianna Fáil TD, Ned O’Keeffe, has condemned Friday night’s episode of RTÉ’s ‘Nationwide’ programme, which focused on Mitchelstown and the burning of the castle, part of a series on the burnings of the ‘Big Houses’ during the Civil War. The programme predominantly featured the story of the Kingston family, Mitchelstown Castle, its subsequent burning and the legacy of the IRA attack today.
As covered previously in TheAvondhu, Mr O’Keeffe is adamant that no looting took place prior to the castle’s burning, contrary to the opinion of historian and author, Bill Power.
The following is Mr O’Keeffe’s statement:
“I refer to the
Nationwide programme that aired on RTÉ1 last Friday, 13th November, and the remarks made by Bill Power, giving the distinct impression that the IRA burned Mitchelstown Castle as an act of vengeance and to cover-up the looting.
"I would seriously question the claim that the castle was occupied for six weeks prior to the burning. Intelligence sent a message to the IRA HQ that the Free State army were moving towards Mitchelstown and were going to occupy the castle. Mitchelstown had a substantial number of IRA members who were on the republican side. Many well-known names who had supported the 1916 Easter Rising parade through the town e.g. the O’Dwyers, Hoares, Roches, O’Keeffes and others. These people who participated in the castle burning had fought in the War of Independence 1918 to 1921, didn’t agree with the Treaty, were supported by de Valera and Liam Lynch. De Valera opposed the Treaty in Dáil Éireann as president of Sinn Féin at the time.
"The burning of the castle was carried out, as I said above, to stop the Free State soldiers taking over and there is further proof that the Free State soldiers were taking over as they passed through Mitchelstown and were ambushed in Kildorrery, on the way to Kerry.
"PJ Luddy was the officer in charge, assisted by Leo Skinner. They gave the order to burn the castle - the order had come through from a senior officer in the IRA HQ. Is Mr Power saying that PJ Luddy, who was in charge and that Leo Skinner were looters?
"It is deplorable that we see the castigation of decent and honest people of Mitchelstown of the time, many of whose ancestors are still living in the town and rural areas.
"I cannot say anything about the looting, but if Bill Power knows the names of those who looted in 1922 or found on a record, I ask him to present them. I would like to assure him that no member of the IRA who occupied the castle were looters - they were all well disciplined. It is important to note that several private and public houses and castles were burned during the Civil War. It is time that Bill gives us the true history and not a biased version.
"Mitchelstown is privileged to have a modern dairy division and on the same site, we have Ornua making and selling Kerrygold butter across the four corners of the globe. Since 1928 we have had substantial employment in the town making cheese.
"We are often compared with Lismore Castle. The town of Lismore has not thrived since the 1930s. It recently got a new secondary school from the Department of Education; I have had many discussions with people of the area of Lismore, who have told me that the castle does not bring many to the town. So, looking back, it is obvious to me that if we still had Mitchelstown Castle, it would not have created the economic stability or enabled the job creation that the town now has. I should also add that this castle was built by slave labour and small tenant holders, who had to build this monstrosity.
“While the British Empire was once powerful across the world, Kerrygold butter, manufactured under Ornua, is today sold in the four corners of the earth. Where the British Empire controlled for decades, we have now built a presence and business to match.
"The Kingstons were a Cromwellian family who came to Ireland in 1649. Cromwell, having wrecked the country, the tenant farmers and the people of no property, also sent Irish people to Barbados and the Caribbean as indentured servants.
"By the records, Lord Kingston was a real tyrant to his unfortunate tenantry and was hated so much he was called the ‘ Galtee Wolf’. He evicted his tenants wholesale and took over a six-square mile area and built an eight foot wall around it and then built his castle in the centre of the Demesne. He organised a battalion of militia in the 1700s and marched them to Wexford. They were more cruel to the people than the English soldiers. It was he who introduced the pitch cap and the burnings.
“Monsignor Canon O’Connell, who was parish priest at the time, went through the town to try and stop the burning, but a number of shopkeepers agreed to the burning; they were delighted and hoped that the 'Hangman’s Room' would be burned.
"I appeal to Bill Power to present a true and accurate history of the Kingstons, who were notorious landlords who evicted Mitchelstown people from their land. Perhaps he can also confirm where in the castle the Hangman’s Room was located, where many were hanged. We are aware of two who were hanged for stealing apples. I believe it was behind the servants’ quarters.
“I have to say that PJ Luddy had the honour and distinction of becoming the chairman of Mitchelstown Co-operative, so he could see the progress that was made from the time the castle was burned. Leo Skinner became a Fianna Fáil TD in Dáil Éireann representing East Cork and later held the position of District Justice.
“Eamonn Roche came to Mitchelstown and laid the foundations for a successful dairy industry, cheese processing plant and diversified dairy operations, including powder on the site of the former castle. He was a Sinn Féin TD in the first Dáil, interned in Gormanston camp. On his release, he was a qualified dairy scientist and started to work in Bruree Co-op, and was sought afterwards by the chair of Mitchelstown Co-op, Con O’Brien, for his expertise.
“RTÉ, who are in the height of trouble financially and otherwise, are having difficulty in getting the licence fees paid. You can see why, with this programme that abuses the people of the past."