The Bunadreen ambush

On 29th September 1920 in the Mastergeehy company area, an R.I.C. Sergeant and six constables were called out to investigate the hold-up of postman, Pádraig Ó Suilleabháin, Meall Corr. The postman had been carrying civil bills in registered letters and orders to farmers for non-payment of rent. Raiding of mail was very common during the Independence War as the post provided local companies with information about the goings-on in an area and often proved to be an invaluable source of intelligence. In a shared statement with other rebels, the O/C of the company, Micheál Breathnach described how he and six Volunteers armed with shotguns and a revolver, lined one side of the main road at Bunadreen and opened fire on the R.I.C. patrol when it refused to halt. The battle lasted two and a half hours.The fight continued until a constable and ex-soldier named English was wounded in the face. The ambush at Bunadreen lasted 2 ½ hours. According to a report in the ‘Liberator’  a Constable Quinn had a miraculous escape when a bullet passed through the peak of his cap leaving behind the wadding of the bullet. The R.I.C. patrol was armed with four rifles and three revolvers. According to the shared statement by Breathnach, Daly and Ó Conchubhair, two of the rifles were captured and seven bicycles. Moreover, their statement varies slightly from the song describing how the priest, Rev. Fr Courtney, arrived on the scene almost immediately after firing ceased. He then, along with two members of Cumann na mBan, rendered first aid to the wounded R.I.C. man and had him conveyed to Waterville.

The song was collected from Phil and Paud Collins, Loher and was sung by Rosaleen Mullarkey for the centenary remembrance of the ambush and the unveiling of the plaque at the site of the ambush. The first and last verses were composed for the occasion by Peter and Rosaleen Mullarkey.

Oh’ please pay attention; I’ll not keep you long.

The Bunadreen ambush was penned down in song.

A century ago those brave men true and strong,

Fought the agents of tyranny, injustice and wrong.

One day as the Bobbies went out on patrol

To seek information who raided the post.

The first one they met it was Patsy Moulgore

And they asked him was he raided at the cross of Knockroe.

He said he was but not known by whom,

 They were armed and masked men who came from the Coom.

They travelled through Andees and back Islandboy, 

Bunadreen it was hands up or else they should die.

Sean Domnall so followed and a marksman he proved,

He made Constable English to cock up his croubs.

Bunadreen as you know is a place of victory

Where twenty shots rang out by Paddy O’ Leibh

When the battle was over and the priest did arrive,

He seen Constable English bleeding ‘round the eyes.

The priest was in a hurry up to the school

And he brought him to Sean Brennan’s to dress up his wounds.

Well that’s how it happened; spread the news far and wide.

We remember our bold local heroes with pride.

So let’s bow our heads and then raise a hurrah,

For the brave men of Uibh Ráthaigh and Érinn go Brách.