Remembering the Past: Clashmealcon Caves

By Aengus O Snodaigh



The Civil War in Kerry will always be remembered for the atrocities, which were committed against republicans by the Free State regime. In spite of them republican determination never wavered as events at Clashmealcon Caves on 16 April 1923 showed.



Free State army units based at Ballyheigue and Tralee barracks under the command of Colonel Michael Hogan began search and sweep operations to round up known republicans on Sunday 15 April. The operation led to the capture of Volunteer Jim McGrath of the Lixnaw Flying Column. He was taken to Tralee Military Barracks where after hours of being beaten senseless he broke down and agreed to show his interrogators the location of an IRA hideout in Clashmealcon Caves. Jim felt that there would be no harm done as no one was supposed to be there.



But the morning of 16 April he was taken by the Free Staters to the caves, and at gunpoint forced to make his way down the cliffs. As he entered the cave he was grabbed by six other Volunteers of the Third Battalion Kerry No. 1 Brigade who had been hiding in the Cave because of the search and sweep operation. Inside the cave, also know Dumfort's Cave after a Fenian who sought refuge there in 1867 were: Timothy `Aero' Lyons; Jim McEnerny; Edward Greany; Pat O'Shea; Rudge Hathaway; and, Jim's brother. Though cursing their predicament none blamed Jim McGrath for what had happened and an exchange of shots between Free Staters signalled there resolve not be taken without a fight. One Free State soldier died and the rest scampered hastily up the cliffside.



The seven were experienced Volunteers who had done battle with the British during the Tan War and the Free Staters since the start of the Civil War. Pat O'Shea had also been out in 1916, being responsible for organising the pilots to bring the aid into Fenit Harbour.



Free State reinforcements poured into the area as rumours circulated that Eamonn de Valera and Kerry's Major General Humphrey Murphy were in the cave. An attempt to smoke the Volunteers out into the open was thwarted by the high winds from the Atlantic that sent the flames and smoke in the opposite direction. Free State officers made plans to storm the cave using iron shutters as shields but their soldiers refused to take part.



The Volunteers were hoping word would reach their comrades who might be able effect a rescue. That night Tom McGrath and Pat O'Shea volunteered to try and make their way out of the cave and get help. Both slipped on the slippery rockface and fell into the dark Atlantic and drowned.



Daybreak saw a re-commencement of the Free State onslaught with mines being lowered and detonated in the mouth of the cave followed by machine gun fire and grenades. Though wet and starving the five remaining Volunteers bravely fought back. In the early hours of 18 April the gunfire subsided and after several hours of silence a Stater was sent down to the cave to see if anyone was still alive. As he entered the cave a starving and unarmed Aero Lyons appeared and for the following few hours he tried to negotiate for his friends' freedom in return for his surrender. The Free State officers refused to grant any terms to Aero; it was surrender or nothing.



At mid-day Lyons agreed. He hoped his capture and predicted execution would be enough to satisfy the Free State regime and that his comrades might somehow be spared. Lyons agreed to surrender first and a rope was lowered down to the cave. As he neared the clifftop the rope was severed and Aero Lyons fell onto the jagged rocks below. The Free Staters proceeded to riddle the dying republican's body, only stopping after a local priest, Fr. Cahill, intervened. When the firing stopped his four comrades went over to Aero, but he was beyond help. Fr Cahill mediated the surrender of the remaining Volunteers with the Free State officers.



After their surrender their hands were tied behind their backs before being set upon by the jubilant Free Staters. A Free State officer called Hancock singled out Rudge Hathaway and he was taken away. When he was returned he was near death. Hathaway was despised by the many ex-British army soldiers serving in the fledgling Free State army because he was an Englishman who had deserted the British army and joined the IRA during the Tan War. Hathaway, McEnerny and Greany were taken away to Tralee military barracks. Jim McGrath was released.



At a military hearing the three were charged and convicted of attacking Free State troops. Despite a petition for leniency signed by thousands organised by Jim McEnerny's brother, the three were executed on 25 April.



Aero Lyons and his six comrades were trapped in Clashmealcon Caves, County Kerry, on 16 April 1923, 75 years ago next week.