Kildare historian launches book on revoluntionary youths
The Sheehan brothers joined the Newbridge Fianna Éireann branch
ON 24 April 1916, 1,600 revolutionaries assembled in Dublin and declared an Irish Republic. Among those who advanced on the city’s strategic strongholds were boys of Na Fianna Éireann, an Irish nationalist youth organisation.
They took part in every major action that week, and four were killed, including 14-year-old Seán Healy, the Rising’s youngest fatality.
is an account of those young warriors who helped shape Ireland’s fight for freedom.
From the chaos of Easter Week, through the War of Independence and Civil War, to the streets of Belfast and Derry in 1969, successive generations of youth were forged in the fire of revolution.
They were scouts, couriers, fighters, and, in time, leaders.
Many would rise through the ranks of the IRA; others would fall in conflicts stretching from Ireland to Spain where more than 60 Fianna members would lose their lives.
Drawing on vivid first-hand testimony and original research, Kildare historian James Durney delivers a powerful, fast-paced history of youth in revolt, uncovering the forgotten faces behind Ireland’s long fight for freedom.
On 16 August 1909 the Irish National Boy Scouts (Na Fianna Éireann) was formed by two nationalist activists, Bulmer Hobson and Countess Constance Markievicz, as an alternative to directly counteract the influence of Sir Robert Baden-Powell’s Boy Scout movement in Ireland.
Na Fianna Éireann membership was open to male children from eight years old to 18, regardless of class, creed or political party.
While the Fianna was initially for boys, some girls did join, although, by 1922, membership had been limited to boys aged between 12 and 18.
Each member was given the title Fian (warrior) and the boys were offered a combination of military training, outdoor pursuits and Irish cultural activities.
The aim of the semi-military movement was to train the youth of Ireland for armed conflict against British rule.
Locally, a troop of Na Fianna Éireann was formed in Athy on 23 August 1914 and was initially under the command of Paddy Gibbons, Barrack Street, with Tom Maher, Stanhope Street, as drillmaster.
Naas and Newbridge also formed units of Na Fianna. Newbridge Fianna sluagh (troop) had a membership of thirty-six by the time of the Truce in July 1921.
The officer commanding (lieutenant) Newbridge Fianna was James ‘Jim’ Sheehan, born on 5 December 1903 at Henry Street, Newbridge.
He was prosecuted for selling republican flags without a permit at Newbridge College sports field in November 1918 and charged two shillings.
During the Civil War Jim Sheehan joined the National Army as a lieutenant and was therefore, on the opposing side to his older brother, Mick. Michael ‘Mick’ Sheehan was born at Moorefield, Newbridge, on 18 April 1901.
The family later moved to Henry Street. Mick, too, was a member of Newbridge Fianna Éireann, and later became 2nd Lieutenant of Newbridge Company, Irish Volunteers.
He was arrested and interned in Newbridge Barracks in August 1922 and took part in the mass hunger-strike in October-November 1923.
Other prominent members of Newbridge Fianna Éireann were the three Dempsey brothers from Roseberry.
Their father, Hugh, was a member of Newbridge Company, Irish Volunteers. Paddy, Malachy and John Dempsey were all members of Newbridge Fianna Éireann, Malachy was born in 1902.
by James Durney and published by Merrion Press (Newbridge), will be launched by former national organiser of Na Fianna Éireann, Des Dalton (Athy) at 7pm on 10 September in Barker & Jones, Naas.
