International Brigadiers and other anti-fascists of Irish origin
There is an interesting piece by a Belfast researcher which details Belfast people who went out for both sides, see the Quinn article.
[Key to the sources of the list]
Anti-fascists of Irish origin
There are, to put it mildly, some differences on who would make a list of the Irish involved with the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War. There are problems over memory and problems with the records. The real difficulty is who or what is an Irish person! Although not being a football fan, this site list goes on the principle of the Irish and Northern Irish football teams. In other words; those born in Ireland, or of Irish parents/grandparents, no matter where the individual themselves were born. So I have included Irish-Americans, Irish born in England, etc. Having said this, there are probably still errors in this list, but please contact me with corrections.
O'Riordan in his book listed 145 people; this list now exceeds 240. CC 14th March 2000
E-mail me at: charliecairns@hotmail.com
Robert A. Stradling compiled a list for his book, The Irish and the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939.
Published by Mandolin, an imprint of Manchester University Press, and 1999.
http://www.man.ac.uk/mup ISBN 1901341135, cost £10.95Additional people have been added by checking the list of Feargal McGarry, in Irish Politics and the Spanish Civil War, ISBN 1859182402, Cork University Press, 1999, £15.95 as well as a number of other sources, all indicated.
Name Born Place Other Details Sources
Anderson Samuel Banbridge, via Canada Carmody Antrim Earl of Antrim Med. Unit Fyrth Armstrong Robert DT Bailey Archie 280312 Belfast labourer SA Barr Victor 131116 Belfast labourer MO, SA Barrett David Irish FMcG Barry Paddy Mayo MO Barry William Dublin d. 1236 MO, IB Beattie, William Belfast d.0737 MO, NM Beirne James J Cavan MO Black William Belfast Carmody Blake Patrick (Kevin) Dublin British Med. Unit FMcG Blaney James M Belfast Carmody Bonar Henry Dublin MO Bonar Hugh Donegal d. 0237 MO Bourke J Liverpool-Irish MO Bourne Ted Carmody Boyd Joe Belfast Scottish Med. Unit FMcG Boyle Danny Belfast d. 0237 MO Boyle Phil Donegal MO, POR Brady Peter 230514 Cavan MO, SA Brennan Michael MO Browne George Kilkenny-Manchester d. 0737 MO Browne Michael (Blasser) d. FMcG Burgess Liam Mallow MO, POR Burke T d. FMcG Burns Paul A Boston, USA FMcG Burrows Harold 030416 SA Byrne Joseph 220413 Dublin metallurgist SA Byrne Paddy 280399 Dublin sailor MO, SA Byrne William Manchester-Irish FMcG Campbell James Derry FMcG Carroll Jimmy FMcG Coady Dennis (Dinny) Dublin d.0137 MO Cochrane Patrick Brit. Med. Unit FMcG Coleman Charles Cork SA, MO, POR Coleman John Belfast ALBatt. Carmody Colling William 170111 Belfast Stradling Conway Maurice Irish-American Doctor Cronin Conway Frank Kildare d. 1236 MO Conway Christopher (Kit) Tipperary d. 0237 MO, IA Cox Colm Dublin MO, POR Crampton Vincent Cork? FMcG Cunningham Jock Scots-Irish Stradling Curley Pat Dublin MO Daly Pat Enniscorthy d. 0837, Quinto MO, BA Davis William Dublin d. 0737 MO, NM Deegan Frank Liverpool-Irish FMcG Deegan G d. 0138 BA Delaney Andrew via USA FMcG Delaney Jerry FMcG Digges Alex Dublin MO, OB Dolan John d. 0237 MO Donald James b. Derry via Fife Carmody Donavan Tom Skibereen d. 0338 MO Donegan Alex NI Scot. Med. Unit FMcG Donnelly Charles Dungannon d. 0237 MO, BA Donovan ? Stradling Dooley Hugh Belfast Carmody Doran Gerry Dublin MO Dowling Sean Castlecomer, Kil. MO Downing Eugene Dublin MO, GK Doyle Bob 140216 Dublin ship's cook MO, SA Duff Paddy Dublin LC, MO Edwards Frank Waterford MO, OB Fairleigh Robert Dromore Carmody Falconer William M Belfast Carmody Finnegan John 180309 Lincoln SA Flanagan Andrew Roscommon MO Flanagan Terry Dublin MO, OB Flynn Jack Derry FMcG, Carmody Foley Jim Dublin d. 1236 MO Forcell James 040704 Dublin SA Fox Tony Dublin d. 1236 MO Fox WH Dublin d. 0737 MO Fulton Willie Belfast FMcG Gilbert Tony captured 0338 IT Glacken Paddy Donegal d. 0138, Turuel MO Goff Sean Dublin w.1236 MO, NM Gorman George Derry d. 0738, Ebro MO Gould-Verschoyle Brian radio operator FMcG Green George d.0938 Stradling Green Dublin d. ? IB Green Leo Dublin d. 1236 MO Hall P Co. Down Carmody Hamill Pat Knappagh, Co Cavan/New York FMcG Haughey James Lurgan MO, IB Haydock PC New York POR Hayes T Dublin MO Heeney Tom 1920 Galway MO, SA Henry Bill Belfast d. 0237 MO Hepburn Robert FMcG Hillen James Belfast w. 1236 MO, NM Hilliard Robert M Killarney d. 0237 MO, BA Holden Dennis Carlow MO Hourihan Marty Irish-American Stradling Hunt John Waterford MO Hunter Hugh Belfast MO Johnstone John Belfast via London Carmody Jones Jack Waterford d. 0738, Ebro MO Keenan Patrick Dublin MO, IA Keller Fred Irish-American Carroll Kelly Chris w.0238 SA, IB Kelly J Toronto POR Kelly J Roscommon d. 0737 MO Kelly John Waterford MO Kelly Michael Ballinasloe d. 0737 MO, SC Kennedy David 300315 Ballycastle SA Kenny Steve Belfast MO Kerr Thomas Belfast d. 0838, Ebro MO Blake Kevin Dublin POR Kumpaleyner Elsa 'Hirlandais' SA Larmour Jim Belfast MO Laughran William Belfast d. 0737 MO Leeson George b. Ireland Via England FMcG Leehane Michael Kilgarvan MO, SA Lennon John 0407008 Waterford Cook MO, SA Levitas Maurice 010217 Dublin plumber MO, SA Levy Dave d. 0237 Stradling Long Patrick Sarsfield Irish-American FMcG Lord Bill Belfast FMcG Loughran Pop Irish-Canadian MO Lowry Joe Belfast MO, SA Lynch Thomas Dublin d. 0338 MO MacAleenan John Down MO MacLarnon Alan Dublin MO Magill James/Joseph? Lurgan via Toronto Carmody Maguire Thomas Irish FMcG Martin Chris Cork MO Martin Samuel Belfast via London Carmody Matthews Charles London-Irish FMcG May Michael Dublin d. 1236 MO McAllister Paddy Belfast via Canada FMcG McBroin Seamus Monks McCarthy Cormac ? FMcG McClure George b. Donaghdee via Liverpool Carmody McCogan Kathleen Irish Fyrth McDaid Paddy Dublin d. 0237 MO McElligot Paddy 1905 JG McElroy Bert Louth d. 0237 MO McGrath H Belfast d. 0938 BA McGregor Liam Dublin d. 220938 MO McGrotty Eamon Derry d. 0237 MO McGuinness Charles Dublin EO, IA McGuire Pat NI via Canada FMcG McKeefrey James J b. Belfast via Glasgow Carmody McKenna Bernard Manchester-Irish FMcG McLaughlin Paddy Roe Donegal MO, SC Mcllroy Paddy Dublin MO McMahon Fred Belfast Scot.Med.Unit FMcG McManus Timothy Tottenham-Irish? FMcG McParland Eugene Irish Stradling Meehan John Galway d. 1236 MO Meeke William d.0138 Hopkins Milne Ewart Dublin medic CC Monks Joe Dublin MO, NM Moroney Brendan Ennis CC Morris Thomas Boston-Irish? FMcG Mulligan Michael Belfast Murphy James Cronin Murphy John Derry via London Carmody Murphy Paddy/Pat Wales FMcG Murphy Patrick Belfast Carmody Murphy Tom 1903 Belfast Carmody Murray Ben Belfast d. 0338 MO, SA Murray Joe Antrim d. 0837 MO Murray Patrick Irish? FMcG Nalty Jack Dublin d. 220938 MO Nicholl Arthur Dromard, Leitrim FMcG Nolan Michael Dublin d. 1236 MO O'Beirne John 230899 Portumna labourer SA O'Brien Francis D Dundalk via London MO, SA O'Brien Thomas T d. 0237 MO O'Brien Tom Dublin MO O'Callaghan Brian Dublin DT O'Connor Peter Waterford MO, SA O'Daire Paddy Donegal MO, SA O'Donnell Hugh 1899 Donegal stoker MO, SA O'Donnell Vincent 190404 Dublaoghaire MO, SA O'Hanlon Liam 041113 Belfast labourer MO, SA O'Regan James F Cork MO O'Reilly Donal Dublin MO O'Reilly Patrick (John) IA, JG O'Riordan Michael Cork MO O'Shea John Joseph 1902 Kilmeadan,Waterford plasterer MO, SA O'Shea Paddy Irish-Canadian Mac-Pac O'Sullivan Paddy Dublin d. 0838 MO, IB O'Flaherty Eddie Boston, USA FMcG O'Flaherty Frank Boston, USA FMcG O'Flaherty Charlie Boston, USA FMcG O'Hara Patrick Belfast,via Margate with POUM Carmody O'Neill Dick Belfast d. 0237 MO O'Neill George Newcastle upon Tyne-Irish ? FMcG O'Neill Stuart (Paddy) Vancouver d. 0737 Mac-Pac O'Toole Paddy New York Cronin Patterson Jackie Belfast FMcG Patton Tommy Achill Madrid militia MO Penrose Sean Dublin FMcG Plain David Armagh via Glasgow Carmody Power Billy Waterford MO Power Johnny Waterford MO Power Paddy Waterford MO Prendergast Jim Dublin Mo Pyper Robert Ballyclare via Birkenhead Carmody Quinlan Maurice Waterford d. 0237 MO, BA Quinn Sidney Lisburn KJ Reade Pat Irish ALBatt. FMcG Regan Charles d.0837 MO Regan Jim Cork MO, SA Rehill Joseph New York POR Reid Pat New York MOR Riordan Johnny London (2nd gen) FMcG Robinson John Q Belfast MO Roe M Athlone MO Russell Michael Ennis d.0237 MO Ruttledge Ormsby Hannah Dromard West, Sligo d.0538 Papers Ryan Frank Limerick BA Ryan Maurice Tipperary executed 0738 MO, BA, KJ Scanlon Paddy Cork MO Scott Bill Dublin MO, ER Sheehan Ray Irish-American MO Simms John P Tipperary MO Smith Paddy Dublin MO Stanley Patrick Dublin MO Steel A Carrickfergus Carmody Straney James Belfast d. 0738 MO Sullivan John ? Basque forces FMcG Tierney John Limerick missing 0937 MO, SA Tighe Pat Mayo MO Traynor Thomas Derry via Toronto Carmody Trench Patrick Dublin POUM FMcG Tumilson Liam Belfast d. 0237 MO Walsh Thomas Dublin d. 0237 BA Walshe David Ballina d. 0138 MO Waters Michael Cork MO Whelan Joe New York POR White Jack Ballymoney Red Cross/CNT KSL Woods Tommy Dublin d. 1236 MO Woulfe Jim Limerick d. 0837 MO So these combined lists give a potential total for Irish involvement on the Republican side as 244 (see McLaughlin and Blake notes). Having said that, the "Irish" includes those of Irish decent or some of even inclination! CC. 6th February 2000.
These 2 were listed on the original International Brigades memorial banner, but are not Irish.
Samuel Lee London d. Jarama 0237 POR
John Scott S Africa d. Jarama 0237 PORJim Brady is listed in Stradlings book, on the basis of the words of the C Moore song. But on rechecking this, see the Peter O'Connor pamphlet that replaces JB with "Jim Straney of the Falls", this makes more sense even if is wrong geographically, JS was from the Short Strand.
Key to sources
BA Bill Alexander British Volunteers CC Clare Champion 21st December 1979 DT Dublin Tribune 11th October 1990 EO Eoin O’Duffy Crusade ER Esmond Romilly Boadilla GK Gustav Klaus Strong Words, Strong Deeds Hopkins Into the Fire. p268 "had been in Spain since October 1937. He was 28, Irish, and judged an 'incorrigible, useless type.' In his file the commissar noted tersely that Meeke was shot while attempting to escape. [Info. From Soviet archives. The impression I take from the book is that this death was in Jan, 1938.]
IB International Brigade IB Association Archives, London IA Irish Archives IT Irish Times 9th April 1975 and 29th September 1997 JG John Gerassi Premature Antifascists JM Joe Monks With the Reds in Spain KJ Kate Johnsson Spanish Collection KW Keith Watson Single to Spain LC Limerick Chronicle 27th October 1938 MO Michael O'Riordan Connolly Column Manus Manus O'Riordan Irish and Jewish volunteers in the Spanish anti-fascist war. 1987 NM National Museum of Labour History OA RTE Even the Olives are Bleeding RS Robert Stradling Brother against Brother SA Spanish Archives SC Sean Cronin Frank Ryan SP Sunday Press 29th May 1983
The following Irish names (whose owners may have been Irish born) occur in the Spanish Archives:
British Battalion:
W. Boyce, P. Boyle, F. Butler, R. Burns, W. Byrne, S. Donnell, Doyle, John Gorman, J. Kelly, W. McCartney, G. McDermott, McGrath, John O’Connell, William O’Hanlon, J. O’Hara, Charles O’Neill, Riley, M. Sullivan, Bernard Sweeney, D. WalshLincoln Battalion (0637):
A. Burke, G. Cunningham, J. McGrath, M. McLaughlin (?Charles) O’Neill, M. Moran, J. Nolan, W. WalshLincoln Battalion (0238):
Roe Burke, Vincent Deegan, Bill Donnelly, Joe MacKean, Tom McNulty, Patrick Murphy, Charles O’Barr, Joe O’Brien, Patrick O’Boyle, Paul O’Dell, Walter O’Kane, Tom O’Malley, John O’Sullivan, Larry O’Toole, Joe WalshOther XV Brigade Units:
Patrick O’Brien (cook at Albacete) Ernest Mahoney (postal services)
Notes by Charlie Cairns. 21st February 2000
Armstrong
While I need to check this out, I think this Robert Armstrong is possibly mistaken. There was a Robert Armstrong, a Scottish Marxist active in the Revolutionary Socialist Party/Workers International League in Ireland between 1939-1948. He was a member of the International Brigade, and the Communist Party of Great Britain. After he was wounded and returned home, Armstrong became a Trotskyist and moved to Belfast.
Flynn
The Belfast Telegraph of 30th May 1937 lists some anti-fascists who are being released, included among them is a Jack Flin, aged 29 from Derry.
Lehane
He died in WW2 while serving on a Norwegian ship in 1942.
McLaughlin
This is almost certainly a case of double ledger accounting, see W Laughlin listed above. they are one and the same person.
Additional Note, June 17th, 1999
If you check the Belfast News Letter reports, they give information on the two men who went out to help with Medical Aid, Fred McMahon and Joseph Boyd.