A triple execution in Tullylease was recalled at a commemoration on Sunday last, April 23rd at 2pm.
William O’Mahony (48) Daniel O’Keeffe (39) and Thomas Murphy (24) were executed at Tullylease Village on April 27th 1822.
Almost 201 years on, Tullylease Historical and Heritage Society, supported by Cork County Council and the local community, marked this tragic event in the parish.
Tralee Sculptor’s Work Unveiled
A memorial stone created by Tralee sculptor, Billy Leen was unveiled at at Páirc na Saoirse. MC on the day was Eileen O’Keeffe Secretary of Tullylease Historical and Heritage Society.
The event was attended by the deputy mayor of Cork County, Cllr. Ian Doyle along with council representatives: Cllr. John Paul O’Shea; Michael Moynihan, T.D. and Conor Nelligan, Heritage Officer, Cork County Council.
Events from the 1820s
Sheila O’Keeffe read the newspaper article outlining the reported events from the 1820s and it was evident that life was very tough for the people in this part of Duhallow and that these men and their families had scarcely enough to eat.
From official documents their crimes were cited as burglary and stealing clothes.
These three unfortunate men were tried in Cork City and sentenced to be executed. They were taken from Cork County Gaol to Mallow Bridewell and from Mallow to Tullylease in a four wheeled carriage.
Striking Terror
A circuitous and rugged route was taken in order to strike terror into their fellow countrymen through Ballyclough, Castlecor, Kilbrin, Ballybahallow, Freemount and finally Tullylease.
A four wheeled carriage had never been seen in these places before.
A newspaper of the time notes the appearance of one of the men, William O’Mahony: “He was an old man and in rags. Minutes before his execution he declared solemnly that he had never been sworn a Whiteboy – nor ever joined them by day or by night, that he had never robbed before or injured any man to the value of a shilling.”
The Necessities of Life
“He turned to his fellow accused Murphy and declared: ‘it was you that induced me to go with you on that fatal night, but I forgive you, and furthermore, I declare I would not have gone with you only myself and my family wanted the necessities of life, and a bit to eat which you knew well”
The Whiteboys. na Buachaillí Bána was a secret Irish agrarian organisation that defend the rights of tenant farmers.
Their grievances related to the injustices meted out to tenant farmers who often lived at subsistence levels.
These injustices involved extortion in the form of extremely high rents, taxes and tithes demanded from the farmers.
Dr. Horgan’s Moving Oration
Dr. Tim Horgan, historian, delivered a moving oration outlining the historical background to the events leading up to the hanging of the men at Tullylease including the significance of the Whiteboy movement in Ireland.
Poet Philip Egan recited an original poem composed for the event. Newmarket Pipe Band lead the parade from the football field down to the spot where the new memorial stone was erected.
Nicholas Ring, chairman of Tullylease Historical and Heritage Society, one of the main organisers of the event, spoke to thank everyone.
Na Buachaillí Bána
Three local children, Olivia Larkin, Kyran Walsh and Paddy Newman laid wreaths at the new monument.
The Walsh family from Tullylease Village, Catherine, Seán and Sineád Walsh. played a set of traditional tunes.
An original song called ‘Na Buachaillí Bána’ was composed for the occasion and performed by Mary J Leen with Adrian McSweeney and can be seen at: https://youtu.be/PAsDbffT35A
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