LACKELLY
Lackelly “Leac Ailbe“ means The Rock of Ailbe. It is the only part of Emly parish in County Limerick! The rock outcrop, from which the name derives, forms a low cliff in the centre of the townland. Saint Ailbe was the son of Olnais and his wife Sanclit, who were members of the household of Cronan, the local chieftain. When Sanclit gave birth to Ailbe, Cronan was so displeased that he ordered the child to be killed. Consequently, Ailbe was left under the Rock to die but he was suckled by a she-wolf until he was found by Lochan MacLugir, who gave him to British slaves, who raised him.Until the 20th century, people visited Ailbes Rock to recite prayers on 12 September Ailbes feast day. Water retained in its cavities was believed to have power to cure ailments. Saint Ailbe, whose date of death is recorded as either AD 526, 531 or 541, is the patron saint of the Diocese of Emly. Although modern commentators admit that his life is a confusion of vague legends, he retains his place in the calendar of saints.
Soloheadbeg.
Sean Treacy, Dan Breen, Seamus Robinson and Sean Hogan began the Irish War of Independence on 21st January, 1919 when they attacked a Police patrol carrying gelignite to a quarry at Soloheadbeg, County Tipperary. Two members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, James McDonnell and Patrick O'Connell were killed. In May 1919, Sean Hogan was arrested near Thurles, County Tipperary in connection with the attack. He was to be taken by rail to Cork City for interrogation.
RESCUE OF SEAN HOGAN
Dan and Mai Moloneys house at Lackelly was the venue for a significant meeting on 13 May 1919. At the meeting, Sean Treacy, Dan Breen, Seamus Robinson and Galbally Volunteers Ned and John Joe OBrien, Ned Foley, Sean Lynch and Jim Scanlon, planned the successful and daring rescue of Sean Hogan from a train at Knocklong railway station. They boarded the train carriage and they carried out their rescue. Hogan was escorted by Sergeant Peter Wallace and two constables. A brutal, hand-to-hand fight ensued. One of the constables, Michael Enright, was shot dead immediately and another escaped through a window. Wallace and Treacy wrestled on the floor of the carriage to gain control of a pistol for some five minutes. After a fierce struggle Treacy got the upper hand and killed Wallace. In the confusion Hogan made his escape and a local butcher in the village freed him from his handcuffs with one blow from his cleaver. Two local Volunteers, Ned Foley & Patrick Maher were hanged for the killing of Sgt Wallace and the Constable. It is generally accepted today that one of the men hanged, Patrick Maher was in fact an innocent railway employee not even in the vicinity. Even the father of Sgt Wallace pleaded for a reprieve, but to no avail
Lackelly Ambush
Before noon on 2 May 1921, twelve members of the East and Mid-Limerick Flying Columns, who had stayed overnight in four houses at Knockcarron, assembled on the road between Fitzpatricks house and OCallaghans. They were surprised by 17 soldier-cyclists from the Green Howard Regiment of the British Army based in Galbaly. A long battle ensued. Tom Howard (Glenbrohane), Willie Riordan (Cullane, Ballylanders) John Frahill and Patrick Ryan Waller (Murroe) were killed. There were no casualties on the British side. The bodies of the IRA Volunteers were buried two days later in canvass bags at Quinns farm in Lough Gur. Some days later, they were exhumed and re-buried in coffins in a disused graveyard at Rathjordan, Herbertstown, due to fears that cattle would uproot them. During the Truce, in July 1921, their remains were again re-buried in graveyards at Ballylanders and Murroe. There are a number of panels in Knockcarron to mark the sheer amount of incidents that occurred in this location during the war of independence providing more detail on the events that occurred in the build up to the Lackelly ambush
SCARTEEN HUNT
The Ryans of Scarteen own the Scarteen Hounds which is the oldest privately owned pack in Ireland.The hunting season is from November to February. Scarteen Hunt meets each Tuesday and Saturday at different venues all over East Limerick and West Tipperary, with over 50 riders taking part. The biggest annual meeting, with hundreds of participating riders, is held here at Knockcarron on Saint Stephens Day (26th December). The pack was founded in 1624 and was originally Daniel OConnell's (1775-1847), the Catholic Emancipator or Liberator, who was related to the Ryans, and after he became actively engaged in politics he gave his hounds to Scarteen as he had no time for hunting. Since then, the Ryans have retained a special relationship with their Kerry beagles, which are noted for their independence, scenting ability, voice and unusual black-and-tan colours which also became the term used for the RIC recruits due to their mix of Black RIC and British Army Tan uniforms, identical to the hounds!
Black & Tans.
Essentially the Black and Tans were recruits to the RIC who were recruited in England. The vast majority, but by no means all, were men who had served in the British forces during WWI. In December 1919 Fermoy born, ex-army officer, Major Cyril Francis Fleming was appointed to organise the recruitment drive. Fleming set up an office in London and soon began his drive. The first of these recruits joined the RIC in January 1920 and after a ‘four week training course’ they were allocated to stations around Ireland. They received the name ‘Black and Tans’ when a Limerick based journalist noticed a number of these new recruits boarding a train at Limerick Junction in March 1920. They were dressed in a motley uniform, part bottle green of the RIC and part Khaki of the British military. This colour scheme reminded of the journalist of the famous pack of ‘Back and Tan’ hounds from Scarteen in Knockcarron. In an article written about his experience the journalist described the recruits as ‘Black and Tans’ and the name took hold. As time evolved and sufficient uniform supplies became available all members wore the traditional bottle green uniform
Golden Mile.
Apparently this is one of the first in Ireland and has nice views from the top of Knockcarron Hill, recommend boots or MTB! as Sunday shoes would suffer, not quite sure about the Holy Well (Cluen or Gobnait). The Lackelly Loop is quite wet in one section...need boots and has barking but friendly dogs!
The appropriately named "Foxes Den" was established 1830? and the Knocklong rescue party had lemonade here before setting out for Knocklong.