Conscience and conspiracy in Callan! - Kilkenny Live

Callan Heritage Society hosted an incredible lecture when historian Niamh Hassett delivered her talk ‘Conscience and Conspiracy in Callan, December 1922’ to an enthralled audience.

Little has been written about the Civil War in Callan, so listeners gained many interesting insights into the conflict in the Callan area during the 1922-1923 period. Family members of two of the main protagonists, Ned Somers and Martin Kerwick, contributed very meaningfully to the talk also. Rita O’Neill and Philip Lynch spoke about the life of their uncle, Captain Ned Somers (1890-1923), while Paddy Kerwick shared details about the life of his uncle, Lieutenant Martin Kerwick (1901-1968). 

Kilkenny community to honour hurling heritage with monument

Overall, casualties were low; less than half a dozen people lost their lives in the town and district during the Civil War period. In the initial stages of the Civil War, the Free State Forces appeared to gain control over much of the country and by August 1922 they seemed to have consolidated their hold. The lecture focused on the taking of three Free State garrisons in this area - Callan, Thomastown and Mullinavat in September 1922. The three questions posed were: How were they taken? Why was it so easy? Why was it not repeated?

During September 1922, the Free State government introduced legislation known as the Public Safety Bill. The death sentence was used against key Republican rebels found in possession of a gun, firearm or ammunition. The Republican side carried out reprisals in response to these executions. This controversial measure brought about an escalation in the bitter conflict.
The Republican side, led by Liam Lynch, were aiming to bankrupt the new state. Everyday economic activity was being disrupted. The cost of the war was continuing to mount. The Free State government was under pressure to bring hostilities to a speedy end.

The local population was growing hostile to the IRA. People were giving information on the movements of the rebels. The Republican side was struggling to maintain the conflict. Republicans, desperately seeking guns, arms and ammunition, captured the workhouse in Callan in December 1922. The Free State troops had been forced to relocate here as the Republicans had previously burnt the Civic Guards’ barracks to put that building out of use.

The Free State soldiers were easily overpowered by Republican soldiers led by Commandant General Dennis Lacey, from the South Tipperary Brigade. Captain Ned Somers defected to the Republican side, with a number of others. Although he had progressed up the ranks of the National Army, he had become increasingly disillusioned with it. 

Ned Somers had met Jim Roughan, a Republican at the Callan Fair in mid-November and he had expressed his weariness with the Free State authorities. A number of prominent Republicans had been executed, people who had fought very bravely in the War of Independence. Lieutenant Martin Kerwick, another of rank, also switched loyalties to the Republican cause. These key defections ensured that the capture of the three local garrisons was achieved easily and quickly.

ALERT: Toy recalled due to concern over choking risk - Kilkenny Live

The Free State troops were outnumbered and surrounded and were forced into surrender.  However, within a week, a large Free State reinforcement forced the Republicans to withdraw from the town. Ned Somers subsequently travelled to a hideout in Castleblake, near Rosegreen in Co Tipperary.

On April 16, 1923, Free State forces, following on information, converged on the hideout.  Ned Somers was shot dead as a member of the South Kilkenny IRA Brigade. Also shot was Captain Theo English, a 21-year-old Republican volunteer of the South Tipperary IRA Brigade. Both men had refused to surrender. Ned Somers held two grenades and did not want to be captured. Ned is buried in Killenaule. Tragically, both men were killed in the final days of the conflict.

On the final day of the same month (April 30), there was the declaration of a ceasefire. This was followed on May 24 with an order to all Republican volunteers to dump arms.

At the conclusion of the lecture, Rita O’Neill spoke about the life of her uncle Ned Somers. She referred to his upbringing at Mallardstown Mill, his early experience of raids carried out by the Black and Tans there. She also spoke of his involvement in the War of Independence and of his social life in Callan, where he participated in concerts, and he wrote poetry. From a family of 14 he finished his formal education at the end of primary school and he was largely self-educated. 

His death took a massive toll on his family. His mother died just three years later as a very young woman. The Civil War had caused a split in Ned’s family, as it did with so many families throughout the country at that time. Philip Lynch spoke of his uncle Ned’s many interests. He said Ned came from a very musical family and he had a great love of literature. 

Paddy Kerwick then shared details about his uncle Martin Kerwick. From a family of 10, he was born in Mill Street, before the family later moved to Green Street. Martin was also active in the War of Independence and witnessed raids carried out by the Black and Tans. Like Ned, Martin had become very disillusioned with the executions carried out by the New Free State.  This led him to switch sides during the conflict and handing over the Barracks at Callan, Thomastown and Mullinavat to the Anti Treaty Forces.

In 1924 he left Ireland, disguised as a Christian Brother. He eventually made his way to Philadelphia where he worked in the bar business. Sadly, his wife died during childbirth and the child was lost as well.

Original documents and photographs relating to the lives of the two protagonists were shown on the large screen - one document which belonged to Martin Kerwick was his passport which was a British one. Born in 1901 when Ireland was under British rule, acquiring a British passport gave him a safer passage to the United States. Martin never returned to Ireland afterwards; in fact his brother Fr Michael purchased Martin seagoing tickets to Ireland on two occasions, but he never travelled back to his native land. 

The War of Independence brought about freedom for the 26 counties in March 1922, but within a short few months Civil War broke out and it was to create a split in this little island that took years to heal. Our politics were defined by the Civil War by the main parties that were formed out of it, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. For nearly 100 years both remained on opposite sides until three years ago they came together to create a coalition government. For Martin Kerwick and Ned Somers their heroism and standing up for what they believed in was not in vain. 

The huge numbers that attended Friday’s lecture were enthralled by the local history. All believed that stories of Ned Somers and Martin Kerwick could make for a wonderful specific lecture on those two great Callan men.