Ambush commemoration a family affair

History hung heavily in the Meelick air last Sunday at the commemorative celebrations honouring the 90th anniversary of a local ambush.
Members of the Meelick Ambush Committee were rewarded for their months of hard work when a number of events to mark the death of two members of the IRA’s East Clare Brigade went off without a hitch. Even the gods smiled kindly on the committee, as the sun shone throughout the proceedings.
Christopher McCarthy and Michael Gleeson were shot dead by British soldiers during the War of Independence when an IRA plan to raid the Limerick to Ennis train went awry on June 15, 1921.
Just before the new monument was being unveiled honouring the deceased duo near the railway bridge on the Woodcock Hill Road, Meelick, the Limerick to Ennis train flew past and the driver blew the horn.
Michael Gleeson’s grand-nephew, Tom Gleeson turned to the re-enactment group and joked, “Don’t attack this train today”. Three generations of the Gleeson and McCarthy families were delighted to play an active part in the proceedings.
Christopher McCarthy, who is a grand-nephew of the deceased, told The Clare Champion it was a privilege to be part of such a historical day.
“It was only right and fitting that two young men who died fighting for Irish freedom were commemorated on the day. The event was a huge success.
“It was clear to everyone present that a large amount of work and effort had been put into organising the day by the committee, who should be praised for their efforts. It was a non-political, non-party event.
“It was lovely to see three generations of the McCarthy and Gleeson families participate in the mass and wreath-laying ceremony. It was a very emotional and historical occasion that young and old will remember for a long time,” he said.
Christopher and his wife, Patricia, are the fifth generation of the family who are still involved in running McCarthy’s at Clounlaheen, Mullagh where the old IRA volunteer was born and raised.
Five great-grandnieces – Edel Fox, Aishling Healy, Catherine McCarthy, Heather and Alex Fitzgerald – played music at the church. Eleven nieces and nephews, including Tom Gleeson Senior, Pat Gleeson, Ann Neville and Mary Gleeson, were among the 60 family members on the Gleeson side who attended the mass.
Committee member, Johnny White, Christopher McCarthy and Ann Neville laid wreaths at the republican plot, while the new monument was unveiled by Tom Gleeson Junior and Christopher McCarthy.
Tom Gleeson Junior admitted he was proud and honoured to be a member of the Gleeson family on Sunday.
“I looked around at the church and graveyard where you could see the feeling of pride coming from all the relatives. It was a great parish event, which probably should have happened before. Some people asked why didn’t we wait for the 100th anniversary but we may not have as many relatives around then.
“I had heard about the event as a child but until I got the proper account of what happened from Tom Toomey and Pádraig O’Ruairc, I didn’t realise the significance of the heroism and valour displayed by the two deceased. It was a great privilege and honour to be involved with the committee and the whole event,” he said.