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| File Reference |
MSP34REF3580
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| Name |
Anthony J. McNamara |
| Gender |
male |
| Maiden/Other names |
Antoine S. MacConmara
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| Address detail |
| Street |
Dooagh, Achill
|
| County |
Mayo
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
Keel West, Achill
|
| County |
Mayo
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
Turlough Post Office, Castlebar
|
| County |
Mayo
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
Rossport Post Office, Ballina
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| County |
Mayo
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
National Service Hostel, Willenhall Road, Wolverhampton
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| Country |
England
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| Address detail |
| Street |
73 Crathorne Avenue, Okley, Wolverhampton
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| Country |
England
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
1 Chongie Road, Dooagh, Achill
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| County |
Mayo
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Date of birth |
1895-05-20
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| Date of death |
1985-01-16
|
| Associated files in MSPA |
34D2584
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| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Company Captain
|
| Unit |
2 Battalion
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| Company |
Achill Company
|
| Brigade |
1 Brigade (West Mayo)
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| Commanding Officer(s) |
Thomas Derrig; Michael Kilroy; Edward Moane; Joseph MacBride
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| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Brigade Police Officer
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| Division |
4 Western Division
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| Brigade |
1 Brigade (West Mayo)
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| Commanding Officer(s) |
Dr. Madden; Michael Kilroy
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| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Brigade Quartermaster
|
| Unit |
Active Service Unit
|
| Division |
4 Western Division
|
| Brigade |
5 Brigade
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
Dr. Madden; Michael Kilroy
|
| Pension Claim |
Yes |
| Award Pension |
Yes |
| Army Pensions Act 1923/1953 |
No |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1924 |
No |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1934 |
Yes |
| Grade |
D |
| Notes |
Awarded 3 and 1/3 years service for pension purposes in 1958 following appeal
|
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 |
No |
| Digital file |
Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF3580 Anthony J McNamara.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34D2584 Anthony J McNamara.pdf |
| File dates |
18 October 1934 - 27 May 1997
|
| Subject Information |
File relates to Anthony J. McNamara’s receipt of a military service pension in respect of his service with the IRA in the service periods between 1 April 1919 and 31 March 1923 during the War of Independence, Truce period and Civil War. File also includes material relating to the subject’s successful application for a Service Medal without Bar in April 1943.
It is stated on file that Anthony J. McNamara was a supporter of the Gaelic League (from 1908); organised a group who went “from village to village in Achill to arouse the people against the tyranny of Landlordism” (1910-11) and organised meetings to protest against the withdrawal of Irish from the National School programme (1912-14). Anthony J. McNamara claims that he joined the Tonragee Company of Irish Volunteers in 16 December 1913 under the command of Seán Mac Néil and Darrell Figgis. It is stated that the subject was appointed Captain and Organiser of the Tonragee Company in March 1914 under the command of Colonel Maurice Moore and Joseph MacBride (MSP34REF3465).
In 1917, Anthony J. McNamara claims that he was appointed as Sinn Féin organiser by the West Mayo Executive and played an active role in the 1918 General Election. It is further stated that he acted as Secretary of the Achill branch of the Irish Transport and General Workers Union.
During the 1917-1921 period, it is stated that the subject served under the command of Thomas Derrig (MSP34REF8768), Michael Kilroy (MSP34REF839) and Ned Moane (Edward Moane) (MSP34REF50).
Attached to Achill Company, 2 Battalion, 1 Brigade (West Mayo), IRA, it is stated that the applicant took part in IRA operations and general activity during the War of Independence (January 1919 – July 1921) including: serving time in Sligo Prison after he was arrested for illegal drilling at Bangor-Erris (6 May 1919 – end of June 1919); arms-raids; an attack on Achill Sound RIC Barracks (May 1920); was appointed Commandant (September 1920) and was imprisoned in Galway Jail and Rath Camp, the Curragh [County Kildare] (28 December 1920 – 8 December 1921).
During the Truce period, Anthony J. McNamara states that was appointed Brigade Officer Commanding of Police in January 1922 and went full-time into Achill Sound Barracks and then Belmullet Barracks until 29 June 1922.
Taking the anti-Treaty side in the Civil War (June 1922 – May 1923), the subject claims that he was appointed Brigade Quartermaster, Active Service Unit, 5 Brigade, 4 Western Division in July 1922 under the command of Michael Kilroy (MSP34REF839) and Dr. Madden and took part in engagements with National Army troops at Clifden [County Galway] (October 1922), Newport [County Mayo] (November 1922) and Delphi [County Mayo] (November 1922).
Anthony J. McNamara states that he served with the IRA until 22 December 1922 when he was forced to resign due to health issues.
Material on file shows that Anthony J. McNamara married Catherine McNamara (née O’Malley) on 15 August 1934.
File includes a hand-written and typed references in support of the subject’s claim from Seámus Ó Gaillcobhair (1934); Joseph McBride (1935; 1937); Miceal Mac Eiri (1937); Captain James Flaherty (Undated); An Paorach (1934); Miceál F Seoighe (Undated); Bartley Hegarty (1937); James Kilroy (1937; 1940); Patrick Tunney (1937); Anthony Masterson (1937); Sean Lynchehan (1937; 1940); Michael Kilroy (Undated; 1958) and Dr. Seamus Gaughan (1958). Representations were made on behalf of the subject by Pádraic Ó Máille (1936); Garda Carey (1938); Pádraig S. O’Gallacobhair (Patrick J. Gallagher) (1938); Rev. John Godfrey (1938); Martin J. Hegarty (1939); Miss E. O’Flaherty (1939); Eva O’Flaherty (1939); Patrick J. Ruttledge TD (1942); Tom McNamara (1948).
File further includes typed copy of articles from ‘Mayo News’ about the 1918 Election (21 December 1918) and his 1919 arrest (10 May 1919; 17 May 1919). File also contains a sworn typed statement made by the applicant before the Advisory Committee on 19 May 1937.
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