Diarmuid Lynch: Difference between revisions

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			'''Diarmuid Lynch''' (] ]–] ]) was a member of the ] and ] member of the ].
	Douglas Mc Arthur the hero of the American campaign in the Pacific in world war two, once wrote “old soldiers never die they simple fade away”. Mc Arthur’s words are certainly pathetic in relation to a generation of Irish men and women whose determination and self sacrifice to establish an independent Irish state was unerring, but their contribution has been erased by historians who have become mesmerised by the importance of individuals as opposed to importance of the movement and in such circumstance it is individuals like Diarmuid Lynch from Tracton who have become the victims to the obsession of historians.

			He was born as Jeremiah Lynch at Granig, ], ]. His mother died while he was young and his father, who had remarried, died when his son was thirteen.
	When Jeremiah Lynch was born at Granig, Tracton, Co Cork, on ] ], ] was a country embroiled in political turmoil as the Land War; Home Rule and Fenian activities in England dominated the political spectrum. Lynch in his autobiography recalls been taken to a meeting in Cork by his Father which was addressed by Parnell in 1886.It was at this meeting that Parnell said “No man has the right to fix the boundary to the march of a nation. No man has a right to say to his country: thus far shalt thou go and no further”. These words are now inscribed on Parnell ‘s monument in Dublin, but there is also a possibility that Parnell’s utterances were also to be inscribed on Lynch’s sub consciousness considering his involvement in the Irish separatist movement and the struggle for independence which he participated in for the majority of his adult life. Jeremiah or Diarmuid, as he would later adopt the Irish translation of his name did not have to travel far to be intoxicated by these passion for independence as his father would often read to him the speeches of the Irish nationalist members of parliament and Diarmuid was also brought along to some of the local political rally’s. Diarmuid describes attending a monster Land league meeting at Minane Bridge which was addressed by what he describes as those fiery orators William O Brien and Dr Charles Tanner, but in conjunction with this nationalist awakening stimulated by his father, Diarmuid like so many of his generation were greatly influenced by their teachers and in this case it was Micheal McCarthy the local head master at Knocknamana national. According to Diarmuid, “McCarthy never missed an opportunity to relate some stirring incidents in Ireland’s history against the invader.” However, on a personal level tragedy struck for Lynch when his mother died young and while his father remarried, tragedy returned when at the age of thirteen Diarmuid’s father died too and in such circumstance Diarmuid’s childhood finished and his working life began.

			Lynch in his autobiography recalls been taken to a meeting in Cork by his father which was addressed by ] in 1886. He also describes attending a monster ] meeting at ] which was addressed by ] and Dr ]. He was also influenced by his teachers, particularly Michael McCarthy, the head master at Knocknamana ].
⚫	Like so many of his generation Diarmuid entered work in the post office. He originally began working as a sorting clerk in the Cork GPO, but having studied at Skerry’s College for entrance to the British Civil Service and in an open examination secured a place as a “Boy Clerk” with an appointment at Mount Pleasant money order office, London. Of course a few years later Mount Pleasant would play a very significant part in the growth of the IRB, because it was at Mount Pleasant that individuals such as Micheal Collins, Sam Maguire and others first became acquainted and it was this organisation in which Lynch ~~would become a member of its supreme council. However, Diarmuid’s arrival in London was at a time when the revolutionary movement was at its infancy and while his~~ hurling ~~skills which he had acquired at home in his native Tracton were called upon as a member of~~ the London Gaels, ~~but~~ ~~Diarmuid~~ ~~never settled in London and decided to accept~~ an offer of employment from his uncle Cornelius Dunlea in New York. ~~Diarmuid’s~~ skill as an organiser was almost recognised immediately having joined the New York Philo Celtic Society in the summer of 1897, by December of that year, ~~Lynch~~ had been elected secretary ~~and with in~~ a short period membership had almost quadrupled. The primary function of the society was the preservation of both the Irish language and culture. ~~Diarmuid~~ ~~“was~~ convinced that restoration of the Irish language would increase the self respect of the Irish people.” ~~Diarmuid’s~~ activities in New York and in particular his work for the Irish language saw him elevated to the position: of the State President of the Gaelic League of the State of New York and it was this role which would bring Lynch to the attention of Clan na ~~Geal~~ and its leadership of John Devoy and Daniel F. ~~Coholan~~ two of the most important figures in Irish/American politics at the time. It was Lynch and his persuasive powers that influenced Judge ~~Coholan~~ to accept ~~“that~~ the propagation of the language instead of hindering the objective of the Clan was essential to its achievement.” As Lynch reputation grew so did his sphere of influence and before he returned to Ireland in 1907, Diarmuid could boast a circle of friends which included: O Donovan Rossa, Dr Thomas Addis Emmet, Col Ricard O Sullivan Burke, John J. Breslin and one Thomas Clarke who would later become one of the signatory’s of the proclamation of 1916 and who with Lynch would serve in the GPO on Easter week.

			Lynch entered work in the Post Office. He originally began working as a sorting clerk in the Cork GPO, but having studied at Skerry’s College for entrance to the ] and in an open examination secured a place as a "Boy Clerk" with an appointment at Mount Pleasant money order office, ]. Mount Pleasant would play a very significant part in the growth of the ] (IRB), because it was here that individuals such as ], ] and others first became acquainted. Lynch himself would become a member of the IRB Supreme Council.
	Having spent almost eleven years in America, Diarmuid decided to return home for good. He had returned in 1902 for a short period during which with the aid of Liam de Roiste had organised an Aeridheacht at Minane Bridge and in fact it was remarked upon at the time that not since the great land leagues meetings had the parish of Tracton seen such a large and enthusiastic gathering. Diarmuid took up employment on his return with Thomas Mc Kenzie & sons Dublin, but it was not long before the IRB came calling, but this was not surprising considering the reputation which Lynch had acquired for himself in America. The individual who invited Lynch to become a member of the IRB was Sean T. O Kelly. It would be O Kelly who would later pay a moving tribute to Lynch at his funeral in 1950, when as the President of the Irish Republic would refuse to travel in his state car, but rather walk with the mourners from Minihane Bridge to Tracton Abbey in a symbolic demonstration of humility to a man who had dedicated his life to the establishment of the office of government which O Kelly now held. Diarmuid Lynch diligence which was recognised by O Kelly at his funeral was also recognised by his fellow members of the IRB and by 1911 Lynch had been appointed to the supreme council of the IRB. The work which Lynch was involved in during this period was to be critical in the future struggle for independence, because Lynch proved to be very shrewd in the individuals he choose to become members of the IRB along with restricting the size of membership of the IRB.A typical example of this policy is described by Lynch in his autobiography when he refers to Terence MacSwiney. Lynch describes how even though MacSwiney was writing excellent articles for Irish Freedom, but his religious devotion was seen as an obstacle to becoming a member of this. The importance of this work has long been ignored by historians in the sense that the rising of 1916 was the first rising in which the British were taken by total surprise and this was in no small achievement to work of Lynch and his fellow members of the IRB. Of course historians have argued that 1916 would never have occurred had Home Rule been granted, but Lynch in his autobiography dispels this myth when he states “that even if Redmond had been granted Home Rule in 1912-1913, it would not have stopped us from striking the blow for full measure of Irelands Independence when the proper time came.” Of course this blow would come in 1916.

		⚫	Lynch played ] with the ]. He later accepted an offer of employment from his uncle Cornelius Dunlea in ]. His skill as an organiser was almost recognised immediately having joined the New York Philo-Celtic Society in the summer of 1897, and by December of that year, he had been elected secretary. Within a short period membership had almost quadrupled. The primary function of the society was the preservation of both the Irish language and culture. Lynch "was convinced that restoration of the Irish language would increase the self respect of the Irish people." His activities in New York, and in particular his work for the Irish language, saw him elevated to the position: of the State President of the ] of the State of New York, and it was this role which would bring Lynch to the attention of ] and its leadership of ] and ], two of the most important figures in Irish-American politics at the time. It was Lynch and his persuasive powers that influenced Judge Colahan to accept "that the propagation of the language instead of hindering the objective of the Clan was essential to its achievement."
	The out break of WW1 gave recognition that England’s difficulty was Ireland opportunity. The IRB began to plan a rising in which Lynch was to play an integral part. In particular Lynch was chosen by Pearse to undertake two extremely important missions. The first was to go to the Tralee area and identify the best area to land arms. Following an examination of the area and as a result of discussions with local IRB men. Lynch reported directly back to Pearse that Fenit would be the most secure location. By now the IRB had established a military council specially for the planning of the rising and it was made up of the six signatory’s of the rising with Connolly added later, the only other member of the Supreme council who attended these meeting was Diarmuid Lynch. As the date for the rising loomed Pearse instructed Lynch that he was to convey orally to Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Galway the orders for Easter week when the time was appropriate, but events conspired against this and in fact Lynch was to play an even more dramatic role in the events of 1916. Once Mc Neill had heard that the AUD had been captured, he immediately cancelled the orders for Manoeuvres over the Easter period. A hastily arranged meeting at 27 Hardwick Street which included Pearse, Mc Donagh, Plunkett, MacDiarmada and Lynch decided to go head with the rising. The GPO in 1916 found Lynch as aid the com to Connolly a man who impressed Lynch and while events transpired against the rising, it was the failure of the British to recognise the role of the IRB as the main instigators for the rising which would sow the seeds of the defeat for the British in the future war of Independence. However, Lynch would achieve one finally piece of notoriety in relation to 1916 as he was the last man to leave the GPO. Initially Diarmuid would be sentenced to death, but Like De Valera this was commuted to life, because of his American citizen ship. Lynch was sent to prison in England, but was released from Pentonville prison on the 16 of June 1917.

			As Lynch's reputation grew so did his sphere of influence and before he returned to Ireland in 1907, he could boast a circle of friends which included: ], Dr ], Col Richard O'Sullivan Burke, John J. Breslin and ], who would later become one of the signatories of the ] and who with Lynch would serve in the ] during the ].

			Having spent almost eleven years in America, Lynch decided to return home. He had returned in 1902 for a short period, during which, with the aid of ] had organised an Irish cultural feis at Minane Bridge.
⚫	Almost immediately Lynch became active again and along with Micheal Collins and Tomas Ashe they immediately began to reorganise the IRB. What is also remarkable that after the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis in 1917, Micheal Collins held 3 senior post: in the IRB, Sinn Féin and in the volunteers and the only other person to hold three posts in the these organisations was Diarmuid Lynch . It would be his position as Sinn Féin food controller which resulted in his deportation in 1918. During this period much of the Irish agricultural produce was being sent to Britain to support the war effort. Lynch ordered that a specific shipment of pigs at the North wall ready for shipment to England be slaughtered for the Irish market and the money given to owners of the stock. Lynch was arrested and sentenced to deportation, but before he could be deported, his girlfriend Mary Quinn and a priest were smuggled into Dundalk ~~jail~~ and Lynch was married much to the annoyance of the British who had originally refused permission for the marriage, and this proved to be some what of a publicity coup.

			He employment on his return with Thomas McKenzie & Sons, Dublin. He later joined the IRB at the invitation of ]. By 1911 he had been appointed to the IRB Supreme Council.
	When Lynch returned to America he was immediately trust back into the nationalist struggle through his appointment as the Secretary to the Friends of the Irish Freedom. This organisation had been original set up to raise funds and lobby in Washington to promote the Irish cause. As ever Diarmuid skills were to have a significant effect and with in six months the organisation went from been primarily a New York based organisation to becoming a nation wide organisation. The resulting lobbying and the ability of Lynch to galvanise the Irish community into a homogenised unite resulted in Congress voting by a vote of 216 to 41, on the 4th March 1919, to adopt the following motion: “That it is the earnest hope of the United states of America that the peace conference, now sitting in Paris, in passing upon the rights of various peoples, will favourably consider the claims of Ireland to the right of self -determination.” While this was not what the recognition of the republic which Lynch, Devoy and Coholan had sought, but it was a step in a least allowing Ireland an opportunity to present its case at Versailles. It was also during this period in America that Diarmuid received a substantial honour when he was elected to the Dáil as a TD for Cork South East in his absence. While Lynch seemed to have united Irish American support, however, the arrival of Eammon de Valera in America was to have disastrous consequences. When De Valera arrived in America in 1919, he set out that Ireland may well accept a similar position to Cuba vis a via the United States. Coholan and the other members of Clan na Geal saw this as the acceptance of an article of association with Britain as opposed to the establishment of a Republic as proclaimed in 1916. What was to be ironic was that when the treaty was signed in 1921, Diarmuid Lynch and his fellow members Clan na Gael would then accept the articles of association and De Valera would only settle for nothing less than a Republic. De Valera went on to antagonise the American faction further by attending both the Republicans and Democrats conventions for the Presidency which was seen as an outsider trying to medial in the internal politics of the United States. The result was that De Valera set up his rival organisation to Lynch’s Friends of the Irish Freedom, Lynch resigned his Dáil seat in disgust stating “Differences have arisen since July 1919, between De Valera and the recognised leaders of the movement here as to the proper conduct of the campaign in America for the recognition of the Irish republic and these circumstances have governed my actions in resigning.” Initially Collins would side with de Valera, but eventually he would admit that Lynch was correct in his assumption. De Valera and Lynch would again become embroiled in a bitter battle in which began 1929, when associates of De Valera tried unsuccessful to claim the funds which the Friends of Irish freedom had since raised in 1919 to1920 and had remained unused .Money which De Valera had ear marked for the founding the Irish press, but in reality money which should be returned to the original contributors as Lynch would later ensure. The victory in the case was attributable to the Lynch’s record keeping and organisational skills. Of course by now Lynch had witnessed the ravages of the Civil war in Ireland. Diarmuid played no part in the Civil War, but along with his comrade in the IRB Sean O' Hegarty, had made several unsuccessful attempts to stop the civil war and in an impassioned letter in 1922 to the members of Friends of Irish Freedom, Lynch wrote “Our influence may be exercised towards securing for Ireland the greatest need of the moment – Peace.” By 1933 having completed his role with the Friends of the Irish Freedom, he returned home. First to Dublin, than to Mallow, before finally returning to his beloved Tracton. It was during this period that Lynch recorded the witness statements of those who had taken part in the Independence movement for the bureau of military history and he continued to do so right up to his death in 1950.

			Lynch played a role in the planning of the Rising. He was chosen by ] go to the ] area and identify the best area to land arms. Lynch reported directly back to Pearse that ] would be the most secure location. Lynch was the only member of the IRB Supreme Council to attend meetings of the even more secret IRB Military Council.
	But what of his legacy? Not long after his death a letter appeared in the Southern Star. The letter said” Diarmuid’s opinion that treaty was stepping stone to the Republic remained unaltered, and while not agreeing with his point of view, you could not doubt his sincerity. He was ruthless in his integrity. A straighter or more honest man it would be hard to conceive.” However, Lynch was to be vindicated in his view that this treaty was to be a stepping stone and how ironic that it would take the son of a fellow Tracton man, Bertie Ahern to take those next steps as one of the architects of the good Friday agreement. Maybe old soldiers do fade way, but their contribution, never.

			After ] cancelled the orders for the planned manoeuvres over the Easter period, Lynch attended a hastily arranged meeting at 27 Hardwick Street, which also included Pearse, ], ], ], at which it was decided to go head with the Rising.
⚫	{{DEFAULTSORT: Lynch, ~~Dairmuid~~}}

			Lynch was aide-de-comp to ] in the GPO during the Rising. Initially sentenced to death, his sentence was, like ]'s, commuted to life, because of his American citizenship. Lynch was sent to prison in England, but was released from ] on ] ].

			Almost immediately Lynch became active again, and along with ] and ], participated in the reorganisation the IRB. After the 1917 Sinn Féin Ard Fheis, Lynch, like Collins, held three senior posts in the IRB, Sinn Féin and in the ].

		⚫	His position as Sinn Féin food controller which resulted in his deportation in 1918. During this period much of the Irish agricultural produce was being sent to Britain to support the war effort. Lynch ordered that a specific shipment of pigs at the North wall ready for shipment to England be slaughtered for the Irish market and the money given to owners of the stock. Lynch was arrested and sentenced to deportation, but before he could be deported, his girlfriend Mary Quinn and a priest were smuggled into Dundalk Jail and Lynch was married much to the annoyance of the British who had originally refused permission for the marriage, and this proved to be some what of a publicity coup.

			In America, he was appointed Secretary of the ], originally set up to raise funds and lobby in ] to promote the Irish cause. Under his tenure the organisation became a nation-wide organisation, and as a result of its lobbying, Congress voted 216 to 41, on ] ], to adopt the following motion: "That it is the earnest hope of the United states of America that the peace conference, now sitting in Paris, in passing upon the rights of various peoples, will favourably consider the claims of Ireland to the right of self-determination." While this was not what the recognition of the ] which Lynch, Devoy and Colohan had sought, it was a call for Ireland to present its case at the ].

			In the ], Lynch was elected in abstenia ] to the ] for ].

			The arrival of Éamon de Valera to America was followed by the establishment of a rival organisation to the Friends of Irish Freedom. On ] ], Lynch resigned his Dáil seat in disgust, stating that: "Differences have arisen since July 1919, between De Valera and the recognised leaders of the movement here as to the proper conduct of the campaign in America for the recognition of the Irish Republic and these circumstances have governed my actions in resigning."

			De Valera and Lynch would again become embroiled in a bitter battle in which began 1929, when associates of De Valera tried unsuccessful to claim the funds which the Friends of Irish Freedom had since raised in 1919 and 1920 and which had remained unused. De Valera sought to claim this money to establish the ''''. Lynch's eventual victory in the case was attributable to his record-keeping and organisational skills.

			Lynch played no part in the ], but along with his IRB comrade ], made several unsuccessful attempts to stop it. In an impassioned letter, written in 1922 to the members of Friends of Irish Freedom, he wrote: "Our influence may be exercised towards securing for Ireland the greatest need of the moment – Peace."

			In 1933 he returned to Ireland, settling in Tracton. He contributed to the work of the Bureau of Military History in collecting witness statements from those who had taken part in the War of Independence.

			==References==
			* Diarmuid Lynch & ], ''The IRB and the 1916 insurrection: a record of the preparations for the Rising, with comments on published works relating thereto, and a report on operations in the GPO garrison area during Easter Week, 1916'', Cork: Mercier Press, 1957.

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		⚫	{{DEFAULTSORT: Lynch, Diarmuid}}
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Diarmuid Lynch (10 January 1878–9 November 1950) was a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and Sinn Féin member of the First Dáil.

He was born as Jeremiah Lynch at Granig, Tracton, Co Cork. His mother died while he was young and his father, who had remarried, died when his son was thirteen.

Lynch in his autobiography recalls been taken to a meeting in Cork by his father which was addressed by Charles Stewart Parnell in 1886. He also describes attending a monster Land League meeting at Minane Bridge which was addressed by William O'Brien and Dr Charles Tanner. He was also influenced by his teachers, particularly Michael McCarthy, the head master at Knocknamana National School.

Lynch entered work in the Post Office. He originally began working as a sorting clerk in the Cork GPO, but having studied at Skerry’s College for entrance to the British Civil Service and in an open examination secured a place as a "Boy Clerk" with an appointment at Mount Pleasant money order office, London. Mount Pleasant would play a very significant part in the growth of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB), because it was here that individuals such as Michael Collins, Sam Maguire and others first became acquainted. Lynch himself would become a member of the IRB Supreme Council.

Lynch played hurling with the London Gaels. He later accepted an offer of employment from his uncle Cornelius Dunlea in New York. His skill as an organiser was almost recognised immediately having joined the New York Philo-Celtic Society in the summer of 1897, and by December of that year, he had been elected secretary. Within a short period membership had almost quadrupled. The primary function of the society was the preservation of both the Irish language and culture. Lynch "was convinced that restoration of the Irish language would increase the self respect of the Irish people." His activities in New York, and in particular his work for the Irish language, saw him elevated to the position: of the State President of the Gaelic League of the State of New York, and it was this role which would bring Lynch to the attention of Clan na Gael and its leadership of John Devoy and Daniel F. Colohan, two of the most important figures in Irish-American politics at the time. It was Lynch and his persuasive powers that influenced Judge Colahan to accept "that the propagation of the language instead of hindering the objective of the Clan was essential to its achievement."

As Lynch's reputation grew so did his sphere of influence and before he returned to Ireland in 1907, he could boast a circle of friends which included: Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa, Dr Thomas Addis Emmet, Col Richard O'Sullivan Burke, John J. Breslin and Thomas Clarke, who would later become one of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation and who with Lynch would serve in the General Post Office during the Easter Rising.

Having spent almost eleven years in America, Lynch decided to return home. He had returned in 1902 for a short period, during which, with the aid of Liam de Róiste had organised an Irish cultural feis at Minane Bridge.

He employment on his return with Thomas McKenzie & Sons, Dublin. He later joined the IRB at the invitation of Seán T. O'Kelly. By 1911 he had been appointed to the IRB Supreme Council.

Lynch played a role in the planning of the Rising. He was chosen by Patrick Pearse go to the Tralee area and identify the best area to land arms. Lynch reported directly back to Pearse that Fenit would be the most secure location. Lynch was the only member of the IRB Supreme Council to attend meetings of the even more secret IRB Military Council.

After Eoin MacNeill cancelled the orders for the planned manoeuvres over the Easter period, Lynch attended a hastily arranged meeting at 27 Hardwick Street, which also included Pearse, Thomas McDonagh, Joseph Mary Plunkett, Seán Mac Diarmada, at which it was decided to go head with the Rising.

Lynch was aide-de-comp to James Connolly in the GPO during the Rising. Initially sentenced to death, his sentence was, like Éamon de Valera's, commuted to life, because of his American citizenship. Lynch was sent to prison in England, but was released from Pentonville Prison on 16 June 1917.

Almost immediately Lynch became active again, and along with Michael Collins and Thomas Ashe, participated in the reorganisation the IRB. After the 1917 Sinn Féin Ard Fheis, Lynch, like Collins, held three senior posts in the IRB, Sinn Féin and in the Irish Volunteers.

His position as Sinn Féin food controller which resulted in his deportation in 1918. During this period much of the Irish agricultural produce was being sent to Britain to support the war effort. Lynch ordered that a specific shipment of pigs at the North wall ready for shipment to England be slaughtered for the Irish market and the money given to owners of the stock. Lynch was arrested and sentenced to deportation, but before he could be deported, his girlfriend Mary Quinn and a priest were smuggled into Dundalk Jail and Lynch was married much to the annoyance of the British who had originally refused permission for the marriage, and this proved to be some what of a publicity coup.

In America, he was appointed Secretary of the Friends of Irish Freedom, originally set up to raise funds and lobby in Washington DC to promote the Irish cause. Under his tenure the organisation became a nation-wide organisation, and as a result of its lobbying, Congress voted 216 to 41, on 4 March 1919, to adopt the following motion: "That it is the earnest hope of the United states of America that the peace conference, now sitting in Paris, in passing upon the rights of various peoples, will favourably consider the claims of Ireland to the right of self-determination." While this was not what the recognition of the Irish Republic which Lynch, Devoy and Colohan had sought, it was a call for Ireland to present its case at the Versailles Peace Conference.

In the 1918 general election, Lynch was elected in abstenia Teachta Dála to the First Dáil for Cork South East.

The arrival of Éamon de Valera to America was followed by the establishment of a rival organisation to the Friends of Irish Freedom. On 6 August 1920, Lynch resigned his Dáil seat in disgust, stating that: "Differences have arisen since July 1919, between De Valera and the recognised leaders of the movement here as to the proper conduct of the campaign in America for the recognition of the Irish Republic and these circumstances have governed my actions in resigning."

De Valera and Lynch would again become embroiled in a bitter battle in which began 1929, when associates of De Valera tried unsuccessful to claim the funds which the Friends of Irish Freedom had since raised in 1919 and 1920 and which had remained unused. De Valera sought to claim this money to establish the . Lynch's eventual victory in the case was attributable to his record-keeping and organisational skills.

Lynch played no part in the Irish Civil War, but along with his IRB comrade Seán O'Hegarty, made several unsuccessful attempts to stop it. In an impassioned letter, written in 1922 to the members of Friends of Irish Freedom, he wrote: "Our influence may be exercised towards securing for Ireland the greatest need of the moment – Peace."

In 1933 he returned to Ireland, settling in Tracton. He contributed to the work of the Bureau of Military History in collecting witness statements from those who had taken part in the War of Independence.

References

Diarmuid Lynch & Florence O'Donoghue, The IRB and the 1916 insurrection: a record of the preparations for the Rising, with comments on published works relating thereto, and a report on operations in the GPO garrison area during Easter Week, 1916, Cork: Mercier Press, 1957.

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