1922: Cavan, The Anglo-Irish Treaty and Arthur Griffith
In yet another year of centenaries, historian Jonathan Smyth looks at Arthur's Griffith's role and his untimely death...
On January 7, 1922, Dáil Éireann ratified the Peace Treaty that was negotiated with the British by Michael Collins, Arthur Griffith and accompanying delegates shortly before Christmas on December 6, 1921. The treaty proved an important moment in Ireland’s aspirations of achieving independence from Britain. The terms of the treaty allowed for the establishment of the Irish Free State, a dominion with equal status to other commonwealth nations, but permitted the North of Ireland the option of opting out of the Free State and for the creation of a border frontier, which was later to become a reality under the penmanship of the boundary Commission.
In early 1922, terms such as pro-treaty and anti-treaty began to appear across the media as newspapers reported on people’s acceptance and rejection of the treaty. Views became polarised. To one person’s point of view, it seemed the best deal to be got at the time, while fearing from Britain the ominous threat of an all-out war in Ireland should they reject it, and therefore, they saw the treaty as a steppingstone towards total independence. On the other hand, another would ask: Was this what they had fought for? They believed that the treaty had short-changed them of the nationhood they sought.
In April 1922, anti-treaty troops occupied the Four Courts and on June 28, 1922, an offensive was launched by pro-treaty forces to eject the occupiers. Explosives, along with barrels of paraffin and petrol that were placed in the Four Courts, proved a deadly combination and the building was blown up from within, turning thousands of priceless documents to ashes. Today, historians can only dream about the contents of the many records that were destroyed. After the Dáil’s ratification of the treaty, candidates selected to run in the forthcoming elections in June 1922, toured the country and gauged public opinion on the foundation of the Free State.
Cavan’s view
TheNorthern Standardrecorded that Cavan Urban District Council met on December 28, 1921, for the purpose of approving the treaty locally. Chairing the meeting was Cavan UDC president, A. McEntee; and others present included, Mrs Turner, Miss M. Brady, and Messsrs P. Soden, P. Donlon, J. Johnston, J. Muldoon, J. Taggart, P.A. Galligan, J. McDermott, M. Farrelly, and E. Brady, and the clerk, Mr T. McGuinness. A resolution proposed by the chairman and seconded by Mr Muldoon was passed.
It stated: ‘That this meeting desires to place on record the high appreciation of the terms of the Treaty entered into by our nation’s plenipotentiaries, and whilst recognising the great services rendered by the members of An Dáil who are in opposition, we unanimously request them for the sake of our dear country to bury their differences and stand with Arthur Griffith and Sean MacKeon for the ratification of the Treaty.’
At the Town Hall, Cavan, a large meeting of the county’s farmers took place under Thomas Smith, Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, at which a motion by Mr P. Young of Ballyhaise was put forward and adopted calling for Messrs Griffith, Milroy and P. Galligan to vote in favour of the Irish Peace Treaty.
Michael Sheridan protested against the motion, stating that ‘they were not securing under it the freedom for which so many had sacrificed their lives.’ Mr Sheridan went on to serve as a politician with Fianna Fáil and was elected to Dáil Éireann in 1933 and was returned in all subsequent elections until his retirement in 1961.
Following the Treaty’s ratification by Dáil Éireann in January, the campaign for the forthcoming June elections began in earnest. A meeting was held in Cootehill on February 19, at which Sean Milroy T.D. addressed a large crowd, telling them: ‘Under the Treaty they had unfettered freedom in forming their political constitution.’
The Very Rev, P. O’Connell who presided, felt that ‘there would be no split in Ireland, though there might be controversy.’ He affirmed that they were there to avow allegiance to the new Government and to assist in establishing its authority and not to engage in discussing ‘party politics’.
At another rally that month, Mr Milroy TD, spoke to a crowd attending market day on the Market Street, in Bailieborough, where the ringing of a bell gathered in a strong attendance. Mr Cole told the people that Arthur Griffith, Sean Milroy and himself were picked at a convention to run as candidates for Cavan because they stood by the Treaty. Another speaker, T.P. McKenna told those gathered that the first duty of every farmer in Cavan was to support the Treaty. A resolution was unamimously passed ‘pledging’ support for the three candidates. Milroy also addressed a successful meeting in Ballyjamesduff.
On June 16, 1922, Arthur Joseph Griffith TD, the founder of Sinn Féin, was again elected to represent Cavan (he was previously elected to East Cavan, and Tyrone Northwest in 1918) and was then chosen to succeed Eamon De Valera as the President of Dáil Éireann. However, the political landscape was to change radically as Civil War erupted, and then, further sadness came when Arthur Griffith died on a Saturday morning that August, after he was ‘seized with cerebral haemorrhage’. He had been stooping to tie a shoelace when he became ill. Griffith the TD, who believed that Ireland’s freedom could be achieved by ‘methods of peace’, was now no more.
The Irish Government issued a statement which read: ‘Under the shadow of the great and irreparable loss sustained by the nation by the death of the revered and beloved President of Dáil Éireann, Arthur Griffith, the Irish Government places on record its deep sorrow and sense of bereavement, and its firm determination to carry on the work of his life to the achievement which he so nearly realised.’
Cavan lost a TD and Ireland lost a leader who never fully got to shine. His self-confessed weapon had always been his pen, which he believed was mightier than the sword. More information on the early years of Dáil Éireann can be found on www.oireachtas.ie
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