Account Na Fianna Sluagh Tuam in The Irish Volunteer Newspaper Feb 1914

The Irish Volunteer First Edition 7 Feb 1914 Page 12
Account of Fianna Éireann John McHale Sluagh Tuam

On 7 February 1914 The Irish Volunteer movement launched its official newspaper titled The Irish Volunteer. The Irish Volunteer was a weekly newspaper mainly aimed at the membership of the Irish Volunteer organisation.  Along with providing news and political commentary, it had an important official function in disseminating official orders and announcements.  Developments of Na Fianna are given on page 12 of the first issue.

Liam Langley was a founder member and organiser of the Tuam Fianna Sluagh. The Tuam Sluagh was one of the first to be set up outside Dublin,, it was set up in 1911.  A report on the Sluagh written by Liam appeared in the newspaper of 7 Feb 1914:

The Irish Volunteer 7 Feb 1914

'The Tuam Fianna, called after JohnMcHale, are also making good progress.  A big sports, comprising 16 events, including the 100 yeads championship of Connacht, were brought off last October and proved a great success.  The sports for the year are now being organised, it being intended to hold them earlier in the year, probably during May.  A dramatic class is a great feature of this Sluagh, 'The Eloquent Dempsey' being the last piece staged.'

In his papers Liam Langley adds that 'An Examination Board consisting of Captain Padraic O'Riain, Lieutenant Sean MacAodha, Lieutenant A. De Faoite and the organiser (Liam Mellows) have been appointed to examine the boys throughout Irealnd in the Fianna Tests in order to secure uniformity.'

The full first edition of the newspaper can be accessed here.

Na Fianna Éireann Activities Tuam

Liam Langley was a founder member of Na Fianna Tuam, and continued to organise and train the Sluagh. Some of these activities are outlined in the reports below. In the year 1915/1916 Liam was Vice President of the Fianna organisation in Ireland.

The following reports were written by Liam Langley and published in the Irish Volunteer paper.

Report on Na Fianna Sluagh John McHale, Tuam Irish Volunteer Vol 1 14^th March 1914

‘The above held an interesting debate in ‘Freedom’ Hall, Tuam on Sunday 22 February 1914 at 8pm.  The subject was ‘The Fianna promise and to keep it’, the first of a series to be continued until the summer season calls the members once again to their natural element, the open air.  The proceedings were opened by the president.  A short concert then followed in which many of those present took part.  Before dismissal the members were reminded that drill took place on Wednesday and Friday evenings; football practice on Sunday mornings; route marching in uniform on Sunday afternoons and debate and concert on Sunday night, a record of the attendance of each member being accurately kept.  ‘Our Duty to Motherland’ was fixed as the subject of the next debate’ 

A further report is noted in a later edition of the paper:

'The members of Tuam Fianna have started the season’s work in earnest.  On Sunday week over thirty assembled for football on the Drill grounds at 10.30am where after match after match was played until 2pm.  At 3.30pm the Fianna left Tuam for Cloonasgra in two companies, one under the leadership of the President and the other under the command of Captain P. O’Daly; No. 1 Company arriving on the battleground half an hour before No.2, the enemy garrisoned on the hill, run up their colours, placed look-outs, and after taking cover cautiously approached the hill from different directions.  After half an hour’s fighting, several men having been lot on either side and many prisoners taken, the garrison was over-powered, the colours taken and the No.2 company declared victors.

An interesting debate took place in the Fianna Hall after Vespers, the subject being ‘Ireland’s and England’s Heroes: a Comparison’, P. O’Daly dealing with the first part and A. Leneghan with the second.  Such things as the recent Wexford Lifeboat tragedy, the Sidney Street battle and the baton charge in Dublin on Black Sunday came up for discussion.  The ranks are swelling and it is up to the boys of Tuam to stick to such a worthy organisation as the Fianna.'

Cover courtesy of Dublin City
Library on line collection

Guidelines for training Na Fianna were issued from Headquarters in Dublin.  This Fianna Handbook contains an introduction by one of the founders of the organisation Constance Markeivicz.  Instructions on drilling, handling a Lee-Enfield, first aid, and scouting are contained therein.

Notes on Na Fianna Training from Irish Volunteer December 18th 1915

Organising Na Fianna Éireann 1913

Postcard sent to Liam Mellows C/O Liam Langley at his home in Tuam.  The card was sent by Charles Branigan, Dundalk, in November 1913.  Liam Langley was a founding member of Na Fianna Éireann, Tuam, he set  up  the John NcHale Sluagh in 1911,  this was one of the first Sluagh set up outside Dublin following the founding of Na Fianna Éireann in 1909. Liam Langlay was made an officer in January 1912.   Liam Mellows often stayed in the Langley home in Tuam, Mellows helped organise and train the Sluagh in Tuam in the early days.

The card reads:

A Cara Díl,

I received your letter this morning and I may tell you that matters are looking better as far as the Fianna in Dundalk is concerned.  Seosamh is stopping until next Saturday 18th.  I will (talk) to you after our meeting on Wednesday night and explain our position. Cathal Brannigan Charles Branigan