Centenary commemorations of the Listowel Mutiny postponed until 2021

THE Listowel Police Mutiny of June 19, 1920, is considered by historians to be a seminal event in the Irish War of Independence.

Within three months of the mutiny, 1,100 constables had resigned from the force.

Many of these individuals joined the IRA, and they provided invaluable information and intelligence for GHQ and the many flying columns established around the country in the period up to the truce in July 1921. On the other hand, those who resigned were replaced by additional Black and Tans and Auxiliaries, who were responsible for many of the atrocities committed before the truce.

The story of the mutiny received widespread coverage both nationally and internationally in papers such as The Freeman’s Journal, the New York World and the Daily News. It was the first time that the rank and file of the

RIC is on record as having defied their superiors and the military authorities in Ireland, sending shock waves throughout the RIC hierarchy and the British administration in Ireland. The mutiny was also raised in the House of Commons in Westminster.

To mark this historic event, Kerry Writers’ Museum in Listowel is providing an online exhibition which will include contributions from family members and published authors and experts on the mutiny Fr J Anthony Gaughan and former Chief Superintendent Donal O’Sullivan.

The local committee comprising of Cara Trant, Manager, Kerry Writers Museum; Jimmy Deenihan, former Minister for Commemorations (20112014); and local historians Tom Dillon and Vincent Carmody had been working on organising a commemoration event over the weekend of June 19 TO 21 for the descendants of the Constables

who mutinied. The response was overwhelming, and relatives were travelling to Listowel not only from all parts of Ireland, but also from the UK and USA.

Among the special guests were the daughters of two of the mutineers: Sr Theresa Mee, daughter of Jeremiah Mee; and Ann Waldron, daughter of John Sinnott. However, because of COVID-19 restrictions, this has now been deferred to June 2021.