“Mac and Shanahan”
Description
Miko Mac and Shanahan are tracked to Newtown by bloodhounds and taken by Black and Tans. They refused to give their comrades' names. They are executed by shooting "in the Ennis Road." The pride of West Clare, they are buried in Doonbeg.
Notes
"The Black and Tans" (for which see "The Bold Black and Tan") were a special English constabulary recruited to quell Irish violence. They failed, and in fact contributed to the brutality.
It will tell you something of the violence of the period that none of the six histories I checked (including three devoted specifically to this period, one of which is largely a catalog of atrocities) mentions any of these events. - RBW
Historical references
- 1920-1921 - The Black and Tan War
- Dec 22, 1920 - Commandant Willie Shanahan of the West Clare Brigade of Republican Police and Captain Michael McNamara of Doonbeg Company IRA are executed by the Black and Tans (source: Munnelly/Deasy-Lenihan).
Recordings
- Nora Cleary, "Mac and Shanahan" (on IRClare01)
- Tom Lenihan, "Mac and Shanahan" (on IRTLenihan01)
References
- Munnelly/Deasy-Lenihan 25, "Mac and Shanahan" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Roud #5221
- BI, RcMacASh