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Mick Flannery 1902 - 1994
Michael Flannery, a life-long contributor to the cause of Irish
freedom and the founder of Cumann na Saoirse was born in Co.
Tipperary in 1902. He was the youngest of seven children. His family
was staunchly Republican with a long history of opposition to the
British occupation of Ireland.
Mike’s life was marked by acts of bravery, patriotism and
compassion. He believed deeply in a united Ireland and had a great
love for the country of his birth.
At the age of 14, while attending Mount St. Joseph’s Monastic School
in Knocksheegowna, he was forced to flee to avoid being arrested by
the Royal Irish Constabulary who had begun a campaign of
incarcerating family members of Republican activists at the behest
of the British. After evading capture, Mike joined the North
Tipperary Brigade of the Irish Republican Army. Before his fifteenth
birthday he took an oath of allegiance to the Irish Republic and
fought in the Irish War of Independence.
After the infamous Treaty of 1922, which partitioned Ireland into
two sectarian states, Mike took up arms again, this time against the
forces of the Irish Free State. He did so as he was unwilling to
break his oath of allegiance to the Irish Republic and accept
anything less than a free and united Ireland.e was subsequently
captured and imprisoned by forces of the Irish Free State. After two
years in Mountjoy Jail, he and his comrades went on hunger strike
seeking political prisoner status. He was subsequently freed in
1924. In 1927, Mike emigrated to America, as there was little or no
work in Ireland, especially for opponents of partition. In America,
he was employed by Metropolitan Life where he worked for the next
four decades.
During his early years in America he met and married his wife
Margaret “Pearl” Eagan who was also involved in the fight for Irish
freedom. Down through the decades, Mike assisted Republican
activists who sought refuge in America including Ernie O’Malley in
the late 20s, Andy Cooney in the early 50s and others in the 70s and
80s. Mike was a member of several organizations including the
Tipperary Men’s Association, the Gaelic Athletic Association and
Clann na Gael.In 1970, after the present phase of the struggle
started, he founded the Irish Northern Aid Committee to raise money
to support the dependents of Irish Political Prisoners.
As a result of his leadership role in the struggle for Irish
freedom, Mike made many powerful and determined enemies here in
America as well as England and Ireland. Despite that he was elected
Grand Marshall of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York in 1981.
Throughout his life Mike sent aid and encouragement to those
refusing to accept the British occupation of Ireland or acknowledge
the legitimacy of two sectarian states-the products of partition.
Not only did Mike rebuff those who abandoned Republican principles
in the 20s, 30s, 40s and 60s; he, together with George Harrison,
characterized the ‘Provos’ abandonment of Republican principles in
1986 as the “same old departure”.
After
returning from a visit to Ireland in 1987, Mike along with George
Harrison and Joe Stynes founded Cumann na Saoirse Naisiunta – The
National Irish Freedom Committee to carry the torch of Irish
Republicanism in America. Mike passed away on September 30, 1994. He
was a true son of Ireland and a worthy citizen of his adopted
country, the United States of America. Mike’s legacy lives on and
the torch of Irish Freedom that he carried throughout his entire
life continues to burn brightly. -
Michael Flannery 30th Anniversary Commemoration Report
A
commemoration was held to on Sunday, October 6th to mark
the 30th anniversary of the death Michael Flannery. A
crowd of over 30 people assembled at Mount St. Mary's
cemetery in Flushing Queens. The day began with co-chair
Pat Williams asking Padraig Gill, PRO of the NY
Tipperary Hurling club, to come forward and place the
Michael Flannery Cup beside the Celtic cross headstone.
The cup is awarded each year to the victors of the New
York Senior Hurling Championship. Tipperary are current
back-to-back champions 2023 and 2024. Tipperary are also
famously the only New York hurling team to do five in a
row 1952-56
Joe Flaherty chaired from
that point forward. He welcomed everyone and thanked
them for attending. He made special mention of a
commemoration that had occurred earlier that day at home
in Ireland to also mark Mike's anniversary. This
commemoration was held at the Liam Lynch monument
Goatenbridge, Co. Tipperary. Those assembled in New York
gave a round of applause to Tom Hennessey and friends
for organizing this. Sean Scott of Ballyforan, Co.
Galway gave the main oration there.
Joe then briefly gave some
background on Michael Flannery stating that he, Michael,
had fought in both the tan war and counter revolution
which followed. That Michael had been captured by Free
State forces and was imprisoned during the executions of
Mellows, McKelvey, O'Connor and Barrett. All of these
events had left an indelible mark on Michael. Joe
finished by stating that Mike had never forgotten his
oath to the All Ireland Republic nor its people.
Roger Slattery was the called
forward to read the 1916 Proclamation. Roger is a past
President of the Tipperary Association. Michael Flannery
himself had once held this esteemed position. Next to
step forward was Mairead ni Dhubhda who read out the
Easter Proclamation as Gaelige. James McGlashin read a
biography of Michael Flannery and he was followed by
Yvonne Heneghan reading a biography Pearl Flannery.
Then began the wreath laying
ceremony. The first wreath, on behalf of the Flannery
family was set down by his niece Geraldine Moloney.
Brian McCamley then laid a wreath for the O'Donovan
Rossa GAA, Queens. Norbert Hennessey was then asked to
come forward in order to place his wreath on behalf of
the Tipperary N. & B. Association of New York, of which
Norbert has recently been made President. Norbert has
been a stalwart supporter of all things Tipperary since
his arrival in New York in 1972. Mike Costello next
stepped forward in order to place a wreath on behalf of
Republican veteran activists and the National Irish
Freedom Committee. Mike has been an activist for Irish
freedom for over five decades. He was a contemporary of
Michael Flannery's first in Irish Northern Aid and later
the NIFC.
Norbert Hennessey then
returned in order to give a short oration. In the course
of which, he laid down Michael Flannery's history with
both the Tipperary Association, the Tippery hurling team
and the GAA in general. He said Michael was a steadfast
man. He also noted the great importance that county
organizations and GAA clubs had, and continue to have,
for Irish diaspora in America. Our native games, as
promoted by the GAA are the cultural foundations of the
Irish American community. Joe Flaherty then stated the
closing remarks noting that the day was also the 20th
anniversary of the death of George Harrison. George was
a great friend of Michael Flannery's and had also been
his codefendant in the IRA 5 Trail in 1982. He later
co-founded the NIFC with Joe Stynes and Mike Flannery in
1987.
The day of commemoration then
continued at The Wild Goose in Woodside, Queens. Here an
historical/cultural event took place. An historical
display of Irish Republican memorabilia was available
for viewing prior. This included old photographs,
posters, and mementos. A number of copies from the 1970s
era An Phoblacht, Noraid and Clan na Gael documents and
other material related to the Irish struggle for
freedom. Some of the more interesting items were minutes
of the founding meeting of Irish Northern Aid and
correspondence from Mike Quill of Transport Workers
Union to Michael Flannery for the Frank Ryan Committee
(1948). Joe O'Broin chaired this portion of the day. He
began by welcoming and thanking all who had attended.
He then introduced James
McGlashin of the Gaelic American. James produced a video
editing footage of Michael Flannery. These had
originally been filmed by the late Peter Farley of the
NIFC. It ended with Michaels last recorded statement to
Irish America (1994) on the importance maintaining
principle. It is a credit to both McGlashin's production
work and the personality of Flannery himself, that the
entire room watched silently in rapt attention. This
video, along with a number of others is available to
view on the Gaelic American youtube page. Joe O Broin
then introduced John Ridge, John is noted historian who
specializes in the Irish history of New York. He is also
the President of the New York Irish History Roundtable.
He was also a character witness for Patrick Mullin
during the IRA 5 trail. John spoke on the importance of
commemorations to the Irish American community. He also
noted that the Irish were noted for attending these
despite any poor weather. That they were acts of
perseverance because the Irish viewed commemorating
their patriot dead as a 'sacred duty'. John told of the
many organizations that Flannery worked for but making
it clear that the cause of Irish freedom was always
present. Archives of John Ridge's Irish American
historical collections can be accessed thru NYU. After,
a rebel ballad session followed by Allen Gogarty which
was enjoyed by all.
The commemorative day was
sponsored by Flannery family members, Cumann na Saoirse
Naisiunta (National Irish Freedom Committee), Gaelic
American, O'Donovan Rossa GAA, Fenian Graves
Association, Radio Free EIreann, Tipperary N. & B.
Association and the NY Tipperary Hurling Club.
Organizers Joe O Broin, Pat Williams, James McGlashin
and Joe Flaherty wish to give Special thanks to the
Flannery and Molony family members: Geraldine Moloney,
AnnMarie Moloney, Saoirse Moloney-Stevenson and Yvonne
Heneghan. Our Guest speaker John Ridge. Musician Allen
Gogarty. The excellent staff of the Wild Goose for all
their assistance and everyone else who helped make the
day such a success!
Link to Flannery Video:
https://youtu.be/-WoRjUXQT-A?si=FJRe6PauOmQPR9S7
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