Ardoyne and it's People (1850 - 1970)

There have been differing opinions concerning Ardoyne and the kind of people who inhabit the area. The most common description of Ardoyne is that it is an Irish Working-Class, Catholic, Nationalist or Republican community. Holy Cross Church dominates the skyline, alongside a number of former Linen Mills and terraced houses. The local area has been well-served by Passionist Priests and Sister's of Mercy Nuns for over 150 years. A number of local men became Passionists, most notably Fernando Carberry and Ciaran Creagh. The devotion of both Priests have left an indelible marks on those they have helped. Through the Passionists valued input into a series of spiritual, work and education programmes including Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools. They have helped countless residents with financial, addiction and enviromental problems. Visiting the sick at home, hospital and hospices. For well over a Century, ecclesiastical assistance was also given to prisoners in Crumlin Road Gaol until it ended in the early Eighties. However, Priests from Holy Cross continued to visit Political Prisoners until the H-Blocks closed in 2000. They have baptised, confirmed, married and buried thousands of people and as a result. I don't pratice religion for a number of personal reasons, the Clergy are still widely respected by the local community.

Ardoyne's Skyline with Holy Cross Church in the Background



Ardoyne resident's have lived close by one another, been schooled, grew up and socialised together. The vast majority of locals have also married fellow inhabitants resulting in strong solidarity, friendship and family ties throughout the generations. Even though, it is disputed by Unionist Politicans, the influx of Catholics to Belfast including, Ardoyne from the 1850's onwards was deeply resented by sectarian organisations like the Orange Order. The fact that many of it's first residents moved here from rural communities gave newcomers a strong sense of kinship. Bad housing, poor wages, employment prospects, militarised policing, discrimination and regular sectarian attacks helped gel the Ardoyne community. 

Like most communities throughout Ireland, Ardoyne also experienced a new consciousness in Nationalism, Republicanism, the Irish language and Gaelic sports. Its first Social Club was the 'Ardoyne Working Men’s' formed in 1878 and still known locally as 'The League'. Due to its strong connections to the Belfast branch of the Land League. A national political organisation dedicated to helping poor tenant farmers, whose aim was to abolish 'landlordism' and enable farmers to own the land they worked on. It was led by prominent IRB man, Michael Davitt and the then Nationalist Party Leader, Charles Stuart Parnell.

GAA Mural in Ardoyne

In 1907, a GAA Club, the Kickham's was formed in Ardoyne named after, senior Fenian and Journalist, Charles J. Kickham.  The new GAC promoted native sports and the Irish language. It celebrated it's Centenary in 2007, with a host of cultural events. Ardoyne’s Republican links were strengthened further when senior Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) member, Sean MacDiarmada moved to Butler Street in 1913. MacDiarmada was born in County Leitrim in 1884 and worked in Ardoyne Tram Depot as a tram conductor. Although, he left after contracting Polio from which he never fully recovered. MacDiarmada helped organise the IRB and Irish Volunteers in Ardoyne, the Marrowbone and across the city. He was also Belfast's delegate to the 1915 Sinn Fein Ard Fhéis. The following year, McDiarmada became a key member of the IRB's Military Council that organised the Easter Rising. He was also one of the signatories of the historic Proclamation and was among sixteen Rebel Leaders executed by the British. McDiarmada's legacy is still commemorated today in Ardoyne by the recent formation of a Republican Society honoured in his name.

Sean MacDiarmada

In the aftermath of the Rising, hundreds of Republicans from across the country were rounded-up and interned alongside many survivors of the Rising. One of whom was Ardoyne resident, Micheál O’Carolan. He was among 203 Insurgents transferred from Dublin to Stafford Barracks in England. Where they were held for a year until they were released in a general amnesty. Afterwards, O'Carolan returned to his native Ardoyne and helped organise the local IRA Unit and Sinn Féin Cumann. Which was named in MacDiarmáda’s honour. In 1921, O’Carolan was elected as a Councillor to Belfast Corporation for the Republican Party.

The Partition of Ireland by the British Government had a devastating impact of the Nationalist/Republican community across the nine Counties that made Ulster, not least the six that would remain under British rule. Parishes, communities, families and the Republican Movement were divided as to how best deal with the new situation. The sectarian Unionist Party and Orange Order ensured that areas like Ardoyne and the Marrowbone would be taught a valueable lesson for their betrayal of the Union. A new heavily-militarised partial Police called the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) who were exclusively Protestant & Unionist delivered the bigoted Regime's apartheid legislation which was to totally discriminate against every Catholic, Nationalist and Republican. At first, thousands were Interned on the Prison Ship, Argenta moored of the coast at Carrickfergus and in Crumlin Road and Derry Gaols.

The IRA in the North attempted to conduct an effective Campaign against the Unionist Regime but with the huge split in the Army throughout Ireland as well as massive resources pumped into Belfast by London. The British Army and RUC were able to contain the IRA's plans. Internment , sectarian Pograms and a murderous campaign against the Catholic population and institutionalised discrimination in housing, jobs and health care determined an outcome favourable toward the Unionist Leadership. A number of Republicans in favour of the Anglo-Irish Treaty (1921) moved south to join the Free State Army and it's Administration causing even more problems for Republicanism. The Pogroms were encouraged by Unionist Politicians, senior Orangemen and helped by the RUC, particularly in Belfast under the guidance of District Inspector, John Nixon. A senior Orangemen, Nixon went on to become a Unionist MP at Stormont. Most Nationalist areas across Belfast were tormented by Nixon's Gang. Scores of Catholics were kidnapped and murdered in the Springfield, Falls, Short Strand, Cliftonville and Ardoyne. However, the most appalling tragedy was the brutal killings of the McMahon Family of the Antrim Road, when five members of the one family and a Lodger were gunned down by the RUC. The involvement of the RUC in dozens of sectarian murders, Internment and discriminatory laws in the Twenties left a legacy of distrust of Policing that still exists today.

A Mural about the Nixon Gang

In the early Thirties, the estate was bought by Belfast property developer, John McKibben. Within months, his company planned to build a new housing estate called Glenard. It was not long before the development took shape. McKibben had hoped his new tenants would be young Protestant families with healthy incomes. However, during the 1935 Twelfth ‘celebrations’, Orangemen attacked Catholic homes in the York, Lancaster Street and Crumlin Road areas. The rioting soon spread across Belfast and hundreds of Nationalists fled to the relative safety of Ardoyne and Clonard. Even though, the Glenard estate was not yet finished. Local Republicans including, Jimmy Meehan, Liám Wiggins, Phil McTaggart, Jake McGowan and Seán McCaughey helped 144 displaced families to squat in many of the new houses. One of the most outspoken residents, Betty Sinclar worked on behalf of those forced to squat in the new houses. Betty was born into a Protestant Working-Class family in 1910 and was raised in Ardoyne. She was active during the Outdoor Relief Strikes and Ardoyne Rent Strikes before becoming one of the most respected peoples advocates in the North. A committed Socialist, Betty was Secretary of the Communist Party of Ireland (CPI) later studied Revolutionary politics in Moscow and even led the Civil Rights Campaign in the Sixties.

In 1939, Stormont re-introduced Internment Without Trial and dozens of residents were rounded-up and imprisonment including, a few Italian descendants. One of those was my late Grandfather, Jimmy Meehan. Granda was to spend the next six years in Crumlin Road Gaol alongside, Jake McGowan, Liám Wiggins and Billy McKee. During Jimmy's first year behind bars, his young son, Seamus tragically died in infancy. He was refused permission to attend the funeral and help comfort his Wife, Annie. On the morning of June 5 1941, over one hundred Internees were exercising in Crumlin Road Gaol. When four Belfastmen, Phil McTaggart, Liám Burke, Paddy Watson, Eddie Keenan and a comrade from Derry, Gerry Doherty threw a grappling hook and rope over the wall to escape. McTaggart from Ardoyne and his four comrades safely made it to Dublin. The following year, the then IRA Chief-of-Staff, Hugh McAteer and two others were arrested in the district. After a house facing Holy Cross Monastery was raided by the RUC, guns, radio equipment and documents were seized.



Prominent Ardoyne Republican, Seán McCaughey was captured in Dublin and in late 1941 was sentenced to life imprisonment in Portlaoise Gaol. Prior to his arrest, Seán had become IRA Chief-of-Staff for a short time. Due to the terrible prison conditions he and his comrades suffered, he began a Hunger & Thirst Strike to highlight their plight. In spite of this, the then Taoiseach, Éamonn De Valera refused to grant him Political Status and he died on May 11, 1946. His funeral Mass took place at Holy Cross. Where the small community of Ardoyne buried him with dignity.

Sean McCaughey's Funeral leaving Holy Cross



As in the previous Century, Twenties and Thirties, Forties and Fifties local familie suffered from huge inequalities in housing, jobs, education and votes. It also endured high levels of poverty, emigration and Political Policing It's people were badly represented by the few elected to represent them in City Hall and Stormont. In spite of their problems, the district remained a very close-knit and caring community. Those few who did have a little more, helped those neighbours and family members without. Even though, Ardoyne had many political, social and economic issues to contend with. Many from outside wanted to live in the district because of the strong bonds of solidarity, friendship, faith in the Church and dedication to their Irish heritage remained very strong. Even when residents did emigrate to other Countries, they were looked after by former Ardoyne inhabitants.

Champion Ardoyne Boxer, Freddie Gilroy



As I stated earlier, Holy Cross Clergy, GAA Figures, Shopkeepers and Sporting people also helped the social fabric of Ardoyne. Local dances, Ceilis, Bicylcle, Boxing and Soccer Clubs were very popular with local people and it was at these gatherings that most young men and women met and began their lives together. Toby's, Ardoyne Halls and St. Gabriel's School held well-attended dances every weekend.  One of the most successful Boxers from the Ardoyne area was, Freddie Gilroy who won a Gold for Ireland at the 1956 Olympics before turning professional. In five short years, Freddie won British, Commonwealth and European titles but lost in his only world title shot when he was outpointed by Alphonse Halimi. Local Schools like Holy Cross and St. Gemma's played their part in helping children become more educated and aware of the world around them. Although, it wasn't until a number of progressive changes to the education system in the North that permitted those from Catholic families to attend University.

Former Irish President and Ardoyne native, Mary McAleese

One of the most famed women from Ardoyne to attend Third Level education was Mary McAleese. Who became Professor of Criminal Law, Criminology and Penology at Trinity College, Dublin and in 1987, she returned to her Alma Mater, Queen's University, Belfast to become Director of the Institute of Professional Legal Studies. In 1994, she became the first woman to be appointed Pro-Vice Chancellor of Queen's. Afterwards, McAleese worked as a Barrister and Journalist at RTE. In 1997, she was elected President of Ireland  and won with 45.2% of first preference votes. and served two terms in Áras an Uachtaráin. During her tenure, she focused on justice, social equality, social inclusion, anti-sectarianism and reconciliation issues. In 2005, she spoke at the Sixtieth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz Concentration Camp. In which she said Protestant children in the North had been raised to hate Catholics, just as European children "for generations, for centuries" were encouraged to hate Jews. She later apologised for the remarks, but her experiences growing up in Ardoyne obviously had a bearing on her views.

Robert Emmet Mural, Ardoyne (1953)

The Sixties brought a new generation to the fore. Ardoyne and the Bone had been not only close geographically but also socially and culturally. New Schools on the Crumlin Road (St. Gabriel's)and Ardelia Street (St. Gemma's) brought the two communities even closer. A number of former Republican Prisoners including, John McGuigan, Frank McGlade, Charlie McGlade and Barney McKenna had once again began reorganising the Republican Movement particularly, the IRA in the area. They used the cover of Sinn Fein, Irish language classes and Ceilis to recruit new Volunteers, willing to join Oglaigh Na hEireann. One of those who put his name forward was my late father, Martin Meehan. The 50th Anniversary of the 1916 Rising in 1966 was used by the IRA Veterans to educate young men and women about Republican history.

Ardoyne Republicans at Bodenstown ('60's)

This decade also witnessed a renewed political struggle against the apartheid Regime in Stormont in the North. Many of those who led the campaign to gain equal and voting rights for the Catholic/Nationalist and Republican community in the Six Counties were highly-educated and not prepared to allow yet another generation to suffer discrimination. The Unionist Party, Orange Order, RUC and Protestant Churches were equally not prepared to give up their privileged lifestyles. The UVF had already reorganised and killed a number of Catholics in Belfast. Conflict was soon in the offing and the majority of Northern Republicans were up for the task, however the IRA Leadership based in Dublin wanted to focus on Socialist politics and ignored increasing sectarianism and Nationalist demands for change in the North. Orders were sent from Dublin to visit areas like Ardoyne and the Short Strand and remove any weapons they had in the event of any attacks. This move by the IRA GHQ, had a devastating impact on Volunteers in these areas particularly given Unionist Pogroms in the past.

A Civil Rights March in Belfast

 

Martin Meehan being arrested in Derry's Duke Street by the RUC (1968)

While Northern Republicans agreed with the demands for Civil Rights, they took a back seat and allowed Socialists and Nationalists to lead the way. Although, they actively took part in various marches and provided Stewards and security for marches under attack from Unionists and the RUC from 1968 onwards. In spite of the logical steps which needed to be taken to 'reform' the Northern State, Unionists strongly resisted any changes. Alongside Stormont intransigence, Militant Unionists began bombing State Utility facilities in various parts of the North for which the IRA was blamed. The bombings helped to raise political tempetures further with Unionist Politicians demanding a security crackdown against those advocating Civil Rights.
Stormont, the RUC and Orange Order duly unleased its traditional Anti-Catholic tactics of brutality. With the banning, arrests and Political Policing from the RUC during successive marches caused serious rioting in Derry. Which also took in Belfast, Armagh, Newry and even Ardoyne.



A Bus Barricading Butler Street (August, 1969)



A number of Catholic areas in Belfast including, Ardoyne were viciously attacked by Unionist Mobs backed by the RUC on the 14th & 15th August, 1969. RUC Leaders had informed it's heavily-armed Milita that an IRA Rebellion was imminent and to resist it at all costs. Nothing could be further from the truth, IRA Leaders in Dublin had issued an order to their Belfast Staff to disarm Units in Ardoyne, Short Strand and the Falls. As they feared sectarian riots starting again. Therefore, the IRA in Ardoyne hadn't even enough weapons to defend the vulnerable district, not alone partake in a Rebellion. Local residents and a couple of Republicans did their utmost to repel the organised Mob and RUC but dozens of families were burned-out of their homes, scores injured from gunshot wounds and two men murdered by the RUC. Bus Driver, Sammy McLarnon had been shot dead by the RUC who fired through his Living-Room window, while Labourer, Michael Lynch was gunned-down as he made his way home after attending the Cinema. Had it not been for the ingenuity of a few Volunteers, to drive around the area firing one shot-off in each street, Loyalists and the RUC would most certainly have invaded the entire district and the casualty list much, much higher. Single shots in each street gave outsiders the impression that there were guns in each Ardoyne street and thus deterred a full-scale invasion of the district.

Brookfield Street after Loyalist Pogrom (1969)

The McLarnon & Lynch families were absolutely devastated by the terrible deaths of their much loved relatives and a number of young children were left without a father. The Ardoyne community were numb with shock and grief and a number of streets had to cope with scores of families left homeless after their houses had been burned down. The local Primary School, Holy Cross Boys' was used as a Refugee Centre and hundreds of other families fled south and were placed in a Free State Army Camp in County Louth. In an attempt to restore their oppressive rule, Stormont asked London to mobilise the British Army, within hours thousands of heavily-armed foreign soldiers were on the streets of Belfast and Derry. At first, most Ardoyne people welcomed the Troops and felt their presence would guarantee their safety. There were however, a few local Republicans who knew from history that Ardoyne would soon be completely surrounded by British Troops and they began organising new structures....