20/04/2023
Dia dhaoibh a chairde,
Hello Friends,
We remember Jim Egan who died 100 years ago today in Callan from wounds received at his home in Poulacapple in the last days of the Civil war. Jim was a member of Mullinahone Company, 7th Battalion Kilkenny Brigade during the Tan war, playing a role in the famous attacks on Hugginstown and Drangan RIC barracks in March and June 1920.
He played centre back for Tipperary and was a member of the Bloody Sunday football team. His team-mate Bill Ryan recalled seeing Jim Egan's hands covered with Mick Hogan's blood he had tried to assist the dying Hogan on the pitch on that terrible day.
Jim was arrested by Auxiliaries in January 1921 along with his brothers and detained in the notorious Woodstock House before being sent to Kilkenny Gaol. From there he was transferred to Spike Island on 2nd May 1921. He endured hungerstrike to protest at his continuing internment there throughout the Truce.
Eventually the internees were released with the signing of the Treaty.
Jim was initially pro-Treaty but, at the outset of Civil War, he was firmly on the Anti-Treaty side and joined Micheál Sheehan's column which left Clonmel for Dublin on 30th June 1922. They made it to Blessingtom where, under instructions from Oscar Traynor, they headed South.
Jim stayed with Sheehan's column and, as the war progressed, Divisional HQ was moved to Poulacapple to a secret room there at the back of shed nicknamed Katmandu. The houses around the area were frequented by members of the army executive and politicians like Dev. Jim escorted these people to meetings around the Nire and Knockmealdowns. It was a difficult and dangerous time as South Tipperary was now swamped with Free State troops hunting down the once mighty columns.
a week after Lynch's death the remnants of the Executive were trying to make their way back to Poulacapple. Jim arrived back and called in to see his family. Just then, a column of Free State troops surrounded the area. Jim escaped through a window and headed across the fields. He was shot in the thigh at this point but continued under cover making his way across the fields but gradually tiring from loss of blood. Lt. Patrick McGrath and Jim shot at each other, Jim was wounded in the stomach this time, and Patrick McGrath lost a finger in the engagement.
As Jim lay on the wet cold ground for several hours. His family tried several times to see him but were not allowed.
At last, he was taken to Brett's home and received medical aid and Fr. O'Meara gave him the last sacraments. He was driven to Callan Workhouse where he died from his wounds at 5am on the 19th April. His brothers, arrested that day, were all in prison on the other side of the workhouse (which was also serving as the Army Barracks).
Jim Egan died the day before the Army Executive met around Egan's kitchen table and effectively agreed to end the Civil war.
He was the bravest of Volunteers, serviing with distinction for the entire Revolutionary period and on Sunday next we will honour him in the graveyard in Mullinahone after 10am Mass.
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