Peter O'Neill Crowley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter O'Neill Crowley
|
|
|---|---|
| Native name |
Peadar Ó Néill Ua Cruadhlaoich
Paidir Ó Néill Ua Gruadhiaoich |
| Born | 23 May 1832 Ballymacoda, County Cork, Ireland |
| Died | 31 March 1867 (aged 34) Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ireland |
| Buried |
St. Peter in Chains churchyard, Ballymacoda
(51°53′31″N 7°56′25″W / 51.8919°N 7.94019472°W) |
| Allegiance | Irish Republican Brotherhood |
| Service/ |
Fenian Brotherhood |
Peter O'Neill Crowley (born May 23, 1832 – died March 31, 1867) was an important Irish republican. He is remembered for his role in the Fenian Rising of 1867, where he sadly lost his life.
Contents
Early Life
Peter O'Neill Crowley was born in a place called Ballymacoda in 1832. His father was a farmer. Peter's great-uncle, Father Peter O'Neill, was a Catholic priest. He had been punished and sent away after taking part in the 1798 Rebellion.
The Fenian Rising
Peter O'Neill Crowley joined a group called the Irish Republican Brotherhood. He became a leader of about 100 men in his local area of Ballymacoda.
In 1867, he took part in the Fenian Rising. This was an attempt by Irish republicans to gain independence from British rule. On March 5, Peter and his group, led by Captain John McClure, attacked the Killadoon coastguard station. Their goal was to get weapons stored there.
They successfully took the weapons and some prisoners. They then marched towards Killeagh, hoping to meet up with other groups. However, only a few men showed up. The rising in that area did not go as planned. This was partly because of snowy weather and local people who informed on them.
Captain McClure decided to let go of the unarmed men. He marched with the remaining men and prisoners to Castlemartyr, where the prisoners were released. Peter O'Neill Crowley and some friends then hid in Kilclooney Wood.
On March 31, British soldiers found them there. Peter O'Neill Crowley was injured during the ambush. The Fenians were captured and taken to Mitchelstown. Peter O'Neill Crowley died there from his injuries.
Peter O'Neill Crowley's Legacy
Peter O'Neill Crowley was known for his strong religious faith. The priest who was with him at the end noted his deep belief. His last words were said to be: "Father, I have two loves in my heart – one for my religion, the other for my country. I am dying today for the fatherland. I could die as cheerfully for faith."
Because of his death, Peter O'Neill Crowley became a martyr for the rebellion. It is said that his friends carried his body all the way from Mitchelstown back to Ballymacoda, which is about 57 km (35 mi) away.
Many places in County Cork are named after Peter O'Neill Crowley to honor him:
- O'Neill Crowley Terrace in Mitchelstown
- O'Neill Crowley Street in Youghal
- O'Neill-Crowley Quay in Fermoy
- O'Neill Crowley Terrace in Castlemartyr
- O'Neill Crowley Bridge in Cork City (this bridge used to be called the George IV Bridge)
In 1898, a monument was built to remember him. It stands at Sraharla, on the road to Kilfinane, close to Kilclooney Wood. Special events to remember him took place in 1967 and 2000. A viewing platform was added in 2013.
In the 1900s, a sports club called the Peter O'Neill Crowley Club was started in Clonard, Belfast. People often called it "the Crowley Club." This club won the Antrim Senior Hurling Championship in 1903 and 1907.
A statue of Peter O'Neill Crowley is part of a larger monument on Grand Parade, Cork.
Songs About Peter O'Neill Crowley
Peter O'Neill Crowley is remembered in several traditional Irish songs. One Irish rebel song was written especially in his honor:
As I rambled out one evening, all in the month of June,
I strayed into an old churchyard to view a noble tomb.
I overheard an old man pray as the tears rolled from his eyes,
And it’s ‘neath that cold, cold, clay today, poor Peter Crowley lies.
And the grave where Peter Crowley lies, o'er it the grass grows green,
And underneath poor Peter sleeps because he loved the green.
It grieves my heart to see you there, a hero once in bloom,
But untimely death has brought you here to fill a silent tomb.
Oh Crowley, oh Crowley come tell to me the truth:
Who went along that night with you, to Kilcloney’s this lonely one?
Who stood beside that brave old oak and fired that signal gun?
Who fought and died for Ireland’s rights, was Crowley’s only son.
So fare thee well young Crowley, so fare thee well again.
It’s many the mile we shouldered you, through storm and through gale.
It’s many the mile we shouldered you, a storín gheal mo chroí, [Irish: "bright darling of my heart"]
Because you were a Fenian boy and died for liberty.
He is also mentioned in another song called "Erin's Lovely Lee":
Now one of them stepped up to me and asked me did I know
The green woods of Kilclooney or the Glens of Aherlow
Or could I tell where Crowley fell his native land to free
Or the tower that Captain Mackey sacked down Erin’s lovely Lee
‘Tis I can tell where Crowley fell ‘twas in Kilclooney Woods
And the tower that Captain Mackey sacked twas was by his side I stood.
When he gave the word we raised a cheer that made the tyrants frown,
Sure we raised the green flag o’er our heads, the harp without the crown.
