Attached are photos of my uncles, John and James Kearns of Owenwee. One is of a young John Kearns, in his IRA uniform. The second photo is of James Kearns, (standing) and John Kearns (sitting)
John and James sent information to other IRA members through their young sister Elizabeth (my mother). She would walk from their home in Owenwee to her school, St. Mary’s in Westport, and deliver a written message along the way. At the time, young girls wore pinafores over their dress when attending school and the messages were hidden in the pocket of her pinafore.
When Elizabeth was about 13 years old, she visited her brother John at the British prison where he was being held. We do not know the name of the prison. Unbeknownst to the British, and at great risk to herself, she was carrying a message containing the instructions for the escape of her brother and six other prisoners. The instructions for the escape were handed off to the intended recipient, one of her brother John’s associates, and they successfully carried out the escape.
Thomas KellyGolden, Colorado, USA
www.westportheritage.com