My name is Peter Mc Loughlin and my uncle Peter sometimes known as Brod, a native of Oughty, Drummin was involved as per following;
“I joined the I.R.A. in 1917 under the command of Edward Moane, Westport and established a branch in my own area. (Drummin Company- Brod Mc Loughlin, O.C. and Pat Cox, Deputy O.C.) I, as secretary of Sinn Fein, organised concerts in my district, and by degrees formed a company of the I.R.A. under the command of Brigadier Edward Moane, Westport. I held the rank of Captain in this company and had contact with companies in other areas.
In 1920 Drummin ceased to be a separate area and was included in Louisburgh under the command of Capt. Patrick J. Kelly. My home was the recognised headquarters for receiving and clearing the dispatches in the Drummin area. I, myself often carried dispatches to Capt. Kelly at his Louisburgh headquarters. After Resident Magistrate Milling was shot in Westport a statement was taken off me by the local R.I.C. who were watching me closely. Practically all members of the Flying Column were harboured and fed in my home. On the night of January 9th 1921, I had just returned from taking a dispatch to Carrowkennedy and had arrived in my home at 4 am, when the Black and Tans arrived accompanied by some soldiers and three constables. My clothes and shoes were in such a wet state that it was evident I had been out for a considerable time and was just after getting back. I was placed under arrest immediately and the remainder of my family were warned not to leave the house for at least twenty-four hours. In the morning my family discovered seven heads of fowl with their heads cut off.
Patrick Tunney and his brother Michael of Carrowkennedy were arrested on the same night and also John Kilroy of Newport. We were taken under escort to Westport and the following day taken to Galway prison where we were held for over three months. From there in April, we were transferred to the Curragh where I was placed in a cell on my own for two months. During this time my father died of a heart attack and I was refused parole to attend his funeral. I may add that the constant raiding of my home and the threats issued to my family did not help my father in any way. Our house was to be burned and had even been sprayed with petrol at one stage but for unknown reason they drove away. I was imprisoned from then until December 15th 1921 when there was a general amnesty. During the Civil war I was entrusted with special dispatch work and I acted as a guide for the I.R.A. and during this time the I.R.A. were often harboured and fed in my home. On my own land I concealed landmines which I afterwards helped to remove under instruction from the I.R.A.”
Pat Mc Loughlin memory of this night – “It was four o clock in the morning when they came, three R.I.C., soldiers and Black and Tans. Constable Love told Peter to bring some extra socks as you might be delayed a while. When they were gone, I heard the horse in the yard and my father told me to go out and put him in. When I went outside all the outhouse doors were open so I closed them and put the horse in. I felt something under my feet but did not know what it was and in made no sound. In the morning Sis discovered that it was seven heads of fowl that they had beheaded and taken away to pluck and eat. The gun was not in the house, the stock was in the barn roof and the barrel stuck in the turf bank. There was man named King who had served in the British Army and he trained the local lads for Sinn Fein”
Extract from Cathair Na Mart 1990-The National Movement
More arrests were made and prisoners were sent to the jail in Galway. Those arrested were Lawrence Moran, Killeenacoff, Peter O Connor, Loughloon, Peter Mc Loughlin, Oughty and two men both called John Hastings from Derryherbert known as Big John and Little John.
Extract from “Memories of the struggle for Irish Freedom” by Patrick Tunney
When my brother and I were marched to Carrowkennedy on a bleak winter’s night to where three army lorries were standing and there I saw, standing in the biting cold Peter Mc Loughlin of Oughty, one of the most energetic and most trusted Republicans in the Drummin area.
Our journeys ended in the barracks at James St. Westport and after a brief interrogation the three of us were escorted to an unlighted cell which was without any form of accommodation. Sergeant Garvey said to me the next day that my brother and Peter Mc Loughlin were to be held in custody while the troubles continue but I was to be released today if I signed a form. I refused and was sent with the other two prisoners in a military lorry accompanied by two Tans and two constables and brought to Castlebar Jail and on to Galway Jail where we arrived at around 4.30. I can honestly say that the beatings I witnessed here were the most appalling.”
Extract from P.J. Kelly statement
“On March 21, on receipt of a dispatch from Kilroy, myself, Joe Baker, Seamus Mc Evilly, Andrew Harney, James Harney and Tom Fergus crossed over Laughta Mountain and were met by guides Peter Mc Loughlin, Oughty and with him his brother Pat”
Galway Jail book- Four whitewashed walls and a vaulted roof, a window for air not light, a plank on the floor and an iron door, this is my home tonight -15/1/1921.
Extracts from Rath camp autograph book “The great only appear great because we are on our knees, let us rise” Peter. J. Mc Loughlin B Coy, Oughty, Drummin, Westport
Mayo Men in Rath Camp.
“Mayo News Westport 1921” Return of Westport prisoners-enthusiastic welcome
On Friday evening a special train with returning prisoners arrived in Westport about a quarter to 10:00 p.m. A tremendous crowd assembled at the railway station to meet them, including a large body of the I.R.A. Fog signals heralded the approach of the train. The iron bridge spanning the railway was bedecked with Sinn Fein flags, whole bonfires blazed on the streets. As the train steamed in there were loud and continued rounds of cheers. Motors and other vehicles were waiting to convey the prisoners to their respective homes. The following were the returning prisoners: William Fergus, Culleen. Patrick Tunney Derrykillew, Michael Tunney do, Lawrence Moran, Killeenacoff, Peter O Connor, Loughloon, Michael Gavin, Mayour, Kilmeena, Peter Mc Loughlin, Oughty, Drummin etc.
Extract from Drummin book “In the 1920’s Peter Mc Loughlin, Oughty was one of the committees who organised dances every Sunday night in the hall. At that time, it had a thatched roof and was used also as a meeting place for local Sinn Fein members as was Mc Loughlin’s of Oughty”
Ciss Mc Loughlin Carrowkennedy Cumann na mBan, sister of the Peter Mc Loughlin.
Thought you might like following autographs that I wrote down from my uncle years ago.
“The boys in the Rath are not downhearted, But why should they be? They have the honour of being amongst those who are manning the last trench for irish freedom”
“Four white washed walls and a vaulted roof, a window for air not light, a plank on the floor and an iron door, this is my home tonight.” Galway jail
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