School: Gusserane

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1. The Evictions of Coolroe

   

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   In the year 1888 the Evictions of Coolroe took place. A Family named Somers were being evicted because they did not pay the Rent to the land-lord in power at that time. The land-lords name was James Byrne. The evictions tool place on the sixth of September. At half nine a Band left the village of Ballycullane followed by police and people from all parts of the County Wexford, and paraded after a party of soldiers who were going to evict the Somers from their home. When they arrived at the house they found it all barricaded with a great heap of clay. Twelve men were inside, they had half the roof off, several gallons of boiling tar and water, iron bars to smash ladders, and food for several days. They fought for one day, it was getting dark, when Canon Doyle came through the people and told them to surrender. They did, and eleven of them were taken prisoners. The names of the men that were inside are as follows :- Tom Somers, Jim Somers, Gerry Rossiter, Tom Power, Pat Finn, Martin Tubritt, Bill Sheil, John Hall, Mick Morris, Muck Caul, Bartle Rochford, (captain of the crew).

   This song was made by Michael O Brian the famous travelling County Wexford Bard.

   The Evictions of Coolroe

   I
   On the sixth of September long We remember.
   The days upon all our prisoners did go

   (continues on next page)

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Vincent Egan

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   An Bhuaile, Co. Loch Garman

   Informant

   David Egan

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   63

   Address

   An Bhuaile, Co. Loch Garman