KILGOBINET TRENCH DISASTER - 7 JULY 1921
In July 1921, just as the War of Independence was nearing its end, (the Truce came into effect on July 11 1921) a large trench was dug across the road leading to Kilgobinet Church, a few miles from Dungarvan. It was common at the time to erect road blocks, either by felling trees or digging trenches, to impede the movement of British forces through the countryside.
This trench was dug near Crotty’s cottage on the road to the church, but it was filled in again, to allow the funeral of a young local man, James Kelly, Kilgobinet, proceed to the church.
The Kelly’s home was where Noel O’Connell Transport is today.
A party of British soldiers from the West Kent Regiment came upon the filled in trench and placed land mines under the clay and rocks. Later the leader of the Flying Column George Lennon asked Jim Kirwan of the Colligan IRA company if all the roads in the area were trenched. Kirwan explained that they were, the exception being Kilgobinet, on account of the funeral. Lennon told Kirwan that it should be seen to. Jim Kirwan ordered Jack Power of Ballymacmague to retrench the road.
On the evening of Thursday 7 July, Power gathered a group of local men to reopen the trench at Kilgobinet. As they began their task, the mines were detonated, the terrible explosion was loud enough to be heard in Cappagh and Dungarvan. Three men were killed instantly, another three died later. Thomas Fitzgerald, Tommy McGrath and Rody Whelan were injured in the blast but survived. The bodies were brought to the curate’s house a short distance up the road, where Fr. Tom Power administered the Last Rites, then Jim Dee of Kilgobinet placed the bodies of the dead, injured and dying men on his horse and cart. He took the injured to Queally’s of Barracree, three of the dead were wrapped in sheets and secretly buried in Knockboy. After the Truce, the corpses were exhumed and buried in their own family graves.
It was a sad, terrible event in the parish of Kilgobinet, Colligan and Kilbrien.
The roadside monuments commemorating the spot where the Kilgobinet Trench Disaster took place, 100 years ago on 7 July 1921.
THE SIX MEN KILLED WERE -
Volunteer John (Seán) Quinn
Born - Ballymacmague 5 April 1902
Parents - John Quinn and Anastasia Quinn (née Heaney) Labourer
Died - Workhouse Hospital, Dungarvan 16 July 1921
James Dunford
Born - Knockanee 14 July 1902
Parents - Patrick Dunford and Alice Dunford (née Dwyer) Farmer
Died - Kilgobinet 8 July 1921
Thomas Dahill
Born - Kilnafrehan 16 November 1893
Parents - Thomas Dahill and Bridget Dahill (née Power) Farmer
Died - Kilgobinet 8 July 1921
Richard Lynch
Born - Inchindrisla 17 May 1892
Parents - Laurence Lynch and Margaret Lynch (née Power) Farmer
Died - Barracree 15 July 1921
William Dunford
Born - Kilnafrehan 23 May 1891
Parents - Thomas Dunford and Ellen Dunford (née Ryan) Labourer
Died - Kilgobinet 9 July 1921
Thomas Burke
Born - Inchindrisla 26 April 1889
Parents - John Burke and Mary Burke (née Sweeney) Farmer
Died - Workhouse Hospital, Dungarvan 20 July 1921
A Calvary Monument erected by parishioners in memory of the Kilgobinet Trench Disaster at Kilgobinet church on 7 July 1966. The monument was restored and refurbished by parishioners in 2012.
A POEM TO MARK THE CENTENARY OF THE KILGOBINET TRENCH DISASTER - 7 July 1921
A Celtic Cross on a country road, in remembrance of tragedy a century ago
*Thomas’ Buffs a trap mine had laid, in the trench at Kilgobinet to kill and to maim
Reopening that trench, to keep Crown forces at bay.
Six young and brave Irishmen were blown away.
Evening stillness is shattered by the mine detonation
Sounds deafening, earth shaking, disbelief and desolation
Clay, dust, smoke and rock, thrust up to the heavens
with flesh and blood mingle in ruthless devastation.
They hadn’t the time or even get a chance
To pray to God or think of home before the awesome blast.
When the dust and smoke settle, how terrible the damage
And the awesome sight of dead and dying amid the utter carnage.
Three men blown to eternity, in the blink of an eye
Another three men lingering in agony til they die.
As the priest arrives and the last rites he imparts.
Those injured, dead and dying are removed by horse and cart.
Those lives cruelly cut short, we will remember still
All from that ancient parish that Saint Gobnait blessed
The Dunfords, James and William and the Volunteer Quinn
Thomas Burke, Richard Lynch and Thomas Dahill.
One hundred years on, from those troubled days,
When our forebears stood in the great empire's way
Here's to the Déise folk who played their own part.
May all those great people rest in the peace of God's heart.
*The Buffs were the West Kent Regiment stationed in Dungarvan and commanded by Captain Thomas, who was captured during the Burgery Ambush in March 1921 but released unharmed.
Photos taken at the blessing of the Calvary monument on 7 July 1966.
