After the Executive meeting in the Nire on March 26th, 1923, Liam Lynch, Frank Aiken, and Sean Hyde crossed the Comeragh Mountains through the Gap and stayed at Kirwan’s of Graigavalla. This was not the first time that Lynch had been at Kirwans, as he had previously spent time there in September 1919 after being wounded in an attack in Fermoy. At that time, the Waterford Brigade, led by Pax Whelan and including George Lennon
and Mick Mansfield, had Lynch brought to Dungarvan. After his wounds were treated in Dungarvan Liam was brought by pony and trap to Graigavalla by Jerry Kirwan.
Michael Doheny, who rested at Graigavalla after the Young Ireland Rebellion in 1848, wrote a book called The Felon’s Track, which Lynch read while resting at Kirwans.
Kirwans was also where D.I. Potter was held for a night before being moved to Clonea-Power, where he was executed following the execution of Tom Traynor in Kilmainham. While at Kirwan’s, Lynch met his fiancé Bridie Keyes for the last time. Jerry Kirwan repaired Lynch’s boots, which are now on display at the National Museum of Ireland.
Liam left Kirwan’s crossed the Suir and met with Kathleen Barry in Kilcash on Good Friday 30th March 1923.
NOTE: The Rathgormack and Clonea-Power areas, though in County Waterford were part of the 3rd Tipperary Brigade area.
