Mobilisation in Kilcullen — An Imposing Display

Considerable excitement prevailed in Kilcullen on Saturday night last, when the local battalion of the Irish National Volunteers were hurriedly mobilised, including Old Kilcullen, Mile Mill, and Sunny Hill companies. On short notice dispatch riders were sent out, commanding traders and farmers of the district to place as many horses and vehicles at the disposal of the Volunteers for the purpose of conveying the whole battalion to Blessington on Sunday morning. 

Everything proved a success. Mr P. Flanagan was early astir in regimental style, as was also Mr. James J. Byrne, Officer Commanding, officers, and instructors, all on the alert to number and arrange for the transport of different companies.

At the appointed time horses and vehicles came rolling into the village, forming up in the Market Square, and in less than half an hour the march commenced. Leaving Kilcullen the column, over a mile long, proceeded through Mile Mill, Brannoxtown, via Poulaphuca, on for Blessington. A halt was made between Blessington and the tram terminus, and the troops refreshed. A notable feature on the march was that No. 1 Company was led by a party of Volunteer nursing ladies, wearing the red cross, who travelled there by motor. Immediately the fall in was sounded their training was manifest, all movements being carried out in thorough military style.

The Kilcullen Corps is one month in existence, and such a stage of efficiency has been attained that marks them as one of the best trained corps to be found.

— Freeman’s Journal 24.07.1914.

(Credit to Dave Byrne who took the time to trawl through the old papers for reports about Kilcullen.)

EDITOR NOTE: The Irish National Volunteers came about through the political crisis in Ireland over the implementation of Home Rule in 1912-1914, following the campaign by John Redmond and the Irish Parliamentary Party. Unionists against it formed the Ulster Volunteers to resist it by force, and Nationalists then formed their own paramilitary group. With the outbreak of WW1 there was a split because of John Redmond’s support for helping England in the war. But he did retain the loyalty of most of the Volunteers.

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