Some of the Irish Non-Combatants

in Spain during the Civil War.

These people were mainly tourists in the country at the start of the civil war. I’m sure there were additional people, but as they’re found, I’ll list them. Any extra details would be appreciated. Contact me at cpcrossey@hotmail.com

Irish Non-Combatants who were in Spain.

1. Mrs Muriel Ingram, A Free State citizen.

A Language teacher who stayed behind in Bilbao during the Republic and when the nationalists took over 'she was denounced to them and arrested.' Irish News, 17/9/37

Can anyone provide more information on her?

2. Miss Boland.

Reports on 28th October 1937 that De Valera denounced the murder in Bilbao of this governess who was killed along with the family she worked for. Irish News, 28/10/37

3-4. Miss Hilda Allingham and Miss Elsie Brown, 2 students at QUB, were on their way to a language school in Jaca, Aragon. They arrived safely in France on July 24th. Brown lived in Knockbracken. Allinghams father was the Chief Warden of Crumlin Road jail. Belfast News Letter, 24/7/36.

5-6. Mr and Mrs Charles Somes, Botanic Ave, Belfast. Belfast News Letter, 24/7/36. He was manager of the Berliitz School of Languages in Belfast. Still not heard of by the 31^st. Irish Independent,31/7/36.

7. Rev. David Esler, Minister of Maghera Presbyterian Church was in Madrid when the rebellion started. Arrived back in NI from Spain. Newsletter, 29/7/36. Belfast News Letter, 24/7/36. He’d been at a university course in Spanish. Irish Independent, 25/7/36.

8-9. Margaret and Elizabeth McKay, Coleraine. Arrived back in NI from Spain.

Belfast News Letter, 29/7/36.

10. Edward Gribbon, an artist from Kings Road, Knock. Arrived back in NI from Spain. Belfast News Letter, 29/7/36. Described in the Irish Independent, 31/7/36, p14, as a young artist.

11. Mrs Ethel Cox. Arrived back in NI from Spain. Belfast News Letter, 29/7/36.

12. Miss E McQuade, Willowbank Gardens, Belfast. Arrived back in NI from Spain. Belfast News Letter, 29/7/36. McQuade and Cox were sisters and were in a group of 40 Liverpool University students who’d been on a course in Spain. The Irish Independent, 28/7/36, mentioned that they were on a British ship and were able to notify relatives.

13 Irish Independent, 4/11/36, reports on an Irishwoman’s Vivid Narrative, when it gave reports of the return from Spain of Miss M O’Sullivan, 132 Botanic Road, Dublin, who’d recently returned from Barcelona where she’s spent 13 years teaching English. She ‘witnessed the burning of churches and saw mummified bodies taken from the graveyards.’

14. Rev Austin Murphy, Castleknock College. He’d been in Palma in the Balaeric Islands. Left there on the 18^th. Quoted in Irish Independent, 27/7/36, as saying: “The Church seems to have backed that horse [the coup] very much, and if the Communists win there will be an excuse, if such were needed, for violent religious persecution in Spain.” Also reported as seeing the shooting of a Communist woman who’d insulted the fascist troops when they occupied Palma.

15. James A Ennis, Tulamore They’d escaped from San Sebastian which was under threat from 16 Kevin Adams, Tulamore the fascist troops. “Everyone appears to be armed. Even women carried rifles or revolvers.” Irish Independent, 27/7/36.

17. Matthew Cullen, a native of Co. Wexford, now living at Clydagh, Swansea. Irish Independent, 27/7/36. He was in Barcelona for the people’s Olympiad, the alternative Olympics. Threw the discus for Wales.

18. Miss Patterson, Hope Cottage Newtownbreda, Belfast. Her father reported her as missing in Spain, Irish Independent, 28/7/36. Lived in Valladolid with her husband and 2 children.

19. Mrs Myra Bereford, India St, Belfast. Irish Independent, 28/7/36. Worked in Glasgow, and was reported as being on her way out of Spain.

20. Frank Pierce, art student. Had been in Madrid, moved to Portugal, Irish Independent, 28/7/36.

21. Miss Elva O’Phelan. Had been in Bilbao, but got out. Irish Independent, 28/7/36.

22. Cyril Fogerty, Clarecastle, Co. Clare. A clerk in Cadiz, he’d notified his father that he was safe. Irish Independent, 31/7/36.

23. Miss Marie Eithne MacNamara

24. Mother M Madeleine. She was a cousin of Mr W MacNamara, a journalist in Cashel, Maire was his daughter. Both taught in Loreto College de la Bom, Madrid. Sent a telegram saying they were safe. Reported in the Irish Independent, 27/7/36.

25. Colm O’Kiersey, teacher in Parnell Square Technical School. Evacuated on 25^th July from San Sebastian. This man, and 37, arrived in San Sebastian on the 20^th, in the midst of a general strike. Irish Independent, 27/7/36.

26. Ivan McCutcheon, student at TCD. Irish Independent, 27/7/36.

Ciaran Crossey

March 7^th 2003

This list does not include the assorted sailors who continued to trade with Spain throughout the war on commercial grounds. Again, if anyone knows of people who could be added to this list, please pass them on.