Fograi Bhais

Jack Crowe

A real Dublin character and unrepentant Fenian

Jack with son Councillor Seán Crowe and Seán’s brother-in-law, Liam Kane, in Belfast

JACK CROWE (1929 to 2010), a republican stalwart who was the archetype of a ‘Dublin character’ passed away on the 21st of July and was laid to rest in Mount Jerome Cemetery. The service in Rathfarnham was attended by several generations of Dublin republicans, supporters and former members and activists of the Republican Movement, a testimony to Jack’s popularity down the years.

Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle member Mícheál Mac Donncha gave the oration.

"On my own behalf and on behalf of Sinn Féin and of Irish republicans everywhere, I extend our deepest sympathy and solidarity to all Jack’s family and friends. 

To Philomena, Dorothy, Michelle, Brian and Seán, to his sister Kathleen and brother Frank, to his grand-children, nieces and nephews - comhbhrón ó chroí ar an mbás.

I probably first met Jack in the company of his great friends, the Kanes of Baldoyle and Tyrone. But it could have been anywhere in Dublin or indeed at any major republican event here or around the country because Jack was one of those stalwarts who seemed to be always there and always to be relied upon, especially in difficult times. 

Jack was not one to talk of his own qualities or of his contribution to the struggle. He told stories about himself alright - or should I say yarns - and he enthralled many a gullible listener with his tales of travels all around the world. But in truth he was never happier than when he was here in his native city surrounded by family, friends and comrades - and preferably in a hostelry where there was time and space for a chat and a song. 

Jack’s parents were from Bishop Street and he came from a very large family, growing up in Dublin in the hungry 1930s. His father, Paddy, was in Fianna Éireann in Countess Markievicz’s time and then in C Company, 3rd Battalion of the IRA’s Dublin Brigade. There is a great photograph of Jack aged about three with his father on O’Connell Bridge around 1931. His father was still a young man but had come through the Tan War, the Civil War and several terms of imprisonment. 

His father was a bricklayer as was his grandfather and Jack himself proudly took up the trade as a brickie. Jack joined Fianna Éireann in 1938, beginning his lifelong work in support of the republican cause. 

Fíor poblachtánach ab ea Jack, fíor-soisialach, fíor-Bhleá Cliathach agus fíor-Eireannach. Fear dílis a bhí ann i gcónaí. 

People sometimes speak of the hidden Ireland and refer to the underground nature of Irish republicanism over the decades of repression and censorship. There was also the hidden Dublin - the republican Dublin - and Jack Crowe epitomised that Dublin. He was one of those people who worked hard, reared his family, never sought the limelight or any form of recognition but kept his deep commitment to the vision of Pádraig Pearse and James Connolly and who did everything he could to advance the cause of Irish freedom. 

The backbone of Irish republicanism in our capital city from the time of Tone and Emmet to our own time has always been and will always be working class stalwarts like Jack Crowe, people committed to their communities, their city and their country. They have known the real meaning of republicanism and socialism because they have lived it every day of their lives. They did not preach it or theorise about it while taking no active part. They acted according to their beliefs. 

And so Jack and others of his generation of republicans in this city were not found wanting in 1969 and after when the call came to support the beleaguered nationalist people of the Six Counties. They rallied to the call of the reorganised Republican Movement. They welcomed activists to their homes and provided whatever practical support was called for. Jack did all of this and more and he did it wholeheartedly. 

But Jack and his comrades did not allow the political establishment to drive them underground. They kept the republican flag flying and in Rathfarnham Jack helped to establish the local Sinn Féin cumann, undermining censorship and harassment by organising and carrying out the routine, mundane work that is so essential.

It was people like Jack and his son Seán, as a young activist then, who helped to mobilise people across this city in support of the 1981 Hunger Strikers.

There were many very difficult and tragic years of conflict after that and Jack continued to play his role on into our own era. He was active in the political development of Sinn Féin in this city and saw the rise in electoral support for republicanism. He was especially proud of his son Seán when he made the electoral breakthrough in Dublin South-West and was elected TD. And of course he was there on the more difficult days when there were electoral setbacks.

For many like Jack a new era and new methods of struggle were very difficult but their presence with us on the journey reminded us constantly of what the struggle was and is about - and that is nothing short of full freedom for the Irish people and the unity and sovereignty of our country.

I’m told that during his final illness Jack spoke of the greed and corruption that has done so much damage to our country and has thrown so many young people into unemployment and emigration, something he experienced himself personally as an emigrant. He rightly had nothing but contempt for the Establishment politicians who were responsible for this golden circle.

Irish republicans want to put things right and build our country up again on the basis of equality and we could have no better example to follow than Jack and people like him who gave so much for no reward, except the satisfaction of knowing they did their best to help others.

Bhí grá ar leith ag Jack dár dteanga náisiúnta. Is minic a chuala mé é á labhairt agus tá a fhios agam go raibh se ag iarraidh i gcónaí feabhas a chur ar a chuid Ghaeilge. Is fíor a rá nach féidir leat tuiscint ceart a bheith agat ar stair na hÉireann agus ar saol na hÉireann gan suim a bheith agat sa teanga Ghaeilge. Agus bhí an tuiscint sin ag Jack. 

Seán said his father was really proud to have been honoured by republicans at the national Le Chéile event earlier this year. He never sought recognition or prominence and therefore it was even more fitting that he was honoured in that way. 

But the biggest tribute to Jack is in his own legacy - the strength and support he gave to his family, the commitment he gave to the republican struggle, the memories he leaves with his family, friends and comrades. 

Jack was an unrepentant Fenian."

‘He left this world smiling’

IN A MOVING but humorous tribute that had mourners laughing as Jack would have done, Sinn Féin Councillor Seán Crowe recalled how much fun his father brought to people with his tall tales of reputed adventures around the world and down through history.

“My first camping trip was with my Da, Uncle Harry and his son to the Glen of Imaal in Wicklow. It was a survival trip. No cups with handles, just the bare essentials like jam jars for drinking out of. I was about 12 then and believed nearly everything my dad told me. We were later to discover that our tent was pitched at the rear of Fenton’s Pub. You can guess where my Uncle and Da spent the night while we sat in the tent with our survival jam jars.”

Jack Crowe was a legendary story teller. He convinced Seán’s wife Pamela and her friend Justine that he used to hunt polar bears and great white sharks in Antarctica. And that he could hold his breath under water for half an hour when scuba-diving for pearls. 

He regaled his travelling companions about World War Two, driving around with General Patten, and his Korean War service, “not to mention the Japanese soldiers still fighting and lost in the Dodder River outside our house in Owendore”.

And no story about Jack would be complete without mention of his late wife Nelly, “the love of his life” who died suddenly.

“A light left us all when she died. A massive heart attack, leaving us ripped asunder, and leaving my Da behind heart-broken with five young children to rear. It’s hard to believe but 34 years later we are still dealing with her loss.”

In his last difficult days in Tallaght Hospital, Jack saw each day through nevertheless with great dignity, in good humour, joking with the hard-pressed nurses and doctors and full of appreciation and even more admiration for what they do.

“He fought for every breath and wanted to live. I believe my Da hung on hard to life so that all of us who loved him, could say goodbye, in our own time. And bond and unite us even stronger than before as a family.

“His lungs were damaged, his kidneys not working, his heart may have been beating at only 15% of its capacity but it was brimming full of love and compassion for his family, his friends and this small country of ours. 

“I want to thank my Da for all his love and kindness.

“Remember that Jack Crowe, my Da, left this world smiling.”

Harry McAlinden

Tireless Irish-language activist in Ballymena and beyond

The coffin of Harry McAlinden drapped in the National Flag outside All Saints Church in Ballymena

AN END of an era was marked in Ballymena, County Antrim, on June 4th 2010 when Henry (Harry) McAlinden passed away two months short of his 90th birthday. A close friend described Harry as a man with an indomitable spirit who was best known for his lifelong endeavours in the promotion of the Irish language through Gael Linn. 

Born in New York on August 11th 1920, Harry was the second of three children to Hugh and Margaret McAlinden (nee Gormley) and a brother of Margaret and Basie. In June 1922, his mother tragically died after the birth of Basie. As a result, his father returned to his native home at Barnmeen, Rathfriland, County Down, where there was a wider network of family support to rear the three young children. 

Educated at St Colman’s College, Newry, it was here that Harry developed a love for Gaelic football, the Irish language and all aspects of Irish culture. He also had a strong religious faith and he was a daily communicant.

In 1944, following the death of his father, Harry moved to Ballymena to live with his uncle Felix on the Ballymoney Road. This was to become his new home as Harry settled in the town after getting a job in McAllister’s brewery. In 1956, he married Betty Cushenan and they reared a family of five children: Siobhan, Bernard, Rosie, Paddy and Felix

During the early 1950s, Harry began working for Gael Linn and became the full-time County Antrim sales manager for over 40 years. He travelled all round the county on his bicycle, year in, year out, collecting funds to promote the Irish language and became well-known by a very wide circle of people.

Harry was also a founder member of All Saints GAA Club in Ballymena, regularly organised Scór and enjoyed traditional folk music and céilí dancing.     

In terms of political ideology, Harry McAlinden was a lifelong Irish republican. He stood for election in Ballymena on behalf of the Irish Independence Party and was a close friend of John Turnly, who was murdered in Carnlough on June 4th 1980. They were both active in the National H-Block/Armagh campaign during this period. Harry was also a committee member of North Antrim Green Cross (which supported the families of Irish republican prisoners) and the National Graves Association. 

Towards the end of his life, Harry was immensely proud of the development of Irish-medium education in Ballymena. He was overjoyed when told the news about Gaelscoil Choin Rí Uladh, the first bunscoil in Ballymena, being officially approved by Education Minister Caítríona Ruane. In many ways, Harry’s mission in life had reached a completion. His legacy will in the voices ‘as Gaeilge’ of children proudly speaking their native language around Ballymena.

Go ndéanaí trócaire ar a anam dhílis.