‘Aeridheacht’ (an open air gathering)
The Aeridheacht events served as a space where like-minded individuals could come together, fostering a sense of community and solidarity among those who supported the Gaelic revival. By providing a platform for cultural expression and showcasing Irish businesses, the league aimed to create an environment that aligned with their vision of an Irish-speaking and culturally vibrant Ireland. It is worth noting that the Gaelic revival and the Aeridheacht events occurred during a time of political and cultural ferment in Ireland, as the country sought to redefine its identity and assert its independence from British rule. The promotion of the Irish language, music, and customs was deeply intertwined with the broader nationalist movement and the aspiration for a self-governing Ireland.
AERIDHEACHT
"One of the features of the Irish War of Independence was the ability of local communities to continue the movement to promote Irish games, language and customs despite the constant harassment from the military, which the organisers and attendees of these events faced. While the GAA was prominent at promoting these events, in many areas the Gaelic League were drivers. Hosting concerts, or ‘Aeridheacht’ (an open air gathering), the league promoted the Irish language, music and customs. These occasions were also used to promote business and people who supported the ‘Irish-Ireland’ movement, including for example those who sold only Irish produce".
Old Ireland, 28 August 1920
AERIDHEACHT AT AGHADA
Successful Fixture
An eminently successful Aeridheacht and sports meeting was held at Aghada yesterday, and the very large crowd present had every reason to feel well pleased both with the outing and the entertainment provided. For the purposes of the Aeridheacht the grounds of Rostellan demesne were thrown open, and for thus facilitating the promoters Mr. C. J. Engledew is deserving a special word of praise. The platform was erected on that part of the demesne on to which the Castle opens, and needless to say, surrounded as it is by a regular circle of beautiful trees, the scene was picturesque one in the extreme. Republican colours intermingled with the Stars and Stripes, the latter in commemoration of American Independence Day, and with a pleasant and attractive programme of song and dance, an unusually fine day all present were thoroughly pleased. The Cove Pipers' Band and the Churchtown Fife and Drum Band were present and discoursed.
During the interval those present were addressed by Miss MacSweeney, Cork, and Mr. Seamus Brennan, Dublin. In the course of his remarks Mr. Brennan said he was glad to see such a gathering of Gaels, and on behalf of the Wormwood Scrubs prisoners he thanked them for their presence. He was glad to know that Aghada was one of the keenest places in Ireland in subscribing to Dail Eireann Loan, and that in itself showed that the true spirit of Nationality was alive in the district. He would like to hear them all speak the Irish language, for after all the language was an essential part of nationality. Some of them, particularly the older people, might find some difficulty in learning the language, but there was one thing they could do, and that was to see that it was taught properly in the schools, and it lay with the fathers and mothers of families to see that that be done. He also referred to the necessity of subscribing to the Railwaymen's fund, for those men were fighting for Ireland. Theirs was a great national fight in refusing to carry munitions for their own destruction, and it was up to every one of them to see that they did not suffer by that fight (hear, hear).
Miss MacSweeney complimented the people of Aghada on the success of their Aeridheacht. Aghada may not be what could be described as strong in the matter of the Irish language, but that would not be so for long, now that the Republic had been established, for they were not going to have their native land free and still retain the tongue of the foreigner. If they retained the tongue of the foreigner they would soon find themselves adopting the ideas of the foreigner, and the language which they used must necessarily react on their thoughts. Their grandfathers and great-grandfathers were whipped if they spoke Irish. Well they were not going to whip the children because they did not speak Irish, but she could give them a very material reason why they should have their children speak Irish, and that was that without a fluent knowledge of their own language they could never qualify to fill a public position in the country (hear, hear).
Another reason was that they would not have the respect of the citizens of the Republic, and then what bitter feelings would those children entertain against the parents who allowed them grow up in ignorance of their native language. They did not need to drop the foreigner's tongue altogether they could speak it occasionally, but as a foreign language, but the thoughts of their every-day life and their literature must be utterly Gaelic. The speaking of the Irish language was not hard if they made up their minds to speak it, and if they just learn one sentence a day, and that was not much, they would know 365 sentences at the end of a year. If they could stay to that much they were not Gaels. That day 144 years ago the American Congress declared their country's independence. Last year the elected representatives of Ireland declared Ireland's independence; but she would not have to wait six years before that independence was recognised (applause).
A vote of thanks was conveyed to Miss MacSweeney for her address.
Irish Examiner, Monday, 5 July 1920, Page 6.
The three prominent individuals at the Aeridheacht in Aghada that day were:
Charles John Engledow: He was an English gentleman who owned Rostellan Castle. As a notable figure in the area, he held influence and prominence within the community.
Séamus O'Brennan: He was an Irish Volunteer associated with F Company, First Battalion. As a member of the Irish Volunteers, he was recognized for his dedication and involvement in the Irish nationalist movement.
Mary MacSwiney: She was an Irish republican activist known for her role in the fight for Irish independence. As a prominent figure in the Irish republican movement, her presence at the Aeridheacht would have attracted attention and interest from the attendees. These three individuals brought diverse perspectives and backgrounds to the event, making them significant figures at the Aeridheacht in Aghada.
Charles John Engledow was born on September 30th, 1862, to the Rev. William Henry Engledow. He received his education from a tutor and went on to join the Colonial Office in 1879. He later became ADC (Aide-de-Camp) to the Governor of the Windward Islands. Engledow held various positions of influence and responsibility throughout his life. He served as a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Cork, Kildare, and Carlow. In 1893, he was appointed as the High Sheriff of Carlow. From 1895 to 1904, he represented Kildare as a Member of Parliament (MP). In addition to his political career, Engledow was actively involved in his community. He was a member of the County Council, Midleton Board of Guardians, and the Cork Committee of Agriculture. He also represented Corkbeg in the Midleton Rural District Council. Engledow had a passion for breeding horses and showed a great interest in stock rearing. He was an enthusiastic hunter and had a keen interest in shooting and motoring. Furthermore, he was a member of the Royal Cork Yacht Club.
Engledow married Jennie Hepburn, the daughter of William Hepburn of Clonhad House, Belfast, on December 26th, 1883. He resided at Rostellan Castle, which he purchased from John Pope Hennessy. Unfortunately, his residence was raided, and some of his possessions were stolen. This event prompted a question in Dáil Éireann (the Irish Parliament) on January 12th, 1923.After some time, Engledow sold Rostellan Castle to a German named M. R. Ratner. However, Ratner decided not to live in the castle and instead chose to reside in nearby Clifton Villas. Charles Engledow passed away on December 18th, 1932. He was buried alongside his mother-in-law in St Erasmus' churchyard, Upper Aghada. Notably, they are the only lay people buried in that particular churchyard.
Séamus O'Brennan, originally named James Michael Brennan, was born around 1886 in Daingean, County Offaly, Ireland. He received his education at Daingean National School and the old CBS (Christian Brothers School) in Tullamore. In 1903, he began working at the General Post Office (GPO) in Dublin. Shortly after joining the GPO, Brennan became involved with the Keating branch of the Gaelic League, an organization dedicated to promoting the Irish language and culture. He also joined the Geraldine Football Club along with two others. However, after a six-month probationary period, all three of them lost their jobs, presumably due to their patriotic activities. Following his dismissal from the GPO, Brennan returned to Tullamore and found employment as a clerk at P. & H. Egan's, a local business. In 1911, he played a significant role in the formation of the Tullamore Pipers' Band. Additionally, Brennan became a key member of the Tullamore Volunteers in 1914, an organization associated with the Irish Volunteers, a nationalist paramilitary group.
On March 20, 1916, a Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) Sergeant named Ahearn attempted to disarm Brennan and his comrade Peadar Bracken in what became known as the Tullamore Incident. Following the shooting of Sergeant Ahearn, Brennan went into hiding with Bracken. According to Brennan's military pension application, he was sent by Patrick Pearse to Tullamore on Good Friday (April 21, 1916). After the Easter Rising, he was interned until June 1916. Upon the reorganization of the Irish Volunteers, Brennan joined F Company, First Battalion. During the Irish War of Independence, he played a role in acquiring arms for the Irish Republican Army (IRA). However, in November 1920, Brennan was arrested once again and interned in Ballykinlar until December 1921.
In 1922, Séamus O'Brennan married Miss May Margaret Doody, the daughter of James T. Doody from Tullamore. He had been a personal friend of Éamon de Valera since the 1917 Ennis election and even served as de Valera's bodyguard for a period of time. When Séamus O'Brennan passed away in 1968, de Valera and other old comrades attended his funeral, paying their respects to a man who had been involved in Ireland's struggle for independence. (1966 Midlands Tribune page 12)
Mary MacSwiney, born on March 27, 1872, was an Irish republican activist, politician, and teacher. She was born in Surrey, England, to an Irish father and an English mother. Mary and her siblings grew up in a nationalist household, and their father, John MacSwiney, was an Irish nationalist and supporter of Irish independence. In 1920, Mary MacSwiney's brother, Terence MacSwiney, was elected as the Lord Mayor of Cork during a turbulent period in Irish history known as the Irish War of Independence. Terence MacSwiney became a prominent figure in the fight for Irish independence from British rule. As Lord Mayor, he took a strong stance against British policy in Ireland and refused to recognize British authority. On August 12, 1920, Terence MacSwiney was arrested by British forces and imprisoned in Brixton Prison in London. He began a hunger strike to protest his detention and the broader British policy in Ireland. His hunger strike gained significant attention both nationally and internationally, turning him into a symbol of Irish resistance.
During her brother's hunger strike, Mary MacSwiney played a vital role in raising awareness of his cause and advocating for his release. She travelled to various countries, including the United States, to garner support for the Irish cause and put pressure on the British government. Mary's efforts brought significant attention to the struggle for Irish independence and helped mobilize international support. Tragically, Terence MacSwiney's hunger strike lasted 74 days, and he died on October 25, 1920, due to complications arising from starvation. His death intensified the public outcry against British policies in Ireland and further fueled the momentum of the Irish independence movement. After her brother's death, Mary MacSwiney continued her activism and political involvement. She served as a Sinn Féin TD (Member of Parliament) for Cork from 1921 to 1927. She remained committed to the cause of Irish independence throughout her life and continued to be an influential figure in Irish politics.
Mary MacSwiney passed away on March 8, 1942, in Cork, Ireland, leaving behind a legacy as a dedicated Irish republican activist and politician who played a significant role in the struggle for Irish independence.
The Aeridheacht returned the following year on the grounds of Rostellan castle.