James Nolan commemoration in Nenagh this Sunday

The North Tipperary Republican Committee will this Sunday host a commemoration of Commandant James Nolan, who died during the Civil War in Nenagh 100 years ago.

James Nolan of Pearse Street, Nenagh, was born and reared on the family farm outside the town at Cunnahurt. By all accounts, James was very bright. He attended St Flannan's College in Ennis and at one stage he was training to be a priest.

After graduating from St Flannan's, James held a position at Nenagh Courthouse as a rate collector. He also had a public house at Summerhill directly opposite Dublin Road turn-off. He had a flour and meal business at Well Street across the way from the Hibernian Inn. He also had a hardware store where he bought and stored wool somewhere near the institute.

James and his stepbrother Pat held important positions in the IRA during the War of Independence. James became involved in the movement at an early stage. It is said that he was a member of the IRB and was a prisoner on hunger strike in Wormwood Scrubs in 1918. James and Pat played important roles during the assault on Borrisokane RIC barracks by Republican forces and fought heroically against great odds at Modreeney, the two major engagements in the area.

Because of his commitment to Ireland and the Irish people, James Nolan suffered severe financial loss. During the height of the reprisals in Nenagh, both of his business premises in Pearse Street were burnt to the ground. This left James and his wife almost destitute, though they were given a flat in a house on Church Road, which belonged to his wife’s family.

COMMITTED REPUBLICAN

After the Treaty settlement in 1921, a Father O'Halloran went to James asking him to stand as a pro-Treaty candidate in the election. During their discussion, the priest reportedly beat the table with his fist, and apparently he extracted a commitment from James that he would do so. James withdrew his candidature a short time later.

After the Treaty, the Nolans took the Republican side. Commandment James Nolan was in charge of the Sinn Féin police in Nenagh during this period, and by all accounts was very popular.

The Free State did all in their power to entice him to their side, without success. While a member of the garrison in Nenagh's ex-RIC barracks, James tried without success to acquire it for the Republic but he was overpowered and arrested by Free State soldiers. He was released shortly afterwards by Free State officer Ned O Leary, who was a distant relative.

James was subsequently attached to the Republican garrison at Birr barracks. The Republican forces in Birr later destroyed the barracks to prevent it falling into the hands of the Free State forces.

FATEFUL MORNING

On the morning Commandant James Nolan and his comrades of the North Tipperary 1st Brigade went out to take the barracks in Kenyon Street, it is said that his wife Mary begged him not to go. “You’ve done enough,” she said, to which James replied: “If we don’t fight now, our children will curse us for it.”

The strategy adapted that day was to blow in the barracks door with explosives and then storm the building. To this end, a mine was made. Pat Nolan carried the mine to the door of the barracks. Although several attempts were made to activate the mine, it failed to explode. James was reportedly undercover in an archway near the Ormond Hotel. Eventually the mine did explode, but tragically the blast caught James out in the open. A tiny piece of metal penetrated his chest cavity and he died almost immediately.

Pat, his stepbrother and companion at Borrisokane and Modreeney, carried James on his back to the bottom of Kenyon Street. A trail of blood was reportedly left behind them. James is believed to have died on the steps of the now Ormond Hotel.

He died to serve the ancient cause alive in Irish Breasts,

And Irish winds caoin o’er the clay in which the brave man rests,

His name awakes to memories of heroic days gone by ,

When men fought under freedoms flag, and showed the way to die

The years fly and Irishmen, now wallow deep in shame

Their land a province, England’s Kings now rules it in their name

But still with faith and hope and love to light the road to dawn,

Tho Jimmy Nolan’s be our fate, we still shall struggle on.

There will be commemoration of James Nolan’s death by the North Tipperary Republican Committee with the laying of a wreath at the Ormond Hotel where he died at 7pm this Sunday, August 14. At Lisboney graveyard at 7.30pm, Séamus Hogan will give an oration to the great hero. It will be accompanied by music and song, and all are welcome to attend.