Author of Joe McKelvey book at commemoration

A TALK by historian and author Jim (‘Flash’) McVeigh reflecting on the life and execution of Joe McKelvey was held in St Mary’s Parochial Hall in Stewartstown last Friday (December 9) night.

Born in Stewartstown, Joe McKelvey was shot dead by firing squad, in Mountjoy Jail, Dublin on December 8, 1922 during the Civil War along with Rory O’Connor, Liam Mellows and Richard Barrett.

It is recorded that Michael Collins, a signatory to the Treaty, believed this was only a temporary concession which would be dealt with later. The Irish Civil War saw former Republican comrades in conflict. Michael Collins, Commander-In-Chief of the National Army was shot dead by anti-Treaty IRA forces at Béal naBláth in Co Cork on August 22, 1922.

Joseph McKelvey’s family owned the Post Office in Stewartstown. They moved to Belfast when he was a teenager and later participated in the Irish War of Independence (1919–1921) against the British.

The event was organised by local community stalwart Johnny Rush with the help of traditional Irish music aficionado Eamonn Campbell from Derrytresk. It was chaired by Sinn Féin Mid Ulster MP Francie Molloy.

Jim McVeigh who wrote ‘Goodbye Dearest Heart’ (The Story of Lieutenant General Joseph McKelvey 1898-1922) gave a talk on the Stewartstown man’s fight for Irish freedom and the events leading to his death by pro-Treaty forces.

Mr McVeigh explained that almost six months to the day of his capture Joseph McKelvey was executed on December 8. Before his execution he wrote a short, but poignant letter to his mother (hence ‘Goodbye Dearest Heart’). He was laid to rest in Belfast Milltown Cemetery.

Eamonn Campbell who organised the traditional singers said, “It was a great event and very interesting to hear Jim’s knowledge and the discussion about that time in Irish history. We organised a few singers. There aren’t that many songs about the Irish Civil War. I sang the ‘Ballad of Sean Larkin’ who was from Ballinderry, just 12 miles away, and was executed in Drumboe, Co Donegal just three months after Joe McKelvey.”

The discussion of the Civil War era and the life of Joe McKelvey was followed by refreshments and more conversation.