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(Chapter 3) from:
THE ABBEY FISHERMEN
by William Lysaght
| The Power Station at Ardnacrusha |
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The cutting of the first sod on the peaceful landscape at Ardnacrusha
for the purpose of harnessing the Shannon heralding Ireland's industrial revolution sounded the death knell of snap net fishing
on the Shannon. The Shannon Electric Power Scheme which began to generate current for the 26 counties on October 24th,
1929, had far reaching repercussions on the Shannon Fisheries and in particular on the Abbeymen.
In the Winter of 1929 and the Spring of 1930, salmon on their journey
upstream to the spawning beds were confronted with a new river, the Tail Race. The Shannon water is diverted into the
Head Race at O'Brien's Bridge and thence through the Power House into the Tail Race which rejoins the Shannon just below the
old Lax Weir. The Tail Race having a current much stronger than the main river from which it had borrowed water, appealed to
the instinct of the salmon. The fish followed its one and a half mile course only to find the Power House blocking their path.
The trapped fish died in thousands, while fish which had by-passed the Tail Race and found their way up the main Shannon were trapped above the Power House when they attempted to return
via the Head Race. Salmon fry trying to make their way to the sea also found themselves landlocked. They could be seen
in shoals above the Power House.
If it were possible to count the spawn lost, adult fish
which died in the Tail Race, fry trapped above the Power House, salmon converted to fish meal by the turbines and
electrified by the chains at the entrance to the Tail Race, the total would surely run into millions. The combined depredation
of every poacher since Thady Quill could not match the damage done by the E.S.B. in one year.
The Limerick Fishery Board of Conservators discussed the
matter at Government level, and as a result had a barrier of electrified chains erected at the mouth of the Tail Race
at a cost of £1,500. The purpose of this barrier was to prevent fish from entering the Tail Race, it stopped them alright, dead
in their tracks. After some hundreds of fish had been killed in one day, the use of the chains was discontinued. The Abbey
Fishermen were greatly perturbed by all its wanton slaughter of salmon and they were determined that it must stop.
One must remember that in the years 1929, 1930 and 1931 their very livelihood was being undermined, their families on the
point of starvation. They had made a proposal that a grid be erected at the mouth of the Tail Race or alternatively that a
fish pass be erected at the Power House. Both of these proposals were ignored by the Government. It is interesting to note
that a fish pass which I am informed is working successfully, was completed in 1960 (30 years later).
| Ardnacrusha Power Station |
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The majority of the fishermen had Republican leanings and when Fianna
Fail gained power in 1932, they hoped for better treatment. Fishing in
the Tail Race with rod or net was prohibited at this time. The Abbeymen
sought permission to fish the Tail Race, pointing out the plight of their families and the numbers of fish which
were being needlessly destroyed. They had the backing of a number of public representatives and prominent citizens
in this request. Permission to fish was refused by the Department of Industry and Commerce.
On Monday, 11th July 1932, the fishermen sent a deputation to Mr. Bindan Alton, Secretary of the Board of Conservators,
to inform him that it was their intention to fish in the Tail Race that night and the following nights as a protest
against the non implementation of their suggestion. A notice to this effect was also published in the Press. The
late Ald. D. Burke, T.D., called on the Superintendent of the Garda Siochana requesting him not to impede the fishermen.
The Superintendent signified his intention to enforce the law, stating that anyone who entered the Tail Race for
the purpose of fishing would be prosecuted.
At 11 p.m. that night there was a full muster of fishermen at their moorings in the Grand Canal. Mr. Denis Hayes, their champion, impressed upon them
that under no circumstances was violence to be used. They proceeded to Corbally and re-grouped at St. Thomas's Island.
The nets were prepared for fishing and on the stroke of midnight they moved off towards the Tail Race. Signs of
great activity were apparent at the demarcation line between the Shannon proper and the disputed waterways. Bailiffs
and Gardai had three launches with search lights at their disposal. Two of these launches moored, one at either side
of the navigation gap in the chain barrier. The remaining boat had a roving commission.
Rumour had it that the electricity would be turned into
the chains, but this did not deter the fishermen. The turbines a the Power House were turned on full power to create
a strong current, presumably to make the handling of the boats more difficult. Inspector Lane shouted a warning
that the Tail Race was out of bounds, there was a moment of hesitation, but with the cry of "UP GARRYOWEN"
and a few deft strokes of their paddles, Randy and Lully Hayes sent their boat surging in between the chains behind
one of the launches. This was the signal for concerted action. In a matter of minutes all the boats were inside,
the battle was on.
There was considerable confusion as the Gardai and Bailiffs tried to apprehend the fishermen. Some boats were captured
and the names of the occupants taken. The fishermen, acting under orders, did not resist and gave their names when asked.
In the meantme most of the other boats had evaded the launches and proceeded upstream to the Power Station where
they began to fish, eventually the launches caught up with them and before the night was over 42 names had been
taken. At approx. 3 a.m. the boats, what was left of them, returned to base at the Sandmall and one to the Canal.
The nights catch was 14 salmon but 9 nets had been seized. Three boats had succeeded in eluding the launches. Despite
the lateness of the hour a large crowd of people had collected on the bridge of the Tail Race where they gave the fishermen
vocal support. Some stones were thrown from the bridge, and a Bailiff, T. O'Connor, received minor injuries.
The city was agog with excitement the next day, as stories of the
nights events filtered through. Reporters from the National and Cross Channel papers hurried to Limerick. An emergency
meeting of fishermen in the afternoon worked out a plan of campaign for that night. The start was rearranged to take
place at 8 p.m. in order to give the public an opportunity to witness the protest. At 8 p.m. the fleet now augmented
by some other boats moved off from the Sandmall in pairs. Onlookers described it as resembling a naval convoy. Thousands
of people lined the banks of the Tail Race in addition to the armed military brought in as reinforcements. As the
boats approached it became apparent that the proceedings of the night would not go off quietly. Every move of the
Bailiffs was met with a round of booing. As the boats entered the Tail Race
the Bailiffs pounced, using grappling irons from their launches. Several boats were forced ashore where they were
seized and the names of their crews taken. In the excitment the other boats made their escape and as on the previous
night proceeded upstream and commenced to fish. Later some of the catch was tossed ashore to the public. When the Bailiffs
who had apprehended the first boat made off after the others, the captured boats were re-taken by the fishermen much to
the satisfaction of the crowd, who cheered lustily. Several free fights took place between the Bailiffs ashore and members of
the general public. In one such incident Willie Gilligan (R.I.P.) of Peter Cell, was forced at bayonet point to leave the
scene while in another incident J. McNamara (no relation to fishermen) of Convent Street and the Bailiff exchanged blows.
At this stage the Gardai intervened and began to beat McNamara, who was rescued by Peader O'Donnell (Sinn Fein T.D. for
Donegal during Civil War) who was present as a reporter for An Phoblacht. O'Donnell appealed to the Bailiffs and to one
in particular who had a great reputation with the volunteers, to desist in their persecution of the fishermen, asking
them to go on strike as a protest against the dirty work they were being asked to perform. Peadar was on the point of
swaying the Bailiffs but the fishermen appeared at a crucial moment and before the Bailiffs could make a decision the
excitement re-commenced. Writing afterwards in An Phoblacht Peadar commented "the splendid fight of the Abbey Fishermen
has been stemmed by methods which disgrace whose who employ them".
Sugans Clancy, a rather hot tempered fisherman refused to give up possession of his boat and wrapping himself in his
net lay down in the boat resisting the efforts of the Bailiffs and Gardai. Eventually when he was freed from the
net he plunged into the water and swam off, again to the loudly expressed satisfaction of the spectators. Several
shots had to be fired to disperse the crowds who had rushed the cordon when P. McNamara (Todsie) swam ashore after
being tossed from his brocaun. Excitement was running high and the temper of the spectators was at breaking point.
The coming of darkness saved the situation. Inspector Lane was injured in the hand with the blow of a paddle. Seventeen
boats and ten nets were seized this night and conveyed in lorrries to Sarsfield Barracks. The nights catch
of salmon was only 6. the engagement was broken off at about 2 a.m. because many boats were without nets. One launch
was put out of action, its propeller having been fouled by a net. Forty eight names were taken, but seven boats
made good their escape and returned to the Sandmall. The following day the fishermen announced that they would re-enter the
Tail Race that night.
Some reserve boats were hastily repaired and at 9.15 p.m. ten boats
set out from the sandmall midst scenes of wild enthusiasm. A huge crowd accompanied them along the Island and the
Salmon Weir banks. Meanwhile, military set up road blocks at both sides of the Tail Race and the public were kept well back
from the scene. The boats approached the Tail Race in line abreast and as they came within reach of the launches, grappling
irons were put into action. The fishermen deflected the irons with their paddles and seven boats succeeded in passing
the cordon. They did not intend to penetrate far into the waterway on this occasion due to the depleted fleet and after
travelling about 500 yards the fishermen spread their nets. The launches were soon on them and six more boats were captured.
One boat succeeded in escaping into the main river. Sugans Clancy who had been in the escapade of the previous night
was abserved attempting to swim into the Tail Race. The action was of short duration and only 2 salmon were caught. The
next day rumour had it that the fishermen were building rafts, but I can state that no such attempt took place. At a
meeting of the fishermen however, it was decided to continue to protest to the bitter end. Only one boat was available,
but a half boat was resurrected from somewhere and this was called into action. A representative from each family
was now selected to enter the Tail Race. They were, J.Clancy (Diddles), P. Hayes (Randy), P. McNamara (Balla) and
P. McNamara (Boar). They again approached the Tail Race at 9.30 p.m. and faced the defenders with determination.
However, the half boat was soon swamped and the other boat was taken by the grapnels. J.Clancy the occupant of the half
boat swam towards the Salmon Weir bank and was picked up by a friendly boat which came to his rescue.
An indication of the public feeling aroused at this time can be
gathered from the following resolution, carried unanimously. The resolution was moved by Councillor C. Gilligan;-
"That we, the Members of the Limerick Corporation, protest most emphatically against the treatment meted out to the Abbey fishermen,
by the past and present Minister of Industry and Commerce. These men, the fathers of families are depending on the
fisheries for their living. Since the inauguration of the Shannon Scheme their fishing grounds are rendered useless,
as the fish cannot get through the Upper Shannon. Thousands of fish have been killed by the turbines trying to get
through, and those that cannot, remain in the Tail Race and millions of spawn are lost. We endorse the action taken
by the fishermen in the protest they are making. We call on the Minister responsible to deal promptly and remedy
this grave injustice, and so avoid bloodshed and possibly loss of life."
In the meantime, Deputies D. Bourke and J. Reidy were having consultations
with Senator Connolly acting for the Minister of Industry and Commerce and Mr. Ruttledge, Minister for Lands and
Fisheries. As a result of this meeting it was decided that the Turbines would be turned off for 17 hours at weekends. This
would mean that the water which in the ordinary way would pass through the Tail Race would be diverted to the main river and
as a result it was believed that this would entice the fish into the main river from the Tail Race, thus enabling the fishermen
to catch them. It was also stated that representations would be made to the Minister for Justice for the release
of the seized boats. The fishermen declined to comment on these suggestions until such time as they had conferred
with Deputies Bourke and Reidy on their return from Dublin. The fishermen had decided to march in a body to the Labour
Exchange to demand Unemployment Assistance, but this action was also deferred pending the conference with Deputies Bourke
and Reidy. This conference took place in St. Mary's Hall on Saturday, July 16th 1932. The Trades and Labour Council
was represented at the conference by M/s Carr, O'Brien and Keyes, Mr. Keyes being chairman of the proceedings. Deputy Bourke
outlined the steps taken to induce the different Ministries to grant permission for fishing the Tail Race and said
that while the Ministers were sympathetic there was legal difficulties which could not be surmounted. Ald. Reidy also addressed
the meeting, and stated that the Minister was preparing a Bill to be introduced shortly in the Dail to deal with
the Shannon Fisheries. Mr. O'Brien speaking on behalf of the Labour Party denounced the acts of militarism which had taken
place and added that Labour would not stand for a repetition and would meet force with force. Mr. Carr for the Trades
Council said the Fishery Conservators were very lax in not forcing the Department to protect the fisheries. The fishermen
considered that the shutting off of the Turbines at weekends would not satisfy them, as they were not allowed to fish
at weekends. They also stated that while they would be glad to have their boats back, they would not accept them if there
was any conditions laid down. The order for the handing back of the boats came through the following Monday, with no conditions
attached. The boats were collected that evening, some of them in a damaged condition. Emergency repairs were carried
out and all crews were on the water again on Tuesday night. The fishermen continued to fish until the end of tha season.
No further attempt was made to fish the Tail Race openly, pending the introduction of the Fishery Bill in the Dail. It
was known however, that the fishermen gleaned a bountiful harvest from the Tail Race that Autumn. Whether or not
the authorities knew of this, must remain a matter for conjecture.
An Inter Departmental Committee consisting of representatives of
the Department of Industry and Commerce, and the Department of Fisheries was set up to investigate means to prevent the destruction
of fish.
(Chapter 4) SHADES OF 1840
On January 4th 1933, the fishermen were summoned to appear at the City Courthouse before District Justice Flood, to answer charges
of illegal fishing in the Tail Race. Mr. McNiece acting for the fishermen pleaded guilty, but emphasised that his
clients were carrying out a protest and the charges should not be
considered as poaching offences. Mr. Cullinane for the Limerick Fishery Board concurred and the Justice remarked "I am
glad to hear that. Since I came to Limerick, I have always found the Abbey fishermen to be a very peace abiding body
of people, and I only hope that this dispute will be satisfactorily fixed up in some way during the near future." Inspector
Daly gave evidence of the entry to and fishing of the Tail Race and the seizure of nets and boats on the four nights.
Although 48 names had been taken in the Tail Race only 40 summonses had been issued and one was duplicated. The number
of charges in each summons varied from four to sixteen, but the fishermen had requested that as they had entered the Tail
Race in a united protest there should be no discrimination between those who had fished one, two, three or four
nights. This was agreed to and a standard fine of £3 was imposed on each defendant with £1 costs. They were given four months
to pay. They continued to fish this year but salmon were becoming very scarce in their main fishing grounds.
At the end of April, the time for payment of the fines had expired
and a member of the Civic Guard was having considerable difficulty in locating the fishermen to serve them with
warrants. The whole affair was Gilbertian. Many names were duplicated and the only address given in each case was
"The Abbey". One can imagine the Guard's dilemma after knocking at a door, the conversation would go something like this:-
Guard, "Is this Clancy's"?
Response, "Which Clancy's"?
Guard, I'm looking for Michael Clancy"
Response, "Which Michael"?
Guard,
"The Fisherman"
Response, "There's three Michael Clancy's Fishermen"
Guard, "Well
I have a warrant for all three of them"
Response, "They don't live here, this is Hayes's
Guard,
"Well I have a warrant for Patrick Hayes also"
Response, "Which Patrick would that be, ? there's more
than one Patrick Hayes, he's not here anyway."
The Guard proceeds to the next house on his list.
Guard,
"Good day Mam, would this be McNamara's"?
Response, "It would"
Guard, "Does Patrick
McNamara live here"?
Response, "I wonder are you looking for Todsie or Balla"?
Rather than have the fiasco continue indefinitely, Cockrum Clancy accepted the warrants on behalf of the other fishermen, promising
the Guard that they would all be ready to go to jail that evening at 5 p.m. The fishermen held an emergency meeting and
decided that if they were going to jail, they might as well go in style. All concerned, their families and relatives were
to assemble in Mary Street with the intention of parading through the city to the jail, headed by St. Mary's Band, the President
of which was Todsie McNamara, a fisherman. The authorities got word of their intentions, and fearing that the parade
and resulting demonsatration, could possibly lead to a riot, it was decided to contact the Minister for Justice,
after some frantic communications the warrants were quashed. Shortly afterwards a demand for £40 costs came from Mr.
Blood Smith. The Fishermen's reply was as follows:-
Dear
Mr. Blood Smith,
What
time would you like the Band out?
Signed: The Abbey Fishermen.
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