Historian Joe Queally, whose book, The Fanore School Case: 1914-1922, shone a light on an extraordinary controversy in Irish education, has just published his latest book, Tragedies of Clare, which includes episodes relating to the Land War and the years around the Easter Rising. Several of the stories have strong Galway connections.

They include a chapter on the Ballygastel Outrage, when, on September 11, 1887, an RIC chief constable Gerald Whelehan was murdered in North Clare. This was the work of ‘moonlighters’, one of the many violent groups which were common during the Irish Land War of the late 19th Century.

Eight men came to Thomas Sexton’s house, to force him to give up land which they claimed he had grabbed from a neighbour. However, seven of them were unaware that in their midst was informer, Jeremiah Cullinane, a Kerryman in the pay of the RIC.

Chief Constable Gerard Whelehan was paying Cullinane and been in constant contact with him ahead of the planned attack on Sexton.

The other men who were subsequently charged with Constable Whelehan’s murder, were transported from Ballyvaughan to Galway Gaol, via steamer on September 13.

They later had to make the journey in reverse for a magistrate’s hearing at Ballyvaughan Courthouse, when their departure from Galway Docks was uneventful, according to a contemporary report from the Sligo Champion.

‘There was no notice taken of the prisoners, though there was a large number of labourers at work at the quay when they were leaving.’

However, as they approached Ballyvaughan on a steamer named Citie of the Tribes, it was a different story.

Its crew had treated the men well, giving them pipes and tobacco, so much so that, according to local historian Michael Slattery, “there was as much smoke coming from the pipe-smoking prisoners as was coming from the funnel of the steamer”.

But low tides and sandbanks meant the steamer couldn’t dock at Ballyvaughan. Local fishermen and their currachs were enlisted to bring the seven ashore, a journey of about two miles. This was also deemed dangerous, so the fishermen refused. The prisoners were transferred to another boat, HMS Orwell, which also got stuck in the sandbanks. Eventually the prisoners were brought ashore on small boats, in rough seas and rising tides. After this treacherous arrival, they faced the magisterial inquiry in a sub-standard building.

So, for their court case, the authorities decided to move matters to Ennis Courthouse, transporting them by train from Galway. However, this proved even more troublesome from the Crown perspective.

When the train pulled into Gort Station, a massive crowd cheered on the moonlighters, throwing their hats and caps into the air. According to reports, the train left Gort with difficulty, and only after policemen had cleared the station.

As the train passed through the townland of Knocktoby on the Clare-Galway border there were further crowds to cheer them. When it pulled into the next station, Crusheen, the local fife and drum band played to welcome them. The band then stepped on board, accompanying the prisoners to Ennis for their trial.

This fascinating story is one of many in Tragedies of Clare, which was launched at Ennis Trad Fest last weekend when Caherlistrane singer Seán Keane was among those who performed.

The book will have another launch, in Ennistymon’s Courthouse Gallery on Friday, November 21, at 8pm and Joe, who is also well-known for his work with the RNLI, has extended an invitation to all.

Costing €20, the book is available online at www.tragediesofclare.ie, or by post from Joe Queally, Corebeg, Doora, Ennis, County Clare.