UCD & The Spanish Civil War

1968

New article on the UCD Hidden History Blog.

In this instalment of UCD Hidden History, we look at two UCD students who fought on the anti–Fascist Republican side of the Spanish Civil War…

http://ucdhiddenhistory.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/ucd-the-spanish-civil-war/

delta_bravo

Very good. I always find it mad the Ireland was I think the only nation that had more volunteers on the side of Franco. In fact in the garda museum in Dublin Castle somewhere in there is a either a letter or plaque from General Franco thanking An Garda Siochana for their assistance in the Civil War

1968

delta_bravo wrote: »

I always find it mad the Ireland was I think the only nation that had more volunteers on the side of Franco

True but as Behan said they "had the notable distinction of being the only combatants in the Spanish Civil War who returned with a larger number than they had when they set out."

Apparently quite a few Irish volunteers who were in The Spanish Legion (?) jumped on board with O'Duffy and the rest of his Irish Brigade when they were sailing home!

Riamfada

Were not the blueshirts entirely useless as their trademark cotton garments were no match for the cold spanish winter. Should have done your research boys.

boneless

delta_bravo wrote: »

Very good. I always find it mad the Ireland was I think the only nation that had more volunteers on the side of Franco. In fact in the garda museum in Dublin Castle somewhere in there is a either a letter or plaque from General Franco thanking An Garda Siochana for their assistance in the Civil War

Germany and Italy had "volunteers" on the side of the Falangists in great numbers !!

I was lucky enough to count as friends and comrades a number of Brigadistas from the Connolly Column and others from Germany, Italy and Britain.

Gingy

Both of whom get an honourable mention in Christy Moore's 'Viva la quince brigada';

This song is a tribute to Frank Ryan
Kit Conway and Dinny Coady too
Peter Daly, Charlie Regan and Hugh Bonar
Though many died I can but name a few

Danny Boyle, Blaser-Brown and Charlie Donnelly
Liam Tumilson and Jim Straney from the Falls
Jack Nalty, Tommy Patton and Frank Conroy
Jim Foley, Tony Fox and Dick O'Neill

The_Minister

I though Charlie Donnelly was shot in the back while running away?

Pride Fighter

The_Minister wrote: »

I though Charlie Donnelly was shot in the back while running away?

If so, thats not a great chap to name the UCD labour branch after

1968

The_Minister wrote: »

I though Charlie Donnelly was shot in the back while running away?

I don't think this is the case at all. I'll check over Joseph O'Connor's book again, next time I'm in the library.

boneless

The_Minister wrote: »

I though Charlie Donnelly was shot in the back while running away?

As far as I can recall from the documentation, he was shot in the head while taking cover in an olive grove from intense machine-gun fire. This was during the Jarama Front campaign in 1937, where the International Brigades fought with great distinction and bravery. A number of Irish Brigadista were killed or badly wounded in this campaign.