Spanish Civil War veteran speaks

galway | history and heritage | event notice Tuesday February 13, 2007 16:52 by JC - Galway Labour History Group

'Brigadista' Bob Doyle at Galway City Library

How was Ireland, and Galway indeed, affected by the Spanish Civil War that was raging 70 years ago? This is one of the questions that will be addressed by Bob Doyle, the last surviving Irishman to have fought for the Spanish Republic, and Harry Owens, the co-author of Bob’s biography 'Brigadista', at two meetings in Galway on Thursday 15 February. The first meeting will be held in NUI Galway at 6.15 pm under the auspices of People Before Profit, while the Galway Labour History Group will host a similar event at 7.30 pm in the Galway city library, Augustine St.

Five Galwaymen, Tom Heaney, Upper Abbeygate St, Edward Stokes, Woodquay, John O’Beirne of Portumna, James Meehan of Dunmore and Patrick Curley followed Frank Ryan to Spain to defend the Spanish Republic against Franco’s fascist forces. James Meehan never returned. He was killed on the Cordova Front in December 1936. The very same month the “Urandi” sailed out of Galway harbour for Spain, carrying hundreds of Irishmen who had volunteered to fight for Franco.

The Galway Labour History Group is trying to put together fuller biographies the five men named above, (and indeed of the fourteen Galwaymen who fought on the other side), and will be grateful for any information. Admission to both meetings is free, and all are welcome.