Rankin Newry Memoirs 6

 As I said, I left Newry via the Dromalane Road and Kate Linnegan’s Loanan which took me out near where Cloughogue new chapel stands.


I continued up the Dublin Road till I came to Thomas O’Neill’s house. Thomas worked in the Newry Mineral Water Works but he is now in New York. I got John Southwell’s bicycle there, as it was more free than my own. Mine was a Pierce Wexford and pretty heavy. 

I continued my journey on to Benny Connolly’s public house and turned off the main road up by Jonesboro Church, through Moyry Pass and into Dundalk via the Ardee Road, then to Drogheda and Balbriggan. It rained heavily until my arrival in Dublin at 7 pm. 

I was not intercepted on the way. I carried a six inch revolver and ammunition – twelve rounds. I went to my married sister’s house, Mrs Dillon of Glengarriff Parade on the North Circular Road. I changed my clothing, wearing some of her husband’s things though he was much heavier than me. My mother was in the house on a week’s holiday.

After I had a rest my brother-in-law accompanied me into the City to the General Post Office. There was no interference with us but my brother-in-law kept his eye on me. 

After an hour or so of observation we returned to his home. 

I slept with him, putting my gun and ammunition in a safe place in the bedroom. 

They were gone the next morning. I kept quiet as I knew I would have a job getting away anyway. I said I was going to clean my bicycle in the yard. 

After a short time I cleared across a low wall and made for the city.

 

… more later …

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