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His imprisonment, however, from November to March, had taken toll of his health, and within a month of his release, John Larkin died. Margaret Larkin, mother of Sean, carried on patiently when her husband had gone from her. It was a time of great difficulty, and keeping the farm going was made almost impossible by the regular arrest of labourers hired to replace the boys, Tom and Sean. However, their greatest blow fell when the news of Sean's death was brought. This lady, who had suffered like many other Irish mothers in all generations, was in the evening of her life cherished, and cared for lovingly by her daughters and other members of her family. Of the Larkin children the eldest James, became a priest and then Canon and P.P. in Ravensdale, Co. Louth. The fourth child, Mick, also became a priest, having gone with his uncle, Rev. Tom Larkin, S.M., to America when he was a boy. Fr. Mick was also a Marist and returned regularly to Ireland. Two of the girls also emigrated to America and the other members of the family resided in the South Derry area. In his boyhood, Sean attended Ballylifford National School, and it is not unlikely that one or the influences governing the formation of his nationalistic ideal was the influence of Master O'Kane, a man of great culture and learning, who delighted all the local gatherings with his rendering of good old Irish songs. Later on, when the time for action came, Master O'Kane was a source of advice and encouragement, although he himself was compelled to keep well in the background. The boys, realising his wisdom and foresight, frequently sought his council and advice. JOHNNIE LARKIN Sean, or as he was known in his youth, Johnnie Larkin, was born at Belagherty, Magherafelt, Co. Derry, in the parish of Ballinderry, on April 15th, 1896. His father owned and farmed 65 acres of land, and he was one of a family of twelve. Some of his school days in Ballylifford were made memorable, and probably tortuous to his teacher, by the fact that he openly opposed all forms of punishment, and met it even with physical opposition. On one occasion, he was slapped for having his name written in Irish on one of his books. His father, a stern man, ruled his family with a rod of iron, and was in Johnnie's early years a great supporter of the Home Rule movement. Nevertheless, he helped to sow the seeds of patriotism in his family by reading aloud to them from the 'Irish Weekly' serials such as Mrs M. T. Pender's 'Speeches from the Dock' and A. M. Sullivan's 'Story of Ireland'. Woe betide those who interrupted. or failed to give him undivided attention. From his mother, he inherited a warm patriotic instinct and a nature that knew no fear. Confirmation approaching, she told his father that Johnnie would need shoes in which to appear before his Eminence, Cardinal Logue. Johnnie was therefore sent to the local shoemaker (much to her chagrin) to have his measure taken. The result was a pair of heavily nailed boots, and she told afterwards how embarrassed she felt as Johnnie clanked up the aisle in them to become a soldier of Christ, a strong and perfect Christian. Later, his father asked "How did the Cardinal like Johnnie's slippers?" About this time his father, a member of the Board of Guardians and Rural Council, was appointed a Justice of the Peace, and apparently Johnnie felt vexed, for he threatened to put the document granting the appointment into the fire. In 1917, a prophetic incident took place. Sean was summoned before a local court, following a dispute between the newly formed Sinn Fein Party, which he and his family supported, and the National Volunteers Party. He appeared in court, wearing a P. H. Pearse badge. The Magistrate asked him what badge he was wearing. On being told, the magistrate asked what did P. H. Pearse do? Sean replied "He died for Ireland". "And would you die for Ireland?" asked the magistrate. "Yes, gladly" answered Sean. In 1914, along with his brother Tom, he joined the original formation of the Irish Volunteers, as well as the I.R.A. He drilled and learnt the use of fire-arms, etc., with Redmonds Volunteers until the split, and remained with the Irish Volunteers up to 1916. On Easter Saturday 1916, both brothers went under orders to mobilise, and wait for orders at Coalisland, Co. Tyrone, intending to proceed to Dublin to take part in the rising. They took with them all the arms in their possession, as well as two days ration, made up in haversacks by their mother (who kept their secret). As is known, the orders were countermanded, and they were demobbed on the evening of Easter Sunday and returned home. Two of his brothers were ordained priests in June 1916: one in Maynooth and one in America. For the next few years, with his brother Tom as O.C. of the 2nd Northern Division, he took a prominent part in all Volunteer activities, and by 1920 things were so hot that on many nights their beds were not slept in. Many of their comrades were being taken out and shot without warning, and others put into prison without a charge. In February 1920, on a warrant for the arrest of Tom (who was in Derry with his Adjutant collecting arms) the house was raided and searched, some useless arms and a few old swords were found, and Johnnie was arrested, being the only male suspect, taken to Belfast prison, court-martialled and sentenced to two years. Tom was arrested in Derry the following day, but minus the arms due to a useful move by one of his sisters, residing there at the time. He joined Johnnie in Crumlin, but in the absence of a charge, was released in two weeks. Subsequently, Johnnie was sent to Mountjoy where, with 34 others, including Paddy Shiels of Derry, he went on hunger-strike, and was released off this in April 1920. Fearing re-arrest, he went under H.Q. orders to North England, where he organised a body of Irish workers into a company of Volunteers, and assuming the name of Sullivan, became a worker himself. He remained here until just before the Treaty, when he returned home and became a Brigadier of 2nd Northern - his brother Tom having been arrested and interned on the "Argenta" by this time. The Treaty having been signed, he was sent as a delegate to two meetings in Dublin, one at Beggars Bush, to discuss it merits. He was in opposition to it from the start, and it was a great grief to him that his entire Brigade, accepting foolish promises of being brought into Donegal and trained to fight the Specials, etc., accepted the Treaty. Finding himself alone and useless, he decided to cross into Donegal, and joined the flying column with Charlie Daly and his comrades, working till the time of his capture with the 3rd Western. Three left thou loved homes This comment appeared in 'The Derry Weekly News' a short time afterwards: 'While we realise that there are many who will condemn John Larkin, and the others for the stand they took, and for which they have given their lives, we cannot but express the thoughts that rose when we learned that 'big Jack Larkin' was dead. There was nothing of the desperado about this man, with his quiet courtesy, his unfailing good humour, his strict honesty. A native of the 'Six-Counties', he hated the partition monstrosity, and earned the hostility of the 'Specials' by his opposition. He was one of these quiet men who act from firm conviction, and are therefore unshakeable. He detested unfairness, even in trivial things, and his comrades knew him as a strong upholder of temperance and good conduct. Of his comrades who died with him, we cannot speak from personal knowledge, but among the hills of Donegal, it is not evil is spoken of handsome Charlie Daly and his men.' |
