When Pádraig Pearse said that Domhnall ua Buachalla was “the most determined man”, he had good reason for doing so. They first met at the turn of the century when ua Buachalla invited him to a Gaelic League meeting in Maynooth to encourage local people learn their native language. From that day until 1916 when they both departed the GPO as it went up in flames, their paths crossed regularly.
In 1906 Pearse defended him in a court case for having his name in Irish on his delivery cart and shortly afterwards asked ua Buachalla to send his son, Joe, to St Enda’s College where he would be taught through the medium of Irish when the school opened in 1908. The response was prompt and positive, and during the following eight years their friendship flourished.
Pearse would have observed ua Buachalla’s strength of character as his focus graduated from promoting the language to implementing the desire for a revolution. This the Maynooth man did in a quiet and methodical manner, never seeking the limelight, never holding a position of command in the Irish Volunteers, yet being the guiding influence in training and arming the 15 men who would eventually march through the evening and night on Easter Monday. As other groups from nearby towns and villages failed to make a start, or fell by the wayside, Boer War veteran Tom Byrne led the contingent out of the college grounds and into the unknown, ua Buachalla falling in behind.
Two years later, with Sinn Féin looking for a worthy candidate to stand in north Kildare, it was to Domhnall ua Buachalla they eventually turned and although not a man to put himself forward, he eventually agreed to run, saying that he felt “it was his duty to do so”. His strength of character was again revealed in this decision as his wife, Sinéad, had died at the age of 48 from a heart problem in July of that year, and was followed to Laraghbryan Cemetary four months later by his mother, Sarah. He was then a widower with seven children ranging from 10 to 20, and about to represent Sinn Féin in the First Dáil.
His unwillingness to concede on any front to British control was never better exemplified than how he dealt with a perceived threat from the Black and Tans. Word reached him that there was a possibility that they would take over his house as a base for their operations because of its proximity to the RIC Barracks at the college end of the town. The very thought of his home being commandeered would have troubled him, so he decided to leave nothing to chance. Having discussed the matter with the local IRA, a plan of action was agreed which was related many years later by his son, Séadna.
“One evening we were invited to the Gallivans’ home in Leixlip. On coming home late that night we noticed a very bright sky over Maynooth as we approached the town and wondered what the reason for it was. Father said nothing, but it transpired that our house was ablaze – and that he had arranged that the IRA would set fire to it while we were away.”
The invitation to tea was extended at the behest of ua Buachalla, who had built up a good relationship with Daniel Gallivan, a Kerryman born in Lixnaw, who moved to Derry before settling with his wife, Sarah Jane, in Hillford House, Leixlip at the junction of Old Hill and Station Road. Subsequently it became known as Gallivan’s Cross. Within a few months, ua Buachalla restored what had been an imposing residence to its former glory with the help of a local man, Dick Bean.
Ua Buachalla’s fortitude under pressure was severely tested in 1932 when Éamon de Valera came to him with a proposition. Having taken power as leader of Fianna Fáil, he was determined that the position of Governor-General, a symbol of loyalty to the Crown which he saw as “an altogether useless one”, would have to be abolished. And having dismissed the incumbent, James McNeill, after he deliberately acted contrary to the formal advice and direction of the government, de Valera turned to ua Buachalla.
Years later Dev spoke of the moment. “It was a request completely unexpected to him and at first he could not answer. I asked him to think about it and I did not use any persuasion.”
For ua Buachalla the very idea of becoming Governor-General was totally anathema as he would have to swear his allegiance to King George V. He did not respond to the request for a matter of weeks but eventually assented, telling de Valera that “I am willing to do anything that you think ought to be done for Ireland”.
On November 26th, 1932, in the house of his brother, Michael, at 108 Rock Road, Booterstown, and speaking in Irish, he said: “I, Domhnall ua Buachalla, do solemnly swear that I will comply honestly and truthfully, that I will be true to His Highness, King George V, to his offspring and successors. May Gold help me in this regard.”
A little over four years later he had the pleasure of signing the Bill that abolished the position of Governor-General. It was a moment that Pádraig Pearse would have savoured . . . and certainly one that “the most determined man” did. In his own quiet way.
Domhnall ua Buachalla – Rebellious Nationalist, Reluctant Governor by Adhamhnán Ó Súilleabháin, Irish Academic Press (Merrion Books)
