It was a warm June evening when 19 year old Josephine Scannell was sitting by the window in No. 12 French's Quay. The young seamstress was sowing some garments when a bullet came crashing through the glass from the street outside and ended her life.
Frenchs Quay 1900s
It was a chaotic evening in the city. Shandon Street and Tuckey Street RIC Barracks were attacked by members of the First Cork Brigade. Up to 30 IRA Volunteers fired shots and flung tin can bombs at the barracks in a drive by attack. As they retreated towards South Gate Bridge after attacking Tuckey Street Barracks, they were pursued by a number of raging Auxileries who fired indiscriminately, injuring civilians and ultimately killing one.
Among those injured that evening were Mrs O'Connor and her one year old daughter and 12 year old daughter. Five year old Hugh Murray and Denis Lenihan were also caught up in the deadly street fighting but all survived.
Josephine, or Josie as she was better known, was one of five children and following her death, Josie's parents received £1,000 compensation. Her funeral to St Joseph's cemetery attracted hundreds of mourners. The tragic death of the 19 year old seamstress demonstrated that whether it be on the street or in the home, nowhere was safe during those turbulent times in Cork.
French's Quay in modern times.
Josie's grave in St Joesphs, Ballyphehane.
Thank you for showing this item about my Gr. Aunt Josephine Scannell whom I’m named after and 12 Frenches Quay is now owned by Forde’s the undertakers who are also very good friends of the Scannell family. My gr. grandfather had divided the property into two properties the reason being he needed the money to bury Edward an infant he was the only son who died tragically due to fall downstairs at 8 Frenches Quay my grandmother was Aunt Josephine sister the only remaining child of Jane and John Scannell this was his third marriage Jane Scannell maiden name is Walsh when she received the compensation she bought property in crosses green and Dominic Square she said by buying the properties it came with land title deeds bringing the land back into Irish ownership Jane was a fully trained nurse she trained in Canterbury England she also did nursing at south infirmary plus she used to ten to the dead and she did midwifery she made potions and lotions for those that could not afford to get prescribed Mexicans the chemist at corner of Barracks Street and Cove Street know to me as Matthew’s Chemist they used to at times blend the balms ointment etc he was also a person that was very good to people in need
ReplyDeletethank you for doing the item on Josephine it’s really much appreciated