Hansberry Homecomings – 1929 to 1930

A wonderful story of the Hansberrys of Rahard and Waltham

This family history novel is an account of homecomings for Timothy and Margaret Hansberry and their family. The youngest child, Martin, is central to this story. In 1929, after many years in the United States, the Hansberrys sold their Waltham MA home and moved back to Athenry, Ireland. A homecoming! Then in 1930- just one year later- the family moved back from Ireland to the USA and bought back their Waltham, MA home. Another homecoming?
Why did the Hansberrys undertake two life-changing moves in the span of one year? And what about the death of Timothy’s brother, Martin, one of the “Twelve Apostles” of the 1916 Easter Uprising in Athenry? This book explores the stories that were told, the research that was collected and the questions that remain.

Extract from the novel: Timothy Hansberry talks to a friend, Joe, about his brother Martin

… “I haven’t talked about Martin in quite a while. Martin was three years younger. He came over from Athenry – so I thought~ to find work.
People said that they could tell we were brothers. We were both about the same height and weight, brown hair and brown eyes. Actually, as Martin would point out, he was an inch taller. Martin was outgoing. Once he flashed his smile- and it wasn’t just his smile – it was the way his eyes smiled too, young women were smitten. Even with all the attention, Martin wouldn’t spend time with just one lass. His country remained his love; but he had loads of fun dancing and making girls laugh at parties.”
Joe’s smile encouraged Timothy to continue. “Martin lived with me at the Summer Street house in Lynn and we got along famously. Well, most of the time that is. Martin was active in Irish circles and coming to the States did little to dim his love of Ireland and his dedication to her freedom. I know now the real reason he came over was to gain support for the Irish cause.
He met like-minded Irish in Boston and he attended their meetings almost every night. He was always after me to come along with him but I didn’t want to get involved- if you know what I mean. I advised him to mind his own business and to make a life for himself in the US. He did stay long enough to begin the declaration process toward citizenship but he needed to stay another three years to be eligible.

I realize now that was never his plan. Never going to happen. Whenever he got news of skirmishes over there, Martin would be charged up and making plans to return to do whatever he could for lreland’s freedom from the British.”
Joe waited for Timothy to continue, but Timothy seemed lost in thought. Joe inquired, “And did he go and fight for the Irish?”
“Aye, that he did. Martin got news of the uprising plans and straightaway, he traveled back to Ireland. I wish I could have stopped him but nobody in this world could have stopped Martin. He wanted me to go with him but so much was going on. Margaret was about to have our first baby. I couldn’t leave. Martin was determined to fight for freedom. It was admirable but I had little hope that the Irish rebellion would be successful then.”
“I’m thinking that Martin wasn’t successful in his fight?”
“Do you know about the Irish Easter Uprising of 1916, Joe? It turned out to be the event that spurred the Irish fight for their independence. The poet Yeats wrote a poem about it: Easter 1916.”
Timothy didn’t wait for a reply from Joe.
“Not that Yeats was always a supporter of the Irish cause but after the Uprising, he changed his tune. Today, he’s a member of the senate in the Irish Free State.
Imagine that Joe. Ireland, well, the Republic in the south and some of Ireland’s northwest; over 80% of the island is free from the iron rule of the British. Tenants got to take over their land which was rightfully theirs anyway.
Timothy’s voice changed. He sounded angry. “But I didn’t think after getting major independence from the British in 1921, the Irish would start fighting each other.”
Timothy seemed to spit out the next words. “The Civil War in 1922-1923. The loss of many Irish lives. Property and transportation lines destroyed. And what did that benefit the Irish people? ” Timothy took a minute to compose himself before continuing. “If that war hadn’t been settled, I wouldn’t be moving back to Ireland.
Still I worry that the troubles between the Republic and North could continue. Who is right in God’s eyes? The Protestants in the North or the Catholics in the South?

Timothy’s head was bowed. He lifted his head slightly and gazed out at the ocean. Then he resumed. “But I’ve gone too far ahead of my story. Forgive me.”
“The Easter uprising was a bumbled attempt in many ways especially in Dublin. Different orders were coming and going. First to begin, and then to abandon the mission. The disorganization contributed to the botched event not just in Dublin but in Athenry. The Irish were heavily outnumbered by the British troops. The British had been alerted of the rebellion.

Rahard, Townland, Athenry

In Athenry, my brother Martin was one of the active participants. As I said, Martin had returned to Ireland from the States to join the fight for Erin’s freedom. He was a crack shot for sure even though he seldom showed up for the drills that the Irish held. But when he was called for action, he was ready. In the Easter Uprising in Athenry, the Athenry lads never had a chance. In Dublin- even worse~ some of the patriots died or were captured, tried and executed. “
Joe interjected, “And was that what happened to your brother Martin?”
Timothy shook his head and added. “No. Twelve men from the Athenry area were identified as belonging to the group of Irish Volunteers. They were turned in by an eighteen-year—old girl. They had all been camped at Moyode Castle. Maisie was the daughter of the British caretaker who remained in charge of Moyode Castle. She was present at Moyode during the Easter Rising when the Irish Volunteers were camped there. After the Uprising, some of the Volunteers scoured the area foraging for supplies and food. Maisie took that opportunity to take note of the men’s identify.

Following discharge from duties, those Volunteers returned home but were soon arrested and taken to Athenry Barracks. Those twelve men included my brother, Martin.”
Joe was listening in rapt attention.
Timothy continued, “The twelve were identified as being involved in the Easter Rising by Maisie Shackleton. They were jailed in Galway, and transported to Arbour Hill Prison where all twelve men were tried by Military Court Martial. They were held in Kilmainham Jail for three days, and sentenced to one year in prison with hard labor. They were moved to Mountjoy Prison in Dublin and again held for two weeks before being sent to Wormwood Scrubs in London where they spent seven months. They were moved to Lowe’s Prison in Brighton to serve the remainder of their sentence. The twelve men were released in March 1917 and hailed by their home town as the “Twelve Apostles of Athenry.”

The 12 Apostles of Athenry – Athenry Heritage Centre

“But Timothy,” Joe questioned, “you said Martin didn’t die because of the uprising. What happened?” Timothy spoke as if in a trance. “Martin had a funeral cortege of over a mile. There was deep mourning in Athenry and even throughout Galway County. People knew of Martin Hansberry and they lauded his service, the toll he had to pay and they cried at his untimely death.”
“How did your brother die? “
“Well Joe, that’s the rub. After a year of brutal incarceration, he returned from the prisons. Martin had some land where he was going to build a house and likely start a family. He was hunting with a friend on his new land. One of the guns accidentally went off and Martin was wounded in the leg. He lost considerable blood and died of his wounds. That was September 16 1917″.