Frongoch, the first internment camp

Posted by Jim on December 9, 2015

People in Wales have called on the governments in Dublin and Cardiff to
provide a permanent commemorative centre in Frongoch, where 1,800
Irishmen were interned after the 1916 Rising.

The PoW camp, on the site of an old whisky distillery outside the town
of Bala, held rebels such as Michael Collins, Terence MacSweeney and
Richard Mulcahy.

It became known as ‘The University of Revolution’, as it was here that
plans were discussed for future attacks on British rule in Ireland.

“During the summer, we sent an invitation to President Higgins to come
here on the centenary of 2016,” said Councillor Alwyn Jones, who lives
nearby.

“This place is so important, both to Irish and Welsh history, and if
nothing is done to permanently mark it in 2016, we fear that nothing
will ever be done and it will be totally lost to history.”

Without Frongoch, the IRA could not have attained the efficiency and
professionalism it was able to demonstrate in 1919.

Personal bonds of friendship were established amongst prisoners
from opposite ends of the country. Command structures and intelligence
networks were established or prepared with strategic planning ready to
be implemented as opportunity arose.

The GPO may have been the birthplace of the war for independence but
Frongoch was its creche.

A small plaque was placed here by the Liverpool branch of Conradh Na
Gaeilge in 2002. A school has been built on the Southcamp site, with the
Northcamp’s location now farmland.

“It was here that young rebels like Michael Collins learned from fellow
older rebels – and, remember, it brought together rebels from all over
Ireland and placed them on one site. It was a huge mistake by the
British government,” said local Welsh natonalist councillor Elwyn
Edwards.

The camp housed German POWs prior to Irish republicans being brought in.

It was chosen because escape was all but impossible, with the nearest
large town 20 miles away. Prisoners quickly established Irish classes
and sports events. One field is still known locally as ‘Croke Park’
because Gaelic games were played there.

Chris Ruane, a former Labour MP in this constituency, believes the time
is now right for appropriate commemorations at Frongoch. His grandfather
Tommy Ruane, from Galway, was interned here in 1916 for republican
activities in Carnmore.

He said: “Think of the thousands of people who get the ferry from
Ireland to Holyhead and drive by without knowing that this place is
here.”