The Curious Case of the Mayo Librarian (12 page)

Mr de Valera concluded that the situation in the South was very different to that in the North. ‘We do not intend to follow in their footsteps down here,' he said, ‘and to ignore the rights of minorities. We stand for seeing that minorities get their rights, and there are ways of seeing they get them rather than by violating the opinions of a conscientious Catholic majority.' This seems to be a clear case of de Valera having his cake and eating it too; claiming to oppose discrimination in theory yet endorsing it in this particular instance.

The Cumann na nGaedheal newspaper,
An Reult
[
The Star
], unsurprisingly took a different stance. Under the headline ‘The Mayo Damp Squib' it declared that ‘the controversy which it has been sought to work up over the Mayo library appointment shows signs of dying of inanition … the fogs of propaganda created around the Mayo situation by not altogether disinterested champions of “Faith and Fatherland” … please spare us the crocodile tears … it appears to be pretty evident that the Mayo County Council has gone down unwept, unhonoured and unsung … outside of the limited ranks of the anti-government forces not a solitary cry appears to have been heard locally.'
12
This statement contains a large amount of wishful thinking. It was as if, having stood up to the pressure and faced down the original resistance, the Cumann na nGaedheal government hoped that the opponents of Miss Dunbar Harrison's appointment would simply fade away. If this was indeed their hope, they were soon to be disappointed.

Seán Ruane, a Cumann na nGaedheal councillor from Kiltimagh, wrote to President Cosgrave in December, warning him that there was talk of the establishment of a ‘Catholic Centre Party' and that the prospect of the suppression of Mayo County Council ‘is giving more pleasure than I like to some people not quite in love with the government or the government party.' Nevertheless, he continued, ‘I have definitely made up my mind to sink or swim with Cumann na nGaedheal.'
13

Seán Ruane was true to his word. Despite his private misgivings he had spoken strongly in favour of the party line at the special meeting of Mayo County Council. Cumann na nGaedheal needed more of this sort of party loyalty. The talk of a Catholic Centre Party seems to have been just that, talk. However, there was still some fight left in the council. Despite the dissolution, some of the councillors decided to ignore the government's action and called a meeting which was held in the council chamber of Castlebar courthouse. At this stage they had no legal right to be there. Pat Higgins, T.S. Moclair and John Morahan were the main movers. Sixteen councillors, by now ex-members of the council, turned up on Saturday, 10 January 1931. Following a discussion they opted to hold the meeting in private. As the
Mayo News
reported, ‘It was decided to hold the proceedings in committee, much to the disgust of the gallery, some of whom were inclined to grumble.'
14
This unofficial meeting passed a number of motions:

1) Refusing to recognise the dissolution.

2) Demanding of the Minister for Local Government not to levy a rate for the Mayo library service on the grounds that it would be a waste as the service could not function.

3) Expressing thanks to Leitrim County Council and others for their support.

4) Requesting members of all committees appointed by the council to decline to recognise the action of the Department of Local Government and ask them not to operate under the order of the nominated commissioner, Mr Bartley.

5) Calling upon the nine TDs representing the county to oppose the govern-ment in the Dáil.

Mayo's mutiny was attracting attention elsewhere in Ireland.
The Irish Times
reported that Carlow County Council held a special meeting on 16 January 1931 and supported the attitude taken by Mayo. A motion was passed, ‘that we take the opportunity of heartily congratulating our brother councillors in Mayo on the decided action they have taken in the cause of justice and liberty. We consider that it is high time that action of this kind was taken in Ireland to prove to the government, or any would-be oppressors, that they cannot over-ride the will of the people. Mayo councillors have set an example which could with credit be emulated in every county in the Free State.'
15

The unrest soon spread as far as the capital. The
Irish Independent
reported that Councillor Fogarty of Dublin County Council had proposed a resolution expressing support for their counterparts in Mayo in rejecting the appointment of Miss Dunbar Harrison. The resolution also called on the government to introduce legislation that would restore the power of the council to appoint officials to local bodies. The council voted in favour of the resolution by twelve votes to eight. The chairman, J.J. Shiel, supported the motion because according to him the action of the Mayo representatives was the action of men discharging their duty as a matter of conscience and trust, representing as they were 99 per cent of the people of Mayo. A librarian was in charge of the education of the young and was an influence on the old, and ‘with modern literature taking the turn it was taking, it was of extreme importance that there should be supervision of literature according to the conscience of the 99 per cent.'
16

Not every attempt at rallying support for Mayo County Council proved successful. A motion condemning the government's action in usurping the power of the local authorities and congratulating Mayo on resisting this tyranny was ‘ruled out of order at a meeting of the Donegal County Council on the grounds that it was irrelevant.'
17

In late January a small article appeared in
The Connaught Telegraph
written by Miss Dunbar Harrison herself. It was entitled ‘Library Notes'.

Public libraries have what the people want. The people may not know, perhaps. It is their right to know. It is someone's business to tell them.

This feature has been started because we, who are responsible for the progress of the Mayo County library, have recognised our obligation to tell the people of Mayo that we have what they want.

The Mayo library scheme is something everyone is justly proud of, and, in the four years since its inception, it has striven to cater for the needs of the reading public within the county. But these are days of progression; this is an age in which to stand still means to be passed by and forgotten.

The world of today has no use for people or institutions that are not fully alive to the possibilities of the hour, and so we seek for the co-operation of every friend of books within the county, so that the library may not only hold its own, but press forward to a wider usefulness.

The library has been called the ‘People's University', and its doors are open to all; it is up to the people to see that they make the fullest possible use of this great opportunity of free education. To the readers who are already enjoying the facilities of our service, we send this message: ‘Go and tell others'; and to any who have not yet discovered the treasures of book-lore, we issue a cordial welcome: ‘Come and see'.

There are over 130 centres working throughout the county, where the books are being distributed by local librarians. If anyone is in any doubt about the location of his or her nearest library, we shall be glad to give all details.

Apart from a very large selection of popular fiction, we have special sections in agriculture, Irish history and biography, books of local interest, Irish language and literature; and we cater specially for juvenile readers who are always most welcome in the ranks of library supporters.

We hope very shortly to be able to send round lists of some of the more recent additions to our special sections, as well as a list of Irish historical novels and novels by Catholic authors; these lists will be on view in the local centres, and readers may send in requests for any books they would like to have included in subsequent consignments.

We would also like to remind student borrowers of the facilities afforded by the Central Library for Students in Merrion Square, which supplies books over 6 shillings which are not easily obtained elsewhere. Forms of application may be held from the County Librarian.

In conclusion, the Librarian would welcome notes of constructive criticism on books which readers have enjoyed and would like to re-commend to others. New books as added will be briefly reviewed here.

With her references to ‘novels by Catholic authors' and to ‘books of Irish language and interest', it is clear that Miss Dunbar Harrison was aware of the scale of the opposition to her appointment and she was indicating her willingness to take account of the fears and suspicions of those opponents. Whether these adversaries were prepared to accept any compromise was a different matter.

Notes

1.
Irish Independent
, 30 December 1930, p.9.

2.
Western People
, 3 January 1931, p.3.

3.
NAI D/Taioseach S2547A.

4.
Irish Independent
, 12 January 1931, p.8.

5.
The Watchword
, 3 January 1931, p.1.

6.
Ibid.

7.
The Nation
, 5 January 1931, p.1.

8.
Western People
, 21 February 1931, p.3.

9.
Michael Davitt,
Leaves from a Prison Diary
, pp.182-184.

10.
The Connaught Telegraph
, 10 January 1931, p.1.

11.
Ibid.

12.
An Reult
, January 1931, p.1.

13.
NAI D/Taioseach S2547A.

14.
Mayo News
, 17 January 1931, p.8.

15.
The Irish Times
, 16 January 1931, p.5.

16.
Irish Independent
, 27 January 1931, p.8.

17.
Ibid., 26 February 1931, p.7.

The county that most closely followed Mayo's lead was Leitrim. One of the five county librarian vacancies mentioned by President Cosgrave in his Dáil statement on 11 December had been situated in Leitrim. Miss Kathleen White had finished fifth in rank at the set of interviews that had been held to fill these vacancies. Like Miss Dunbar Harrison, Miss White was judged to have inadequate Irish but the selection board deemed her successful at the overall interview. After Miss Dunbar Harrison chose Mayo, the only vacancy left for Miss White was lovely Leitrim.

The provision of a county-wide library service had been a contentious issue in Leitrim. In 1930, following two abortive discussions, the County Council had decided by a narrow majority to adopt the Public Libraries Act for Leitrim. The main opposition to the act had come from Fianna Fáil and independent members of the council, and the proposal had only scraped through by thirteen votes to eleven.
1
At a further meeting a rescinding motion was narrowly defeated. It was agreed that a library committee should be formed and Ballinamore was selected as the main centre for the proposed service. As a local paper put it, there the matter rested until the Mayo controversy erupted. ‘Beyond that,' wrote
The Anglo-Celt
, ‘no step was taken save to ask the Appointments Commission to advertise for a librarian, with the proviso that Leitrim candidates would get the right of preference in selecting one for the post. The commissioners recommended a Miss White (stated … to be the daughter of the ex-Crown Solicitor of Queen's County [Laois], and now the county registrar) and the matter was referred back to know if any Leitrim candidates applied and the answer was received which was considered evasive, as it stated that in making the choice the commissioners selected those with library training.'
2

With the full knowledge of what had taken place in Mayo, a special meeting of Leitrim County Council was held in Carrick-on-Shannon on Monday, 5 January 1931, to discuss the formation of a library committee and the appointment of a county librarian. On the agenda also was a motion to ‘rescind the former resolution passed adopting the Public Libraries Act and that no rate be struck for the same in our estimate for 1931-32.'
3

‘It was well known,' continued
The Anglo-Celt
, ‘that practically from the outset the general public were against the adoption of the act in the county, and it was, therefore, no surprise to find the country people coming in large numbers to town on Saturday and in reminiscent fashion of the old days, to see the Jamestown and Gowel fife and drum bands marching at their head and playing to the county courthouse doors where loud cheers were raised and their opposition voiced.'
4

In a similar fashion to the special meeting in Mayo, the local population seemed to treat it as a form of free entertainment. Inside, the chamber was ‘packed to suffocation, and when any member prior, and subsequent to the debate, made any remark that was popular, cheers were raised.'
5
Councillor Dominick Duignan, an auctioneer from Kiltycarney, who headed the farmers' deputation, revealed that the last time he had spoken against the act it had been threatened that he would be thrown through the window, but he was there to tell them, on behalf of the large gathering of representative ratepayers present, that they did not want the library.
6
They were not against education or learning in County Leitrim and as a people, if given a chance, they were well able to hold their own with anyone. He objected that ‘flappers who could not cook their father's dinner were asked to read
The Sorrows of Satan
.'
7
Not only that, if the people should have the right to make the appointment of librarian and they could give it to a native of the county and thus keep one from emigrating, then there might be something in the proposed library service. He wondered what the teachers who advocated the library thought, when out of a population of 50,000 one could not be found to fill this post.

‘Dick [Mulcahy] will send down one,' suggested a heckler.

Councillor Duignan asked if the county that had produced Seán McDermott, ‘whose blood splashed the walls for the freedom of the country', was not entitled to appoint one of their own? He proposed that they do the same as gallant Mayo, the home of John McHale and Michael Davitt, and he appealed to them not to take the insult offered to the county of Brian Oge and Seán McDermott, but fling it back by refusing to appoint the selection of the Bagwells and the Cromwells.
8

Councillor Andrew Mooney from Drumshambo stated that he had been one of the strongest advocates of the library but he had found that the people did not want it. Recent events had made the successful working of the library impossible. They would need to be careful and not land themselves where Mayo is. Things had happened, he said, that had made the question of the libraries a ‘stench in the nostrils of the people.'
9

Mr Pettit, solicitor to the council, was invited to speak. He said that there was nothing to compel them to adopt the Public Libraries Act if they did not want it.

‘I take it we will not be liable?' Councillor John Reilly asked.

‘I won't tell you that,' replied Mr Pettit. ‘I am not so certain.'

‘We don't oppose the librarian. We are against the whole act,' pointed out Councillor Creamer.
10

The county secretary maintained that in the rate estimates for the current year the rate for the library had already been levied and collected. Councillor Reilly said that in that case, as far as he could see, they were liable. That finished the whole business. They would have to pay the librarian. Councillor Reilly was the only speaker in favour of the act. As the
Evening Herald
put it, Councillor Reilly had, ‘when the matter was first raised voted against it, on the next occasion voted for it, and on the last occasion did not vote at all.'
11

Councillor Michael McGrath seconded the motion to rescind Leitrim's adoption of the Public Libraries Act. He was adamant that no matter what they did there that day, let them not be like shivering mice and in no way afraid of the Appointments Commission. The chairman stated that he believed the council would be abolished, as had happened in Mayo, and they should be prepared to deal with that.

‘And we are responsible for the lady's pay?' he asked the solicitor.

‘You are up against that,' Mr Pettit conceded.
12

Councillor Pat Kilkenny asserted that he had been against the adoption of the act from the beginning. He went on to congratulate Andrew Mooney. He had never felt so proud as when he saw Mr Mooney and his party come into the ranks of Fianna Fáil.

‘I have not gone one step into your party,' replied Mooney.

‘Indeed you have,' Councillor Kilkenny asserted.

‘You have,' Councillor Creamer added, ‘and we will make an archangel of you.'
13

Councillor Ben Maguire asked what difference was there between Leitrim's position and that of Mayo? They had adopted the Public Libraries Act and asked the Appointments Commission to make a recommendation as to the person to be appointed librarian. The Mayo County Council were wiped out, and he could not see any difference between Mr Mooney's advocacy of the adoption of the library and his present opposition. The Appointments Commission had a monopoly over the public bodies.
14

Councillor Higgins declared that Councillor Mooney's procedure was ‘as straight as the hind legs of a cow.'

‘Mr Higgins is playing to the gallery,' replied Councillor Mooney. ‘I never play to the gallery.'

Councillor Reilly warned the meeting that the same fate would befall them as had happened in Mayo. The motion was carried with only Councillor Reilly dissenting.

‘A great landslide,' declared Councillor McGowan.

A motion was then proposed congratulating Mayo County Council on the stand it took and condemning the Department of Local Government for abolishing it.

‘Someone will be congratulating us after this,' Councillor Travers predicted to an outburst of laughter from the gallery.

‘The west's awake,' announced Councillor Connolly. ‘I support the resolution and I say it would be a lack on our part if we did not adopt it.'

Councillor Reilly said that he had always understood Mayo County Council to be able to mind its own business and there was no need for such a resolution.
15
Councillor Connolly went on to maintain that the case of Mayo might be theirs tomorrow and he was glad to see Mayo, the founder of greater agitations, starting an agitation against something that was certainly very doubtful. The resolution was passed and the discussion ended. The bands then struck up outside.
16

The government moved quickly to take steps to quell the rebellion in Leitrim, proving just as resolute as they had been in the Mayo instance. Within weeks the
Leitrim Observer
reported, ‘What is understood to be an ultimatum has been received from the Local Government Department, and intense interest is centred in the approaching duel between the Breffni County Council and the department.'
17

‘Each member of the Leitrim County Council,' wrote the
Irish Independent
, ‘had been directed by telegram to attend a special meeting of the council to consider a communication of a peremptory nature from the Local Government Department, directing them it is understood, to put the Public Libraries Act into force and proceed with the appointment of a librarian.'
18

There were animated scenes at the special meeting held on Saturday, 24 January. The full text of a letter from the Local Government Department, which was signed by E.P. McCarron, was read into the minutes. The councillors were reminded that they had already levied a rate for the library service so they could not rescind the Public Libraries Act for the county. They were also told that they had no option but to accept the recommendation of the Local Appointments Commission.

At the meeting Councillor McGrath sounded almost nostalgic for the days of yore. He stated that, ‘In the days of the English, county councils had all powers in their hands. They were now like a lot of children going to school. They could not make a bog road for the accommodation of farmers.'

Councillor Mooney suggested that perhaps Miss White could be appointed librarian and subsequently dismissed a few months later. ‘You could give her the cleaning of the courthouse,' Councillor Creamer proposed.
19

The chairman, Michael Carter, told the meeting that he believed that if the council was dissolved the commissioner would then appoint a librarian.
20
This was perhaps the crux of the matter. Whatever they decided, Miss White was destined to become librarian as had happened with Miss Dunbar Harrison in Mayo. As Councillor P. Reynolds put it, ‘All that has to be done on this matter is very simple, as we have debated the subject from every angle for over a year. That letter leaves us no option but to appoint a librarian and I propose that she be appointed.'

Councillor Mooney said that ‘it had been alleged against him that he was more or less responsible for getting the council into the present situation.'

Councillor Connolly loudly added, ‘You have led us into this corner, and get us out of it.' There was much laughter from the gallery. Councillor Mooney had been the original mover of the motion to adopt the Public Libraries Act.

As
The Anglo-Celt
reported at the time, ‘In urging his motion he said there was no life in the country.'

To which Councillor Pye responded, ‘There are any amount of dances.'

‘If there were less dances and night-walking it would be better,' Councillor Mooney insisted.
21

The Leitrim rebellion collapsed in the face of such determination, though not without a long debate and a certain amount of recrimination. As the
Leitrim Observer
put it, ‘The threat of a commissioner had a subduing effect' though there were ‘allegations about “corkscrews”, “turncoats” and “twisters”.'
22

After a four-hour discussion the council voted, by fourteen votes to seven, to re-adopt the Public Libraries Act and appoint Miss Kathleen White as librarian. Six councillors, including Councillor Andrew Mooney, refused to vote one way or the other. The decision met with a mixed reaction. There were cheers and counter cheers from the public gallery.
23

Leitrim County Council's short-lived revolt was perhaps inspired by the actions of Mayo County Council, but the uprising soon petered out on seeing how resolute central government had proved to be in the Mayo case. Leitrim County Council had previously been dissolved in 1923 so perhaps this too had an influence on their decision in this instance.

As is evident from Kathleen White's experience in Leitrim, the lack of spoken Irish was little more than a pretext to reject Miss Dunbar Harrison. Miss White had been placed behind Miss Dunbar Harrison by the selection board and she also did not have Irish. In all the debates in Leitrim this hardly came up at all. Although Miss White was met with a certain initial degree of distrust in the county due to her being an outsider, the level of hostility shown to her was much, much less than the outright hostility expressed towards Miss Dunbar Harrison in Mayo.