From Ballyboyle to Corglass... a Boyle family's story
Part 2 - Corglass
Rose Cottage, Ballinalee
At least four generations of the Reynolds family resided in what was often described as "the prettiest house in Longford, if not in Ireland" from 1865 until 1957. With an extensive thatched roof of a style not normally seen in Ireland, it got its name from the rose ramblers and climbers entwined around the timber columns of the veranda.
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According to a piece in the Longford Leader, 1 April 1950, it was built about 1830 by a Lieut-Col. Wray Palliser, originally from County Waterford, who owned a large estate in Longford in the mid-19th century. "The layout of the residence was clearly influenced by a style common around Soissons in mid-France, where many houses of this type are to be found. The walls vary from two to two-and-a-half feet thick".
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It earned its place in history by association with Sean Mac Eoin, the commanding officer of the local IRA 'flying column' during the War of Independence in 1919 - 1921, and later Chief of Staff of the post-independence Irish Defence Forces, politician and government Minister. One on occasion when Laurence and Annie Kate (nèe Brady) were living there in 1920, a group of armed men forced entry to the house, claiming to be members of the IRA. In fact, they were an undercover unit of the British forces who planned to capture Mac Eoin who was, they had been informed, due to pass by shortly. Mac Eoin, a blacksmith by trade, had his forge just a few hundred yards from Rose Cottage.
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Laurence and Annie Kate were held captive, along with the maid, a farmhand, a couple of assistants from their shop across the street, and a priest who happened to call in. Annie Kate is reported to have courageously challenged them, demanding to know their business.
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However, the affair descended into farce when another party of British forces, having noted the unusual movements about Rose Cottage, but unaware of the identity or purpose of the first group, also stormed the house. A fierce set-to followed, only subsiding when the 'attackers' realised they were fighting their own comrades.(Longford Leader, 4 November 1950).
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A more significant event occurred in November 1920 when Mac Eoin commandeered Rose Cottage, planning to ambush a convey of Black & Tans following their sacking and looting of Granard. Mac Eoin's account does not say what happened to the Reynolds, but he states that all but a few of the residents of Ballinalee had evacuated the village in advance of any attack, so it is likely that Laurence, Annie Kate and their children were safe elsewhere. Mac Eoin and four or five comrades, assisted by another twenty or so located elsewhere held off a much superior British convoy, forcing them to retreat and abandon arms and ammunition.
Rose Cottage was put up for sale in 1957 by Desmond Reynolds. It went through several owners, and was subjected to much unsympathetic reconstruction over the next 50 years, so that by the early 2000s it looked just like any ordinary rural Irish bungalow, but a bit more derelict.
A proposal to demolish it in 2007 generated renewed local interest in preserving what was left of an important feature of the village. This was eventually successful, and in November 2023, it was reopened by Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Leo Varadker as a community hub and coffee shop, with an exhibition explaining its .links with MacEoin. Some media reports get a bit carried away - it has been described as "Mac Eoin's home" (he never lived there; it was Reynolds' home) and as his GHQ during the War of Independence (it was his command centre for one operation on one day only). Nevertheless, it has taken its place again at the centre of village life.
Rose Cottage War of Independence Centre as it is today
Rose Cottage before its recent conversion to community use
A group of local officials and dignitaries at the official opening of the Rose Cottage War of Independence Centre in Ballinalee. The uniformed figure is Supt. Seamus Boyle, 5th generation descendant of Terence1.