John Francis Joyce 1898 – 1992
John Francis Joyce (Shillelagh member Andrew M.
Joyce’s grandfather) was born in Rusheen, Co.
Galway, Ireland in 1900. He was one of three
children of Patrick Joyce and Kathy Joyce teachers
in the area. Gaelic and English were spoken in the
home. Many people in that vicinity of Western
Ireland spoke Gaelic as their first language.
Upon reaching maturity, Jack followed his brother into the British war effort around World War1. Economic and social needs prevailed in this path chosen for him likely by his father. He was taught to broadcast in Morse code. As some within Ireland sought independence with the Easter Proclamation at the Post Office in Dublin 1916, World War 1 was going on. Ireland, a nation still in the making, did not enter the war and maintained neutrality. Many Irish like Jack and his brother did volunteer or were persuaded to join on the side of the British and often deployed to the most dangerous areas of the front.
Jack spent time on ships during 1919-1920. This culminated in spending time in Arch Angel Russia an offshoot campaign following World War 1. This was known as Winston Churchill of Britain’s mostly unsuccessful campaign to keep the Red Bolshevik Revolution in check. A coalition of other governments including the U.S. took part. Jack reported his time in Russia was beset by extreme cold, poor provisions, and persecution and prejudice of being an Irishman in a British unit.
He returned from Russia apparently embittered after army service for Britain. After returning to a fledgling nation Ireland still roiled by factions and strife and having few economic opportunities with apparent prejudice the norm, he joined the Irish Republic Army to seek a better way. Former soldiers were sought out for their military knowledge. This IRA enlistment led to a deep and unresolved split with his family. His older brother remained a British soldier through his life and moved out of Ireland later. His parents remained sympathetic to keeping British rule in Ireland (not the Home Rule the Republicans sought) though this sentiment was deeply out of touch with the changes gripping the nation.
It is this rift in the family and the brother’s opposing sides that Jack’s cousin and noted Irish author Walter Macken presented in some fictional aspects in his novel Quench the Moon.
Jack’s dad, my Great Grandfather Patrick Joyce, had been a magistrate and School Teacher in the Galway area. He settled disputes such as enforcing a British era rule that all carts must not have signage in Irish and must be in English which was unpopular with many in the area who spoke Irish predominantly. Due to the turn to independence away from English rule of the land, the rising Republicanism armed factions in the area must have clashed with Patrick Joyce.
Patrick Joyce was disappeared. A specific event or conflict was not determined; Patrick Joyce was not heard from again leaving his family riven (many years later in 2006, his remains appear to have been located in a bog in the West of Ireland though positive ID could not be determined). Jack, though part of Republican efforts, had no knowledge of this event and was in other parts of the country totally cutoff to most communication with his family.
Jack participated in campaigns with the IRA though none he would ever speak of under any circumstances. When I had asked many years ago, he was angry the topic was even raised. Soldiers of his era maintained a strict code of silence.
Jack met his wife Mary O’Malley in Belfast around this time likely as part of IRA campaigns in Ulster. There was strong probability Maureen’s dad was a lead in the IRA or certainly an advocate for Catholic worker’s right which was dangerous to do at that time in that area. He eventually was gunned down after a Sunday mass on his doorstep. Those responsible were never caught or prosecuted. It is a strong likelihood the Ulster Unionist or some similar faction was responsible for this likely in response of Great- Grandfather O’Malley’s advocating for rights for Catholic workers.
Mary was very supportive of Jack though also gave very strong direction in his work and life. Reports have it that she steered him out of active military service especially as the IRA splintered into different factions and directions. Jack must have reconciled connections he made sympathetic to de Valera since he was able to obtain lifelong employment in the Civil Service working on Kildare Street all through years that Eamonn de Valera was in power.
The Joyce’s settled into life in Blackrock Frescati Park. Mary and Jack had five children- Raymond, Sean, Desmond, Maureen, Maurice. Sean died in early youth and was buried in Deans Grange many years in advance of Mary who passed away in 1981.
Jack was a bit adrift after his life-long companion died Mary. He was active in his Catholic faith usually going to mass daily. He found time spent with his children far to his preference rather remaining solo in the house he had shared with his wife for so many years. He spent months at a time with Raymond in the Perth area of Australia. It was decided soon after it was best for him to sell out of Blackrock and move permanently with Maurice Joyce’s family in Rumson, NJ including Maurice’s son Shillelagh member Andrew Joyce.
Jack became a minor celebrity in the Rumson vicinity. He was often spotted on long walks- no matter the distance or weather, the more so if a cold pint or warm Jameson was the end destination. His ability to work at difficult tasks like building walls, digging roots and hauling topsoil in wheel barrows even when advanced in age or during extreme heat kept Andrew and others busy keeping up with him to keep his projects on schedule. This was also to dissuade rabble rouser friends who claimed we were elder abusers who forced him to labor for his stay! He regaled us with stories of Ireland of a different time.
Jack lived till at least 92 years of age perhaps 94 (born either 1898 or 1900 --- to be confirmed when actual baptism records can be located) and died in 1992 in Rumson, NJ, USA. His remains were transported back to Ireland to rest alongside his wife Mary at Dean’s Grange cemetery in Dublin.
Contributed by Andrew Joyce
cemetery AND grave location
Name: Deansgrange Cemetery,
ADDRESS: Grange Rd, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland
HEADSTONE
