The Great Irish Escape: De Valera’s 1919 Breakout

In 1919, one of the most well-known escapes in Irish history took place. Éamon de Valera, a key figure in the Irish independence movement, escaped from Lincoln Prison in England. The breakout was carefully planned, carried out with help from others, and became a major moment in the story of Ireland’s fight for freedom. This article explains what led to the escape, how it happened, and what it meant for Ireland’s future.

Background: Ireland’s Fight for Independence

During the early 1900s, many Irish people wanted their country to be free from British rule. In 1916, a group of Irish nationalists launched the Easter Rising in Dublin. Although it was quickly defeated, it sparked a change in public opinion. Many people in Ireland began to support independence more strongly after the British executed the leaders of the rebellion.

One of the rebels, Éamon de Valera, survived because he was an American citizen by birth. He became an important leader in the movement for Irish independence.

Arrest of Irish Nationalists

In 1918, Britain was still fighting in the First World War. Fearing that Irish nationalists were planning to work with Germany, British authorities arrested many of them. On May 17, 1918, Éamon de Valera and about 70 others were taken into custody. Half were sent to HM Prison Usk in Wales, while the rest, including de Valera, were sent to Lincoln Prison in England.

Michael Collins, another top Irish nationalist, avoided arrest. He stayed free and immediately began planning how to rescue his fellow leaders.

Planning the Escape

While inside Lincoln Prison, de Valera noticed a door in the prison yard that led to the outside. He believed that if he could get a key, he might be able to escape.

De Valera worked as an altar server during prison chapel services. This gave him the chance to get close to the Chaplain’s key. Using wax and a tobacco tin, he made an impression of the key. This wax mold was smuggled out to Irish supporters outside the prison.

Supporters used the mold to create a replica key. To hide it from the guards, they baked the key into a cake and delivered it to the prisoners. The first key did not work, so they tried again. It took four cakes in total—some with blank keys and others with files—before a working key was delivered.

The Escape Night

On the foggy evening of February 3, 1919, de Valera and two other prisoners, Seán McGarry and Seán Milroy, used the working key to unlock the door and escape from Lincoln Prison.

Outside the prison, helpers were waiting, including Michael Collins. The escapees crossed gardens and allotments at the back of the prison and reached Wragby Road.

They passed Lincoln Christ Hospital School, which was being used as a military hospital at the time. Soldiers and nurses were outside, but the escapees walked past without drawing attention.

They arrived at the Adam and Eve pub, where a taxi was waiting. The driver did not know who his passengers were. The men were taken to Worksop, where they switched to a second taxi. From there, they travelled to Sheffield and finally reached a safe house in Manchester.

Creating Confusion

After the escape, the Irish nationalists told many different stories to newspapers about how the prisoners had escaped. This was done to confuse the British and to protect the people who helped. Over time, many false versions of the escape were believed. Some stories even said the prisoners dressed as women, which was not true.

Support from Inside the Prison

While in Lincoln Prison, the Irish prisoners learned that a man named Fenner Brockway was being held there. He was a British citizen who had refused to fight in the war for moral reasons. He was kept alone in his cell.

The Irish prisoners secretly passed newspapers to him and helped get a message to his wife. On the night of the escape, Brockway was happy that someone had managed to outsmart the prison guards.

What Happened Next

Even though de Valera escaped, Ireland’s path to freedom was not easy. In 1921, Britain signed a treaty with Irish leaders. It allowed Ireland to govern itself but not as a fully independent country. This caused a civil war between Irish groups who agreed with the treaty and those who did not.

Michael Collins was killed during the civil war. Éamon de Valera, who opposed the treaty, later became one of Ireland’s most important politicians. He served as Prime Minister of Ireland several times between 1932 and 1959 and later became President of Ireland from 1959 to 1973.

Return to Lincoln

In 1950, while not in office, de Valera returned to Lincoln with Fenner Brockway, who had become a Member of Parliament. They visited Lincoln Prison together and were shown the cells where they had been held. Time had passed, and what was once a daring escape was now part of history. The city welcomed de Valera during his visit.

A Walk Through History

Today, people can walk along Wragby Road in Lincoln and follow the route taken by the escapees. It is a reminder of a time when Irish leaders risked everything for freedom. If the escape had failed, Irish and British history might have looked very different.

You can download a map of the escape route and follow Éamon de Valera’s path here:
Éamon de Valera Prison Escape Map (PDF)

Conclusion

The escape of Éamon de Valera from Lincoln Prison in 1919 was more than just a bold act. It was a moment that inspired many and helped push forward the fight for Irish independence. It showed the strength of teamwork, planning, and determination. More than 100 years later, it is still remembered as one of the great events in Irish history.