War of Independence, Jan. 1919 -- July 1922. [ Note added in 2010. -- In July 1919 Captain Johnson, B. Company, Norfolk Yeomanry based in Carlow Military Barracks, wrote to Carlow Urban Council requesting the use of Carlow Town Hall in order to give a "complimentary concert " to celebrate "Peace Day 1919" ( 19th July. also referred to as "Victory Day"). Here we learn that the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union join with Sinn Fein in the battle for "hearts and minds". The writer of the letter, 28 year old, Patrick O'Toole, was arrested by the British a few months after the publication of this letter, he was interned in Ballykinlar Camp where he died in 1920, The action by the British Military at his funeral was a turning point for many Carlow people, following which it was said "every man, woman and child in the whole of Carlow" supported Sinn Fein]. Carlow Sentinel, July, 14th 1919. Letter to the Presiding Chairman, Carlow Urban Council. Irish Transport and General Workers Union, Carlow Branch. July 13th, 1919. A Cara ----I have been directed to forward you a copy of a Resolution as under, which was passed at a special meeting of the Union held on 13th inst., representatives of the various bodies affiliated hereto being present. :---- "We the committee of above union, representative of over fourteen hundred male adults of Carlow, strongly protest against the Army of Occupation being allowed use of the Town Hall to celebrate what they term "Peace". Your Council are well aware that a body of the same army of occupation prevented our members at a not far distant date from using the Hall for a purpose unconnected with any political movement. Further our President -- a young man well known to your Council in toto, which is sufficient to say for his character to you -- is at present incarcerated in Strangeway jail, Manchester, and we are of the opinion that as the Civic Fathers of the citizens of Carlow, it devolves on your council to prevent by the best means at your disposal, the use of the Town Hall by the people who are daily destroying the insignificant vestiges of liberty left to us. Finally we, the committee of the workers of Carlow, appeal to you and representatives to give expression in no doubtful tone of the happenings about us, and leave the case in your hands, trusting you to do justice thereto" With apologies for trespassing on your valued time, and trusting the exigencies of the situation will act as our mediator --- Yours faithfully, and friend, Patrick O' Toole, Secretary.