Dear Readers,
Diarmaid Ferriter’s recent commentary, titled “Sinn Féin’s challenges should not instil complacency in Fine Gael” (Opinion & Analysis, October 18th), brought back to mind some casual research I did a few years prior. The writer constitutes Kevin O’Higgins’s powerful phrase in his article – “wild men screaming through the keyholes”. This phrase prompted me to delve into its origins.
In my search, I found out that O’Higgins had addressed a significant pro-Treaty gathering residing in Dublin’s College Green in March 1922, two years prior to his attendance at Oxford University in October 1924. He informed the multitude that he belonged to the “eight national apostates of the City Hall”, endeavouring to do their utmost for the Irish nation whilst dealing with “wild men screaming through the keyholes.”
Intriguingly, my inquiries also revealed its use by none other than David Lloyd George, the UK’s Prime Minister, during his report on the Paris Peace Conference’s conditions to parliament in April 1919. He had said: “I am doubtful whether any body of men with a difficult task have worked under greater difficulties – stones clattering on the roof, and crashing through the windows, and sometimes wild men screaming through the keyholes.”
Unfortunately, my attempt to trace the origins of this striking phrase ended there, failing to unearth any earlier mentions. Still, it stirs thoughts about whether O’Higgins had knowledge of Lloyd George’s previous reference to it.
Yours Faithfully,
Frank Bouchier-Hayes,
Newcastle West,
County Limerick.