Big Henry Sproule and the Famous Fight

My father was a strong, gentle kind of a man.  He was a peaceful homebird, not much of a drinker, and very rarely raised his voice. It appears that at least one of his uncles was a Sproule of a very different type! Henry Sproule, born in 1879 and the twin of my grandfather Robert, was renowned as a fighter in their neighbourhood of Clady, County Tyrone.

The Ballad of Big Henry Sproule

The story we were told was that Henry had been in a serious fight with another man in Clady, and because of this, he had left Tyrone and went to live in Dublin.  The fight was famous in the neighbourhood, even giving rise to a song, ‘The Ballad of Big Henry Sproule’.  I hunted for this ballad for a long time without success. Thanks to a kind lady who saw this blog, I now have the elusive ballad, and the story of the infamous uncle who was known here by the more familiar, ‘Big Harry Sproule’.

Bye the way, there was a view in the family that Henry had actually killed his opponent, though my father said that this was not true. If it was true, can I apologise to the nice lady who showed me the ballad, as she is a relative of Mr McKinney!

The Sproule & McKinney Fight by Johnny Burns

It was on a winter’s night somewhere on Clady street

That two of Ireland’s champions in a great contest did meet

These Irishmen were drinking for some time at the bar

When after some hot argument they agreed to have a spar

McKinney went out like a policeman on patrol

To decide the fate of him so great, I mean Big Harry Sproule

Harry he went out with one great tiger spring

For Irishmen were always first and foremost in the ring

Before the fight began Sproule said, "remember John"

"I never was the man to run when fighting must be done"

"Well", said John "Now Harry I may now tell you straight

There never came from Tullymoan a man I couldn't beat"

At this the battle started and for awhile they fenced

When after some manoevuring a brutal fight commenced

McKinney he went rushing in and tried a left hand clinch

But Harry stood determined not staggering half an inch

Harry somewhat lost his head and putting out his foot

He landed in poor McKinney a brutal uppercut

McKinney he fell senseless upon the frozen ground

And the look on Sproule did terrify the lads who stood around

Harry fought so quickly he did his hands control

I thought it was Jack Johnston and not big Harry Sproule

Though McKinney was knocked out he fought with skill and pluck

He was active as Jim Corbett till the fatal blow was struck

So Irishmen be careful wherever that you be

Never say you can fight until you try and see

Always keep your temper and don't lose self control

For in a simple contest you might meet a Harry Sproule

Strabane & West Ulster In The 1800s: History From The Broadsheets: Selections from The Strabane Morning Post 1812-1837 [Paperback]

Thanks to Maeve Rogan for finding this ballad.

For more information:

• The Genealogy of the Sproules of Tullymoan 
• Mary McGlinchey, Matriarch of Tullymoan
• Tales of Tullymoan in 1920

Next Chapter - The Hunt for the Next Level Up