Tojo the Tippling Monkey: A Clonakilty WWII Tale

Tojo the Tippling Monkey: When WWII Dropped in on Clonakilty

In the annals of Clonakilty's history, one tale stands out for its sheer peculiarity and charm. It was April 7, 1943, during the throes of World War II, when the serene skies over this West Cork town were suddenly disturbed by the low hum of an unfamiliar aircraft. Locals craned their necks as a massive Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress circled precariously close to the church spires before making an unplanned landing in a nearby marsh.

The townsfolk, unaccustomed to such aerial spectacles, rushed to the scene, half-expecting to find invaders. Instead, they were met with the sight of ten bewildered American airmen and, to their astonishment, a small, mischievous monkey named Tojo. This pint-sized primate had been adopted as the crew's mascot during a stopover in Morocco, and he quickly proved to be the heart and soul of their ensemble.

The crew's unexpected detour to Clonakilty was the result of a navigational hiccup—a misleading radio report had sent them off course, and they ran out of fuel over the Emerald Isle. Initially, the airmen feared they had landed in German-occupied territory and reportedly prepared for the worst. However, upon realizing they were among friends, their trepidation melted into relief.

The good people of Clonakilty, known for their hospitality, whisked the crew and their furry companion to O'Donovan's Hotel. What was intended as a brief respite quickly evolved into a three-day celebration. The Americans, ever the gracious guests, shared their stash of 36 bottles of rum with the locals. Tojo, not one to be left out, developed a particular fondness for the spirited beverage, endearing himself even more to the townspeople.

Dena O'Donovan, whose family owned the hotel, later recounted, "When we discovered they were Americans, there was great excitement in the town. There was a sort of carnival atmosphere for days. People took time off work to go to see this massive plane, and the soldiers were like celebrities. But none were as famous as Tojo. No one had ever seen a monkey, so he was treated very well indeed." (IrishPost.com, 2019)

Alas, all good things must come to an end. Tojo’s enthusiastic consumption of rum proved too much for his tiny constitution, and he tragically contracted pneumonia. Despite the best efforts of local caregivers, the little rascal passed away, leaving the town in mourning. A grand funeral was arranged, complete with flowers, music, and what could only be described as a hero’s send-off.

It was at this exact moment that the Irish Army arrived to formally process the American airmen. Expecting a routine military procedure, they instead found themselves in the middle of a full-blown Irish wake—complete with wailing, whiskey, and a great deal of reminiscing about the legendary monkey’s antics. In true Irish fashion, they cast protocol aside and joined in the celebrations, raising their glasses to the fallen primate.

Once the rum had run dry and the eulogies were complete, the matter of transporting the Americans back to Cork arose. The Irish Army, still feeling the effects of the wake, found themselves in no condition to drive. In a turn of events that could only happen in Ireland, the Americans hilariously ended up driving themselves to the camp for processing, bringing their Irish comrades along for the ride.

To this day, Tojo’s legacy lives on in Clonakilty. His story is a testament to the town’s warmth, the unpredictability of wartime, and the enduring bond between man and monkey. So, the next time you find yourself in this picturesque part of Ireland, raise a glass to Tojo—the rum-loving monkey who crash-landed into the hearts of Clonakilty. Sláinte!

Ref IrishPost.com, (2019) The remarkable story of 'Tojo' - The rum-loving monkey who crash-landed in Ireland during WW2. Available at: https://www.irishpost.com/life-style/remarkable-story-tojo-rum-loving-monkey-crash-landed-ireland-ww2-170920 (Accessed: 26th February 2025).

Note! although slightly embellished, this true story can be found beside a statue of Tojo just off the main street of Clonakilty at O'Donovans Hotel