Poignant ceremony in Illeigh graveyard

- Fianna Fáil honour executed men

The 100th anniversary ‘Fianna Fáil Russell, Burke, O’Shea and McNamara Commemoration’ took place last Sunday, January 22, in Illeigh Graveyard. Amongst the large attendance were Deputy Jackie Cahill, guest speaker Deputy Eamon Ó Cuiv, Billy Kelleher MEP, Cllr Sean Ryan and Cllr Micheal Anglim. Tom Stamp, Chairperson of Templemore Roscrea Comhairle Ceantair Fianna Fáil, began by welcoming everyone present. He spoke about commemorating the executed men with reverence, respect and solemnity.

Wreaths were then layed by Johnny Delaney, a grandnephew of Martin O’Shea, and Tom Russell, a nephew of Patrick Russell. Deputy Jackie Cahill layed a wreath on behalf of the Fianna Fáil organisation.

A lament was then played on the pipes by Paudie Bourke. This was followed by Arthur Griffin, Vice President of Fianna Fáil who read the poignant last letters of the executed men, which they wrote hours before they were shot in Roscrea. John Fogarty, a grandnephew of Martin O’Shea, then recited a decade of The Rosary in remembrance of the four executed men.

Ryan O’Meara, Chairperson of Tipperary Ogra Fianna Fáil, then read the roll of honour for the 2nd Tipperary Brigade IRA. This was followed by a reading of the Proclamation of Independence by Gerard Fogarty.

oration

It was then the turn of Deputy Eamon Ó Cuív to deliver his oration. He began by calling for a moment’s silence in remembrance of Michéal Hughes whose funeral was taking place as he spoke. In a lengthy address Deputy Ó Cuív spoke about the events which lead up to the executions of Patrick Russell, Frederick Burke, Martin O’Shea and Patrick McNamara. He went on to discuss the effects of the Civil War on modern Ireland. His speech was very well received by those in attendance. This was followed by a beautiful rendition of Slievenamon by Denis O’Connell.

REPUBLICAN TORCH

Tim Maher, Secretary of Templemore, Roscrea Comhairle Ceantair Fianna Fáil, spoke briefly about how the executions in Roscrea had left a lasting effect on the people of the locality. He also discussed how the generations of Tipperary people had passed the Republican torch on from one generation to the next.

The event finished with piper Paudie Burke playing Amhrán na bhFiann. Thanks to Brian Fogarty who bore the tricolour during the ceremony. Brian is a great grandnephew of Martin O’Shea. Refreshments were served in Borrisoleigh Community Centre afterwards. Thanks to everyone who attended and to all the descendants who took part in the ceremony.