Events marking Roscrea Civil War executions

Two commemorative events marking the 100th anniversary of the execution of four men in Roscrea Castle were held over the weekend - and another is planned for this Sunday near Borrisoleigh.

On January 15, 1923 four men were executed by firing squad for the illegal possession of arms and ammunition after they were arrested at Ross Cottage near Borrisoleigh, on December 23, 1923.

The four men were: Frederick Burke from Curnaboola, Ileigh, Borrisoleigh aged 28; Patrick Russell, from Summerhill, Borrisoleigh, aged 26; Martin O’Shea from Garrangrena, Borrisoleigh, aged 22 and Patrick McNamara from Killaloe, Co. Clare, aged 22. All four were executed in Roscrea Castle Barracks.

The executed men's remains were not returned to their families until the summer of 1924.

An apolitical event was held at the execution site and attended by over 120 relatives of the four men on Sunday, with anniversary Mass celebrated in their native parish of Ileigh in Borrisoleigh - the site where the four men are buried.

Also on Sunday the North Tipperary Republican Memorial Committee held a commemoration for Patrick MacNamara outside the gates of Roscrea Castle.

On this coming Sunday Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív T.D. will address the Fianna Fáil Commemoration, which at 12 o’clock in Ileigh Graveyard.

Éamon Ó Cuív has served as a T.D. for Galway West since 1992 and served as a Senior Government Minister from 2002 until 2011.

Deputy Eamon O'Cuiv will speak at the event this weekend

He is the grandson of Éamon de Valera, political leader of the Anti-Treaty side during the Civil War who went on to found Fianna Fáil in 1926, and subsequently served as Taoiseach and President of Ireland.

Refreshments will be served afterwards in Borrisoleigh Community Centre and all are very welcome to attend the organisers said.