Roscrea Civil War executions commemoration postponed

The annual commemoration held at Roscrea Castle to mark the anniversary of the execution of four men in the grounds of the historic site planned for this Sunday (Jan 28) has been postponed.

Roscrea has witnessed a marathon protest at the Racket Hall Hotel and a large demonstration march in the town centre in the last two weeks.

The organisers of the Civil War commemoration told the Tribune they felt it would be inappropriate to hold another march the weekend after a large demonstration such as the one witnessed on Saturday last when thousands flooded the town centre to show support for the ongoing Racket Hall protest.

The event is organised by the Roscrea Sean Treacy Sinn Féin Cumann and welcomed Sinn Féin party leader, Mary Lou McDonald, to the heritage town for an address at the 2022 commemoration. 

The event attracted some controversy in recent years as the Office of Public Works (OPW) refused to permit the event be held in the grounds of Roscrea Castle at the actual location where the executions took place.

The site was formally used as a storage yard for equipment used by local council workers, but has since been cleaned up and restored and a plaque has been installed.

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.

When the remains were eventually returned it was cause for tense military displays at a time when weapons and gatherings were forbidden.

The organisers told the Tribune the event is not cancelled this year, but rather postponed and said they will circulate details ahead of the rescheduled commemoration. 

Last year's event marked the centenary of the executions. Photo: PJ Wright