Campaign to reverse OPW decision on Roscrea Castle executions commemoration

A campaign is underway to attempt to reverse the Office of Public Works (OPW) decision to not permit the centenary commemoration of the execution of four men in Roscrea Castle during the War of Independence be held in the grounds of Roscrea Castle.

In January 1923 four men were executed in the grounds of Roscrea Castle by the Free State Army - an act of violence which still reverberates in the town almost 100 years later and that has caused some controversy in recent times regarding its commemoration.

As the 100-year commemoration event fast approaches, there has been strong criticism of the Office of Public Work's (OPW) refusal to permit commemorative events be held inside the grounds of Roscrea Castle - specifically in the small courtyard where the executions took place.

Now an online petition has been started to convince the OPW to reverse their decision and permit the event inside the Castle grounds, which has received a swell of support from local people.

“The OPW is refusing to allow the commemoration of the four men executed in the Castle during the Civil War to take place inside the castle”, petition creator Breandán Ó Conchúir said.

“The Tipperary Republican Commemoration Committee holds an annual commemoration for Burke, O' Shea, Russel, and McNamara, four IRA volunteers executed in Roscrea during the Civil war.

“While the executions took place inside the castle yard, the OPW have for years refused to allow the commemoration take place inside the grounds of the castle.

“As 2023 is the centenary of the four executions we feel it is important that the people of Roscrea and the surrounding area be allowed into the castle to mark this important anniversary.

“For several years the committee has gone back and forth with the OPW in an effort to get permission to hold the event in the castle.

“The OPW have contantly moved the goal posts to create a new reason to refuse permission.

“Please sign the petition calling on the OPW to let the Commemoration take place in the castle”, Breandán Ó Conchúir said.