Boy George ‘proud and sad’ over IRA family link

EIGHTIES pop icon Boy George has spoken of his pride — but also his sorrow — as it was revealed he has family connections to the IRA in early 20th century in Ireland.

The Culture Club singer is appearing on the BBC documentary Who Do You Think You Are?, which traces the family trees of the famous.

During the programme, his family history reveals tragedy closely interwoven with Irish history.

Ahead of discovering his family ties, he suspected a lot of sadness would dominate.

“A lot of mascara running, even though I’m not wearing any make-up,” he said.

Born George Alan O’Dowd, he grew up in south London and was always aware of his Irish roots in a home which had a ‘Freedom Fighters’ album featuring Irish rebel songs, which he had played.

“Growing up in the Seventies, being Irish, you were really aware of the IRA bombings, and innocent people were being killed, and they were such big news, you were made aware of the fact that your family were Irish,” he said.

For the programme, he travelled to Dublin to trace his green roots on his mother Dinah’s side.

His great-grandfather Richard Glynn fought for the British Army — which wasn’t unusual at the time in Dublin for the working classes.

His wife Molly had been married to his brother prior to their marriage, and her daughter Annie married republican Thomas Bryan.

Prison records reveal that Thomas was arrested in 1917, three years before marrying Annie, for taking part in a drill of the Irish Volunteers, a precursor to the IRA.

Only a few months after marrying Annie, Thomas was arrested again in Drumcondra during the Irish War of Independence and was sent to Kilmainham Gaol. At the time Annie was pregnant.

George later discovers the child died at just one day old, four days before his father was executed.

Thomas Bryan and five other IRA men were executed. They, along with four others and Kevin Barry, were buried in unmarked graves within the prison walls.

They became known as the Forgotten Ten. In 2001, however, that changed when their bodies were exhumed and taken to Glasnevin Cemetery, where they were reburied with state honours.

In the documentary, George travels to the cemetery to pay his respects.

“I’m proud and I’m sad,” he adds.

“My family’s association to really important parts of Irish history is a revelation.”

The episode airs on BBC on Monday, July 23.

Documentary: Boy George