Calls to mark grave of heroic Mitchelstown rebel
Calls have been made to honour the memory of a War of Independence hero, interred in a patch of ground inside a Mitchelstown graveyard.
Denny O’Dwyer has called on political parties to come together and mark the location where Michael O’Reilly is buried. Denny, from Ballyfaskin, Ballylanders has researched the story and found fascinating details of Michael’s fight for Irish freedom, which ultimately would see him go on hunger strike with Michael Fitzgerald and other revolutionaries in Cork Gaol for 94 days.
Denny said he was spurred on by an article in TheAvondhu which outlined a new book written by Conor Kenny and Clare Cronin on the forgotten hunger strikers from the period, titled ‘The Nine Survivors’.
“One of those hunger strikers was Michael O’Reilly, formally of Ballyfaskin, Ballylanders and Bank Place, Mitchelstown whose remains are buried in the old cemetery in front of the catholic church in Mitchelstown.
“He was married to Bridie Elder, a nurse at the former Military Hospital in Fermoy. Michael was involved in many engagements against the Crown Forces during the War of Independence. The most notable was the attack and capture of Ballylanders RIC barracks,” he said.
“Michael was arrested on July 16, 1920 and after a short stay in Limerick jail was transferred to Cork Military Prison and later Cork Gaol, where he spent 94 days on hunger strike with Chris Upton from Ballylanders and others.
“He was released on January 20, 1922 after being imprisoned for about 8 months. Michael lived at Bank Place, Mitchelstown before his death in 1965.
“His State funeral in Mitchelstown was a big occasion for the town. It was one of the last times that the Irish army allowed old IRA veterans to fire a volley over their old colleagues, as it was no longer deemed safe for them to do so, because of their failing years and ability,” Mr O’Dwyer noted.
‘ALL BUT A FORGOTTEN MEMORY’
There were plans to erect a permanent large structure to mark the location of the grave.
“The Government of that time decided to erect a large Celtic cross over Michael O’Reilly’s burial spot, but there were objections as the large structure would interfere on bordering graves and so there is no tombstone to mark the spot where he is buried.
“Sadly, the grave of this national figure is all but a forgotten memory and has been used as a dumping ground by local people to discard old wreaths, flowers and lanterns. It is sad to think that the memory and history of someone of such stature can be forgotten.
“I hope this article will spur on some historian, historical society or the local political parties who claim their existence from Republican roots, to come together and mark the spot,” Denny added.
Cllr Deirdre O’Brien, who has been instrumental in preserving and refurbishing the monuments of those who fought and died in the War of Independence, said that she would endeavour to address the problem.
“I will look into this and put a proposal to the Cork County Council commemorations committee and examine this in-depth with a view to solving it,” she said.