FURTHER MEMORIALS PLANNED LOCALLY BEFORE END OF YEAR
While there have been numerous commemorations held already across the country during the Decade of Centenaries, there are a number of monuments and plaques still in the planning locally, with the aim to have them erected before the end of 2023. While many of these events have largely honoured victims and fighters in the struggle for Irish independence and during the Civil War, forthcoming projects will also acknowledge the deaths of men who fought in both World Wars.
One of those organising these memorials is former TD, Ballindangan’s Ned O’Keeffe, who took the opportunity to thank the respective communities where events have been held recently.
Among those were a commemoration of Michael Rouse at Ballylough Cross in December last year, and that of Thomas O’Dea in Mitchelstown. Another commemoration was held also at the homestead of Daniel Shinnick in Feburary, with the erection of a plaque in Rathnadarrihy, Castletownroche.
In the coming months, plans are in place to remember Denis O’Brien of Kilworth, a young Volunteer and Republican who was a close friend of Liam Lynch. He died at home, after years of “internments, constants privations, and suffering”. Meanwhile in Ballygiblin, a memorial will be erected to the memory of Sean O’Donoghue who is buried in Shanrahan Cemetery in Clogheen. According to Mr O’Keeffe, O’Donoghue was “a prominent member of the IRA in Cork City, and very famous in many engagements”, as well as having played football with the now defunct Lees GAA football club.
Another plaque in Glanworth will remember four men, amongst them Sean Hennessy, a Volunteer who is buried in the village, and Con Phibbs, a member of the Scottish IRA and a famous national cross-country runner. Another man set to be remembered in Glanworth is John Long, who is recorded as having died in the slaughter at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915, as well as Cornelius Farrell, who fought in World War 1, in the war for Irish Independence, and in the Civil War.
“Many people will question why we are commemorating those who fought in both world wars”, said Ned. “But I have taken example from Tom Barry and Matt Flood of Fermoy, who both left World War I and joined the IRA on the Republican side”.
Likewise in a central location in Castletownroche, it is hoped to erect a monument to three local men, including Captain Tom Hunter, who fought in the 1916 rising and was a member of both the first and second Dáil. Other local men to be remembered are Commandant Daniel Shinnick, and Volunteer James O’Callaghan. Furthermore, the iron cross that currently stands at Monanimy Cross in remembrance of James O’Callaghan, is to be replaced by a marble plaque.
“I and the people involved with me are very proud to be involved in remembering those who fought so gallantly in the fight for freedom, and in the so-terrible Civil War”, said Mr O’Keeffe.
“The Fermoy and Mitchelstown area is unique in the fight for independence, and in the Civil War, because here was the highest concentration of British in the country outside of the Curragh, and they were brought to a stop by the IRA. There were approximately 45,000 troops in the area across the aerodrome, Moorepark where the calvary were based, and in Kilworth camp. As this year is the 100th anniversary of the Civil War, we hope to have the project completed by the end of the year”.