Boherbue commemoration of 1916

BOHERBUE VOLUNTEERS WERE MOBILISED FOR THE RISING OF EASTER 1916

On Easter Monday, a special commemoration was held in Boherbue to honour the members of the IRA from the area who marched to Barleyhill as part of the 1916 Easter Rising.

Among those present were several descendents of the men who took part in the march 108 years ago.

Megan Courtney read Proclamation of the Irish Republic and a wreath was laid beside the commemorative plaque by Donie Forde and Jerry Courtney.

Councillor Bernard Moynihan, who addressed the gathering, said that he was delighted to be asked to speak at the event which honoured the men from Boherbue who marched to Barleyhill. “On Easter Sunday, 1916, they were prepared to fight for the freedom we enjoy today,” he said.

“Because of a breakdown in communications, the news that the rebellion had been called off country wide had not reached them.

“This area has a fantastic history in the fight for freedom and it is very fitting that this commemoration is taking place outside the old forge where a huge amount of planning and discussion took place between 1914 and 1922, regarding the fight for Irish freedom.

“We should acknowledge and salute those men and women for their key role in the struggle for Irish independence” Councillor Moynihan said.

On Easter Sunday 1916, the company was ordered to mobilise with all arms, equipment and three days rations and march to Barleyhill (on the Newmarket to Freemount road).

They left Boherbue on Easter Sunday morning 1916, arrived at Barleyhill and remained there until evening. As they received no orders, they returned to Boherbue and dismissed.

They later learned that the countrywide rising had been cancelled, with all action taking place in Dublin on Easter Sunday.