Kilmacud Crokes commemorates the Centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising
Club members recounted the important part played by their ancestors in the 1916 Easter Rising and subsequent years leading to the foundation of the State at a special Centenary Commemoration evening in the clubhouse on Thursday 12th May.
The large attendance heard Diarmuid Ó Gallchobhair describe how his Donegal born Grandfather, Féilim Ó Gallchobhair joined the IRB in Glasgow, was centrally involved in smuggling arms from there to Dublin, undertook various roles in the War of Independence and in the Civil War and spent over a year incarcerated in Ballykinlar Internment Camp.
Kevin Galligan described how his Grandfather, Peter Paul Galligan was despatched by Pádraig Pearse to cycle from the GPO to Enniscorthy to launch the Rebellion in that town and prevent British Reinforcements from getting to Dublin. Kevin also described how his Grandfather’s death sentence was commuted to penal servitude and this allowed him to play an important role in the War of Independence in his native Cavan. Peter Paul Galligan was subsequently elected to the 1st Dáil but rather interestingly took no part in the Civil War.
Dr. Phil Gorey described how her Granduncle, Tom Clifford found himself under the Command of Michael Mallin in the St. Stephen’s Green Garrison on Easter Monday 1916. Dr. Gorey read out a moving letter from her Granduncle to his brother Dan, which demonstrated how honoured he was to be in a position to give his life for his country.
In summing up, Liam Coughlan, Oifigeach na Gaeilge, thanked the three main contributors, particularly for their vivid descriptions of the life and times of their illustrious subjects. He remarked how each of the stories underlined the idealism of 1916 and how this contrasts with the Ireland of 2016.
A number of attendees were interested in discussing further the history of Ballykinlar Internment Camp, which was set up in the aftermath of Bloody Sunday. Attendees are welcome to contact Diarmuid Ó Gallchobhair in this regard by clicking here.
Report by Liam Coughlan
