|
THE STORY OF THE DRUMBOE MARTYRS
On a March morning in 1923, four Republican soldiers were put to death at Drumboe Castle, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal. Their execution at the time was described as the greatest tragedy of that period. Comd. Gen. Charlie Daly who hailed from Firries, Co Kerry was a man of outstanding character with a first-class National record. In "Kerry's Fighting Story", his name and that of his brother Tom who rose to the rank of Lt. General were mentioned time and again in its pages. In 1920, Cathal Brugha, Minister for Defence, on whose shoulders rested the entire responsibility for the military offensive against the British, selected Charlie Daly for an important position by sending him to the North. Daly accepted the position and proceeded North without delay, arriving in Co. Tyrone, where he at once started to carry out the task set aside for him. It was during his time there that he contacted that noble son of Co. Derry, Brig. General Sean Larkin, who also came of an outstanding Catholic and Fenian family. Early in 1922, other Kerry men arrived in the North, including Timothy O'Sullivan and Daniel Enright of Listowel, who were destined to face the Firing Squad, along with Daly and Larkin.
The Republicans of Donegal have already honoured them by a fitting Memorial at the very spot where they fell. They will again be honoured in this year of 1958, when a further Memorial will be unveiled to Tyrconnell's martyred dead at the gate leading to Drumboe Castle (see image below). By so doing we, the Republicans of Donegal, will testify to the sentiments of love and pride with which those four Martyrs who gave their lives for the cause of Freedom on that bleak March morning 35 years ago are remembered. Let us, the people of Tyrconnell and the North, re-affirm our unwavering allegiance to the Republic for which they suffered martyrdom. Their deaths that morning did not mean that all was lost, for the very reason that the grave made holy by the corpses of the martyrs it received served only to arouse in Tyrconnell - and everywhere in Ireland - the deepest feelings and admiration for the four young men, put to death for no greater crime than for loving Ireland and opposing British injustice imposed on their dear land by the Treaty of surrender and shame.
Every year since, the sons and daughters of Tyrconnell and other Northern Counties have remembered their sacrifice, and remembering have been mindful of the ideals they cherished for her complete liberation from alien control. To conclude, let us be mindful of the fact that there are those who to-day are telling us to slow up and to adopt a policy of moderation. Should moderation mean pressing on for Freedom with wise restraint and calm reasonableness then it is a virtue which all must seek to achieve in this critical period of our country's history. We cannot afford to slow up. We have a moral obligation to press on towards freedom because we have a date with Destiny. In God's name, let us keep moving. James Quinn
|
| Text © James Quinn 1958 : Photos and Design © Finn Valley Web Design 2002 |