Top Issue 1-2024

11 December 2003 Edition

Resize: A A A Print

The Creation of the Milltown Memorial

Although Milltown's Republican Plot has been the focus of much hard work and fundraising by the National Graves Association over the past year, the project actually began many years beforehand.

"Originally, when we decided to put up a monument — a sculpture — we erected six large stones to represent each of the occupied Six Counties," explains NGA spokesperson Liam Shannon, "That was what the sculpture was meant to be mounted on."

"The artist was a Breton. He had designed the Ballyseedy Cross monument and came very well recommended. But the war was at a very high pitch here and so things kept getting pushed back. The end result was that the artist died and the sculpture was never completed."

In spite of the conflict and the ongoing years, the NGA remained determined to see a "proper" memorial erected at the spot, one worthy of the sacrifices of Belfast republicans and their families.

"Over the last number of years we kept toying with the idea," says Shannon. "We considered many designs before settling on a wall similar to one we saw in Ballyconnell. It's a basic wall except that it's high at the back and extends around to the front of the memorial. The idea was that it would resemble arms embracing the Volunteers.

"The wall is basic and almost maintenance free. Hopefully it can't be easily damaged, as vandalism was a concern. It's quite a costly project but we felt the time was finally right to do it."

The new memorial came with a price tag in excess of £40,000, but the final results are well worth it. Supporters in Ballyconnell, County Cavan donated the stone used in the construction and the six large stones originally intended for the monument will now be used to mark other republican memorials throughout the city.

"We sent letters to the families of those deceased republicans inviting them to attend," says Shannon. "Many of those who attended made time afterwards to say just how impressed they were by the new monument and to thank those involved. It was an emotional day but the fine weather and the large crowd made it one that will stay with many of us for a very long time.

"We're very pleased with how the project has turned out and hope that the families and friends of our fallen comrades are equally gratified. We hope the memorial will be seen as a fitting tribute to our republican dead."


An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland