Memorial unveiled to Kilnaleck Volunteer

A memorial was unveiled to Volunteer Captain Edward Boylan, 1901-1922, in Kilnaleck, Co Cavan on Sunday 27 July. The memorial was erected by the local Edward Boylan/Joe Ennis Sinn Féin cumann.

Edward Boylan was an uncle of Cavan Sinn Féin Councillor, Charlie Boylan, who addressed the large crowd in attendance. Other members of the extended Boylan family also participated in the commemoration. The proceedings were chaired by local Sinn Féin Councillor, Pauline McCauley and the guest speaker was Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD.

Edward Boylan joined the Irish Volunteers in 1918 and later fought in the War of Independence. Having chosen the anti-Treaty side in the Civil War, he was arrested at its outset by the Free State forces in the general round-up of republican activists. He was taken to Cavan Military Barracks where he joined other prisoners in an escape attempt. In the attempt, he was fatally wounded and he died on 25 July 1922 of his wounds at Clones Military Hospital. He was 21 years of age.

His funeral cortege from Clones to Ballyhaise Church and onto Kill Cemetery, a mile from Kilnaleck, was one of the largest displays of Anti-Treaty feelings at the time.

Cumann member TP Ennis has produced a commemorative booklet describing some of the national political events that have taken place in Kilnaleck. These include an address by Charles Stuart Parnell to some 10,000 people in Kilnaleck on Easter Monday, 1879.