Events to mark Centenary of Free State executions of Republicans

The centenary of the execution of Republican prisoners by the Free State government is to be marked with commemorative events around the country in November and December. The Free State government introduced Emergency Powers legislation which gave its Army authority to court-martial prisoners and sentence them to death for a range of offences including possession of weapons. That law of October 1922 was accompanied by a trenchant anti-IRA pastoral letter from the Catholic bishops.

•  James Fisher, Peter Cassidy, John Gaffney and Richard Twohig

The first four IRA Volunteers to fall victim to this onslaught: James Fisher, Peter Cassidy, John Gaffney and Richard Twohig, were executed in Kilmainham Jail on 17 November 1922. Beginning on that date events are being held in Dublin, Galway, Belfast, Cork, Wexford and other centres.

• Erskine Childers

The best known of the executed were the  leaders Erskine Childers, Liam Mellows, Rory O’Connor, Joe McKelvey and Dick Barrett. The latter four were shot by firing squad, without even a court-martial, in Mountjoy Jail on 8 December. All those executed from November 1922 to May 1923 will be remembered.

• Rory O’Connor, Liam Mellows, Joe McKelvey and Dick Barrett

Traditionally the number of Republicans  executed is given as 77. There were another four not claimed as IRA volunteers nationally at the time, but who were acknowledged as such locally later. The number 77, however, remains embedded in national consciousness as a grim indictment of the Free State regime.

Main events listed below. For other events check locally

>  17 November, 7am

Kilmainham Jail, Dublin, Dawn Vigil to mark centenary of first Free State prison executions of Republicans

 • — • — • — • — • — • — •

>  20 November, 3pm

Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin, Commemoration and Wreath-Laying at graves of IRA Volunteers executed in the Civil War, Republican Plot, Glasnevin Cemetery.

• — • — • — • — • — • — •

>  1 December, 7pm

Teachers Club, Parnell Square, Dublin, Liam Mellows Memorial evening. Talk on ‘Liam Mellows – Irish Revolutionary’ by Micheál MacDonncha & book launch by Gerry Adams.

• — • — • — • — • — • — •

>  2 December, 8pm-late

Felons Club, Belfast Andersonstown Commemoration Committee with Guest Speaker James (Flash) McVeigh followed by entertainment, with Pinch of Snuff

• — • — • — • — • — • — •

>  3 December, 2pm

Ahiohill, Co. Cork Richard 'Dick' Barrett centenary commemoration

• — • — • — • — • — • — •

>  3 Nollag 8pm

Scoil Gheimhridh Liam Uí Mhaoilíosa. Ráth Cairn, Co na Mí. Cainteoirí : An Comhairleoir Mícheál MacDonncha & Padaí ‘Rua’ Ó Baoill

• — • — • — • — • — • — •

>  5 December 

Athenry, Galway Liam Mellows Commemoration , 1916 Commemorative Garden.

• — • — • — • — • — • — •

>  8 December & 9 December, 7.45pm

Gaelscoil Bharra Hall, Cabra: Play – ‘Execution’ by Ulick O’Connor

• — • — • — • — • — • — •

>  8 December, 1pm

Joe McKelvey House, Sevastopol Street/Falls Road, Wreath Laying Ceremony

• — • — • — • — • — • — •

>  11 December, 2pm

Castletown, Wexford, Liam Mellows Commemoration. Speaker Mary Lou McDonald

• — • — • — • — • — • — •

>  11 December, 11am

Harbinson Plot, Milltown Cemetery, Wreath-Laying at grave of Joe McKelvey.

• — • — • — • — • — • — •

>   11 December, 1pm

O’Donovan Rossa playing complex, Shaws Road, Belfast. Plaque unveiling and dedication of new stand as Joe McKelvey Stand and portrait unveiling in club premises