Ceremony to take place to mark 100-year anniversary of Rosses Martyrs

The unveiling of memorial plaques in memory of the Rosses Martyrs will take place on Sunday, March 13 at Mullaghduff hall at 2.30pm. 

The main speaker at the event will be Teachta Pearse Doherty and the event will be chaired by the Cathaoirleach of the Glenties Muncipal District Marie Therese Gallagher. 

Those recalled will be Commandant Neil Plunkett Boyle, volunteer Mary McBride, Cumann na mBan, volunteer Owen Boyle and Captain Con Boyle. 

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Neil Plunkett Boyle Lower Rosses Cumann is one of the oldest cumanns in Ireland. On May 15, 1923 - fifteen days after the ceasefire had become effective, Neil Plunkett Boyle from Lackenagh, Burtonport was killed in action by Free State troops at Knocknadruce, Wicklow. He was the last IRA volunteer to be killed in the Civil War. He was buried in Kincasslagh graveyard. 

Mary McBride of Upper Main Street Dungloe was active in Cumann na mBan during the War of Independence and like many rejected the Treaty of December 1921. She was active as a member of Cumann na mBan throughout the county and she helped establish a field hospital in Churchill during the Civil War. Free State forces overran the hospital and Mary and her comrades were arrested. Members of Cumann na mBan were removed to Buncrana where they were kept in vile and unhealthy conditions for several months. They were later transported to Dublin gaols. Unable to recover from her prison ordeal, Mary tragically died in 1924. 

Con Boyle was born in Meenatottan, Dungloe, he joined the Irish Republican Army in 1919 - quickly promoted he was transferred to the Flying Column led by Peadar O'Donnell. He was wounded and later arrested by troops in Glendowan. Sent to a prison ship on Belfast Lough and had to tend to his own wound.  Realising he had not long to live, British authorities released him in March, 1922. Con died at the young age of 25 in August, 1922.

Reared in Miltown, Burtonport, by a very Republican family, Owen and Neil Boyle joined the Irish Republican Army in 1922. Manus Boyle had joined in 1921. Owen was arrested in July 1922, brought to Finner Camp and later transport to Newbridge. His brother Manus jumped off the lorry in Doochary and escaped prison. In failing health Owen joined the hunger strikers of 1923 and died on June 29, 1923 after saying he would not participate in Republican activities again. Owen said he was prepared to die before he signed any such document. 

The deaths of the Rosses Martyrs there has been commemorations at their gravesides, over the years, by generations of Republicans. 

Desy Collins, Brian McCafferty and Danny Sweeney decided to mark their graves with updated plaques in efforts to ensure future generations will honour their memory. 

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