War of Independence Commemorative Military Memorial

The War of Independence Commemorative Military Memorial also known simply as the Old IRA Memorial is a memorial in the townland of Shankill Cross near Elphin, County Roscommon, Republic of Ireland. The statue stands at 35 ft.[1][2][3]

War of Independence Commemorative Military Memorial

History

The memorial was erected in 1963 by veterans of the Irish War of Independence and Irish Civil War in memory of the Irish Republican Army that fought for the country's independence.[4]

The unveiling ceremony was lead by former IRA Commandant-general Tom Maguire (1892-1993). Maguire served as the General officer commanding of the Second Western Division IRA during the 1920s.[5]

A more recent addition includes a stone tablet featuring the names of 41 local Roscommon volunteers that fought with the Irish Republican Army, along with the message ‘ Chun glóire Dé agus Onóra na hÉireann‘ (for the glory of God and the honour of Ireland) A memorial to Padraig Pearse stands to the right.[6]

The entrance to the memorial is also a popular tourist spot, as the gate features a cast iron gate, featuring the Irish language phrase ‘Saoirse’ meaning ‘freedom’.[7]

References
  1. "The War of Independence Memorial, Elphin". irelandxo.com. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
  2. White, Robert W. (2020-06-09). Ruairí Ó Brádaigh: The Life and Politics of an Irish Revolutionary. Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0-253-04830-1.
  3. Vedral, Joyce L. (1993). Ireland. APA Publications. ISBN 978-0-395-66164-2.
  4. "The common men who freed Ireland". IrishCentral.com. 2020-05-20. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
  5. "The War of Independence Memorial, Elphin | Ireland Reaching Out". irelandxo.com. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
  6. McGreevy, Ronan. "IRA headquarters refused request to defend Ballaghaderreen". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
  7. "IRA headquarters refused request to defend Ballaghaderreen". www.irishtimes.com. Retrieved 2020-08-08.


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