War of Independence Commemorative Military Memorial

War of Independence Commemorative Military Memorial
Irish War of Independence and Irish Civil War veterans
War of Independence Commemorative Military Memorial
For Irish Republican Army soldiers
Established1963 (1963)
Location53°50′50.87″N 8°12′59.12″W / 53.8474639°N 8.2164222°W / 53.8474639; -8.2164222
Shankill Cross, County Roscommon, Republic of Ireland

near 
Elphin
Chun glóire Dé agus Onóra na hÉireann‘
(For the glory of God and the honour of Ireland)

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 (11 m).[1][2][3]

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 (IRA) that fought for the country's independence.[4]

The unveiling ceremony was led 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 it 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 17 June 2020.
  2. ^ White, Robert W. (9 June 2020). 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. 20 May 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  5. ^ "The War of Independence Memorial, Elphin | Ireland Reaching Out". irelandxo.com. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  6. ^ McGreevy, Ronan. "IRA headquarters refused request to defend Ballaghaderreen". The Irish Times. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  7. ^ "IRA headquarters refused request to defend Ballaghaderreen". www.irishtimes.com. Retrieved 8 August 2020.

53°50′21″N 8°13′06″W / 53.8392°N 8.2184°W / 53.8392; -8.2184


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