A new sculpture and heritage panel have been installed in Doochary in the Rosses to mark three pivotal events in the village’s history.
The features, which were added in January, include a sculpture of a son of Doochary, Joseph McKelvey. Commandant General Joseph McKelvey of the IRA was executed by Free State forces in 1922.
While born in Tyrone, Joseph’s father, Patrick McKelvey was a native of Doochary Village. His homeplace is yards from the sculpture, which was created by John Gillespie (G-FAB).
The heritage sign, created by Signworxs, was part-written by Andrea Redmond and the overview of Joe’s story was written by a relative of Joe’s, Seamus Coll.
The sign says: “McKelvey was keenly aware of his Doochary roots. A fluent Irish speaker others that fought alongside him, such as a Donegal native Captain Manus O’Boyle referred to him as… a Donegal man.”
The panel also includes information on the Derryveagh Evictions of April 1861 and Abhainn Na Marbh (River of the Dead), to remember two local tragedies. The first was The Battle of Scarrifhollis, fought on June 21, 1650 between the Ulster Confederate Army and Cromwell’s army. The second tragedy occurred on a dark night, in the late 19th century, a large wedding party consisting of men and women returning to the Doochary area attempted to cross the river. The river at the time was swollen and the party in their attempts to cross were all swept away and perished.
The initiative was part of the Doochary Development’s Heritage Group wishing to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the execution of a young man who the village holds deeply in its heart. The group has plans for three other heritage signs in the area.
