A special ‘Drumboe 100’ exhibition opens this afternoon in the Twin Towns Library in Stranorlar.
It aims to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the execution of Charlie Daly, Seán Larkin, Daniel Enright and Timothy O’Sullivan at Drumboe Castle, Stranorlar.
The exhibition, developed by Donegal County Museum, tells the story of the arrest and Court Martial of the four men, their execution and its aftermath.
Cllr Patrick McGowan, Cathaoirleach of the Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District, said he is pleased to see this exhibition opening in the Twins Towns.
“It commemorates, with sensitivity and respect, the executions of Charlie Daly, Daniel Enright, Timothy O’Sullivan and Séan Larkin at Drumboe Castle,” Cllr McGowan said.
“I encourage young and old to visit the exhibition to learn more about this significant period in our history.”
Main pic: A Drumboe Martyrs Memorial Card. Image courtesy of Donegal County Archives.
The Civil War lasted from June 1922 to May 1923. In Donegal, Pro-Treaty forces had control of the county but not without resistance from the Anti Treaty side.
However, at the beginning of November 1922, the Anti-Treaty HQ in Dublin ordered their forces to evacuate Donegal. On the 4th November, eight Anti-Treaty men were captured near Dunlewey and held in Drumboe Castle. They were charged with possession of rifles and other ammunition. The men were found guilty by court martial in January, but sentence was not passed.
Under the provisions of the Public Safety Act, it was known that there was a possibility that the men would be sentenced to death.
On 10th March, Captain Bernard Cannon, a Pro-Treaty officer, was killed in Creeslough and orders were received in Drumboe Castle to execute four men. At 7 am on 14th March 1923, Charlie Daly, Timothy O’Sullivan, Daniel Enright and Seán (Jack) Larkin were executed by firing squad.
This exhibition forms part of Donegal County Council’s Decade of Centenaries Commemorations. Admission to the exhibition is free and it continues to the end of the month.
The Twin Towns library is in The Base Enterprise Centre, Railway Rd, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal, F93 Y5C3
For further information on the exhibition, contact Donegal County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal T 074 9124613 E museum@donegalcoco.ie
Opening hours of the library are:
Monday: 10am – 2:30pm
Tuesday: 12pm – 4.30pm & 5.30pm – 8pm
Wednesday: 9.30am – 1pm & 2pm – 5.30pm
Thursday: 9.30am – 1pm & 2pm – 5.30pm
Friday: 9.30am – 1pm & 2pm – 5.30pm
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