The Historical And Reconciliatory Police Society (HARP) are glad to supply and unveil a commemorative centenary plaque at the grave of Constable Edward Bolger, Royal Irish Constabulary in Clonfert Cemetery, Newmarket, Co. Cork at 1pm on Saturday 14th December 2019. On the night of December 14th 1919, Constable Edward Bolger was shot dead by the IRA on the main street of Kilbrittain Village, Co. Cork. A native of Tullyroan, Co. Kilkenny, Edward Bolger was a career policeman with 28 years’ service in the Royal Irish Constabulary and had been recommended for an award for saving a man’s life early in his career. Posted to Kilbrittain as the struggle for independence escalated, Bolger showed himself to be a firm opponent of the IRA, which ultimately lead to him being targeted.
The HARP Society are glad to support the Kilbrittain Historical Society, Co. Cork who hosted a lecture entitled, ‘The Killing of Constable Bolger’ on Wednesday night 25th September @ 8pm in Kilbrittain Parish Hall. On the night of December 14th 1919, Constable Edward Bolger was shot dead by the IRA on the main street of Kilbrittain Village. A native of Tullyroan, Co. Kilkenny, Bolger was a career policeman with 28 years’ service in the Royal Irish Constabulary and had been recommended for an award for saving a man’s life early in his career. Posted to Kilbrittain as the struggle for independence escalated, Bolger showed himself to be a firm opponent of the IRA, which ultimately lead to him being targeted. This talk discussed Constable Bolger’s career in the RIC, and the events that led up to his shooting on a dark December’s night in Kilbrittain. Guest speaker on the night is Mr. Fergal Browne from Belgooly. Mr Browne is a regular contributor to historical journals.
Sergeant Philip Brady, RIC 54833 was ambushed & shot dead near a disused quarry between Lorrha & Carrigahorig, Co. Tipperary on 2 September 1919. He was born in Co. Cavan on 24th January 1871, married & the father of six children under the age of 11.
A centenary commemoration is being at the ambush site following a short walk from Lorrha, Co. Tipperary, commencing at 2pm on Sunday 1st September 2019 by The Lorrha Historical Society.
Constable Thomas Gallivan, RIC 70812 & Constable Joseph Daly, RIC 75769 were abducted & shot dead near Nenagh, Co. Tipperary on 15 May 1921, with Constable Joseph Daly, RIC 75769. They were both buried in a bog in Clooneen in the parish of Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary. In 1925 both bodies were exhumed from the bog. Constable Daly was buried in his home town of Enfield, Co. Meath & Constable Gallivan was buried in Ardcroney Cemetery, Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary. To date Constable lay in an unmarked grave. He was born in Co. Kerry on 16th February 1901.
A headstone was unveiled at the grave of Constable Thomas Gallivan,in Ardcroney Cemetery, Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary on Saturday 7th September 2019 by The Cloughjordan Heritage Group. A wreath was also be at the grave by the HARP Society. Relatives of Constable and Constable Daly were in attendance as were relatives of those on the other side of the conflict.
The HARP Society annual interdenominational service to commemorate the over 550 members of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police who were killed in the line of duty took place at the Church of St Paul of the Cross in Mount Argus, Dublin 6W, on Saturday 14 September 2019 at 2pm (sharp).
Clergymen from various Christian denominations will officiate, including Rev. Joe Kennedy, C.P., Garda Roman Catholic Chaplain, Archdeacon David Pierpoint, Garda Church of Ireland Chaplain and Rev. Jim Carson, Presbyterian Church at the ceremony which consists of Old and New Testament readings and some appropriate liturgical music will be provided by the Dublin County Choir directed by Mr. Brian Ingoldsby, organist Mr. John Hughes and the Dublin Concert Band, directed by Mr. Derek Mander.
The entire proceedings will last an hour followed by some light refreshments.
The HARP Society welcomes the wearing of medals – police, military and or Garda Siochana medals.
For those who are unable to attend the service, a recording of it can watched by clicking on the following link:-
https://www.churchservices.tv/mountargus/archive/recordings/xiF7oWmaRs564fg
Gerard Lovett
Hon Sec
RIC/DMP Commemoration Committee
2019 HARP SOCIETY EVENTS
IRISH POLICE RELATED COMMEMORATIONS – 2016 – DIARY EVENTS & DATES
On Saturday 2nd April 2016, 2pm at St. Finian’s Cemetery, Castletownbere, Co. Cork, the unveiling of a centenary commemorative plaque and a wreath was laid at the grave of RIC Constable John Hurley, killed on 26th April 1916 at Lisvernane, Co. Tipperary. A wreath was laid by Mr. Gerry Lovett, Hon. Secretary, Harp Society. The event was organised by retired Garda Sergeant Fachtna O’Donovan, Beara Historical Society.
On Sunday 3rd April 2016, 11am at Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin – the unveiling of the memorial wall to the 488 casualties of the Easter Rising by An Taoiseach took place and a wreath-laying ceremony, including the 3 members of the DMP and 14 members of the RIC. A wreath was laid by Mr. Pat McCarthy, President, Harp Society. At the unveiling the Chairman of the Glasnevin Trust stated “Today we unveil the 488 names of those known to have died in the Easter Rising – 119 were serving in the British Army.” “There were 268 civilians, 1 from Fianna Eireann, 1 from the Irish Association of Volunteer Training Corps, 15 members of the Irish Citizen Army, 63 Irish Volunteers and 17 Policemen.” There was no hierarchy, no judgement on this wall, essentially viewing the dead through a human prism. ” “One hundred years on we believe this memorial reflects the time we live in, with the overwhelming majority of the Irish people wishing to live in peace and in reconciliation, but it is for each visitor to take from the wall what they wish.”
On Sunday 24th April 2016 at the Cork Hill Entrance Dublin Castle there will be the laying of a wreath in memory of DMP Constable James O’Brien, killed at Dublin Castle on 24 April 1916.
COMMEMORATION CEREMONY – CONSTABLE JAMES O’BRIEN,
DMP 9862 (168 B)
Cork Hill, Dublin Castle at 12 noon on Sunday 24th April 2016.
The HARP SOCIETY (aka RIC/DMP Commemoration Committee) & the Dublin South Branch of the Garda Siochana Retired Members Association (GSRMA) will hold a short commemoration ceremony for Constable James O’Brien of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, at 12.00 noon on Sunday 24th April 2016, at the Cork Hill Gate of Dublin Castle, exactly 100 years after he became the first casualty of the Easter Rising when he was shot at that location at 12.00 noon on Monday 24th April 1916.
The Ceremony will consist of introductory words, an account of the death of Constable O’Brien, the laying of wreaths and the playing of the Last Post.
COMMEMORATION CEREMONY – CONSTABLE MICHAEL LAHIFF,
DMP 11047 (125 D)
St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin at 1pm on Sunday 24th April 2016.
The HARP SOCIETY (aka RIC/DMP Commemoration Committee) & the Dublin South Branch of the Garda Siochana Retired Members Association (GSRMA) will hold a short commemoration ceremony for Constable Michael Lahiff of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, at 1p.m. on Sunday 24th April 2016, at the St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin, exactly 100 years after he became the second DMP casualty of the Easter Rising when he was shot at that location on Monday 24th April 1916.
On Tuesday 26th April 2016 at 10am at Carnmore Cross – the unveiling of a commemorative stone at the site of the engagement of the Castlegar and Claregalway Volunteers and the Royal Irish Constabulary which resulted in the death of RIC Constable Patrick Whelan was killed on 26 April 1916, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of Patrick Whelan in Bohermore Cemetery, Galway.
COMMEMORATION CEREMONY – CONSTABLE PATRICK WHELAN,
RIC 63409
Carnmore Cross, Co. Galway at 10.30am and at Bohermore Cemetery, Galway at 1pm on Tuesday 26th April 2016.
The unveiling of a commemorative stone and a short commemoration ceremony at the site of the engagement during the Easter Rising of the Castlegar and Claregalway Volunteers with the Royal Irish Constabulary which resulted in the death of Constable Patrick Whelan RIC will take place at 10am on Tuesday 26th April 2016, at Carnmore Cross, Oranmore, Co. Galway, exactly 100 years to the day. This will be followed at 1pm with a wreath-laying ceremony by Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway, the Mayor of the City of Galway and the Harp Society.
COMMEMORATION CEREMONY – CONSTABLE WILLIAM FRITH,
DMP 10175 (174 C)
Mount Jerome Cemetery, Harold’s Cross, Dublin, between 11a.m. and 11.45a.m. on Thursday 28th April 2016.
The Dublin South Branch of the GSRMA will hold a wreath-laying ceremony for Constable William Frith of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, between 11a.m. and 11.45a.m. on Thursday 28th April 2016, at Mount Jerome Cemetery, Harold’s Cross, Dublin. It is 100 years after he became the third DMP casualty of the Easter Rising when he was shot dead in his bedroom in Store Street, Dublin on Thursday 27th April 1916.
COMMEMORATION CEREMONY – CONSTABLE CHRISTOPHER MILLER
RIC 63620
St. John’s Hospital Cemetery, Royal Hospital, KIlmainham, Dublin, at 12 noon on Thursday 28th April 2016.
The Dublin South Branch of the GSRMA will hold a wreath-laying ceremony for Constable Christopher Miller of the Royal Irish Constabulary, at 12 noon on Thursday 28th April 2016, at St. John’s Hospital Cemetery, Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin. Constable Miller was one of 14 RIC casualties of the Easter Rising, however, he was the only RIC man shot dead in Dublin City at the South Dublin Union (now St. James’ Hospital) on Wednesday 26th April 1916.
The Dublin Metropolitan Police were an unarmed municipal police force who found themselves caught up in a political maelstrom not of their making and caught on the wrong side of history’s tide.
They and their countless descendants have made an immeasurable contribution to the fabric of Irish society and we of the HARP SOCIETY (www.irish-police.com) are resolved that their societal contribution be officially recognized – “to the living we owe respect but to the dead we owe only the truth.” [Voltaire]
Gerard Lovett
Honorary Secretary/HARP Society
Tel: 087 8133743
Email: ricanddmp@gmail.com or gerardlovett@eircom.net
Jim Herlihy,
Public Relations Officer
Tel: 086 8060385
Email: ricanddmp@gmail.com or dublin208@hotmail.com
(Photo Credits – Patrick Hugh Lynch)