Republican News · Thursday 31 January 2002

1803 Rising remembered in Clonakilty

Cumann Seanchais Chloich na Coillte (Clonakilty Historical Society) organised a commemoration last Wednesday evening to remember the bicentenary Robert Emmet's ill-fated rising in Thomas Street, Dublin, on 23 July 1803. While there was no action locally at that time, four men with known associations with the United Irishmen movement were arrested that morning in Clonakilty.

At 8pm, approximately 30 people, including a contingent of Croppies from Shannonvale, gathered at the Convent of Mercy, where stood "Scartagh Cottage" where the arrests took place. Traolach Ó Donnabháin of An Cumann Seanchais extended a Céad Míle Fáilte to everyone and Sr. Eileen McSweeney of the convent read out a short history of the cottage and the grotto, which now stands on the site. Tim Crowley outlined that Dr William Callanan, who resided at the cottage, was arrested with an Ulster Presbyterian and known agitator for Catholic Emancipation, William Todd Jones, Fr David Walsh, the then Parish Priest of Barryroe (and later of Clonakilty), and a John Gould from Ardfield.

Sinn Féin Councillor Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin is pictured reading sections from Emmet's 1803 Proclamation of the Republic. The proclamation called for an independent Ireland, religious tolerance and distribution of the wealth of the nation. It also advocated civil and human rights for all, including prisoners of war and the abolition of the tithes.