New book puts focus on Roscommon’s Republican dead

A new book documenting all the people who died as a result of the Troubles between the years 1917 and 1923 in County Roscommon will be launched on Sunday night December 4. The book is produced by the Roscommon Republican Graves and Monuments Committee and is the result of research and photography carried out over the last number of years by Henry Owens, Strokestown and Thomas Flynn, Ballymoe.

The timing of the launch this year is to co-inside with the centenary of the events that led to the deaths of over forty people in county Roscommon during those years. The book is an excellent production and is attractively illustrated with photographs.

Each victim of the troubled period is documented with a brief biography detailing their life from birth to final resting place and the circumstances of how they met their deaths.

The book will be launched by Tommy McKearney, Monaghan. Tommy is a native of Moy Co Tyrone, but now lives in Monaghan; his late mother was formerly Margaret Murray, a native of Carrownalasson, Fourmilehouse, she was daughter of Thomas Murray, who came from Cagglebeg, Strokestown.

Thomas Murray was a member of the 3rd Battn. North Roscommon Brigade IRA during the Black and Tan period. Tommy himself is a writer and free-lance journalist and has spoken at numerous events organised by the National Graves Association.

The launch will take place on Sunday, December 4, in the Percy French Hotel Strokestown at 8pm sharp. The book will be on sale immediately after the launch. Afterwards there will be a post-launch traditional music and ballad session in Compton’s Central Bar Bridge St. and all members of the public are cordially invited to attend both the launch and the music session.