Glasnevin plot of John O'Connor, Ex-RIC Sergeant in Co Wicklow, late of Enniskerry.

feeds@yuku.com (DesW) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:40:05 PST

I stumbled across this man's headstone recently.
Unusually, it shows where he was born as well as the RIC stations he served in (all in Co Wicklow).
The inscription reads:

Erected in memory of
John O'Connor ex R.I.C.
Late of Enniskerry
who died 3rd August 1901 aged 48 years
Born in Bunadreen*, Mastergeehy, Co Kerry
and was stationed in Wicklow,
Ashford, Rathnew and Aughrim
of which Station
he had been Sergeant for many years
His Comrades of the R.I.C.
and his Numerous Other Friends
have showed their Affection and Regard for him
by erecting this Stone to his Memory
May he Rest in Peace Amen
Also to the memory of
Henrietta Martin
late of 32 Crumlin Road, Dublin
who died 5th August 1953.
R.I.P.
{* Now spelled Bunaderreen}

DesW

Somebody still cares - RIC Plot Glasnevin & Christmas wreaths, 2011

feeds@yuku.com (DesW) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:32:03 PST

I saw that two Christmas wreaths had been anonymously placed on the plot about a week before Christmas.
DesW

and close-up of one wreath:

Daniel James O'Rahilly ex-RIC

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 21:14:58 PST

Daniel James O'Rahilly 66825, buried in Aghadoe, Killarney.

The family were obviously proud of the RIC connection. Interestingly the family name was Rahilly according to the Census, and it appears he joined the RIC under that name.

Sir Henry Thynne, Deputy Inspector-General, RIC

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 20:52:19 PST

“Sacred to the Memory of Anna Maria
beloved wife of H. Thynne C.B. D.I.G R.I.C.
who died 8^th January 1892”

Born 1838 Ennistymon, Co. Clare; CB (Civil) 1890, Knighted 1898, DIG 1886, died 1915.

Glasnevin, St Bridget's section, PH215.5
Thanks to Des W
Additional info Jim Herlihy

C.I. Ignatius Ronayne Bray Jennings RIC

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 20:43:39 PST

The resting place of County Inspector I.R.B. Jennings RIC, in Glasnevin. Born in Galway, 1850, his father Daniel Corley Jennings was also a County Inspector in the RIC. Sub Inspector 1869, County Inspector 1894, pensioned 1910.

He spent his last years in the Records Office in the Four Courts, researching Co. Waterford families. His will extracts are of great significance as most of the original wills were destroyed by fire during the attack on the Four Courts in the Civil War.

His son, D.I. Donal Charles Blake Jennings MBE, was also to join the RIC and transferred to the RUC in 1922.

“Lord have mercy on the soul of Margaret
The dearly beloved wife of
Daniel Ryan Chief Superintendent D.M.P.
Died 8^th November 1873 aged 55 years
And on the soul of the above named

County Inspectors Stephen Burke and Myles Blake Burke

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 00:38:59 PST

In Glasnevin cemetery lie the mortal remains of Stephen Burke and his son Myles Blake Burke.

Stephen Burke - born 15 Dec 1791, Co. Galway. Galway Militia 24 Dec 1810, 47th Regt of Foot (Lancs Regt) served in Spain and was present at the Battle of Vittoria 21 June 1813, severely wounded at the assault on St Sebastian 31 Aug 1813, India 1814; medal and clasps (Vittoria, St Sebastian);
Sub Inspector 28 Jan 1823, Dublin; Killarney 1823-24; Bantry 1824-28; County Inspector 8 Jan 1844; pensioned 15 Dec 1851.

Myles Blake Burke - born 17 June 1826 Bantry; Sub Inspector 2 Nov 1847; County Inspector; pensioned 1 June 1887, died 21 Dec 1906.
(note - look up service details)

The memorial stone in Glasnevin Cemetery

Constables George Roach and Michael Linehan, killed on the Connor Pass 1920

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 23:51:43 PST

On the 13th January 1920, District Inspector Michael Fallon, accompanied by three other police in a motor car, were ambushed on the Conor Pass between Cloghane and Dingle, Co. Kerry. The D.I. was returning from an inspection of the barracks at Cloghane when the party was ambushed by members of the IRA West Kerry No.1 Brigade who were billetted at Fibough, near the top of Slieve Mish mountain. The IRA volunteers included J. Dowling, Paddy Paul Fitzgerald, Dan Jeffers and Mick McMahon among their number.

Constables George Roach 62449 and Michael Linehan 63592 were killed outright. D.I. Fallon and Constable Campbell (the driver) were both wounded.
The IRA removed the bodies from the car and took away the rifles and revolvers of the police. They then took Constable Campbell prisoner, dropping him off about 3 miles later.

Memorial Cards to Roach and Linehan

Sergeant Michael Brophy - Policeman and Author

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 22:37:55 PST

A beautiful memorial has been erected in St Mary's Cemetery, Carlow, to ex-Sergeant Brophy, the author of "Tales of the RIC" and "Carlow Past and Present". Mr Brophy was closely conversant with Irish history and literature, and knew his Shakespeare well. Thanks to the exertions of Mr Patrick Byrne, Tullow Street, Carlow, a Celtic cross has been erected over his grave.

- Irish Independent 31 Dec 1906

- Carlow past and present: A brochure containing short historical notes and miscellaneous gleanings of the town and county of Carlow. Carlow 1888.
- Sketches of the Royal Irish Constabulary 1886

It would be nice if any viewers in the Carlow area could take a photo of the grave.

Major James Seafield Grant MC

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 03:11:58 PST

The grave of District Inspector (Major) James Seafield Grant MC; killed at Coolavokig 25 February 1921.

(By kind permission of the Gravestone Photographic Resource www.gravestonephotos.com)

The inscription reads:

"In / Loving Memory / of / Major James Seafield Grant / M.C., K.O.S. Borderers, R.I.C. /
Born at Friston April 8th 1891 / Fell at Macroom Feb 25th 1921"

"Your spirit passed, unconquered, unafraid, / To join the gallant dead"

The epitaph is from a poem by Sir Owen Seaman

A faithful companion

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 00:49:26 PST

To the inexpressible regret of the Reserve at Depot, the favourite band dog died on Friday (30^th ult). The dog was a comrade to all members of the Depot force, but had a decided antipathy to strangers. He was given a military funeral by the Fatigue Staff.

- Irish Times May 8 1920

Constable Edward J Mulholland

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 00:23:43 PST

From the Irish Times of 14 February 1920 -

The regrettable fatality which has deprived the city force of one of the most popular and capable members was heard of in the city on Saturday last with feelings of deep concern. Constable E.J. Mulholland had 14 years service in the force, nearly all of which he spent in the city, being stationed at College square and Musgrave street in the “A” district for about twelve years.

Quiet and unassuming, he made hosts of friends, and on his transfer, temporarily, to Tipperary N.R., some short time ago, it was little thought that his powerful form would never again be seen in the central streets of the city. The sadness of the affair is intensified by the fact that the fatal shot was accidentally fired by another Belfast policeman, Constable Danagher, Cullingtree road Barracks, who had...

Dublin Metropolitan Police Plot, Mt Jerome Cemetery, Dublin.

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 23:49:39 PST

The burial plot of the DMP in Mt Jerome, grave location C135/5621

Temporary Cadet Cleve Lindsay Soady J Company, Auxiliary Division RIC

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 19:03:16 PST

The grave of Lt Cleve L Soady, ex-RNR, killed in the Coolavokig ambush in 1921. His remains lie in Macroom, one of only 3 Temporary Cadets to lie buried in Ireland.

The inscription reads:

"Sacred
To The Memory Of
Cadet Cleve Soady
Youngest Son Of Major Soady 66th Regt
Who Died On The 1st Of March 1921
From Wounds Received In The Coolavokig
Ambush Near Ballyvourney On The
25th February 1921
Deeply Mourned

Thy Will Be Done

Erected By His Comrades Belonging To
J Company, Auxiliary Division, R.I.C.

Cadet Soady Served In The R.N.R.
In The Great War 1914-1918"

This is the ambush site at Coolavokig, on the road between Macroom and Ballyvourney. The inscription is totally...

Mounted Constable Peter Magrath 17627

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 13:02:12 PST

Peter Magrath 17627, who was born in Co. Wexford and was 20 years of age when he joined the RIC in 1853

His remains lie in Cornamagh Cemetery, Athlone

O Lord have mercy on the Soul of Peter Magrath, Mounted Constable RIC who departed this life 23^rd January 1872 aged 41. During 18 years of his official life, the last thirteen years of which he was stationed in Athlone.

His kind and humble manner gained the good opinions of all classes and won the respect of many friends who to his memory has erected this stone as a small token of...

Constable Joseph Cecil Holman 74002

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:54:06 PST

Constable Holman was shot dead whilst out walking with a female friend, some few hundred yards from Kilworth Barracks. His killers had been hiding behind a fence at a nearby plantation. Constable Holman had served in the Royal Marines prior to joining the RIC.
(Source - Police Casualties in Ireland, by Richard Abbott)

In
Loving Memory of Beatrice Rose
Infant Daughter of
Humphrey Charles
and Rose Marie Holman
died august 16th 1898
Aged 2...

Cadet C.A. Morris ADRIC, killed Bloody Sunday 1920

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:14:28 PST

Michael Collins launched his attack on the British Intelligence network in Dublin on Sunday 21^st November 1920. On the day that was to become known as 'Bloody Sunday' a total of 34 men were killed; fourteen of them by Collins' Squad; fourteen at Croke Park, three under Auxiliary custody in Dublin Castle and another 3 RIC shot dead elsewhere in the country.

Whilst some of Collins' men were raiding a house in Lower Mount Street (where they succeeded in killing one of their targets), a maid summoned help from a party of Auxiliaries en route to the Railway Station. Two of their number were sent back to Beggars Bush barracks for reinforcements.
The Auxiliaries succeeded in wounding and capturing Frank Teeling but the other killers escaped.

However the two Cadets sent back for reinforcements never made it, they were stopped and...

Memorial Verse - To The R.I.C. - 1916

feeds@yuku.com (ballyroughan) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:04 PST

I found this poem most poignant and thought it should be given new exposure after 94 years, with its full title and heading :-

To the Memory of the Royal Irish Constabulary
Who fought and fell in the Rebellion in Ireland, 1916
-------------------------------------------
" Ave Atque Vale "
-------------------------------------------
Not their's on foreign fields to die
By Prussian shot or shell ;
They rest beneath an Irish sky,
On Irish soil they fell.

Comrades in battles of renown
Died with the Guards' Brigade,
These wearing still the Harp and Crown
Met death, too, unafraid.

No bugles cheered them on their way.
Nor hopes martial fame;
Plain duty calls and they obey,
Heedless of praise or blame.

Not their's the silken flag that shows
Proud battle honours won,
Who only fought with rebel foes,
Outnumbered ten to one.

Oh,foul the crime, by...

Capt. AJD Simey District Inspector RIC

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:29:28 PST
The grave of Capt. AJD Simey, D.I. R.I.C. Served in the ASC during the 1914-18 war, Assistant Provost Marshal VI Division; in command of the firing party on at least 3 occasions (including that of Harry Farr) for those 'shot at dawn'. Later DI, Kenmare County Kerry until 1922.

The inscription reads:

"In Very Loving Memory Of / ALFRED JAMES DOWNES SIMEY / D.I., R.I.C. / Who Died December 8th 1931, From The / Effects Of Gas While On Service In / France During The War 1914-1918"

"And In Very Loving Memory Of / His Wife / Hilda Katherine Simey nee Stillingfleet / 1875 - 1970 / A Much Loved Mother And ..../ R.I.P."
His mortal remains lie in the churchyard at Fontmell Magna, Dorset.

Memorials to the Irish Police