Commemoration of Civil War victims held in Arigna

On Sunday last, February 5th a large crowd gathered in Arigna to honour the memory of three victims of the civil war who were killed in the conflict one hundred years ago.

In a stiff wintery breeze, a parade formed up on the hillside outside Arigna village where a Colour Party and the Raheen Pipe Band led the march to the Cull/Tymon memorial site on the slope of the Arigna hills.

The memorial overlooks the Kilronan mountain valley in this scenic area of north Roscommon. 

The memorial was erected in memory of brothers, Michael and Seamus Cull and Patrick Tymon, all local to the area.

Michael was killed by Free State forces in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, in January 1923 and his brother Seamus and Patrick Tymon were killed in a secret dug-out when a grenade was tossed into the entrance by Free State soldiers on February 27th 1923.

Pat McManus, Arigna, chaired the ceremony.

Wreaths were laid at the monument, the 1916 Proclamation was read and Roscommon’s Roll of Honour was called out.

The main speaker was Thomas Curran, a Republican Sinn Fein councillor from Bearna, Co Galway.

In a stirring oration Mr Curran outlined the circumstances of how the three men met their deaths. He also stated that the cause and objectives; a united Irish republic, that motivated the men to take action one hundred years ago have yet to be realised. 

A piper played a lament as the flags were dipped and raised.

Mr John Tymon, a nephew of Patrick, spoke briefly and thanked the organisers for their efforts to remember his uncle and comrades who paid the supreme sacrifice a century ago.

The proceedings ended with the Raheen Pipe Band playing the National Anthem.