Stories from the stones: Irishmen in War and Revolution

Many cemeteries in Ireland and near the battlefields of the Great War contain the remains of Irish soldiers who participated in that conflict or in the Irish Revolution. While their names are inscribed on their headstones for eternity, these markers provide limited information about their lives or the circumstances surrounding their deaths. In this presentation, Fiona Forde examines the stories of a selection of these individuals and their roles in the Great War or the Irish Revolution. Included in her presentation are the stories of Martin Doyle VC MM and Robert Barton. Doyle was a member of the Royal Munster Fusiliers who was awarded the Victoria Cross and Military Medal in the Great War but who later went on to join the IRA then take part on the Irish Civil War with the pro-Treaty National Army. Barton was a member of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who later became a Sinn Féin politician during the Irish Revolution.

Fiona Forde is a genealogist and a member of the Western Front Association, with a strong interest in the Great War. Her projects include the identification and photography of the graves of Irish men and women who were involved in the Great War and the Irish Revolution.

Members and non-members of The Western Front Association are equally welcome. Any new visitors are guaranteed a friendly atmosphere and a warm welcome from a group of like-minded enthusiasts. Admission is free but, if possible, we would appreciate a small donation of €5.00 to help cover branch costs.