Harry Boland commemorated 100 years on from his death

Family, historians, politicians and writers gathered at the Republican Plot in Glasnevin Cemetery on Monday, August 1 to commemorate the life and death of Harry Boland, who was killed 100 years ago.

The ceremony consisted of a wreath laying, music, and speeches given by TD Éamon Ó Cuív, whose grandfather is Éamon De Valera, Professor Cathal MacSwiney Brugha, the grandson of revolutionary Cathal Brugha, and orated by historian Gerard Shannon.

During his speech, Shannon said that the Irish people should be proud “and celebrate that Harry Boland, his siblings and others of that generation took such a powerful stand for Irish freedom.

“Harry was an extraordinary individual who devoted himself to the establishment of an independent Irish Republic and the overthrow of British rule in Ireland,” he said.

“In so many accounts of this period, and in Harry’s own words, we get a sense of this friendly, likeable and good-humoured individual, yet one who was also a tireless worker and charismatic organiser for the national cause.

“On this day, one hundred years ago, roughly at ten past nine at night, the life of Harry came to an end within St. Vincent’s hospital here in Dublin.

“Five weeks into a conflict of former comrades that Harry had done much to prevent from happening.”

Shannon remarked on Boland’s final wishes which were to request that no harm came to the man who shot him.

“It was a friend of my own that was in prison with me that fired the shot.

“I’ll never tell the name and don’t try to find out.

“I forgive him and I want no reprisals.

“I want to be buried in the grave with Cathal Brugha,” he told his sister Kathleen.

Boland was shot in the Skerries Grand Hotel by pro-treaty forces, the National Army on July 31, 1922, dying from his wounds the following day.

Left to right: Alva Morgan, Orla O’Donovan, grandnieces of Harry Boland; Michael V O’Mahony grandnephew of Michael Collins; Éamon Ó Cuív TD, grandson of Éamon de Valera; Bróna Boland, grandniece of Harry Boland, and Cathal McSweeney Brugha, grandson of both Cathal Brugha and Terence McSweeney at Glasnevin Cemetery between the graves of Harry Boland and Cathal Brugha.

The gravestone of Harry Boland. The stone heart was placed by his mother shortly after his burial.

The national anthem is played during the commemoration.

Historian Gerard Shannon orated the ceremony.