Moving ceremony remembers young victim of 1916 Rising

A MOVING ceremony took place in Goldenbridge Cemetery last Friday morning to mark the unveiling of a headstone on the grave of one of the 40 children killed in the 1916 Easter Rising.

Little Eugene Lynch was just eight years and nine months old when he died ‘from the effects of a bullet wound’, according to records, on Friday, April 28, 1916. 

Burial records from Goldenbridge Cemetery revealed the tragic details that helped Joe Duffy, author of ‘Children of the Rising’, to trace the details of Eugene’s death as part of his continuing research into the 40 children killed in Easter Week 1916. 

“I have found very little information on the life of young Eugene, but the details of his burial are starkly clear,” Joe said.

“He was interred in Goldenbridge Cemetery, Inchicore, across the road from his home at 4 Vincent Street, Inchicore, on Sunday morning, April 30 at 11 am. 

“On Friday, April 28, Eugene was playing near the front of Richmond Barracks, beside his home. Locals tell me that the story in the area is that Eugene and his pals were kicking a football when a soldier on sentry duty discharged his rifle. The bullet hit Eugene and he was carried to his grandmother’s Public House, McGrath’s, nearby. 

“He died on a table in the pub and was buried two days later, on Sunday morning at 11 am.

“His coffin was less than five feet long and just over a foot wide. He was survived by both his parents, Joseph, a clerk and his mother Annie. The internment cost £2.”

Joe found the burial record for Eugene with the help of the late Shane McThomais, while researching his book and a makeshift memorial was erected with the help of local school children.

Now, with the help of Glasnevin Trust, a full headstone and memorial to Eugene will be erected, along with the names of others buried there, including his mother and grandmother. The grave lies just behind that of two former Taoisigh, WT Cosgrave and his son Liam.

Eugene was a a Catholic, the child of Joseph – a clerk – and Annie Lynch.

His coffin was buried at depth of four foot, six inches.

Declan O’Rourke performed his award-winning song, ‘Children of the Rising’, which he composed to remember the 40 children killed in Easter Week 1916, at the ceremony.

There were also performances by young people from Our Lady of Lourdes National School, Inchicore, Mercy Secondary School, Inchicore and Scoil Mhuire Gán Smál, Inchicore.

Members of Eugene’s family, including his grandniece Irene Lynch and nephew Nicholas Lynch were in attendance. 

Minister of State Catherine Byrne, who is a TD for the area, gave the address and unveiled the headstone.