National Graves Association, Belfast

National Graves Association. Belfast
The Logo of the National Graves Association, Belfast

The Red Hand
The Red Hand is the symbol which is used by the National Graves Association to show that a grave is under their care

The National Graves Association, Belfast (Irish: Cumann Uaigheann na Laocradh Gaedheal, Béal Feirste) is the body which is responsible for the care and maintenance of the graves of Irish Republican Army volunteers who are buried in Belfast's cemeteries.

Objectives of National Graves Association, Belfast

Cumann Uaigheann na Laocradh Gaedheal (National Graves Association ) was founded in Dublin in 1921 and had as its primary objects: To restore where necessary, and maintain fittingly, the graves of all those who died for Irish Freedom. to compile a record of all such graves and to foster veneration and respect for the national dead.

History

The first branch of the Association in Belfast, was founded in the mid 1930’s. Internment and imprisonment of republicans down through the years has led to the Belfast branch, at times, becoming, temporarily inactive.

Work of National Graves Association, Belfast

The Association has, from its inception, continued to mark the sacrifice of Belfast’s republican dead. Monuments have been erected, restored and graves have been marked and maintained. In addition to this Cumann Uaigheann na Laocradh Gaedheal, Béal Feirste has successfully campaigned for the re-interment of the remains of Volunteer Tom Williams.

In recent times the committee has overseen the complete rebuilding of what has become known as the New Republican Plot, which contains the remains of 77 republicans who have died on active service or as a result of imprisonment or assassination. The National Graves Association, Belfast, is also responsible for the maintenance of the County Antrim Plot which also contains the remains of 34 IRA Volunteers who died on active service; the Harbinson plot in which five IRA Volunteers are interred and a number of other republican graves some of which stretch back to the early 1920’s. These graves have been traditionally marked with the red hand of Ulster. It should be also be noted that many Belfast republicans are buried in their family graves and as such do not fall under the care of the National Graves. However, alongside its formal responsibility to maintain particular plots and monuments the National Graves Association has endeavored to direct local commemoration committees to maintain some family graves which, for some reason may have fallen into disrepair.

Membership of National Graves Association, Belfast

The present National Graves Association, Belfast, has a committee of twelve members. Its membership is made up of republicans from across the city who should be contacted in relation to any matters arising in relation to Belfast’s republican graves. The primary point of contact with the association is through Felon’s and the PD Clubs, who allow them to use their premises as an accommodation address. The Association can also be approached directly through its representatives: Liam Shannon (Chairperson); Annie Cahill; Bridget Hannon, Paul Di Lucia; Dessie Kennedy, Nial ÓDonnaighle; Stephen McGuigan and Anne Murray.

Graves under the care of the National Graves Association, Belfast

Throughout Belfast's cemeteries there are many republican graves, however most of these are family plots and therefore do not come under the remit of the National Graves Association, Belfast. The vast majority of work done by this association is carried out in Milltown Cemetery. The graves in Milltown Cemetery which are under the direct care of the National Graves Association, Belfast include the three main republican plots and the graves of IRA Volunteers who were killed during the 1920’s and 1940’s campaigns whose graves are marked with the Red Hand.

Below is the full list of graves which are presently under the care of the National Graves Association, Belfast. All these graves are located in Milltown Cemetery.

Harbinson Plot

On the 9th September 1867 the first Belfast martyr of the Fenian period, William Harbinson, died while interned in Belfast Prison. He is buried at Portmore, Ballinderry. Forty-five years later, in 1912, a celtic cross was erected to his memory in Milltown cemetery. This monument was not only dedicated to William Harbinson but to other republicans who where imprisoned in County Antrim Jails. This plot contains the remains of 5 IRA Volunteers, Joe McKelvey, Sean McCartney, Terence Perry, Sean Gaffney and Seamus Burns.

Joe McKelvey, was the leader of the IRA's Belfast Brigade from 1919-1922. He rejected the Anglo Irish Treaty and was made Chief of Staff of the Anti-Treaty IRA. He and Liam Mellows, Dick Barrett and Rory O’Connor were captured when Free State forces attacked the Four Courts in Dublin. Without charge or trial, on the 8th December 1922, they were executed by firing squad in reprisal for the assassination of Sean Hales. In 1924 Joe was re-interred in Milltown.

Sean McCartney was shot dead by British Forces while on active service on the 8th May 1921 in the Lappinduff Mountains, County Cavan. He was a member of a Belfast ‘Flying Column’ which operated there.

Terence Perry, in 1939, as part of the IRA’s Expeditionary Force, volunteered for active service in England Captured, he was imprisoned in Parkhurst Prison, where he died on 7 July 1942.

Sean Gaffney, an IRA volunteer was imprisoned on the prison ship Al Rawdah, moored at Strangford Lough. On the 18th November 1940 Sean died while still in prison.

Seamus ‘Rocky’ Burns, while interned escaped from Derry jail. He was ‘on the run’ in Belfast when he was shot by RUC personnel in Castle Street. He died on 12 February 1944.

County Antrim Memorial Plot

The County Antrim Memorial was unveiled on the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising in 1966 and lists the names of the county’s republican dead from 1798 to the present day, some of whom are buried in graveyards throughout the country. The memorial is sometimes known as the Tom Williams Plot as a grave was reserved there for the him after his execution in Belfast Prison in 1942.

Thirty Four IRA Volunteers who died on active service during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s are buried here.
Danny O’Neill, Joseph Cunningham, David McAuley, Albert Kavanagh, Martin Forsythe, Anthony Nolan, Gerard McDade, Michael Sloan, Tony Lewis, Thomas McCann, Sean O’Riordan, Patrick Campbell, Liam McParland, Michael Kane, Joseph Saunders, Charles Hughes, Tony Henderson, Billy Reid, Patrick McAdorey, Terence McDermott, Maura Meehan, Dorothy Maguire, Edward McDonnell, Martin Engelen, Joseph Fitzsimmons, Jackie McElhone, Michael Magee, Tony Jordan, John Finucane, John Dougal, Gerard Bell, Gerard Steele, Robert Dorrian and Joseph Magee.

New Republican Plot

In 1972 the National Graves Association purchased the ground which would become the new Republican Plot, the first burials here took place in July of that year. This plot contains the remains of 77 Republicans who have died on active service or as a result of imprisonment or assassination, not only in Belfast but those killed as far away as Gibraltar. Here too are buried those Volunteers who died as a result of imprisonment or on Hunger Strike.
The names of those Volunteers interred in this plot are:
Louis Scullion, James Reid, Joseph Downey, Seamus Cassidy, Robert McCrudden, Michael Clarke, Anne Parker, Joesph McComiskey, James Quigley, Daniel McAreavey,John Donaghy, Joe McKinney, Bernard Fox, Francis Liggett, Anthony Campbell, James Sloan, James McCann, Patrick McCabe, Edward O’Rawe, Seamus Simpson, Brian Smyth, Francis Hall, Ann Marie Pettigrew, Patrick Mulvenna, Francis Dodds, James Bryson, Michael Marley, Patrick Teer, Martin Skillen, Gerard Fennell, James McDade, Brian Fox, John Kelly, John Stone, Robert Allsopp, Seamus McCusker, Laura Crawford, Paul Fox, Terence O’Neill, Bobby Sands, Joe McDonnell, Kieran Doherty, Sean McIlvenna, Jim McKernan, Mairead Farrell, Dan McCann, Sean Savage, Sean Bailey, James O’Neill, James McGrillen, Sean McDermott, Danny Lennon, Francis Fitzsimmons, Joeseph Surgeoner, Paul Marlow, Brendan O’Callaghan, Tommy Tolan, Paul McWilliams, John McMahon, Denis Brown, Jackie Mailey, James Mulvenna, Lawrence Montgomery, Frankie Donnelly, Kevin Delaney, John Dempsey, Larry Marley, Finbar McKenna, Kevin McCracken, Kevin Brady, Brendan Davidson, Sean Bateson, Francis Ryan, Patrick McBride, Pearse Jordan, Thomas Begley and Pat McGeown.

Ned Trodden Grave

Eamonn 'Ned' Trodden joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood at an early age. Later he became a member of the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Republican Army. At 2.30am on the 25th September 1920, members of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and 'B' Specials raiding party entered his home and shot him dead.

Sean Gaynor Grave

Seán Gaynor joined 'B' Company, Belfast Brigade in 1918 and remained an active member of the IRA until his death. In the early hours of Saturday morning, 28 September 1920, an RIC raiding party burst into his home at 236 Springfeld Road and shot him dead. He was aged 24. Sean was buried in Milltown Cemetery.

Sean O'Carroll Grave

Seán O'Carroll, a native of County Clare was a member of the Belfast Brigade of the IRA. On the 30th November 1920 he was arrested by Black and Tans in Ardee, County Louth. Seán's body was later found in a laneway leading to the local Barracks.

Seamus Ledlie Grave

Seamus Ledlie, a volunteer attached to 'C' Company, 1st Battalion, Belfast Brigade was shot dead on 11 July 1921 while on outpost duty in the area of Norfolk Street-Cupar Street. The IRA at the time had been attempting to defend his community from attack. Seamus, fatally wounded, died from is injuries shortly after his body was discovered.

Freddie Fox Grave

Freddie Fox was born in Lisburn and came to reside at Durham Street, Belfast. He became a volunteer with 'B' Company, 1st Battalion, Belfast Brigade. On the 6th August 1921, he along with a comrade were "shaddowing a member of the RUC who was suspected as being a member of a murder gang" . The RUC man became aware of the surveillance which was being carried out by the IRA and shots were fired. Freddie was fatally wounded while his comrade, Frank Crummy, although wounded, managed to escape. Freddie died nine days later, on the 15th August 1921, in the Royal Victoria Hospital

Murtagh McAstocker Grave

During the early 1920s Murtagh McAstocker was a volunteer in 'B' Company, 2nd Battalion of the IRA in Belfast. He was to the fore in protecting Belfast nationalists from attack. On the 24th September 1921 he was shot dead by loyalists while walking on Clonmallon Street, going towards the Newtownards Road. He was buried in Milltown Cemetery with full IRA honours.

Sean Martin Grave

Sean Martin, a member of the Auxiliary IRA, came from the Ballymacarrett area of Belfast. On the 25th April 1940 Sean was delivering a lecture on the use of grenades to his comrades. Realising that there was a fault in the grenade and that it was about to explode, Sean, first shouted a warning to his comrades. On attempting to throw the grenade into the street, he realised that children were playing outside. Volunteer Sean Martin, to save the lives of his comrades and the children, threw himself on to the grenade to cushion the blast. He is buried in a family grave in Milltown Cemetery.

Joe Malone Grave

Joe Malone was born at Cullingtree Road in West Belfast in 1918. As an active member of the IRA's Belfast Brigade and in 1939 he travelled to England as a part of the IRA's 'Expeditionary Force'. In May 1939 he was arrested and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for possession of explosives. Subject to brutal treatment in Parkhurst Prison on the Isle of Wight, he died two years and eight months later on the 21st January 1942.

Gerard O'Callaghan Grave

Gerard O Callaghan was shot dead by members of the RUC at a farmhouse at Hannahstown on the 31st August 1942. He was killed as he prepared to assemble and dispatch a large quantity of weapons to IRA Units throughout the North.

Winifred Carney Grave

Winifred Carney, a lifelong socialist who died on the 21st November 1943, was a member of the Irish Citizen Army and Cumann na mBan. She was a comrade and secretary to Commadant James Connolly. Winifred was a combatant during the 1916 Easter Rising and was the last woman to leave the G.P.O.

Sean Doyle Grave

Sean Doyle, a member of Na Fianna Éireann in Belfast,was attending an arms lecture when a weapon was accidentally discharged killing him instantly. He died on the 10th April 1940.

Sean McCaughey Grave

Seán McCaughey was sentenced to death by a Free State military court on a charge of assault and wrongful arrest which was later commuted to Life Imprisonment. He spent 4 1/2 years naked in a prison cell with nothing to wear but a blanket before embarking on a Hunger and Thirst Strike. He died on the 11th May 1946 in Portlaoise Jail.

Gallery: Graves under the care of the National Graves Association, Belfast

• 
  Harbinson Plot
• 
  County Antrim Memorial Plot
• New Republican Plot
  New Republican Plot
• 
  Grave of Winifred Carney, Socialist and combattant in GPO, Dublin 1916
• Plaque located on the grave of Volunteer Sean McCaughey, IRA Chief of Staff, 1941
  Plaque located on the grave of Volunteer Sean McCaughey, IRA Chief of Staff, 1941
• Grave of Volunteer Gerard O'Callaghan Grave
  Grave of Volunteer Gerard O'Callaghan Grave
• Grave of Volunteer Sean O'Carroll
  Grave of Volunteer Sean O'Carroll
• Grave of Fian Sean Doyle
  Grave of Fian Sean Doyle
• 
  Grave of Ned Trodden
• 
  Grave of Volunteer Sean Martin
• 
  Grave of Volunteer Sean Gaynor