Seán South Commemoration

international | history and heritage | event notice Monday December 13, 2010 19:05 by Seán Ó Murchú - Republican Sinn Féin

Seàn South Commemoration

Sunday 2nd of January 12:30p.m. Sharp

Assembling Mulgrave Street (city centre side of jail)

Main Oration
RSF Patron Ruairì Ó Bràdaigh

Republican Sinn Fèin Poblachtach Luimneach would like to extend to all members of the public an invitation to the annual Seàn Sabhat Commemoration which will take place on Sunday the 2nd of January at 12:30 p.m. The parade will assemble at Mulgrave Street at the City Centre side of the Prison and will proceed to Mount St. Lawrence Cemetery. The main oration will be given by Republican Sinn Fèin Poblachtach Patron and former President Ruairì Ò Bràdaigh. The Republican Movement in Limerick encourages all Republican minded people to attend. Sèan Sabhat died for a United, Free and Independent Ireland void of corruption, dishonesty and a deceitful political ruling class. Join the parade on the day as a way to voice your opposition to what is happening in Ireland presently and show your support for those like Sèan Sabhat who are willing to give their lives for the cause of a free and fairer 32-County Irish Republic.

Seán South was born in Limerick where he was educated at Sexton Street Christian Brothers School, later working as a clerk in a local wood-importing company called Mc Mahon's. South was a member of a number of organisations including the Gaelic League, Legion of Mary, Clann na Poblachta and Sinn Féin. In Limerick he founded the local branch of Maria Duce, where he also edited both An Gath and An Giolla. He had received military training as a lieutenant of the Free State army reserve, the LDF which would later become the FCA (An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil or Local Defence Force), before he became a volunteer in the Irish Republican Army.

Seán South was a member of an IRA flying column led by Sean Garland on a raid against an RUC barracks in Brookeborough, County Fermanagh, On New Year's Day 1957, fourteen IRA volunteers crossed the border into County Fermanagh to launch the attack on the barracks in Brookeborough. During the attack a number of volunteers were injured: two fatally. Fergal O'Hanlon and Seán South died of their wounds as they were making escape. The two dead Volunteers were carried into an old sandstone barn by their comrades which was later demolished by a British army jeep. The stone from the barn was later used to build a memorial at the site to the volunteers. The attack on the barracks inspired two popular rebel songs: ‘Seán South of Garryowen’ and ‘The Patriot Game’.

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