On Sunday last, February 5th, a large crowd gathered in Arigna to honour the memory of three victims of the Civil War who were killed in the conflict one hundred years ago.
A parade formed on the hillside outside Arigna village, where a Colour Party and the Raheen Pipe Band led the march to the Cull/Tymon memorial site on the slope of the Arigna hills. The memorial overlooks the Kilronan mountain valley in this scenic area of north Roscommon.
The memorial was erected in memory of Patrick Tymon and brothers Michael and Seamus Cull, all local to the area. Michael was killed by Free State forces in Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan in January 1923, and his brother Seamus was killed along with Patrick Tymon in a secret dug-out when a grenade was tossed into the entrance by Free State soldiers on February 27th, 1923.
Pat McManus (Arigna) chaired last Sunday’s ceremony. Wreathes were laid at the monument, the 1916 Proclamation was read, as was Roscommon’s Roll of Honour.
The main speaker was Thomas Curran, a Republican Sinn Fein councillor from Barna, Co. Galway. In a stirring oration, Mr Curran outlined the circumstances of how the three men met their deaths. He also noted that the cause and objectives that motivated the men to take action one hundred years ago – a united Irish republic – have yet to be realised.
A piper played a lament as the flags were dipped and raised. Mr John Tymon, a nephew of Patrick, spoke briefly and thanked the organisers for their efforts in remembering his uncle and comrades who paid the supreme sacrifice a century ago. The proceedings ended with the Raheen Pipe Band playing the National Anthem.
