Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Today, I would like the House to remember that 100 years ago tomorrow the Irish Republican Army in east Cork suffered the largest loss of life of volunteers at Clonmult, some 7 miles outside of Midleton, when 12 young men - two of whom were my grand-uncles - were killed and eight were taken prisoner. The defeat was a great boost to the British at the time. The event has largely been forgotten because it did not end in victory for the republicans. It is important, however, that this House remembers these people. If the Cathaoirleach does not mind, I will read a poem written in 1922 by Isabel Burke from Cork.In Memory of the Brave Boys who fell at Clonmult

In the glory of manhood and strength they came

To fight for their cause and true,

And the patriot fire in each breast aflame

Blazed brightly for Roisín Dhú.

Stout hearts full of hope on that threshold stood

Which led to the fields of death,

For the fury of foemen around them brewed

They felt it in every breath.

But never a shadow of fear knew they

It was theirs but to do or die,

Theirs to fall in the hush of a springtide day

'Neath the blue of an Irish sky.

They are gone they're asleep in a martyr's grave

They have earned a martyr's crown,

Just one short year to-day their pure lives they gave

For love of Eire they laid them down.

But in letters of gold their names shall shine

Angels hover where oft' they've trod,

May they rest evermore in His realms divine

Those brave soldiers of Eire's sod.