Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

ÉADAIN TOBAIR COMMEMORATION

Published: 28 October, 2009

On November 8th 2009, at 2p.m., there will be a commemoration of the Edentubber Martyrs at the site along the Carrickarnon border, where on 11th November 1957, five Republican volunteers were tragically killed.

It was there just south of the Co. Louth border that five Republican volunteers were tragically killed in a huge explosion at the little cottage belonging to Michael Watters.

Four of those killed were active members of Óglaigh na hÉireann who had been part of the 50s campaign against the British forces in the North of Ireland. Michael Watters, the cottage owner, was also killed. He was a forestry worker and had been giving support to the campaign.

Te Volunteers who died were, Paul Smith, 19 from Armagh, Oliver Craven, 20, from Co. Down, George Keegen, 29, from Enniscorthy and Paddy Parle, 27, from Wexford town.


This year's theme is "Youth in Struggle" celebrating the 100th anniversary of Fianna Éireann and the subsequent contributions made by the younger generations to the struggle for Irish freedom.

Here follows an extract from the book commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Edentubber Martyrs.

A campaign, codenamed "Operation Harvest", began in December of 1956. The I.R.A. leadership took a decision to exclude the Belfast units from any action in the city in order to avoid any possibility of a Unionist backlash which would have given a sectarian face to the campaign. The result of this decision was to limit the campaign almost to a series of actions along the Border.

The 11th of December 1956 saw a number of attacks taking place against British installations right across the North. These operations were to herald the beginning of the campaign. Within days, Sinn Féin was banned under the Special Powers Act. Further obstacles to success were created when the Coalition Government in the 26 Counties fell in early '57, giving way to a De Valera led Fianna Fáil Government. Dev was in no mood to be conciliatory and almost immediately brought in Internment without Trial, thus ensuring a common approach by both regimes. This, coupled with a lack of political organisation on behalf of Republicans, ensured the ultimate failure of "Operation Harvest".

The Campaign staggered on for over 5 years throughout which I.R.A. Volunteers had suffered great personal hardships, living mostly in cold and wet dug outs along the border. Their only relief came through military operations. Around 160 operations were undertaken during those years, all of which were directed at the British Crown Forces. Particular care was taken to ensure that their would be no civilian casualties and many successes were achieved, but because there was no parallel political organisation to capitalise on them they went unrewarded other than to establish a high regard for the I.R.A. amongst the Nationalist support base.

There were also many set backs, including the loss of Seán Sabhat and Fearghal Ó hAnluain on the Brookeborough raid, which took place on Lá Caille, January 1st 1957.

It was, however, the tragedy at Eadáin Tobair, which graphically illustrates the depth of relationships within the I.R.A. Men from Wexford, Armagh, Louth and Down banding together to fight for the Republic with comrades from Counties Clare, Monaghan, Louth and Dublin providing back up.

Twelve Republicans (8 volunteers) died during the 5 year campaign, six members of the R.U.C. were also killed, with some 40 British forces injured. Hundreds of years were handed down in prison sentences and for years afterwards Republicans were harassed at every turn. A resumption of the struggle was inevitable, and that, of course, happened in the late 60's and continues in various forms to this day