“THEY DID US PROUD:OUR HEROES GONE” – A new painting by Artist Eilish Lynch is now on permanent display in the Sean O’Casey Community Centre , St. Marys Road , and can be viewed Monday to Friday between 8am and 10pm.
Eilish Lynch with her painting
The painting , which is a representation of Easter 1916 and the Independence struggle, was donated to the East Wall History Group by Artist Eilish Lynch . Both her parents and her uncle were involved with the events of this time – The Hunter family lived at Irvine Terrace in 1916 and were amongst the many locals rounded up by the British Army during the week of the Rising .The following year her mother , ‘Dina’ Hunter, joined the Irish Citizen Army , while her uncle Sean ‘Johnny’ Hunter joined the Irish Republican Army . Her father, Christy Crothers , had been just 14 years old when he took part in the Rising as a member of the Citizen Army, but under heavy fire was sent home due to his age . Having met while on active service, Christy and ‘Dina’ married in 1922 , while Johnny tragically lost his life the same year.
Members of the Hunter and Crothers families.
The official unveiling of the painting took place on Wednesday 8th April and was conducted by Lord Mayor of Dublin Christy Burke . A crowd of 200 turned up , and other participants included Alice Dunne and Tommy Seery of the PEG Drama & Variety Group, who read the Proclamation and sang a beautiful and emotional ‘Grace’. Stephen McCullagh read the Sean O’Casey poem ‘ A Rare time for Death in Ireland’ , particularly poignant as the family home on Annesley Bridge Road was the scene of a civilian death during the fighting in the area in 1916. Nial Ring announced a major writing and drama competition being hosted by the Sean O’Casey Theatre , and full details will be posted here soon.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Christy Burke
Alice Dunne of the PEG Drama & Variety Group
The East Wall History Group would like to thank everybody who attended the event , including the family members of other 1916 and Independence movement participants. We were also delighted to welcome Sgt Brian Guilfoyle of Gormonston Camp , a significant attendee as it was here that Sean ‘Johnny’ Hunter lost his life in 1922 .
The full stories of Sean Hunter and also of ’Dina’ and Christy Crothers can be found at these links :
http://eastwallforall.ie/?p=2542
http://eastwallforall.ie/?p=2734
The East Wall History Group is researching impact of the 1916 Rising and the Independence struggle on the North Docks community . We hope to tell the story of local incidents and ,more importantly , the many residents involved. If you have any material – stories, photos or memorabilia that forms part of this history please contact us :
eastwallhistory@gmail.com