My ancestors - O'Rahilly - Contents

Memorials to The O'Rahilly

Memorials to The O'Rahilly, the 1916 leader who died in action.

References:
- The History of The O'Rahilly's Ballylongford GAA Club, Paddy Kennelly, Cork, 1985, [NLI] Ir 397 k5.

Main

Place of birth: Plaque at Ballylongford, Co.Kerry
Place of birth: Bust of The O'Rahilly, Ballylongford
Kerry home: Bench at Ventry, Co.Kerry
Site of death: O'Rahilly Parade and plaque, Dublin
Grave: Grave of The O'Rahilly, Glasnevin

Poems, songs, plays, etc.

The poem "The O'Rahilly" by Yeats
The song "My Love: The O'Rahilly"
The song "Darling Michael"
The play "The Unsung Hero"
"To The O'Rahilly, Prince of Kerry", poem by Herbert Moore Pim, 1917. [P102/500]. Printed copy in [P106/134].
"To the memory of The O'Rahilly", poem by "T.F." [P102/500].
"To the memory of The O'Rahilly", printed poem by "T.A.R.", c.1917. [P106/133] and [P106/139(22)].
"The O'Rahilly", anonymous handwritten poem, c.1918. [P106/131(4)].
"In memory of The O'Rahilly", typed poem, [P106/139(23)].
The poem "Íota an Bháis" ("The Terrible Thirst That Comes Before Death") by Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, published in the Irish Times, 27 Apr 2016.
"To the Slaughter" (and text), a 2016 poem about The O'Rahilly by Frank L. Ludwig (and here).

Sports clubs

Ballylongford GAA
- The Ballylongford GAA club was re-named "The O'Rahilly's" club after him. See [Kennelly, 1985].
  The pitch was McEllistrem land (a former field at the side of Main St, Ballylongford).
  From 1932 on, the field was rented by the GAA from Michael McEllistrem (the younger).
  In 1940 he sold it to them. As part of the deal they named it "The O'Rahilly's" after his relative.
  See street view and modern map and 1887 to 1913 map.
Tralee GAA and street
- One of the GAA clubs in Tralee, Co.Kerry, was named "O'Rahilly's" in the early 20th century after The O'Rahilly.
  IRA Chief-of-Staff Charlie Kerins played for "O'Rahilly's", and after he was executed in 1944, the club was re-named "Kerins O'Rahilly's".
  See street view of entrance.
- A nearby street is called "O'Rahilly's Villas" after him. See map and street view showing sign.
Shanagolden GAA
- The GAA club in Shanagolden, Co.Limerick (his mother's home town) is called "The O'Rahilly's".
Clonoe O'Rahilly's GAA club, Clonoe, Co.Tyrone.

Streets and buildings

There are many O'Rahilly Streets in Ireland. I suspect that most are named after The O'Rahilly. If you know for sure, please tell me.
O'Rahilly Street, Ballina, Co. Mayo.
O'Rahilly Street, Cavan, Co. Cavan.
O'Rahilly Street, Clonakilty, Co. Cork.
O'Rahilly Street, Cobh, Co. Cork.
O'Rahilly Street, Limerick.
O'Rahilly Street, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. See 2022 photo.
O'Rahilly Street, Youghal, Co. Cork. See 2019 photo. And other corner.
O'Rahilly House, flats, Thorncastle St, Ringsend, Dublin. See street view.
Unknown if these are named after The O'Rahilly. If you know, please tell me:
- O'Rahilly Hall, Ballinagh, Co. Cavan.
- O'Rahilly Hall, Bray, Co. Wicklow.

O'Rahilly Square, Listowel

In 1918, Listowel, Co.Kerry, re-named many streets after 1916 Rising figures.
Main St / The Small Square was re-named "O'Rahilly Square" after The O'Rahilly.
But the names did not stick, and reverted back to the old usage [Gaughan, 1974].

A letterhead from "O'Rahilly Square", Listowel, in 1925, showing the name before it reverted back to "The Small Square".
See full size. Courtesy of Vincent Carmody.

The Small Square, Listowel (formerly "O'Rahilly Square").
From street view.

RTE 1966 programs

RTE Archives
RTE programs in 1966 on 50th anniversary of 1916 Rising
"The Voice of the Rising", 10 April 1966.
- Audio sample: recalls The O'Rahilly leaving the GPO to his death: "Moore Street and Henry Place of Dublin banter, you are selected for the noblest gesture of a noble time." "How easy it is to kill a man. And yet how hard to kill his memory."
"Insurrection" (TV drama). The O'Rahilly was played by Kevin Flood.
- Episode 2, 11 Apr 1966. Sample:
- Episode 3, 12 Apr 1966. Sample: does not feature The O'Rahilly.
- Episode 5, 14 Apr 1966. Sample: does not feature The O'Rahilly.
- Episode 6, 15 Apr 1966. Sample: does not feature The O'Rahilly.

Stained glass window at UCD

There is a Harry Clarke Studio stained glass window commemorating Kevin Barry at UCD, which also illustrates The O'Rahilly.
- See photo. From here.
This window was originally unveiled in UCD at Earlsfort Terrace (in what is now the National Concert Hall) on 1 November 1934 by Eamon de Valera and The O'Rahilly's son Mac O'Rahilly (who was the driving force behind it).
It was re-located to the Charles Institute, UCD Belfield campus, on 3 June 2011 at a launch attended by Mac's son Michael O'Rahilly. Its re-location represented the final act of the move of UCD from Earlsfort Terrace to Belfield.
See 2011 articles in Sunday Independent and UCD News.

Wynn's Hotel

There is a plaque in the bar of Wynn's Hotel, Dublin, to commemorate the meeting founding the Irish Volunteers here in 1913.
See also plaque to Cumann na mBan at Wynn's Hotel, with the name of his wife Nancy on it.

The plaque at Wynn's Hotel.
From Wynn's Hotel.

The plaque at Wynn's Hotel.
Photo 2024. See full size.
See other shot.

Other

There is a pedigree greyhound called "The O'Rahilly", born Aug 1914, apparently Ireland, exported to US.
And another called "The O'Rahilly II", born 1915, apparently Ireland, owner T.D. O'Sullivan.

Irish-language plaque to The O'Rahilly on church bench at St Teresa's church, Clarendon St (off Grafton St), Dublin.
This is where his cousin Rev. Dominic Mangan was Prior (see letter of Feb 1917 about the plaque).
Photo 2015. See larger and full size. See other shot.
The plaque is at the back of the church on the RHS. See wider shot.

Memorial card for the 1916 dead, including The O'Rahilly.
See full size.
For sale in 2021 here.

Bust of The O'Rahilly by Steve Finney.
For sale in 2024. Lot 109 in Whytes auction, 7 June 2024.
See full size.

Not relevant

O'Reilly Street in Havana, Cuba (see map) has been mistakenly called "O'Rahilly Street".
In fact, it is named after Alejandro O'Reilly.
Image from here.