On Sunday 21st February, the Spirit of Irish Freedom Society Westmeath will continue to remember our county’s ‘Fallen Heroes’ with an Independent Commemoration to IRA Volunteers Peter Barnes and James McCormick.
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Following an IRA operation gone wrong in Coventry, when a bomb being ferried in a bicycle basket exploded prematurely outside Astley’s shop, Barnes and McCormick, despite playing no part in the placing of the bomb, were arrested, charged and convicted for the bombing. They were hanged in Winson Green Prison, Birmingham, on 7th February 1940. Peter Barnes was 32 while James McCormick was only 29.
Their bodies were not returned to their families for a a full 29 years, only being repatrioted in 1969. They were reinterred together in Mullingar, with a massive crowd of over 15,000 gathering to pay their respects.
The event will begin at 3.00pm sharp, assembling at the Irishtown Roundabout and proceeding from there to the graveside of Barnes and McCormick in Ballyglass Cemetery, where a wreath laying and short commemoration will be held in their honour.
All welcome. For more information contact the Spirit of Irish Freedom Society on Facebook or get in touch directly through this site.
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