Pickardstown ambush commemorated in Waterford with poignant ceremony

The largest IRA engagement that occurred in east Waterford during the War of Independence was commemorated recently in a ceremony organised by the Waterford Sinn Féin McGrath O'Brien Cumann.

The event, held to commemorated the 104th anniversary of the Pickardstown ambush, was chaired by Conor Donegan, from the Cumann.

Among those in attendance were Deputies David Cullinane and Conor McGuinness, along with other party members and the general public.

Cllr. Pat Fitzgerald read the East Waterford Roll of Honour, which lists all members of the East Waterford Brigade IRA who laid down their lives in their country's cause between the years 1916 and 1923. 

Robert Clancy, who died in the Curragh internment camp in 1941, was added to the Roll of Honour in 1997. Family members laid their wreaths on the shrine as the piper, Tony Wallace, played a lament and the colour party dipped their flags. A minute's silence followed.

The Proclamation of Poblacht na hÉireann was read by Cumann member Sharon Walsh and the oration was then jointly delivered by Deputies Cullinane and McGuinness.

Deputy McGuinness closed his contribution by reminding the gathering that: ''The only fitting tribute we can give Michael McGrath, Thomas O’Brien and all that generation of visionary Irish men and women is to build the Republic they dreamed of and fought for - a truly independent and sovereign state with fairness for all, and the welfare of its people as its driving force."

"Sadly, it seems the incoming Government will not bring us any closer to that goal," he said.

"Lacking both the will and the policy to bring about the political change our country needs so desperately," he added. Deputy McGuinness went on to comment: "Against this backdrop of more-of-the-same, our task must be to keep working towards political change and a Republic worthy of the great sacrifices made here at Pickardstown Cross''.

The commemoration was brought to a close by the singing of our the national anthem and the piper and colour party led the procession back down to the cross. Following the formalities of the ceremony the attendees retired to Raglan Road for a social function.

The events at Pickardstown, a location close to Tramore, took place on the night of January 7, 1921. 

The ambush was conceived by Paddy Paul, the leader of the IRA East Waterford Brigade at the time. He gathered volunteers from around the local area, including from within Waterford City units, and also members of the West Waterford flying column led by George Lennon. In total 50 volunteers were involved in the ambush who faced off against 40 British troops. 

The ambush resulted in two IRA members being killed, Michael McGrath and Thomas O'Brien, with two more members being injured. On the British side one soldier and one Black and Tan, were also injured.

For more information about the event visit the website here