Lorrha Event next Sunday for Centenary of Fatal Shooting

On Tuesday evening, 2 September 1919, a group of young Lorrha IRA volunteers carried out one of the first attacks in what would become known as Ireland’s War of Independence. RIC Sergeant Philip Brady, who had only arrived at his new station the previous Saturday, was fatally wounded by a shotgun blast and died at the scene of the attack, about a half mile south of the village of Lorrha, on the road to Carrigahorig.
Lorrha Historical Society are teaming up with the “Tipperary in the Decade of Revolution” Group and the families of those involved to hold a non-partisan event to mark the centenary of this historic event on Sunday afternoon next, 1 September 2019 and to remember those involved.
Interested people are requested to assemble in Lorrha Hall between 2 and 2.30 pm, where a special 24 page Centenary Booklet, describing the background, as well as the attack itself and its aftermath will be available. The event will involve a walk to the site of the attack, the laying of wreaths and short talks. Tea will be served on return to the Lorrha Hall, with further information-sharing and Questions and Answers.
Those involved on the IRA side included names like Felix Cronin, Martin Needham, James Carroll, brothers Michael and Jack Joyce, Bill Bouchier and Tim Haugh. Cronin later became Quarter Master General in the Free State Army and in 1925 he married Kitty Kiernan, the fiancé of Michael Collins.
Descendants of Sgt Brady will also attend. He had six children, aged between eleven and two, when he was killed. A highlight of the event will be the performance of a specially commissioned piece of music “As the Sunflower Turns” composed by Ian Wilson of Cork. It will be performed on the violin by Sgt Brady’s grand-niece, Úna O’Kane.
Further information from David Broderick, Lorrha Historical Society or Seán Hogan, Tipperary in the Decade of Revolution Group