Kilmainham Tales Teo

04/10/2025

It was a pleasant, sunny afternoon in Glasnevin cemetery on Sunday 21st September for the annual commemoration to Anne Devlin held on the Sunday closest to the anniversary of her passing on the 18th September. This year marked the 174th anniversary of her passing, as well as the 21st anniversary of the annual tradition of gathering by her graveside as begun by the late and much missed historian and Cuimhní Anne Devlin founder, Mícheál Ó'Doibhilín.

Historian Gerard Shannon was MC for proceedings, and welcomed all those present. He then introduced the main speaker, Éamon Ó'Cúiv, former TD and government minister.

Éamon O'Cuiv, then spoke, and laid out the history of Anne's life and her struggles for the cause of Irish freedom, while also paying tribute to Mícheál's efforts in keeping Anne Devlin's memory alive. Éamon then asked those present to remember the struggles of those unjustly imprisoned both at home and abroad, and that it was important to highlight the conditions and violence those suffer in such prisons. He also highlighted the plight of the people of Palestine in the midst of a genocide.

Following his speech, Gerard asked those who stepped forward to lay floral tributes. Mícheál's wife, Milla, laid flowers on behalf of the Ó'Doibhilín family and Cuimhní Anne Devlin. The great-great-great-great grand nephew of Robert Emmet, Thomas Emmet, laid a wreath on behalf of the Robert Emmet History Association. Finally, a wreath was laid on behalf of the Liberty Belle, a public house on Francis Street which contains its own tribute to Anne; this was done by Emer, daughter of Thomas Young, the Liberty Belle's owner.

Aisling, Mícheál's daughter, also read out the story of Anne Devlin's for Mícheál's young grandchildren.

Gerard thanked those present for attending, and members of the Collins22 Society for serving as the flag-bearers by Anne's graveside. Gerard also thanked Peter Gallogly, CEO of Dublin Cemeteries Trust, for both his attendance and the Trust's support of this commemoration. Gerard reminded those present next year there must be a wider commemorative effort for the 175th anniversary of Anne Devlin's death next year - and the committee will be in touch with others and relevant bodies very soon to begin planning this.

The commemoration ended, and a number went to the Liberty Belle for afters.

04/07/2025

Three years today, forever in our hearts 💙

Dad’s anniversary mass will take place tomorrow 5th July at 6.30pm in St. Mary’s Church, Lucan and will be live streamed on the Church website too.

Dad always said memories cheat death so please feel free to share your memories of Dad, Mícheál, with us in the comments as we’d love to read them.

29/10/2024

Dad loved to celebrate everyone else, today we celebrate him on his 80th birthday and only wish he was still here with us ❤️

15/09/2024

The sun was shining today when we visited Anne Devlin’s grave with Dad in our hearts. Thank you for all the kind messages over the past few days and to those who visited her grave too especially the Liberties Robert Emmet Society and Tom Young from The Liberty Belle.

12/09/2024

04/07/2024

Two years today, forever in our hearts 💙

Feel free to share your memories of Dad, Mícheál, with us in the comments as we’d love to read them…

28/06/2024

So hard to believe that it’s almost been two years since Dad (Mícheál) passed away. His anniversary mass will take place this Sunday 30th at 12pm in St. Mary’s Church, Lucan and will be live streamed on the Church website too.

20/09/2023

Congratulations to Michael and John on this fabulous book. With the book being dedicated to Dad I was honoured to attend the launch in Dubray Books this evening introduced by Éamon Ó Cuív. Put it on the Christmas wish list for sure!

17/09/2023

A lovely commemoration at Glasnevin this morning for Anne Devlin. Huge thanks to Gerry our MC, Liz, Las our guest speaker, Milla who spoke on behalf of the Ó Doibhilín family, James and the National Collins22 Society, Frank Callery who’s song was played in his absence, Angela for reading her poem, and Tom in The Liberty Belle for a wonderful tribute both to Anne and Mícheál, and of course for the delicious refreshments afterwards as we dried off!

12/09/2023

We will meet at Glasnevin Cemetery next Sunday 17th September at 12pm. All welcome to join us as we remember Anne Devlin and of course Dad, Mícheál, who loved to tell her story.

04/07/2023

Remembering Mícheál today and every day, a year since he passed away.

In his life he touched so many,
in his death many lives were changed 📖

25/06/2023

Hard to believe it has almost been a year since Dad (Micheál) passed away.
His anniversary Mass will take place on Saturday 1st July at 6.30pm in St. Mary’s Church, Lucan.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.