Service at Glasnevin Cemetery remembers child victims of 1916

Forty children lost their lives through being caught in crossfire during the Easter Rising

Great-nieces of Bridget Stewart (11), who died in 1916, attend the commemoration ceremony. Deirdre Billane, Marie Connolly, Lilla Peppard, Annette Delaney and Doreen Boylan were among those there. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
Great-nieces of Bridget Stewart (11), who died in 1916, attend the commemoration ceremony. Deirdre Billane, Marie Connolly, Lilla Peppard, Annette Delaney and Doreen Boylan were among those there. Photograph: Cyril Byrne

Forty children who lost their lives during the Easter Rising were remembered in Glasnevin Cemetery yesterday. Some 300 people gathered at the cemetery's new memorial wall for the multifaith service.

In an address at the commemoration, broadcaster Joe Duffy, who wrote a book Children of the Rising, said both adults and children demonstrated bravery during the Rising.

The names of the children were read out, beginning with Bridget Allen (16) who died of gunshot wounds on the third day of the Rising. One of her relatives, Elizabeth O'Brien (89), said she was delighted to have lived to see the day that Bridget's death would be acknowledged.

The last name on the list was Christopher Whelan (15) from North Great George's Street, whose father was a hotel proprietor. He was shot several times by a sniper. The youngest was 18-month-old Christine Caffrey who died in her mother's arms after being caught in a gun battle.

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A plaque commemorating the children was also unveiled.

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy is a news reporter with The Irish Times