IRB Memorial Cross at Lydican Road

Between 5am and 5.30am on Wednesday, 26 April 1916 – the second day of County Galway’s Easter Rising – an exchange of fire took place between the Claregalway and Castlegar Volunteers and British forces at Carnmore Crossroads. The Volunteer Companies were led by Nicholas Kyne and Brian Molloy respectively.

This shootout was commemorated in the early 1950s when George Glynn (pictured) and his son Mattie erected a cut stone cross in the corner of a field that they owned beside the Lydican Road.

A veteran of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and Claregalway Volunteers, George had mobilised with the rebels at Carnmore during Easter Week 1916. After independence, he remained active in Irish politics and also became a prominent horticulturalist.

The inscription on the monument now reads: ‘In memory of the men who fought for Ireland 1916 IRB. George Glynn erected this monument. Pray for him.’ On 29 June 2016, the IRB cross was moved to its current location, alongside the Lydican Road.

Developed by: Galway County Council, in partnership with the Heritage Research Group at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT).

Bibliography: McCarthy, Mark, Mannion, Marie & Wrynn, Shirley (Eds), Galway County 1916 Rising Heritage Trail: Go Explore the Historic Sites & Memorials (Galway County Council & GMIT, Galway, 2017).

GPS coordinates: Dr Mark McCarthy, GMIT.

Webmaster for digital heritage initiative: Hilary Kiely, GMIT.