THANK YOU to those of you who recently donated to our current project — the placement of a permanent monument for the Catalpa Rescue of 1876 in Dublin's Glasnevin Cemetery.
Because of you, the work of the Fenian Memorial Committee of America continues: to remember the Fenians and other Irish revolutionaries who are buried in the USA. Little did I know when I began this odyssey nearly a quarter century ago that we would place 11 markers at unmarked or unacknowledged Fenian graves throughout the USA, and now, a permanent cenotaph honoring the greatest escape of Irish revolutionaries in the nineteenth century. Although some of the faces of our advisors, donors and board members have changed over time, the fire of intent has remained the same — to honor those who gave so much, sometimes their lives, to liberate Ireland from English rule.
The 11 tombstones and/or commemorative markers that have been placed by the FMCA in Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island, Illinois, Minnesota and Massachusetts include: all six Catalpa escapees (born in Co. Down, Co. Wicklow, Co. Tyrone, Co. Cork and Co. Limerick); Father Patrick McCabe (Co. Cavan), an oft-forgotten hero who helped the Catalpa Six escape, resulting in a life of exile in Minnesota; John W. Goff (Co. Wexford), chief fundraiser in New York for the Catalpa Rescue; Denis Cashman (Co. Waterford), former Fenian prisoner and comrade of John Boyle O'Reilly, buried in Massachusetts; and Frank and Mary Byrne, Dublin Invincible Fenians who fled to and died in Rhode Island.
Our current project — with support from the National Graves Association in Dublin — placing a cenotaph in honor of the Catalpa escapees, planners, and rescuers will take place on 19 September 2026 @ 1pm at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin. You are welcome to join us.
Please remember that without you, our work cannot continue. Irish Americans, the entire Irish diaspora, and all who cherish freedom should never forget those who have gone before us, sacrificing so much in the struggle to rid Ireland—all 32 counties of Ireland—of outside interference and dominance. With your help, the brave Fenians and other Irish revolutionaries will not be forgotten.
Go raibh maith agaibh aris!
Thank you again!
Is mise le meas,
George Thomas McLaughlin
Seoirse Tomas MacLachlainn
Fenian Memorial Committee of America
Coiste Cuimhneacháin na bhFíníní i Meiriceá
website: fenianmca.org
email:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fenianmca
