Stephen O'Donohue, Thomas Farrell and Terence Byrne
On the morning of March 6th, 1867, the Fenian Rising,
so long and eagerly awaited, took
place. Unfortunately, many of the leaders
were already in jail, but notwithstanding
this and the many disappointments, “hope
deferred, which maketh the heart sick," a
great concourse of men gathered in the blinding snow on that
winter morning at Tallaght, in the
Dublin
Hills. The faithful
Fenian
Brotherhood. The rebel forces were
attacked by an enemy detachment. In the ensuing
conflict Stephen O'Donohue was killed and Thomas
Farrell mortally wounded.
Terence Byrne was captured and imprisoned, sentenced to penal servitude for life. After four years he was released and immediately volunteered for service on the French side in the Franco-Prussian War, 1870-'71. He died on the 24th May, 1871. His end was hastened as the result of his prison treatment. The three faithful comrades are buried here.
The
monument used to have a Celtic cross on top which fell down and was laid within
the surround of the grave. This cross has now disappeared.