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Memorial to Michael Conway
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Ennistymon Plaques and Memorials
Memorial to Michael Conway

"Michael Conway
Volunteer Mid Clare Brigade I.R.A.
Killed in Action July 21 1920
Solas na bFlaitheas da anam"
(Situated at The Bridge, Ennistymon.)

During 1920, the local Volunteers mounted a campaign of disarmament against the R.I.C. and other military connections in the area. On the evening of July 21st, a group of unarmed Volunteers had gathered on the bridge in Ennistymon. Two members of the Royal Scots Regiment had come to town to make enquiries about other occurences, and when they reached the bridge, the volunteers attempted to disarm them. In the skirmish that followed, one of the soldiers managed to draw his pistol, and Michael Conway was shot dead. A doctor was called to the scene, and a priest was sent for. By coincidence, Michael Conway's brother, Fr. John Conway, was on holidays in the town at the time, and it was he who administered the last rites to his own brother.

Michael Conway was a twenty-two year old bachelor, who had worked for six years as a baker. His remains were taken to Ennistymon Church and he was buried in Ennistymon graveyard the following day with full honours.  For many years after, bullet marks could be seen on the bridge, and the plaque is now set into the stonework where the fateful tragedy occurred.

 

Ennistymon: Plaques and Memorials