Irish Medals

Roe’s Distillery

So far we have identified 23 people who fought in the Roe’s Distillery during Easter Week.

• 1 died from illness before the War of Independence illness due to service
• 13 served during the War of Independence
• 2 whose service in unknown after the 1916 Rising
• 8 took no part in the War of Independence

The Civil War

• 6 were Anti-Treaty
• 6 were Pro-Treaty
• 8 were neutral  

Bowles William Patrick. “C” Company, 4th Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers. Born on the 31of December 1877 died on the 10 of March 1964, aged 39 years old during the Rising. Fought in the James’s Street and Bow Lane areas. Following the Easter Rising he took part in the usual activities and attended Thomas Ashe's funeral. During the War of Independence he stored explosives. He was arrested in December 1920 and interned in Ballykinlar Camp. He did not take part in the Civil War. 

Byrne George. Volunteer, C Company, 4th Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers. Born in 1891 died on the 25th of March1971, aged about 25 years old during the Rising. Served at Roe’s Distillery Mount Brown. He, with several other Volunteers, vacated their position on the Wednesday of the Rising. He went to a friend’s house in Dun Laoghaire and took no further part in the Rising. He re-joined the Volunteers on reorganisation in 1917 and served up to 1918. He took no further part after that. He did not take part in the War of Independence or the Civil War.

Byrne Patrick. Volunteer, C Company, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers. Born in 1893 died on the 10th of July 1972, aged about 23 years old during the Rising. Fought at Roe’s Distillery Mount Brown and the area of Bow Lane and Marrowbone Lane.   He was deported after the surrender and sent to Knutsford Jail then Frongoch, he was released in September 1916. He re-joined the Volunteers on reorganisation and served throughout the War of Independence raiding for arms, running an arms dump and he took part in the Teeling escape. He did not take part in the Civil War.  

Cunningham Michael. C Company, 4th Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers. Born in 1888 died on the 5th of May 1970, aged about 28 years old during the Rising. Fought in the South Dublin Union, James's Street and Roe's Distillery, Mount Brown areas. Following his participation in the 1916 Easter Rising Michael Cunningham evaded arrest or capture. Arrested on 26 November 1920 during the War of Independence, he was interned at Ballykinlar Internment Camp until December 1921. He joined the Criminal Investigation Department in March 1922 and served with that body until its disbandment on 28 October 1923. He then joined the Protective Force with which he served until that body's disbandment on 30 November 1924. Michael Cunningham then joined the Dublin Metropolitan Police serving with that body and subsequently the Gárda Síochána.

Dowling Séan (John). C Company, 4th Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers. Born 1896 died on the 15th of November 1988, aged about 20 years old during the Rising. Fought in Roe's Distillery, Mount Brown, and Dublin. John Dowling was not arrested or captured after the 1916 Rising. From 1917 to 1919 he served as a Section Commander and Company Lieutenant. During 1919 he was appointed Battalion Adjutant and in late 1920 succeeded Edward O' Kelly as Officer Commanding 4 Battalion, Dublin Brigade IRA. During the Truce Period he worked in the Dáil Éireann Department of Local Government. He resigned this position at the outbreak of the Civil War in June 1922 and was briefly captured in July during fighting against National Army forces in Dublin. After escaping he became Director of Organisation in the North Easter Command of the IRA. Later he served as Acting Director and as Director of Organisation with the IRA.

Egan Patrick. 1st Lieutenant, C Company 4th Battalion Dublin Brigade Irish Volunteers. Joined the Fianna early in 1913 at 34 Lower Camden Street the drill instructor was Con Colbert, and joined the Irish Volunteers at the Rotunda Parnell Square in November 1913. He took part in the Howth Gun Running. At the time of the split in the Volunteers in 1914 “C” Company assembled at Larkfield, between 70 and 80 Volunteers attended, they were told that those who were prepared to fight for Ireland should stand fast and those who agreed with Redmond should leave the hall, six men left the hall. In the Spring of 1915 Egan joined the I.R.B., Lord Edward Fitzgerald Circle which met at 41 Parnell Square. Egan slept at the home of Lieutenant O’Grady Easter Sunday night and they were woken at about 8am Easter Monday morning by Captain Tom McCarthy and instructed to mobilise the Company and about 11am the Company assembled at Emerald Square Cork Street and marched off towards the South Dublin Union. Egan’s section was detailed to take over Roe’s Distillery. As the Volunteers attempted to erect a barricade across Bow Bridge they were jeered and spat at by a large crowd, when some of the men in the crowd attempted to destroy the barricade and had to be prevented by the use of rifle butts, Volunteer O’Toole knocked tow of the men out. The Volunteers remained at Roe’s until late Tuesday night early Wednesday morning, it was decided the remaining at their post was impossible and although many attempts had been made to contact the main Garrison in the South Dublin Union all had failed. Any Volunteers in uniform were given civilian clothes and in small groups they left Roe’s and escaped. Egan eventually managed to make it to his home. 

He served throughout the War of Independence serving as Lieutenant with C Company. He took the Pro-Treaty side in the Civil War serving as a Detective Officer with the Criminal Investigation Department (service number CID 33). On the disbandment of the Criminal Investigation Department in October 1923 he was appointed to the Protective Force until, following the disbandment of that force in November 1924, he was absorbed into the Dublin Metropolitan Police which in turn was later absorbed into the Gárda Síochána.

Fagan William. G Company, 4th Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers. Born in 1900 died on the 4th of June 1955, aged about 16 years old during the Rising. Fought on Roe’s Distillery. Prior to the Easter Rising William Fagan acted as the caretaker for the Irish Volunteers drill hall in Kimmage, assisted the Kimmage Garrison in the making of munitions, warned George Plunkett of police surveillance of Larkfield and delivered a number of despatches for Patrick Pearse. He evaded arrest following the Easter Rising and during the War of Independence took part in an ambush of British forces in Terenure on 29th of January 1921. He took no part in the Civil War.

Gaskin Henry. C Company, 4th Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers. Born in 1894 died in St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin on the 2nd of February 1946, aged about 22 years old during the Rising. Fought in Roe's Distillery, Mount Brown, and Dublin. Following his participation in the 1916 Easter Rising Henry Gaskin avoided arrest or capture. Henry Gaskin states that following the 1916 Rising that he and Thomas McCarthy were court-martialled by the Irish Volunteers with regards to the events which occurred at Roe's Distillery. He claims that he was found innocent and McCarthy found guilty - there is evidence on file of conflict between Henry Gaskin and Thomas McCarthy as to Gaskin's Easter Week service and the events surrounding the evacuation of the Irish Volunteers post at Roe's Distillery during the 1916 Rising. In March 1922 Henry Gaskin joined the Criminal Investigation Department serving there until the following August when he served in the munitions department of the National Forces before formally joining the National Army in November 1922. Henry Gaskin served throughout the remainder of the Civil War and was discharged time expired from the Defence Forces on 28 April 1924. He re-joined the Defence Forces serving during the Emergency (Second World War). His brother Thomas (see below) also served in Roe’s Distillery and his brother Francis fought at the Jameson Distillery.

Gaskin Thomas. C Company, 4th Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers. Born on the 15thof December 1878 died on the 25th of August 1949, aged 37 years old during the Rising. Fought in Roe’s Distillery. Following the Easter Rising he was interned until August 1916. States he re-joined the Irish Volunteers upon reorganisation and took part in the usual activities. He was involved in taking ammunition from the SS Blackrock. Enlisted in the National Forces at City Hall in July 1922 and he was on the staff of the Director of Intelligence and that he took part in attack on the Four Courts. He was demobilised in August or September 1922. His brother Henry (see above) also served in Roe’s Distillery and his brother Francis fought at the Jameson Distillery.

Gogan John Gerard. C Company, 4th Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers. Born in 1892 died on the 26th of August 1944, aged about 24 years old during the Rising. Fought in Roe's Distillery, Mount Brown, Dublin. Following his participation in the 1916 Easter Rising John Gogan was interned until August 1916. Attached to his IRA battalion's Red Cross unit, Gogan was arrested on 21 November 1920 during the War of Independence and interned until November 1921 at Ballykinlar. At the outbreak of the Civil War in June 1922 John Gogan assisted for one day as a medical orderly at a National Army recruiting centre at the Rates Office, Cork Hill, Dublin but did not receive recognition for pension purposes for this and had no further service or activity.

Keogh Martin. “C” Company, 4th Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers. Born in 1888 died on the 17th of September 1953, aged about 28 years old during the Rising. Keogh was in Roe’s Distillery on Easter Monday, on Easter Tuesday he was ordered to go to the South Dublin Union but was unable to reach there, he returned to Roe’s but was sent away, he attempted to gain access to Marrowbone Lane but was not allowed in because he had no weapon and there was none available for him. He served with the National Army as Corporal in the Army Medical Corps discharged 8 January 1926.

McCabe Michael. Volunteer, C Company, 4th battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers. Born in 1900 died on the 3rd of September 1975, aged about 16 years old at the time of the Rising. Fought at Bow Lane Distillery and Roe’s Distillery, Mount Brown. He was detained at Richmond barracks for about 10 days after the surrender then released due to his age. He joined Fianna Eireann in 1911 and transferred to the Volunteers about November 1915. In the weeks before the Rising he was involved in moving arms from the Lucania Cycle Works in Pleasant Street and also mentions moving Pikes from Henshaw’s of Christchurch, the items were stored at his home in Dolphin’s Barn. His parents and brother were also involved Volunteers and I.R.B.

After the Rising he joined the British Army and served in France. He left the British Army on about the 22nd of April 1922 and after meeting Liam Mellows went to the Four Courts where he was appointed instructor in Arms Drill for the Garrison there. He was in the Four Courts when they were attacked by the National Army. He was also involved in raids for arms at the Dublin Port and Docks and at the Curragh. He was interned after the surrender of the Four Courts and released in December 1923.

At some point after release from internment he returned to the British Army and in 1938 when he made his pension application he was serving with the 2nd Battalion, The Gold Coast Regiment, Royal West African Frontier Force. He was still serving with this regiment during WW2.

Thomas MacCarthy is buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery

MacCarthy Thomas (Tom). Company Captain, C Company, 4th Battalion, Dublin Brigade and Kimmage Garrison. Born 1st of February 1885 died on the 9th of February 1969, aged 31 years old during the Rising. Served as officer commanding the Irish Volunteer outpost at Roe's Distillery, Mount Brown, Dublin which was evacuated on the night of Tuesday 25 April 1916. He evaded capture after the Rising and did not take part in the War of Independence or Civil War. Received a military pension and medal for his services but refused to sign the 1936 Roll of Honour.

Nugent John. Volunteer, C Company, 4th Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers. Born on the 11th of May 1897 died on the 8th of March 1966, aged 18 years old at the time of the Rising. Fought at Jameson Distillery on Marrowbone Lane and Roe's Distillery in Mount Brown. He was member of Fianna Éireann from 1911 to 1915 then transferred to the Volunteers. He was not arrested or detained after the surrender. He re-joined the Volunteers when his Company reorganised in 1917. He served throughout the War of Independence. In 1918 he became attached to the Company Police and attended police courts. He and Paddy O'Brien were involved in obtaining arms from British forces at Guinness's. He was arrested in November 1920 and interned until December 1921. In January or February 1922 he was appointed Intelligence Officer. He took the Anti-Treaty side in the Civil War and was posted to the Plaza Hotel on Gardiner Row and later to the Four Courts where he was injured when a shell exploded near him, he hospitalised for ten days. Patrick Rigney placed him in charge of the 4th Battalion Column. He volunteered to join Captain Joseph Doyle, B Company, 4th Battalion on the night of the bridges in August 1922, he was captured later that night in Meath Street and interned until December 1923.

O’Brien Laurence. Volunteer, C Company, 4th Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers. Born about 1890 died on the 12th of January 1955, aged about 16 or 17 years old during the Rising. Fought at Roe's Distillery in Mount Brown. He was working for the Civil Service in England from 1913 to 1915 and started an Irish Volunteer company in Birmingham. He resigned from his job to return to Dublin when he learned of the impending Rebellion. He was deported after the Rising being released about August 1916. He re-joined his Company and served throughout the War of Independence during which he was involved in various raids on Crown Forces in Bray and the North Wicklow area. He took the Anti-Treaty side during the Civil War and served as Battalion Vice Officer Commanding 2nd Dublin Brigade.

O’Grady Charles. 2nd Lieutenant, C Company Irish Volunteers.

O’Hagan James. 4th Battalion, C Company, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers. Born in 1893 died on the 15th of November 1935, aged about 23 years old at the time of the Rising. Fought at Roe's Distillery in Mount Brown. He was deported after the surrender and detained at Knutsford and then Frongoch, he was released about the end of August beginning of September 1916. He served throughout the War of Independence and took the Anti-Treaty side in the Civil War.

O Murchadha Seamus.

Quinn George J. Volunteer, C Company, 4th Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers. Born in November 1887 died on the 25th of February 1945, aged about 28 years old during the Rising. Fought at Roe's Distillery, Mount Brown. He was not arrested or captured after the surrender and took no further part in activities. He did not take part in the War of Independence or the Civil War.

Somerville Winifred. Nee Byrne. Craobh Inghinidhe (Inghinidhe Branch), Cumann na mBan. Born in 1897 died on the 27th of December 1983, aged about 19 years old during the Rising. Served in Jameson Distillery, Marrowbone Lane. Did not serve in the War of Independence 

Ward Bernard. C Company, Dublin brigade, Irish Volunteers. Born in 1889 died on the 8th of May 1917, aged about 27 years old at the time of the Rising. Fought at Roe's Distillery in Mount Brown and James's Street. He died from pneumonia, his death attributable to service in the Irish Volunteers. He was arrested at his home in May 1916 and was interned in Richmond Barracks and Wandsworth Prison and was released about November 1916.

Ward Patrick Joseph. Volunteer, C Company, 4th Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers. Born in 1895 aged about 21 years old during the Rising. Fought at the South Dublin Union and Roe’s Distillery Mount Brown. Under orders from Captain McCarty he left Roe’s with the rest of the party occupying the building and after getting food from the Christian Brothers Monastery in James’ Street he went home taking no further part in the Rising. Two or three weeks after the Rising he was arrested by Police and taken to Richmond Barracks being released after about a week. He took part in the Howth Gun-Running. His brother Peter also fought at the South Dublin Union.

Ward Patrick. Volunteer, C Company, 1st Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers. Born in 1893 died on the 14th of November 1941, aged about 33 years old at the time of the Rising. Fought at Dolphin's Barn, Roe's Distillery in Mount Brown and at the South Dublin Union. After the surrender he was arrested and interned for one month. He served throughout the War of Independence and took the Anti-Treaty side in the Civil War.