Ireland

Limerick marks 100 years since murders of two mayors

Mourners at the burials of Limerick mayors Michael O'Callaghan and George Clancy in 1921. Picture: National Museum of Ireland
Mourners at the burials of Limerick mayors Michael O'Callaghan and George Clancy in 1921. Picture: National Museum of Ireland Mourners at the burials of Limerick mayors Michael O'Callaghan and George Clancy in 1921. Picture: National Museum of Ireland

THE 100th anniversary of the murder of Limerick's mayor and former mayor has been marked by the city council and GAA.

George Clancy, the mayor of Limerick, was shot dead at his Castleview Gardens home in front of his wife on March 7 1921.

His predecessor, Michael O'Callaghan, was shot at his nearby home at around the same time.

Both killings were attributed to an Royal Irish Constabulary auxiliary unit that had been targeting political figures at the time.

That same day, a 24-year-old man, Joseph O'Donoghue, originally from Westmeath but living in Limerick, was also murdered by RIC men.

The killings marked one of the bloodiest days for the city of Limerick during the War of Independence.

The two mayors had been nationalists in their 40s, with Mr O'Callaghan having been taught to speak Irish by his successor.

Both were also GAA members and former players.

Mr Clancy had been a friend of writer James Joyce when he studied at University College Dublin.

Two streets in Limerick were named after the men, Clancy Strand and O'Callaghan Strand.

The centenary was marked with a series of virtual talks by Limerick City Council and the GAA.

Historian Tom Toomey told RTÉ: "The killings that day caused widespread shock and horror across Limerick, and made international headlines.

"Thousands of people came onto the streets of Limerick as their coffins passed, and the funerals were attended by virtually all of the lord mayors and mayors of towns and cities across the country."