IRISH government minister, Charlie McConalogue is to lead this weekend’s events marking the centenary of the Civil War executions, which became known as the four 'Drumboe martyrs' in Co Donegal.
Organised by Donegal County Council, Sunday’s wreath-laying ceremony commemorates the killing of four anti-Treaty IRA men - including south Derry man, Séan Larkin - by Free State soldiers close to Stranorlar on March 14 1923.
Led by IRA commander, Charlie Daly from Co Kerry, the men were among eight anti-treaty IRA men court-marshalled by the emerging Free State after they were captured in 1922.
The men were part of a large unit which had been sent to the county to fight against the new northern state.
Daly and Larkin were executed along with Timothy O’Sullivan and Daniel Enright, both from Co Kerry.
It was widely claimed at the time that the four men were executed by firing squad in reprisal for the killing of Free State soldier, Captain Bernard Cannon in Creeslough.
However, some historians now believe Cannon was shot dead by fellow Free State soldiers.
As news of their pending executions spread, Archbishop Patrick O’Donnell of the Raphoe Diocese pleaded for clemency from then Irish Defence Minister, Richard Mulcahy, but his appeal was rejected.
The executions went ahead in woods close to Drumboe Castle, which was being used as a headquarters by Free State troops.
Following their deaths, a Free State army chaplain wrote to Daly’s parish priest in Castlemaine, paying tribute to his courage.
"He was a tower of strength to the others all of whom like him met their deaths like true heroes," he wrote.
Sunday’s commemoration will take place in the carpark adjacent to the Drumboe memorial at 2pm.
A spokesman for Donegal County Council said: "The events leading up to the arrest and the subsequent execution of these four men during the Civil War had a profound effect on communities in Donegal and elsewhere and has continued to live on in memory.
"This formal wreath-laying ceremony will acknowledge this event with sensitivity and respect."
