Commemoration held at Yellow Lane, Whitehall, 31st August, 1924
“Boys of the Dublin Brigade [Fianna Eireann], this is the first time I have had the opportunity of seeing you and speaking to you since I came back [from internment], and perhaps no better time than this could have been chosen. It is a very sorrowful time, yet it is for us joyous.
We are commemorating to day the deaths of two boys. Most of us knew them. The Fianna knew them very well, and I think it would be well for everybody’s benefit that I should go back a little over the circumstances that led to these two boys’ deaths. In August, 1922, these two boys who had not been captured by the Free State army, were trying as best they could and with great success to keep the Dublin Brigade of the Fianna together. I am glad to see that there are many here to-day who served under them then.
Having with difficulty secured premises in which to carry on classes, these two young officers were, on Saturday evening two years ago, arrested on the North Strand when going to them, and their dead bodies soon rested here. We learned of their deaths through the morning paper; nobody knew anything more. Those two boys were the bravest and best you could get. They might, like others, have said, “There is money on, the other side, go there and get it,” but they put principle first. It is principle that is now going to save this country, and we expect the boys here to give us a hand in the work.
To the boys here I just mention those things so that they may be certain of the facts. We are too much inclined to forget such details, saying “They died for Ireland,” and leaving it at that.
When we joined the Fianna some years ago we were told we would have to fight for Ireland, and perhaps to die for it. I hope those here gathered around will take a lesson from these two boys who stuck to their guns and carried on with us in the Hammam Hotel [in July 1922].
The message that the Chief has given us was that we must carry on, and let us carry on and be in earnest about it until we secure freedom. Let us get the boys and girls working together. Many have died, many are still willing to die. Till we reach the goal of complete independence there will be no peace in Ireland. Get the boys now to study the literature of their country, their country’s history, to make themselves proficient in everything that boys should know.
That is all I have to say to you. Go back to your sluaighte, and get as many as you can to join, boys whom you know and whom you think will persevere to the end. I don’t wish to hold you here very much longer. When going by here again, come along this lane and look at the gateway and pray that the spirit of the boys who died will help you in the fight.”
The History of Na Fianna Éireann 