MAY 2008

Wake planned for Thomas D'Arcy McGee

A traditional Inishowen wake will be held Friday 27th June to commemorate the death of a Young Ireland rebel, 140 years ago. The wake will coincide with the launch of a new biography the same evening in McGrory's Culdaff. The Canadian Ambassador Patrick Binns and Nobel Laureate John Hume will be among the distinguished guests. Other participant will be Culdaff author Hazel McIntyre; Carrowmena born local historian Sean Beattie; a number of D'Arcy McGee's descendants; the Irish Ambassador to Switzerland, James Sharkey, and the author of the new biography, Canadian professor David Wilson.

A late night 'wake' in Culdaff and Carrowmena will be held for Thomas D'Arcy McGee, an active participant in the 1848 uprising. After hiding out in the Carrowmena area, the Louth born 23 year old made his escape disguised as a priest on a ship that left Tremone Bay bound for Philadelphia on 1st September 1848. D'Arcy McGee went on to become one of the founding fathers of the Canadian Confederation, a member of the Canadian parliament, a champion of Irish immigrants, poet, journalist and Irish historian. He was assassinated after an early morning session of parliament in April 1868 at the age of 42.

Hazel McIntyre, who is one of the organisers of the event invited everyone to "pay their respects" at the wake. "The wake will coincide with the launch of the new biography which captures D'Arcy McGee's early rebel years in Ireland. It will be a lovely evening of music, craic and poetry and we hope to light a small bonfire at Tremone Bay where D'Arcy McGee left Inishowen to escape."

The evening will kick off in Culdaff at 7pm and weather permitting at 9pm, there will be a two hour ceremony and celebration at the famous escape place near Tremone Bay, just five minutes drive away. Festivities will resume afterwards at McGrory's. "This wake is long overdue," added Hazel. For more information contact McGrory's on 074 93 79104 or Hazel by email author@hazelmcintyre.com.

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