Mysterious Memorial: Urlingford, Co Kilkenny

by | Jul 4, 2012 | Heroes & Villains, Kilkenny

A passerby may miss the roadside memorial for Martin Eugene Bryan near Freshford as they might be distracted by the castle in the background.

The inscription may seem cryptic to those unfamiliar with the story. In 1987, Bryan was driving a car carrying Dessie O’Hare, known as “The Border Fox,” a notoriously violent member of the an IRA splinter group. A glimpse into just how brutal O’Hare’s reputation was, the links below tell his story.

In short, Gardia (police) were tipped off on O’Hare’s location and set up a checkpoint on the road near Urlingford. In the shootout that occurred, Bryan was killed and O’Hare survived six gunshot wounds. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

Written by Corey Taratuta

Corey Taratuta

Corey hosts the Irish Fireside podcast and blog which has been named Best Blog of the Diaspora by the Irish Web Awards. His work has appeared on Google Field Trip, www.Lonely Planet.com, National Public Radio, www.WanderingEducators.com, www.BritMums.com, www.DiscoveryWorld.org, and elsewhere. His web community has been named finalist for the People’s Choice Podcast Awards and Irish Blog Awards, and his Irish travel program has ranked in the iTunes Top 50 Travel Podcasts. Corey’s Tips | Website

CONTRIBUTED BY

Corey Taratuta

Corey hosts the Irish Fireside podcast and blog which has been named Best Blog of the Diaspora by the Irish Web Awards. His work has appeared on Google Field Trip, www.Lonely Planet.com, National Public Radio, www.WanderingEducators.com, www.BritMums.com, www.DiscoveryWorld.org, and elsewhere. His web community has been named finalist for the People's Choice Podcast Awards and Irish Blog Awards, and his Irish travel program has ranked in the iTunes Top 50 Travel Podcasts. Corey's Tips | Website