Cumann na mBan lead remembrance of Cathal Brugha on first anniversary of his death

Dublin, 9 July 1923 - Up to four hundred members of Cumann na mBan and the Women’s Defence League were involved in events organised to mark the first anniversary of the death of Cathal Brugha, who died on the 7th July 1922 from wounds sustained during the opening engagement of the Irish Civil War.

The women, in rows of four, carried  wreaths and walked at the head of a procession yesterday that began outside the Carmelite Church on Whitefriars Street, where a mass had been held for the repose of Mr. Brugha soul, and continued to O’Connell Street where it stopped opposite the site of the Hammam Hotel. It was there a year ago that Mr. Brugha sustained the wounds that led to his death at the Mater Hospital. And it was there yesterday, where prayers were said before the procession continued to Glasnevin Cemetery, where three decades of the Rosary were recited at Mr. Brugha graveside. 

Several wreaths were laid upon the grave, including one from Mr. Eamon de Valera. Present at the anniversary events were many of Mr. Brugha’s closest relatives, including his widow, his sisters - Mrs Eileen O’Doherty, Mrs. Caroline Beatty, Miss Ada Brugha, Miss Madeline Brigha - his brother Mr. Alfred Brugha, brothers in law Messrs Patrick J. O’Doherty and Frank Beatty, and several nephews and nieces.  

Pathé newsreel footage of the funeral in July 1922 of Cathal Brugha

[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]