[BACK] Lament for Sean Corcoran
Lament you Irish Volunteers all round green Erin's shore,
For Sean Corcoran our brave leader, alas he is no more.
He was put down by England's crown, in his youth and flowery bloom,
Like thousands of his comrades consigned to a martyr's doom.


It was in 1916, when the war was in full swing,
They first arrested Corcoran; those blood hounds of the king.
In a semi nude condition, he was brought in by rail;
At the mercy of the elements, he arrived at Sligo jail.


It was on Tuesday evening, as you have heard before,
He went to meet his comrades, the brave men of Aughamore.
The cowardly mob surrounded him, just like the birds of prey.
But this daring youth from Kiltimagh, their orders would not obey.


Now no greater love a man can show than give his life for you.
Sean Corcoran brave went to his grave for love of Roisin Dubh.
From the day that he was born to that day that he died,
There was nothing but humility impressed upon his mind.
To live and see old Ireland free was all his worldly aim,
He died a patriotic man, a credit to his name.


Oh! You martyred sons of Inis Fail, who died at Arbour Hill,
And Fr. Griffin of Galway whom those brutal dogs did kill.
Kevin Barry whom they tortured beneath Kilmainham's sky,
Come and meet your gallant comrades and Sean Corcoran on high.


Sean Corcoran was an Irishman, who feared not England's crown,
His name will live in history, in the tablets of renown,
He conquered hordes of Ireland's foe, this daring Irishman,
The military and constabulary, likewise the Black and tans.



Monument to East Mayo Brigade
Commandant Sean Corcoran had the distinction of serving time in Lincoln Jail with De Valera. When he was released, the people of Kiltimagh gave him a great welcome home. He worked for a time in Dominick Murtagh's, in Main Street, Kiltimagh where he was well liked and respected, as he was by all people in the Kiltimagh area. He was a considerate and generous young man.
On the 1st April 1921, Sean Corcoran was shot dead by a policeman at Crossard. He had been on the run from Crown Forces, for some time prior to this.

Friends brought his body to Kiltimagh. It was placed in the Church. Requiem mass was said next day. Members of the East Mayo Battalion carried the coffin, and marched in formation to the cemetery. Police and soldiers watched the funeral procession as it made its way to Kilkinure. Some soldiers saluted the coffin. After the interment, a young man fired two shots over the grave.

  For many years afterwards, the anniversary of his death was remembered by a procession to his grave. My sister, Josephine, can recall these commemorations during the 30s. Oftentimes, a lone piper led the procession. Andrew Carney, the piper from Pulronaghane, played on a number of occasions. The plaintive music of the bagpipes echoed through the streets and countryside as the tricolour fluttered in the breeze.

At the graveside, where many flowers were laid, the priest led the assembled crowd in the recitation of the rosary for the young Republican's soul.


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