There’s a rather unusual plaque found above Farrington’s pub in Temple Bar, unusual in that it commemorates an event many with an interest in the history of the capital will be familiar with, yet the plaque itself is easily missed and many are unaware of its presence.
The plaque commemorates Constable Patrick Keena and Sergeant Stephen Kelly of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, shot on duty in the area on October 31st, 1867. While Kelly would survive, Kenna would lose his life. Of course that was the year of the Fenian Rising of 1867 which occurred months prior, a rising which had seen the Fenians issue a radical proclamation which proclaimed a provisional republican government,and a proclamation which read of its solidarity with republicans of the world, noting “our cause is your cause”
We appeal to force as a last resort… unable to endure any longer the curse of a monarchical government, we aim at founding a Republic based on universal suffrage, which shall secure to all the intrinsic value of their labour. The soil of Ireland, at present in possession of an oligarchy, belongs to us, the Irish people and to us it must be restored. We declare also in favour of absolute liberty of conscience and the separation of Church and State. We intend no war against the people of England; our war is against the aristocratic locusts, whether English or Irish, who have eaten the verdure of our fields.
Barry Kenerk has written a wonderful and engaging work on the shootings entitled ‘Shadow of the Brotherhood: The Temple Bar Shootings’, and John Dorney of The Irish Story has written a fine review of the work here, which provides great context to the events of that day.
Of course, the plaque is not the only feature in Dublin marking the history of the DMP. A constable and officer of the force are represented today in stonework above the doors of Pearse Street Garda Station, or Great Brunswick Street Police Station as it was once known. Both these figures, and the Temple Bar plaque, are easy to miss.
i am called Rachel keena and i may have reason to believe that i may be related to pc patrick keena