Sam Maguire

As Dublin holds its breath ahead of this afternoon's battle, take a moment to remember the man behind the coveted trophy, the real Sam Maguire.

Sam Maguire was a Protestant from County Cork who had a life long involvement with the GAA. A committed republican, after emigrating to London Maguire used his job in the British Civil Service to build a comprehensive intelligence network in behalf of the IRB allowing republicans to build the fight for national liberation in the belly of the beast.

 

He also recruited other Irish emigrants to the ranks of the republican movement including a young Michael Collins.

Maguire was also involved in arms smuggling operations and in drafting a list of British MPs as possible targets. A very capable Volunteer Maguire became the IRB Director of Intelligence in Britain.

Following the execution of the British general Sir Henry Wilson by the IRA in London on June 22nd 1922, Maguire learned that he was under suspicion and returned to Ireland.

He was opposed to the treaty of surrender and this led to him losing his job in the new free state civil service nearly as soon as he got it. Despite his long service to his country  Sam Maguire died, in cork on February 6th 1927, of TB and poverty, completely broken hearted by defeat of the republic. He was another victim of the counter revolution.

Our Fighting Story!

From the United Irishmen to the Fenians, from the Irish Citizen Army to the Republican Congress, Dublin South Central has a rich radical republican and socialist history.

Across Ballyfermot and Crumlin, the Liberties, Inchicore and Bluebell the streets of Dublin South Central are bursting with the heroic deeds of local republicans and socialists. Strikes, bombs, ammunition raids, gun battles, open warfare and the popular involvement of the community, every area has its own story to tell. We hope this blog can play a small part in putting our community back in touch with our revolutionary history and teach a new generation of its role in Ireland's fight for freedom.

Through songs and stories, pictures, the personal accounts of those who took part and historical and contemporary articles, we hope to bring that history to life so as it can be appreciated by the local community.

We welcome articles and stories relevant to the republican and socialist history of Dublin South Central. Anyone who would like to contribute can forward an email to Dscfightingstory@gmail.com