(Catherine McGrotty, Irish
News)
Plans have been announced to build a permanent memorial to men
from the north-west who fought with the International Brigade in the
Spanish civil war.
Supporters of the North West Spanish Civil War project hope to
erect a memorial to men from Derry, Donegal and Tyrone who fought,
to mark the 70th anniversary of the war.
A large number of Irish men fought on both General Franco's side
and on the republican side in the civil war which took place from
1936 to 1939.
John Black, of the North West Spanish Civil War Project, said his
group hopes to commemorate all those from the north west who went to
Spain to "fight against fascism."
Mr Black said supporters hoped to build an historical and
educational archive on the internet.
"What we would like to do is to make a direct appeal to the
families of those volunteers whose names we have from Derry, from
Tyrone and from Donegal in an attempt to actually put faces to the
names we have listed," he said.
"There are names of people more widely known than others. However
we would like to record their own family's stories of what is known
of their relatives who went off to Spain to fight along with several
hundred of Irish men at that time and of course for them to
participate in the project directly," he said.
Mr Black said he was keen to hear from anyone who had a relative
who fought in the war. He said the known names included: Charlie
Donnelly, Tyrone; Thomas Traynor, who travelled to Spain via Toronto
but was originally from Derry; John Murphy, travelled to Spain via
London but was originally from Derry.
Eamon McGrotty, 9 Upper Drumcondra Rd, Dublin (originally Derry);
Sean Adams, Derry; Charles (Nomad)
McGuinness, 5 Clarence Ave, Rosemount, Derry; William
McChrystal, travelled to Spain via Vancouver, originally from 36
Cross St, Waterside, Derry; George Gorman, Long Tower, Bogside,
Derry; Jack Flynn, Derry; James Donald, Derry; James Campbell, 22
Tyrconnell Street, Bogside, Derry; Hugh O'Donnell, Donegal (a
stoker); Paddy O'Daire, Donegal; Paddy Roe McLaughlin, Donegal;
Paddy Glacken, Donegal.
Phil Boyle, Donegal; Hugh Bonner, Donegal; Peadar O'Donnell,
Donegal.
The project's organising committee hope to establish a tribute in
July 2006.
The North West Spanish Civil War Project website is
http://www.nopasaran.netfirms.com/.
September 22, 2005
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This article appeared first in the September 21, 2005 edition of
the Irish News.
