Marking great-grandfather’s place in the 1916 Rebellion
By Mary Dennehy
AN IRISH Volunteer, who served under Commandant Michael Mallin and Countess Markievicz during Easter week 1916, has been commemorated by his great-grandchildren who live across communities in Tallaght, Clondalkin, Ballyfermot and Inchicore.
Born in Fermanagh in 1872, William John Scott has laid in an unmarked grave in Mount Jerome Cemetery since his death in 1947.
However, on Saturday his great-grandchildren and great-great- grandchildren united in remembrance, commemorating the man who played an active part in the founding of the Irish Republican Socialist Party by marking his resting place in Mount Jerome – and passing his story and ideals onto the next generation.
Great-grandchildren and siblings Marion, from Ballyfermot, Alan, Inchicore, Liam, Clondalkin, and Fran, who lives in Tallaght, told The Echo that the commemoration was about connecting with the family’s past and encouraging participation from the younger generation – who will keep William John Scott’s memory alive.
Great-grandson Liam Scott said: “I always knew a little bit about my great-grandfather, but we weren’t told much growing up.
“We started investigating our family roots and gathered a lot more information, which saw us travelling to Fermanagh twice to meet historical societies up there.”
Liam added: “It’s time now for the younger generation to mark their family’s history and connect to it, and that was part of our objective for the commemoration last Saturday.
“I think it’s time for other families to look back at their past too, see what stories around 1916 arise.”
According to the family, William John Scott was an active and committed member of the Brick Stonelayers’ Trade Union, who took part in many supportive actions during the Lock-out period of 1916.
After moving from Fermanagh to Dublin, where he raised six kids, Scott attended meetings and parades in Emmet Hall, Inchicore, and drilled and trained with executed Rising leader, Micheal Mallin and William Partridge, a leader in the Dublin trade union movement and a member of the first Provisional Council of the Irish Citizen Army.
Playing an active part in the founding of the Irish Republican Socialist Party, Scott joined the Irish Citizen Army under James Connolly and was on active Guard duty for three weeks in Liberty Hall prior to Easter week – when he was part of the garrison in St Stephen’s Green under Micheal Mallin and Countess Markievicz.
His family told The Echo how he joined the Irish Volunteers after the Rebellion and was active in many ambushes – spending three months in Mountjoy after being captured in Chapelizod by the Royal Irish Constabulary.
During the Civil War, Scott was part of the occupation forces in the Four Courts but he did not take part in the fighting.
Passing away on Christmas Eve 1947, Scott, according to his family, left behind “a legacy of trade unionism, socialism and republicism founded from his forefathers and passed onto his and other generations to remember with pride”.
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