Seán Mac Diarmada (1883–1916) – A Leitrim Revolutionary
Seán Mac Diarmada was born in Kiltyclogher, County Leitrim, a small village whose landscape, people and traditions shaped the values that would guide his life. Though much of his revolutionary work unfolded in Dublin and beyond, Mac Diarmada never lost his deep connection to Leitrim. He often spoke with pride of his home place, and the quiet resilience of rural communities like Kiltyclogher informed his belief in the dignity, courage and collective strength of ordinary people.
For more pictures of MacDiarmada’s early years check out
Sean MacDiarmada Early Years on Leitrim County Library, Local Studies Digital Collection
Join Patrica McCafferty and Ciaran Rock at Seán’s homestead to learn about Seán as a child growing up in Leitrim as part of The Connecting Through Heritage series.
The Connecting Through Heritage video series is an initiative of the Leitrim County Council Heritage Office and is part-funded by the Heritage Council.
A Revolutionary Figure
A committed organiser, thinker and cultural nationalist, Mac Diarmada played a central role in the planning of the 1916 Rising as a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood’s Military Council. Alongside his political work, he believed strongly in the revival of Irish culture—language, history, song and tradition—as an essential foundation for national freedom. For him, independence was not only a political goal but a cultural and moral one.
Following the Rising, Seán Mac Diarmada was executed on 12 May 1916. In the years since, he has been remembered not only as a leader of the revolutionary movement, but as a man rooted in place—one whose ideals were shaped by Leitrim’s landscape and community life. Today, his legacy continues to be honoured locally and nationally through memorials, commemorations, storytelling, and traditional song.
Listen to a “A Terrible Beauty : Seán MacDiarmada” a programme focusing on local knowledge of the man, by Ocean FM
Leitrim song-writer, Mick Blake was commissioned by Joe McManus to write a song about Sean MacDiarmada for the 1916 centenary commemorations and what a wonderful job he did.
And in fact there were many fine poems and ballads written to commemorate MacDiarmada long before Mick put pen to paper.
Lovely Corranmore
I sailed away from my cottage home many years ago
On board a liner from Sligo Bay as the sun was sinking low
I was shedding tears for the friends I knew as we sailed out from the shore
I had said farewell to my parents dear in lovely Corranmore
I was forced to go from my Leitrim home a living to obtain
And far away I had to stray, all to America
New York they say is very gay I’ve traversed it o’er and o’er
It cannot compare to the Leitrim air, we scent round Corranmore
I worked hard both day and night in a dreary factory
The conditions there appeared to me to be almost slavery
After prayers I’d descend the stairs, in the morning to the door
To be greeted by a letter from my home in Corranmore
These letters from my mother concerning all the news
And postcards from my neighbours with all the local views
To be here three thousand miles away, sure It grieves me to the core
I long to see the friends I knew and loved round Corranmore
Now all the lights In Brooklyn or night clubs on Broadway
Cannot compare to the hills of Dubh or the homes around Killay
They are living close to nature and I’ll soon return once more
To Sean McDermott’s birthplace in lovely Corranmore
Tommy McDermott Co Fermanagh singing Lovely Corranmore in his 84th year at the opening session of Lisnaskea Trad weekend – courtesy of Martin Donohoe
Check out some further poems and ballads from Leitrim County Library’s Local Studies Digital Library Collection
Music, Song & Dance – Inspired by MacDiarmada
The Sean MacDiarmada Summer School is an annual celebration of the man himself, politics, culture and indeed, music,song and dance.
Check out https://www.seanmacdiarmada.ie/ for further information
Kiltyclogher Heritage Centre houses an exhibition about the 1916 Proclamation signatory Seán MacDiarmada. The exhibition contains an audio-visual facility and interpretive panels, providing visitors with information about Seán MacDiarmada and the history of the locality.
You can also book a guided tour to Seán MacDiarmada’s family cottage – a cottage that has inspired plenty of music, dance and song over the years.
