Last Saturday June 27th, history came alive at King House as the Connaught Rangers Association (CRA) officially launched the newly revised display dedicated to Private James Daly.
It was a profoundly poignant gathering, with descendants of the 1920 mutineers travelling from all across Ireland to honour their ancestors legacy.
CRA Chairman P.J. Maloney opened the proceedings by extending a special welcome to Mary and Brendan Henry, whose tireless dedication previously led to the creation of the memorial in Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo. The centre of the days event—the Daly Cell exhibit—has been meticulously remodelled.
Thanks to the invaluable assistance of Dagshai Prison Museum Curator Mr. Anand Sethi, the display now features a powerful authenticity, recreated using original, historical photographs from Dagshai Prison. The Chairman also thanked Roscommon Co. Co. and staff of King House for their continued support of the Association and museum”.
A particularly moving moment occurred when Michael and Tony White presented a special gift to the CR Museum on behalf of the mutineers families. Their grandfather, James Hewson, was one of the brave men who took part in the historic mutiny.
The afternoon was further elevated by a profound lecture from Dr. Jyoti Atwal, Associate Professor of Modern History at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. Her talk: ‘India, Ireland and Anti-Imperial Struggle: Memory and Museums of the Connaught Rangers in India’ explored the deep-rooted solidarity between our two nations.
Dr. Atwal drew fascinating parallels between the political struggles of Ireland and India, offering rich insights into their shared journeys toward independence and democracy.
The commemoration concluded with a dignified, solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Mutineers Memorial in Tubbercurry, ensuring that the bravery, sacrifice, and enduring spirit of these men are never forgotten.
Exhibition Details
The new exhibition, which forms part of the broader Connaught Rangers collection, explores the regiment’s pivotal role in the Peninsular War (1808–1814) against Napoleon’s forces. It was during this brutal campaign that the 88th Regiment of Foot the Connaught Rangers forged their fearsome reputation.
Under the command of General Sir Thomas Picton, the Rangers were a core component of the legendary 3rd Division, famously dubbed the “Fighting Division.” Their ferocity in battle became the stuff of legend, particularly their devastating bayonet charges at key engagements including Busaco, Badajoz, and Salamanca. Their courage did not go unnoticed by the Duke of Wellington, who, after the Battle of Talavera in 1809, remarked that the Rangers were “as steady under fire as on parade.”
However, the regiment’s battlefield prowess was matched only by its notorious off-duty conduct. While their enemies feared their savage aggression in combat, Wellington’s patience was frequently tested by their boisterous and unruly behaviour in camp. This infamous duality earned them a Nickname from Major General Picton that has echoed through history: “The Devil’s Own.” The name perfectly encapsulates their nature fearsome bravery on the field and a thunderous lack of discipline away from it.
It is this complex legacy of courage, chaos, and enduring Irish spirit that the new exhibition seeks to capture. Curating this history presents a unique challenge, as it requires balancing the regiment’s martial achievements with their colourful reputation.
The exhibition would not have been possible without the generous sponsorship and unwavering support of Mr. Michael Heavey and Heavey Technology. Their contribution has been instrumental in bringing this collection of artefacts and historical narrative to the public.
Visitors are encouraged to explore this fascinating chapter of local and military history.
Visit King House, Boyle, to experience the Connaught Rangers exhibition and discover the story of the soldiers who earned their place in history as “The Devil’s Own.”
(Photograph shows CRA Chairman, P J Maloney receiving a presentation for museum on behalf of Mutineers
families).
