Recalling the life and death of Frank Conroy

A recent commemoration event in Kildare town recalled the life and death of republican Frank Conroy, who was born in Kilcullen and died in 1936 with the International Brigade fighting for Republican Spain, writes Brian Byrne.

Frank Conroy was born on 25 February 1914 in Kilcullen, and baptized on 1 March 1914 in Kilcullen Parish Church. His parents were Michael Conroy (born in Co Laois) and Catherine Farrell (born in Co Dublin). They married in Dublin in 1908, and Michael Conroy, a baker by trade, moved his family to Co Kildare sometime after 1911, probably for employment reasons, as there was a large bakery operating in Kilcullen.

Frank Conroy received his confirmation in Sandymount, Dublin, on 15 March 1928, which indicates that the family had at some stage moved back to Dublin.

A full account of the background to Frank Conroy's death has just been posted on the County Kildare Online Electronic History Journal by historian James Durney.