Across the road from the Star where the AIB is today was the home of Richard Coleman. He was born in 1890. He was one of a family of eleven, all of whom were active in the Gaelic League. His father was a teacher in the Swords New Borough Male School on Seatown Road, and Richard went to this School where he won first prize in the “Fee” in 1905. When he finished his Primary education, he cycled eight miles each day to O’ Connell’s CBS on North Richmond Street in Dublin.

Vocation

He hoped to become a priest, but the clergy in Swords did not sponsor him for a place in the seminary, so he became a Christian Brother instead. He left the Christian Brothers after four years, and worked at a number of jobs before being appointed agent in Swords for the Prudential Insurance Company. This job suited him very well because it gave him time for his other activities.

Irish Volunteers

In 1914 he was enrolled along with others in the Irish Volunteers with Thomas Mc Donagh. They met in the school grounds for training in drill. In 1914, the volunteers split between those who advocated helping the British army in the World War, and those who were opposed to this course of action. Coleman was elected captain of the Fifth Battalion also known as the Fingal Brigade. Among the other members were Frank Lawless (after whom Fingallians GAA pitch is named), Thomas, Joe and Christopher Taylor, Peter Wilson, and John Grenigan (killed at the battle of Ashbourne).

Easter 1916

On Easter Monday, 1916, the men of the Fingal Brigade met at Knocksedan Bridge, and they camped at Finglas at Premier Dairies on that night. On Tuesday, Thomas Ashe was asked by James Connolly to send forty men to Dublin city. Ashe decided to send twenty and the remainder fought the Battle of Ashbourne under the command of Frank Lawless. Coleman went first to the GPO, and then to the Mendicity Institute where the garrison was under the command of Sean Heuston. It was here that Peter Wilson from Swords was killed. 

Dartmoor Prison

The garrison surrendered on Thursday, and they were marched to the Kilmainham jail. Richard was sentenced to death, but this was commuted to three years penal servitude. He was sent to Dartmoor, and then to Lewis prison. He was released in 1917. He campaigned for Eamon de Valera in the Clare election in 1918, and he was arrested and imprisoned in Mountjoy. He went on hunger strike, and after the death of Thomas Ashe, he was transferred to jail in Cork, and then to Dundalk. He started another hunger strike in Dundalk, and he was released shortly afterwards.

Usk

In May 1918 he was arrested again, and imprisoned in Usk. He died of pneumonia on the ninth of December in 1918.

School Plaque

On the 50^th anniversary of his death, there was a Mass in Swords which was attended by Eamon de Valera, President. After the Mass, a plaque was unveiled in our school.

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