McGee’s Escape at Tremone Bay 1848

Thomas D’Arcy McGee was actively involved in planning the 1848 rising. He was a member of the 5-man committee or War Council. This group had full responsibility for giving the signal to start the insurrection.
While some members of the council were actively involved in preparations in Wexford, Tipperary and Kilkenny, McGee was arrested at Roundwood in Co. Wicklow on July 14th 1848 for making a “seditious” speech in the chapel grounds. He was accused of urging people to seek a repeal of the Act of Union. He was allowed out on bail but escaped conviction owing to a technicality.
He went to Scotland first to secure recruits, arms and ammunition and to arrange for ships to travel from the Clyde to Sligo Bay. This mission was a failure. He sought refuge in Ballyharry and Kindroyhead, according to Michael Harkin, author of “Inishowen”. He had been befriended by Bishop Edward Maginn of Derry who helped him escape dressed as a priest. McGee recorded his deep appreciation of the bishops help in his biography of Maginn several years later. In Ballyharry, he became acquainted with Roger McCann who was a pilot. There was a steady shipping trade between Derry and Philadelphia with ships such as “Mary Anne Henry”, the “Arominta”, the “Messenger”, the “Superior” and the “Colombo” making regular voyages. It is believed that D’Arcy McGee travelled on board the “Shamrock”. From Port a’Bhaid (Boat Port), he was ferried out by Roger McCann who knew Tremone Bay, its tides and shipping. He left as a fugitive in disguise, arriving in Philadelphia on October 10th to begin a new life in America and later in Canada, where he played a prominent role in politics.
He visited Ireland in 1865 and at a lecture in Wexford in May of that year he said, “You will remember that I spent the years from 1842 to 1845 in America, and I was a Young Ireland fugitive in 1848. I am not at all ashamed of Young Ireland – why should I ? Politically we were a pack of fools but we were honest in our folly”.
Among those who have contributed to our understanding of these events are Marie and Charles McCann of the Greencastle Maritime Museum. They are relatives of Roger McCann, the pilot who assisted McGee.
D’Arcy McGee’s contribution to the development of the Confederation of Canada is acknowleged by a memorial stone at Tremone Bay in Inishowen, Co. Donegal. His fame in Canada is recognised by a statue in the grounds of the parliament buildings. His funeral is commemorated by a plaque at St. Patrick’s Church, Montreal.