Derry to mark 75th anniversary of the death of Seán Dolan... IRA volunteer, playwright, scholar, musician and linguist

A programme of events will take place in Derry this weekend to mark the 75th anniversary of IRA volunteer Seán Dolan. A renowned playwright, scholar, musician and linguist, in 1940 Dolan (pictured) was amongst hundreds of internees held on the prison ship "Al Rawdah" and was subsequently transferred to Crumlin Road Jail in Belfast. However, after 14 months behind bars he suffered a breakdown in health and in July 1941 he was unconditionally released and due to his poor state of health, confined to bed at his aunt's house at 12 Union Street in the Waterside area of Derry. When his condition worsened he was removed to the Waterside Hospital, Derry where he passed away on Saturday, 25 October 1941, aged 28. Outlining Sunday’s events Waterside Sinn Féin Councillor Christopher Jackson said: ”Seán Dolan continues to be an inspiration to many republicans throughout the city where his love of Gaelic games and his dedication to the republican struggle are reflected by both a local Cumann and a GAA club named in his honour. “We would like to welcome everyone to the programme of events as we remember this brave volunteer with pride. “The commemoration will place this coming Sunday at 1.00pm at Rose Court monument. “The Seán Dolan memorial challenge between Na Piarsaigh CLG Doire Trasna and Seán Dolans GAC will take place at 11:15 throw at the Knockwellan pitches. “The day will conclude with Kelly's Men playing in Campbell's Bar at 6:30pm.” Educated by the Christian Brothers at the Brow-of-the-Hill school in Derry, Dolan was a charismatic and well educated man who was a well known competitor at Feis Doire Colmcille. He was fluent in six languages - English, Irish, French, Italian, Greek and Latin. He was a leading light in anything Gaelic and was the secretary of the Derry City Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association as well as being an organiser and playing member of the Patrick Pearse Club, Waterside. At his Requiem Mass in St. Mary's Church, Ardmore, concelebrated by five priests and before a huge congregation, the parish priest, Fr F. O’Hagan, said: "Even in the ordinary way of life he was outstanding in the ranks of men. His was a mind that was cultured and endowed so that to know him was a privilege...He was a man of ideals and principles and he was prepared to suffer for those ideals he held in high honour... To know Seán Dolan was to love him". In 1942, the Seán Dolan's Gaelic Athletic Club was formed and is still flourishing to this day in the Creggan Creggan area of Derry. In May 2008 the life of Dolan was marked in a new play written and performed by the youth players of the YAX Project.