It would be rude to write a blog about Rostrevor and not provide an insight into the Village’s heritage and even wiser to start with one of the greats Tom Dunn (b. 1736 – b. 1798). Sadly you will not encounter his name in any of the History Books as his many acts of bravery and sacrifice were ignored due to his being one of the poor. 221 years since his passing and his native Parish of Kilbroney still remember him with pride and fondness as a man who paid the ultimate price for the love of his fellow man
Tom Dunn a Hedge School Master found his inspiration through the message of Wolfe Tone and a book called “The Rights of Man” by Thomas Paine. In the evening when work was done young and old would gather with Tom to listen to him read and translate them into Irish, the language of the peasantry. For the first time, the oppressed and downtrodden heard words such as liberty, equality, and fraternity. They were introduced to such empowering notions that all men were brothers, all were created equal and that all were entitled to the pursuit of happiness.
Tom Dunn went onto inspire many others including the United Irishmen who in the evening after Tom’s classes would assemble in his barn and construct pikes with heads forged in the Village Smithy and young ash plants from the forest. Tragically in 1797, A brutal and terrible disarmament took place in the United Irish Men strongholds in which Tom Dunn’s barn was raided and he was captured, imprisoned and flogged. Dunn refused to reveal the names of his colleagues and after 260 lashes died of his wounds at 62.
“I will suffer any torture, even face death itself, rather than be a traitor to my country and my people. For what would it avail me to live a few years on the money obtained, by selling the lives of innocent men, and go to my grave, disgraced for all time”
These words sum up how noble and brave Tom Dunn was and what he stood for. The Late Cardinal Tomas O Fiaich in his own words declared Dunn epitomized “The nobility of the common man”
Tom Dunn may be gone but his memory and legacy live on. The Rostrevor Tom Dunn Society every year celebrate his legacy with Dunn Night which in traditional costume they feast and recite the oath of the United Irishmen and other Dunn readings. The society also gathers and say prayers by his grave. For us, as a community, we are glad we could do Tom Dunn proud
This information was provided by Siubhain o Dubhain in her piece “Tom Dunn Hedge School Master and Patriot”
The Heart of Rostrevor 