From left: Mick Foster, a second cousin of Sean Foster, the first child killed in the 1916 Easter Rising, Terence O'Neill, a first cousin of Sean's, and the Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithi de Roiste, at the unveiling of a plaque in Sean's memory at Sean Foster Place in Dublin.

Foster and Allen perform Grace in honour of Mick's second cousin - first child killed in 1916 Rising

Olga Aughey

Published: Fri 27 Oct 2023, 5:04 PM

Last updated: Fri 27 Oct 2023, 5:07 PM

Sean Francis Foster was the first of forty children to be killed in Dublin during the 1916 Easter Rising.

Today, his memory was honoured by the unveiling of a Dublin City Council Commemorative Plaque at Sean Foster Place, North King Street, by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithí de Róiste,

Sean was only 2 years old when he was killed by a gunshot to the head, as his terrified mother wheeled him in his pram, fleeing the crossfire between the Irish Volunteers and British forces at Church Street, outside Father Mathew Hall. It is believed he died instantly.

Foster and Allen perform Grace in honour of Mick's second cousin Sean Foster.

Speaking at the unveiling, Lord Mayor Daithí de Róiste said, “Whilst it is important that we honour the heroes of the 1916 Easter Rising, it is also important to ensure the innocent dead are not forgotten".

"Until now, many of them have gone unnamed, their final resting places unmarked, their sacrifice unrecognised. Today we remember and honour Sean Foster, one of the innocent victims,” commented the Lord Mayor on Friday.

Foster and Allen performed the song Grace at the commemorative ceremony, as Mick Foster is a second cousin of Sean Foster.

Sean Foster’s father John and Mick’s Grandfather Tom were brothers. Sean Foster died on April 24 1916, and Mick’s father was born on June 1 1916, and he was named Sean in memory of his first cousin.

“It’s a day of mixed emotions," said Mick Foster speaking at the ceremony. "I knew Ted who was in the pram with Sean very well, but it’s a proud day that Sean’s name and memory will live on.”

Dublin City Council Central Area Committee, following consultation with the local history group in the area as well as relatives of Sean Foster, decided that a new social housing development should be named after Sean Foster.

The Central Area Committee further agreed that a suitable plaque be erected at the complex, not only to commemorate Sean, but also to ensure that anyone living in or passing the development will be aware of the circumstances behind his death and the choice of name for the complex.