Tipperary’s Dan Breen, was one of the most active and fearless Republicans in the early part of the twentieth century in Ireland. He was heavily involved in the planning and execution of the Soloheadbeg ambush, which was considered by many to be the start of the War of Independence. This portrait was commissioned by PJ Barrett, proprietor of the Railway Bar in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, and joins the Michael Collins portrait which I also recently (2026) painted, and which hangs in the same location.
In addition to the main portrait of Breen, some additional background images included here are:
A Flying Column on the move at dawn (bottom), Breen presenting the Tipperary Senior Hurling trophy (called after himself) to the ‘Rattler’ Byrne (Thurles Sarsfields) in 1955, (bottom left). The famous Breen ‘Wanted’ poster circulated by the British Forces (top right) with an image of his own Colt 45 revolver, and Breen standing by an automobile at the height of the struggle.
My own Granuncle, Tadhg Dwyer of Grovestown, Dundrum, Co. Tipperary, was Commandant 3rd Battalion, 3rd Tipperary Brigade, and was a close colleague of Dan Breen. Tadhg’s home in Clonkelly, was burned down and destroyed by the notorious Black and Tans on May 14th, 1921, because of his anti Crown activities.