Roger Casement relative backs campaign for rebel’s remains to be reinterred in Co Antrim.

Posted by Jim on August 17, 2026

August marks the 110th anniversary since his death.

Roger Casement was executed in 1916

By Kirsty King

August 16, 2026 at 4:35pm BST

A group advocating for the remains of Roger Casement to be moved to Co Antrim has said a bloodline relative of the Easter Rising organiser has thrown his “full weight” behind the campaign.

Casement was executed on August 3, 1916 in London’s Pentonville Prison, after being found guilty of treason for his role in planning the rising.

One of the Co Dublin-born rebel’s last wishes, outlined in a letter to his cousin Elizabeth Bannister days before he was hanged, was to be buried at Murlough Bay on the north coast of Co Antrim, where he spent part of his childhood following the death of his father.

The diplomat and human rights pioneer wrote that the area, with its “great panorama of island and hill and swirling waters” was what “made me realise what Ireland was to me”.

Each August, to mark the anniversary of his death, the Roger Casement Commemoration and Re-Interment Association holds various commemorations around Ireland and England, including at Pentonville Prison, and Dublin’s Glasnevin Cemetery, where his remains were eventually laid to rest after being repatriated in 1965.

Formed in Andersonstown, west Belfast in 2013, the association has two objectives – to commemorate the life of Casement and to fulfil his request to be laid to rest at Murlough Bay.

Alan Daly, chairperson of the association said the ongoing campaign is making “baby steps” and gaining support, including from one of Casement’s own relatives.

“James Casement, a bloodline relative of Roger, who lives in Arizona, is the latest member to categorically put his full weight behind the campaign,” he said.

“Through the committee we made contact with him and he replied in October of last year. I had a conversation with him and he was delighted with who we are and what we are doing.”

Mr Daly said the campaign has the support of Phoenix Law and O’Neill’s Funeral Directors, who “approached us and wanted to come on board”.

He added: “It’s past time that Casement is allowed to rest easy at his request in Murlough Bay.

“The political climate has changed. There’s no reason why it shouldn’t happen, in our opinion.”

A wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 110th anniversary of Casement’s death will be held on Thursday, August 20 at Casement Social Club in Andersonstown.

Another commemoration event will take place at Murlough Bay on Saturday, August 22.