The name “Casement” has become the subject of a complex and controversial political debate in west Belfast over the derelict stadium named in honor of Irish revolutionary Sir Roger Casement. Supporters argue that the cost of rebuilding this stadium is a small price to pay for its cultural and historical significance, while opponents raise concerns about publicly funding a facility named after an Irish rebel, executed for high treason. But who was Roger Casement? His story is explored in-depth through a new BBC Sounds podcast series titled The Mystery Of: Casement, Rebel Knight.
Roger Casement was born in Dublin and grew up in County Antrim, where he attended school at Ballymena Academy. At the age of 15, he left school to work for a shipping line in Liverpool, which eventually led to him working for the International African Association. Patrick Casement, the great-grandson of Roger’s second cousin, still lives in the family home and has kept records of letters sent by Roger during his time in Africa. Incessant letter writing is one of the defining qualities of Roger’s character, and his letters reflect his unwillingness to ignore the maltreatment and atrocities he observed during his trips to the Congo River in West Africa.
Roger later worked for the British Consular Service and in 1903 produced a condemnatory report regarding the atrocities he had witnessed in the Congo. This report earned him international recognition, a knighthood, and the bitter resentment of colonial powers, which would eventually lead to his execution. His fame was also partly due to his “taking African voices seriously,” according to Dr. Reuben Loffman, from Queen Mary University of London.
Roger was knighted in 1911, but he is best known for his pivotal role in founding the Irish Volunteers. In an attempt to capitalize on Britain’s feud with Germany during World War I, he became a principal organizer in the purchase of weapons. Roger, along with fellow rebels Robert Monteith and Daniel Julian Bailey, was brought back to the coastal waters off Ireland aboard a German u-boat. They made their way ashore in a small rowing boat with rifles to be supplied to the armed rebellion known as the Easter Rising. The rising was ultimately a military failure, and Roger’s involvement led to his conviction for high treason and execution in London in 1916.
Casement Park’s redevelopment has sparked controversy, with some unionist politicians in Northern Ireland calling for any rebuilt stadium to be given a different name. They point to other GAA grounds that have been named after Irish republicans. Nevertheless, Roger’s legacy remains divided as his political changes in the early 20th century continue to be contested today. To some, he is remembered as a revolutionary and human rights activist who exposed atrocities in Africa, while to others, he is a symbol of unwanted rebellion
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