Born in Loughshinny in 1886, John, Seán, Jack McCann earned the nickname 'Rover' from his habit of wandering. The fourth son of a family of nine, he left school early and worked as a farm labourer. This was not uncommon at the time and what he earned would have been of great benefit to a large family.
He played hurling for Lusk Round Towers, and was a member of the Irish National Foresters, an organisation that espoused the nationalist cause.
When a company of Irish Volunteers was formed in Lusk, Rover McCann joined. He took part in the Battle of Ashbourne in 1916, and was subsequently one of the Volunteers who were ordered to surrender by Pearse.
He was marched from Newbarn Lane to Swords, where he, along with the other members of the Fingal brigade, was brought to Richmond Barracks. From there, he was transported first to Knutsford Jail, and from there to Frongoch. He was released in December 1916.
He spent part of his time in Frongoch carving, and an example of his work can be seen in Kilmainham Museum.
He returned home and married in 1917. His wife gave birth to two children in rapid succession. Rover was working for Dublin County council at that time, but he continued to be active in the Volunteers.
With the arrival of the Black and Tans in 1919, life became exceedingly difficult for members of the Volunteers.
Most men slept rough or in safe houses, however, Rover McCann opted to stay at home against the advice of compatriots. His wife was expecting their third child and it seems that he wanted to be near her. Bloody Sunday, 21st November 1920 is a date set in infamy. It is the day the British Secret Service was targeted by Michael Collins and was decimated by the 'Squad'.
In retaliation, at a football match in Croke Park that afternoon, men of the British Auxiliaries opened fire on the football game, killing fourteen people including a footballer, Michael Hogan.
Later that night, the Black and Tans went on a rampage from their camp in Gormanston and were seen in Rush after midnight. They arrived at Rover McCann's house and demanded that he come out. He was taken into an adjoining field, where he was shot dead.
From: "Irish Independent Archives"
Rover Mccann's memorial can be found here on Google maps:
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