Thank you to everyone who came along to our first revolutionary workshop in the Old Chapel Rooms, Kilfinane, on Wednesday, the 22nd of February. The night was a great success thanks to the local community, who shared their amazing objects and stories with us.
At the start of the evening, we heard from UCD’s Professor Joanna Brück and research archaeologist Aidan Harte about the work that has been done so far on the Archaeology of the Irish Revolution in East Limerick project. Then Tara Clarke of Abarta Heritage spoke about how to fill in the project’s survey form, which can be found here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/…/d34d56e3c45d467aaed9a8a9…
The information gathered in these survey forms goes into our database and really helps the project, as does the fantastic information collected in the revolutionary workshops. If you have any hard copies of the surveys filled in please bring them along to our next meeting where the team will collect them.
In last week’s Kilfinane workshop, we heard some amazing stories and saw some exceptional historical items. This included a letter to Mrs Cleary from Liam Lynch (a leader of the IRA during the War of Independence who became Chief of Staff of the Anti-Treaty IRA during the Civil War). The letter, which you can read below, delves into his feelings about the Civil War.
Kilfinane Coshlea Historical Society
Community members also brought poems and photographs of IRA volunteers based in East Limerick. The images below depict James (Seamus) Finn (left), who managed to retrieve a rifle and ammunition from the dead Sean Finn while under attack in March 1921 and John Goggin (right), who is seen wearing his National Army uniform.
In addition, we saw a diary which once belonged to a member of the IRA who had been on the run, a small British flag picked up as a souvenir during fighting in 1922, and a letter to RIC Sergeant Horan warning him that his life was in danger.
It was a fascinating evening and really added to our understanding of East Co. Limerick’s revolutionary years. If you would like to attend our next free Revolutionary Workshop, join us at Cappamore Community Hall (Eircode: V94 WK07) on Monday, the 20th of March, at 7 pm.
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The Archaeology of the Irish Revolution in East Limerick project is funded by the Irish Research Council COALESCE fund, which funds excellent research addressing national and European-global challenges across a number of strands. This project is part of the INSTAR+ awards, funded by the National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage in partnership with the Heritage Council. It is being undertaken by University College Dublin School of Archaeology in partnership with Abarta Heritage. Other partners on the project include Dr Damian Shiels, the National Museum of Ireland, Limerick Museum, Heritage Maps, and local historians of the War of Independence and Civil War eras.
Landscapes of Revolution 