The Murrintown Heroes

Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society was delighted to be part of a family-driven, poignant and dignified commemoration at Murrintown recently on the 100th anniversary of the death of Captain Bernard Radford and Lt. Con McCarthy, who were ambushed and fatally shot at Rossiter’s farm, Spenserstown, on 10th January 1923 by the Free State army.

The Murrintown Anti Treaty Brigade were hiding in a loft over the stable at Rossiter’s farmyard, Spenserstown, when members of the Free State army surrounded the farmyard, having received information as to the whereabouts of the Brigade.

Gunfire was exchanged between the two groups for over half an hour before the IRA Brigade dropped down from the loft into the stable below and took the decision to make a run for it rather than surrender.

Five of the seven escaped, but two were mortally wounded, Captain Bernard Radford and Lt. Con McCarthy.

The Commemoration one hundred years later was narrated by Jack Radford who called on Bernie Radford, Jim Quirke and Eleanor and Gerard Nolan to lay wreaths on behalf of the Radford and McCarthy families.

Toddy Radford delivered a most detailed, informative, and emotive account of the happenings of over one hundred years before, followed by The Murrintown Heroes sung by Paula, Martina, and Nicola Keane, accompanied by Joe, Kate, and Pete Radford-Savage.

The role of women through Cumann na mBan was remembered by Mar Radford followed by a verse of The Soldiers of Cumann na mBan recited by Fionn Radford O`Broin, her son.

The Proclamation was read by Hazel Radford and a decade of the Rosary recited as gaeilge by Mary Radford O`Rourke.

Blackstairs and Mount Leinster –placenames and their history

Thursday 16th February at 7pm in Bunclody Library.

Join Barry Dalby of EastWest Mapping for a talk on placenames and their history in the region of the Blackstairs Mountains and Mount Leinster.

Booking essential. To book a place, please call 053 93 75466. n

Then the large gathering was treated to a Civil War lament sung by the well-known, local singer Phil Berry, a piper’s lament, the National Anthem and a colour party volley from Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society brought the beautiful and fitting tribute to a close.

– Maria Nolan

Enniscorthy Castle reopens

Enniscorthy Castle reopened to the public on the 30th of January 2023.

A lot of work is going on there at present revamping the exhibition space with more interactive features and a focus on Norman and medieval history on the ground floor. A new Norman exhibition will launch there on 16th February. And one week later on 23rd February a second exhibition will launch celebrating the Irish Countrywomen’s Association.

Make sure also to check out the recent, excellent Enjoy Enniscorthy video of Enniscorthy Castle and the interview there with Derek Meyler, tour guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B PgzvdB-Kc n

Looking back at Wexford in fifty photos with Nicky Rossiter

Join Nicky Rossiter, historian and author, as he takes us back over a number of decades of Wexford history through a collection of images from our past. Some of the images may be familiar but there will also be those getting their first “airing”.

Thursday 9th February at 7:00pm in Wexford Library. Booking is essential, contact the library on (053) 919 6760. n