History & Heritage

Commemorating the Truce in the War of Independence

A memorial event in commemoration of the centenary of the Truce in the War of Independence took place on Sunday, July 11th, at the Orchard Peace Park located behind The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy. The event was introduced by Bernie Quigley, Acting Enniscorthy Municipal District Manager, with speakers including the newly-elected Chair of Enniscorthy Municipal District, Cllr Cathal Byrne, and newly-appointed Historian in Residence at Wexford County Council, Barry Lacey. In attendance were Minister James Browne, Paul Kehoe TD, Chair of Wexford County Council Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cllrs Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Jackser Owens, John O’Rourke, and Caroline Godkin, Mary Clince and Moira O’Gorman along with members of Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society. Cllr Cathal Byrne spoke about the importance of remembering those who lost their lives in the struggle for Irish independence and laid a wreath to all who died in the War of Independence and then unveiled the new Peace Seat in the Park. n Cllr Byrne expressed his “thanks to the Enniscorthy Municipal District, the 1798 Centre, the Enniscorthy Historic Re-enactment Society and the new Wexford County Council Historian Barry Lacey for the well organised and respectful event.”

Above: Enniscorthy Municipal District Chairman Cathal Byrne unveils the new Peace Seat in the Orchard Peace Park. Below: Laying of the Wreath, Paul Kehoe TD, Sinead Kehoe, Cllrs Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Jackser Owens, Cathal Byrne, John O’Rourke, Barbara-Anne Murphy (Chairperson Wexford Co. Council) and Minister James Browne TD.

War of Independence Commem

Pic: Maria Nolan

Some of those gathered on 11th July in Enniscorthy’s Orchard Peace Park for the Commemoration of the Centenary of the Truce in the War of Independence, 1921.

Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society (EHRS) were delighted on Sunday 11th July to be at the Orchard Peace Park, Enniscorthy, to be part of the centenary Commemoration of the 1921 Truce that brought the War of Independence to an end.

The event was introduced and MC’d by Bernie Quigley, Acting Enniscorthy Municipal District Manager. Bernie called on newly-elected Cathaoirleach, Cllr Cathal Byrne, to lay a wreath and unveil a memorial bench to all who lost their lives in the conflict between January 1919 and July 1921, as Enniscorthy re-enactors under Chairman Ray Murphy formed a guard of honour adding atmosphere and ambience, attired in an array of War of Independence outfits and uniforms. Cllr Byrne told those gathered that more

Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society at the grave of Pat Carton in Camolin. than 2,000 people died in the two-and-a-halfyear war, as Ireland struggled for her freedom and recognition as an independent nation. ‘Today’, he said, ‘We remember all who died and the sacrifice and hardships they endured during that period of our history.’ ‘This day one hundred years ago was a day of hope for Enniscorthy, and Ireland, and after an extremely difficult year we now look forward once again with renewed hope to the future,’ Chairman Byrne concluded. Newly-appointed Historian in Residence at Wexford Co. Council, Barry Lacey, gave a broad historical outline of the struggle for independence in Wexford, greatly curtailed by the inclement and worsening weather conditions. The poignant and dignified event, brought to life by the re-enactors, memorialised one of the most significant episodes of our history. Lest we forget. EHRS were also at Camolin in July for the commemoration of the Camolin Ambush, when on Tuesday 5th July 1921, Pat Carton of the North Wexford Flying Column was spotted by an RIC patrol visiting the home of his friend Andrew O’Brien, on the main street.

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Jumping the wall at Valentia House into a field, he threw a mills grenade in the direction of the eight-man patrol, injuring four of them, and allowing Pat to make good his escape. Historian in Residence Barry Lacey gave a detailed account of this, the last ambush in Co. Wexford before the Truce on 11th July 1921, to the large crowd of relatives and friends gathered for the commemoration. On Sunday 25th July, EHRS were delighted to be invited to form the guard of honour at the annual Liam Lynch Commemoration at his memorial monument nestled in the exquisite Knockmealdown mountains where he was fatally wounded by Free State forces during the Civil War.

Chief of Staff of the IRA, he was described by historian Prof Ruan O’Donnell as ‘an unassuming man, with a spirit that was totally sincere and dedicated to the Irish Republic, making him a leader without personal ambition, who inspired those who came in contact with him. He was among the makers of history. Men felt it an honour to serve the cause he served. He was a natural leader, adaptable, quick witted, shrewd, with broad vision and balanced judgement.’ A fitting tribute indeed to a man, believed to be one of the greatest losses of the Civil War. – Maria Nolan

Above L-R: Graham Cadogan, Maria Nolan, Paul Murphy at the Liam Lynch Commemoration in the Knockmealdown mountains. Left: The newly appointed Historian in Residence at Wexford County Council, Barry Lacey, with Liam Lynch’s glasses – the ones he was wearing when he was shot. Below: EHRS re-enactors at the ready at the Liam Lynch Commemoration. Pics: Courtesy of Maria Nolan.

Heritage Week at Wexford Library

Tuesday 17th August, 2021, 9.30am - 4pm.

Free visits to the Castle are available to book in one-hour time slots commencing at 9.30am with last admission at 4pm. As places are limited pre-booking is essential. Group bookings are limited to a maximum 6 persons, for groups exceeding this number two consecutive time slots can be booked subject to availability. Short talks on the history of the Castle will take place on the rooftop (weather permitting) at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. Further Information: 053 9234699, info@enniscorthycastle.ie.

Wednesday 18th August, 2021, 9.30am – 4pm

You are invited to visit the National 1798 Rebellion Centre for free and explore the history of the 1798 Rebellion and its legacy. A free demonstration of the weapons utilised during the 1798 Rebellion will take place outside the Centre at 11am (weather permitting). Places are limited, therefore pre-booking is essential. Visits are available to book in one-hour time slots from 9.30am – 4pm. Group bookings are limited to a maximum of 6 persons per time slot, for groups exceeding this number two consecutive time slots can be reserved subject to availability. For more information or to reserve your place, contact 053-9237596, info@1798centre.ie.

Monday 16th August, 2021, 2pm

Enjoy a free guided tour of the historic Vinegar Hill Battlefield focusing on the famous Battle of Vinegar Hill which occurred on 21st June 1798, alongside an overview of the 1798 Rebellion, including the factors which influenced the Rebellion and its legacy. Places are limited, therefore pre-booking is essential. Call or email the National 1798 Rebellion Centre to reserve your place: info@1798centre.ie, 053-9237596.

Wexford’s Historian-in-Residence

Wexford County Council has appointed Barry Lacey as the first Historian-inResidence with Wexford Library and Archive Service. In this role Barry will promote an awareness of the Decade of Centenaries and the collections of Wexford County Library and Archive. The aim of the residency is to promote discussion of history from this period with people across the county. It aims too to raise awareness of the many resources on offer in Wexford Library and Archive to make history accessible to everyone in a manner that is informative and engaging. The intention is to create a legacy of research and cultural material for future generations. Barry aims to bring 1921 to life for people in Wexford using a variety of media. As part of his role as Historian-inResidence, Barry would like people living in Wexford or with a Wexford connection to contact him regarding any memorabilia or documents they have belonging to their ancestors who played a part during the War of Independence or the Civil War. Barry Lacey has a Higher Diploma in Archaeology and a Masters in Archaeological Excavation. He has a keen interest in the War of Independence in County Wexford and has already created a website dedicated to this research. Barry has worked on Decade of Centenary projects for Wexford County Council in the past, delivering a slideshow showcasing the various incidents that took place during the War of Independence in Wexford. In partnership with folklorist Michael Fortune, he made a short documentary, released in March 2021, highlighting a selection of events from 1920 in County Wexford. Barry has previously given lectures in Wexford libraries and writes weekly articles on War of Independence events in Wexford People newspapers. Last year he produced a report on the archaeological remains within the county relating to events that took place in 1920. Welcoming the appointment, the Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy said, “I’m delighted to welcome Barry Lacey as Historian-in-Residence with Wexford Library Service. This year, one hundred years ago, marks a critical time in the creation of the state.

Many people played a part in the struggle for independence here in County Wexford and it is only right that their contribution is documented and the records of the time collected in their entirety so that we get to fully understand the history of the struggle for independence.” Barry will give talks in all libraries in County Wexford this month to mark Heritage Week. He will also be available to visit and meet schools, communities and to work with individuals and groups online and in person as restrictions allow. This initiative is funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Community Strand of the Decade of Centenaries 2012-2023 programme.

Barry Lacey – the first Historian-in-Residence with For more information on the work of the His-

Wexford Library and torian-in-Residence or to make contact with Archive Service Barry, please phone 053-9196330 or email

Enniscorthy Library - Lymington Road - Enniscorthy Phone: 053 9236055 enniscorthylib@wexfordcoco.ie https://www.wexfordcoco.ie/libraries https://www.facebook.com/enniscorthylibrary

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