Tag Archives: First World War

Sixth lass pupils at Parteen National School will host a special remembrance event tomorrow to mark the anniversary of Sergeant Edward Lynch and his brother Frank who both died in the Battle of La Bassée (France) during World War 1. Edward and Frank were both serving with the Royal Munster Fusiliers when they were killed in battle on December 21, 1914, just a few days before the famous Christmas Truce. Their older brother Michael also died during the war years (December 30th 1916) whilst posted at Bere Island, Cork with the Royal Irish Regiment. The sixth class pupils have been delving deep into Edward Lynch’s life and military career since their teacher, Cathal Crowe, purchased his death plaque on eBay several weeks ago. The death plaque, more commonly known as the “Widow’s Penny” was presented to families who lost loved ones during the First World War. The Lynch family tragically received three Widow’s Pennies and there is a possibility that …

A Clare Peace Park Initiative to erect a First World War memorial in honour of the Clare men who served and died in the conflict has been granted planning permission. The development, which will now proceed in partnership with the council, is on 0.1 hectares of land at Causeway Link, across the road from Glór, in Ennis and will consist of three standing stones, with inscriptions, which will be surrounded by about 100 square metres of paving with pathways in and out of the memorial site. The group’s chairperson, Dr Keir McNamara, is pleased that the initiative has been granted permission and would welcome further sponsorship to ensure the project can get off the ground as quickly as possible. “If we could get in the last bit of money we need, there’s no reason it couldn’t be completed by the end of this year. If we have a slower response to the fundraising effort, we would probably be looking at the middle of …

CLARE Labour TD Michael McNamara has asked that Willie Redmond, who was MP for East Clare from 1892 to 1917, be included in the programme of commemorations relating to significant events in Irish history between 1912 and 1922.  Redmond’s death in the First World War at the Battle of Messines in Belgium caused a by-election in East Clare from which Eamon de Valera emerged triumphant. “The changing course of events consigned Redmond to a minor place in Irish history,” Deputy McNamara said. “A native of Wexford and brother of the leader of the Irish Home Rule Party John Redmond, Willie was a popular attractive figure who was imprisoned for his Land League activities. He never waived in his loyalty to Parnell even after the latter’s fall. He disliked British rule in Ireland and his decision to fight in the First World War at the age of 54 was not an easy one. However, he believed that Ireland would suffer the …