Tag Archives: World War One

A FASCINATING novel on the fortunes of an Irish man who fought in World War One has just been published by a man with strong East Clare revolutionary roots. Dubliner Brendan Lynch is the son of a Scariff native and spent many happy summers in the Banner County. Brendan Lynch is the author of nine books to-date, and The Old Gunner and his Medals is his first novel, which he has published at the age of 80. A former racing cyclist and driver, railway clerk and journalist, Brendan was imprisoned in the 1960 for his activities with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). His books include City of Writers, inspired by his acquaintance with Brendan Behan and JP Dunleavy. Author Colum McCann said of the book that that it showed “the who, what, where, when, how and why of a place that is built on the intricacies of language”. Brendan’s interest in history is probably inspired in part by his …

THE year 1916 holds a special place in many people’s hearts. Not only was it the year of the Easter Rising, but that same year saw one of the most brutal, and most futile, battles of the Great War, the Battle of the Somme. To commemorate the centenary of the start of this battle, churches have been invited to toll a funeral bell for 10 minutes from 7.30am on the morning of July 1 (Friday), the precise moment that soldiers climbed from the safety of their trenches to face the awaiting onslaught. In Limerick, at 9pm today ( Thursday), the eve of the Battle of the Somme, the local branch of the Royal British Legion, with Irish ex-service organisations, will gather at the Limerick War Memorial in Pery Square, where a ceremonial candle will be lit, followed by a symbolic vigil, ending with reflective readings and prayer. On Friday, at 7.30am, as the church bells are tolling to mark the start …

ONE hundred years ago this week, 26-year-old, Private Patrick King, who was born in Kildysart and lived in Turnpike, Ennis, died of “exit wounds” near Bailleul in France. According to information from the Clare Museum, Private King arrived in France with the 2nd battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment on August 14, 1914, just 10 days after war was declared. The South Lancashires were part of the 3rd Division that engaged in winter operations between November 23, 1914 and February 6, 1915. His division was involved in an attack on Wytschaete on December 14, 1914, which had resulted in high casualties. Private King was wounded just a few days before the ending of winter operations and died of his wounds on February 2, 1915, in a hospital close to where he is buried. In 2008, a successful effort was made to reunite Private King’s World War I Victory Medal with its rightful owners, following a Clarecastle man’s discovery that it …

A CENTURY on, the Christmas Truce on the Western Front in 1914 was remembered at a special event in Iveagh House in Dublin, where the keynote address was delivered by former President of Ireland, Mary McAleese. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charles Flanagan hosted the remembrance, while the British Secretary of State, Philip Hammond, was also in attendance. Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pat Breen was also present. Jerry Lynch, from Kilfenora, sang a moving rendition of the Cormac Mac Connell-penned song, A Silent Night Christmas 1914, accompanied by the Island of Ireland Peace Choir. The Christmas Truce describes the extraordinary event on the Western Front 100 years ago, when the guns fell silent and when soldiers from all sides stepped out from their trenches, shook hands and took a break from hostilities. Deputy Breen said, “It is very important that we remember and reflect on the events that took place in the trenches on …

A total of 75 events ranging from nature walks to history lectures will take place across County Clare during National Heritage Week 2014 from August 23 to 31. Co-ordinated by Clare County Council and The Heritage Council with support from the Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht and Fáilte Ireland, the initiative will focus on Clare’s built, natural and cultural heritage. Some of the highlights of Heritage Week 2014 include a commemoration of the life of submarine inventor and Liscannor native, John P Holland; a tour of towerhouses around Shannon Town, a lecture on the life of an Kilrush-born Boer War general, Sir Thomas Kelly-Kenny; a Victorian Heritage Walk around Kilkee, a tour of Lisdoonvarna’s famous restorative waters. The centenary of the outbreak of World War One is also being marked with a lecture by historian Cormac O Comhrai’s on life in Ireland during the Great War, while Killaloe will also be marking the millennial anniversary of the death of …