AN event in memory of 1916 and War of Independence leader Liam Mellows will be held in Knockjames Church Tulla this Sunday.

Mellows hid out in the Knockjames area for five months, in the aftermath of the Easter Rising, during which he led forces in Galway. 

At the time Knockjames was such a Republican stronghold that the authorities installed an RIC barracks there, which was manned by a sergeant and three constables.

Despite this, one of the most wanted men in the country was sheltered by the local community for months.

In December of 1916, Mellows went to New York and was associated with the Carmelite community there. He taught Irish Music and Dance at the Carmelite Priory in Manhattan.

Sean Halpin who comes from Kiltanon in Tulla is currently living in New York and made contact with  the Carmelite community there.

Mellows is a celebrated figure among the Carmelites and they have a stained-glass window in his honour along with various correspondences, preserved in their archive in Middletown, New York.

Sean outlined to them Mellows’ special connection with Tulla and Knockjames and the community agreed to offer Liam Mellows’ violin on loan to Tulla for an initial period of 12 months. It will be displayed at Cnoc na Gaoithe.

A short memorial service is planned to be held in Knockjames Church at 1pm on this Sunday. Dr Tomas Mac Conmara has agreed to give a talk on Mellows and attendees can see the violin there also.