The Co. Kildare Decade of Commemorations Programme has produced a new publication detailing many of the events that took place throughout the county during the War of Independence period. The launch of A Timeline of the War of Independence in Co. Kildare 1919-1922 coincides with the 100th anniversary of the burning of the Custom House, Dublin, on 25 May 1921.
The book is available to download freely at www.kildare.ie/ehistory. Physical copies of the book will be available free from 25 May 2021 via Co. Kildare’s public library network and heritage centres, in line with the current Covid-19 access restrictions. Please note that libraries are operating an online booking system where users must reserve a 30 minute slot. This visit is for browsing and lending only: please book at www.kildare.ie/library/OnlineBookingSystem
Copies will also be distributed to secondary schools within the county.
It will be of interest to anyone curious about the history of Co. Kildare, particularly local history groups and secondary school students. It will help them navigate the period of the Irish War of Independence as it happened in Co. Kildare. The main incidents on the national stage are included to give it context. Much of the information comes from the local and national newspapers of the day and while an event may be recorded, there may be further information in the newspapers and other sources. We hope to encourage students to look further. Not every arrest or raid for arms is recorded; not every incident involving the cutting of wires, roads being trenched or bridges being damaged is documented, so researchers are encouraged to go back to the sources and history books and look for more. This is a Timeline, a listing of notable events by date, not a comprehensive history, but it will bring new events and information to light which hopefully will lead to further research.
On 25 May 1921 the Custom House, Dublin, was burned by the I.R.A. Involving over 100 Volunteers it resulted in the death of 5 and arrest of about 80 Volunteers. Three civilians were also killed. On 25-26 May the I.R.A. fired shots at Kilcullen R.I.C. Barracks at three different times during the night. The police in the barracks replied with rifle fire. Roads from Kilcullen to the Curragh Camp had been blocked or trenched and telegraph wires cut.
The Co. Kildare Decade of Commemorations Committee has been active in its work since 2015. From the outset, it has proudly worked to create a legacy of research and material for future generations. It is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries 2021-2023 initiative, Kildare County Council and Kildare Library Services. The support of the Chair and members of the Co. Kildare Decade of Commemorations Committee is gratefully acknowledged.
Enquiries about A Timeline of the War of Independence in Co. Kildare 1919-1922 can be sent to cilldara2016@gmail.com
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