The following is a roundup of news for July from the Co. Kildare Decade of Commemorations Committee.
Childern’s Workshop
EPIC Explorers Antarctic Adventure Workshop
Saturday 21st and Saturday 28th July at 11.00am
We recommend this workshop for ages 6-12
In this children’s workshop facilitated by the EPIC Museum, participants will explore the Polar regions, discovering some fascinating real-life facts along the way. and what it’s really like to live in the polar extremes. Participants will then take part in a series of experiments to explore snow, and see if we have what it takes to be part of Irish Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton’s crew! Participants will just need their imagination and some paper and crayons to take part. This event is supported by the County Kildare Decade of Commemorations Programme 2021.
Booking via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/epic-explorers-antarctic-adventure-workshop-tickets-162390772171
Please send an email to kildaredigitalhistory@gmail.com for queries on these workshops.
The Centenary of The Truce in the War of Independence
On the centenary of the signing of the Truce on 11 July 1921, the Co. Kildare Decade of Commemorations Committee, established by Kildare County Council, has released a video featuring Cllr. Naoise Ó Cearúil, Cathaoirleach of Kildare County Council and Cllr. Pádraig McEvoy, Chair, Co. Kildare Decade of Commemorations Committee, reflecting on this historic event. A short video of the Councillors’ addresses can be found on the Kildare Decade of Commemorations Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Granite Benches
As part of the Decade of Commemorations programme and to mark the centenary of the Truce, ten granite benches will be installed in the grounds of Áras Chill Dara, Naas in the coming months. They have been created using granite recycled from the Old Barracks, Naas, and will provide a place for members of the community to meet, sit and reflect.
Lecture by Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc
To commemorate the centenary of the Truce and the end of the War of Independence, historian and author Dr Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc gave a detailed account of the days leading up to the Truce and provided an insight into how it was received by local forces in Kildare. The lecture seeks to answer some of the more controversial moments surrounding the ceasefire.
A recording of this lecture can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oVIPubfvQQ and at Facebook: Kildare Decade of Commemorations
This event was supported by the County Kildare Decade of Commemorations Programme.
Irish Military Seminar 2021
The Irish Military Seminar took place from 8-19 June, and all of the presentations, lectures and interviews can be found on the Kildare Decade of Commemorations YouTube channel and on Facebook: Kildare Decade of Commemorations
Publications
The past month also saw the release of three publications as part of the Co. Kildare Decade of Commemorations programme which mark different centenary events. Copies of each will be available to borrow in Co. Kildare libraries.
Planes, Trains and the Postman’s Bicycle: The Stacumney Ambush, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, 2 July 1921 was researched and written by Celbridge local historian, Seamus A. Cummins, to mark the centenary of the ambush. It gives an in-depth analysis of the troop train ambush. Free copies have been distributed to all branch libraries in County Kildare.
Remembrance: The World War I Dead of Co. Kildare, compiled and edited by Karel Kiely, James Durney and Mario Corrigan of Kildare Library & Arts Service) lists over 750 men and three women from the county who died in World War I. The book includes many photographs of the participants and World War I gravestones and memorials in Co. Kildare. This book is available to purchase from local independent bookshops and the Kildare Town Heritage Centre. Copies are also available to borrow from all Kildare branch libraries.
A Timeline of the War of Independence in Co. Kildare 1919-1922 details many of the events that took place throughout the county during the War of Independence period. Free copies of this booklet are available from all Kildare libraries.
Please contact cilldara2016@gmail.com for any queries in relation to these publications.