Ághas commemorations step up in native Lios Póil
THIS year marks 100 years since the death of Gaelic League, Irish Republican Brotherhood and Irish Volunteers member Tomás Ághas, efforts to honour the Lios Póil patriot continue to pick up pace.
This Saturday, July 1, Tim Collins and Tony Bergin will co-ordinate a field-trip visit by Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society (KAHS) to Lios Póil, During this visit, KAHS will visit Ághas’ home place, Cinn Aird, as well as the site of the 1921 Lios Póil ambush.
Marie Uí Ghrifín and Risteard Mac Eoin will both give a talk in Cinn Aird, with Dr Tim Horgan delivering his own talk on the ambush.
“We’ll be meeting at the car-park of O’Sullivan’s Bar in Garraí na dTor at 2.30pm on Saturday, and we’ll carpool from there to Cinn Aird,” local Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society member Tony Bergin told The Kerryman, “and we’ll go from those talks to another talk at Séipéal Eoin Baiste in Lios Póil, where we’ll also view the monument that’s there, as well as the vicinity.”
Saturday’s event coincides with the announcement of an exciting event to kick-start Féile Lios Póil and the August Bank Holiday weekend in west Kerry.
History Ireland magazine will host one of their acclaimed ‘Hedge School’ talks in Lios Póil to coincide with the Ághas centenary celebrations, and Tony explained that significance of the event, billed for Halla John L .Ó Súilleabháin, is hard to understate.
“A limited number of these events take place around the country during the year, and we are lucky enough to get one,” he said.
“The editor of History Ireland, Tommy Graham, will host a panel discussion on Tomás Ághas, and the panel will include UCD lecturers Dr Mary McAuliffe and Dr Richard McElligott, as well as excellent local contributors Joe Higgins and Micheál Ó Moráin.
“History Ireland podcasts these events for their website, and the evening will be videoed also,” Tony added.
For more details on either of the aforementioned events, you can contact Tony at (087) 287 0608.
Alternatively, you can keep an eye on the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society Facebook page.