The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
HOME PARISH 2017 COMMEMORATIONS
THE unveiling of a Tomás Ághas bust in his native townland, Cinn Aird, will be the centrepiece of celebrations as the patriot’s home parish, Lios Póil, marks the centenary of his passing this weekend.
The bulk of celebrations are billed for this Saturday, September 23, from 2pm and have been organised by the local Coiste Cuimhneachán, originally set up to honour Ághas in 1984. Today it includes a number of founding members – Chairman Risteard MacEoin, Micheál Ó Moráin, Matthew Griffin, Marie Uí Ghrifín, and Maireád Ashe-Moriarty – and other members such as Dr Conor Brosnan, Robert Brosnan, and Tony Bergin.
Mr Bergin explained this week that while a great number of events have taken place in the locality throughout this centenary year, the September events had always been earmarked as the year’s focal point.
“The day will feature musical entertainment from performers such as Banna Ceoil Lios Póil, Coiscéim na Caillí, and piper Feargal Mac Amhlaoibh, and these performances will take place around a whole range of events that have been organised over the last year or so,” he told The Kerryman.
“The unveiling of a new bust near his home in Cinn Aird will be the main event, but the programme has plenty outside of that, including a display of Michael Collins’ Armoured Car ‘Sliabh na mBan’.
“We’ll have a guest speaker representing the Ághas family, Colm Quinn; a lament, Marbhna Thomáis Ághas, delivered by Mossie Ó Scanláin; and a recitation of Ághas’ ‘Let Me Carry Your Cross for Ireland, Lord’.”
The day will also feature a Colour Party, a flag-raising ceremony and a performance of Amhrán na bhFiann, with a mass in memory of Ághas billed for the following day, September 24, in Séipéal Naomh Eoin Baiste, Lios Póil.
In nearby Dingle, Sunday commemorations will begin at the War of Independence at 12.30pm with a talk about Ashe’s contribution to the Rising.
Dingle Fife and Drum Band will then lead a parade to Páirc an Ághasaigh, the only GAA pitch in the country named after Ághas, where brief speeches will be followed by the John Sheehy Memorial Underage Blitz at 1pm.