Hugely successful centenary weekend as large crowds descend on Newcastle
The General Liam Lynch Centenary Weekend held in Newcastle, Co Tipperary over the recent Easter Weekend attracted huge crowds who travelled from all over Ireland and beyond to commemorate the Chief of Staff of the Irish Republican Army, General Liam
Lynch who was fatally wounded on the slopes on the Knockmealdowns above Newcastle on April 10th, 1923.
The Centenary Weekend saw 8 events being organised across three days which included an historical bus tour and a guided walk led by local historian Michael Desmond; the launch of Gerard Shannon’s book ‘To Declare a Republic’; a centenary concert, two film screenings, a wreath laying ceremony at the Liam Lynch Monument to coincide with the time of Lynch’s fatal wounding at that spot 100 years earlier, a pipe band parade through the village with the Liam Lynch Memorial Pipe Band from Angelsborough and the Eamonn Bulfin Legacy Pipe Band from Argentina participating.
The Centenary Memorial Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan and Fr. Michael Toomey PP and a large contingent of Lynch family members were in attendance. A plaque was unveiled outside Nugent’s Pub in recognition of the events that happened in the house on April 10th, 1923 while the weekend was concluded with an oration event on the grounds of the local Community Hall, delivered by Eamon Ó Cuív TD. The local community house, Tigh na nDaoine was also transformed into a mini-museum for the weekend, displaying local memorabilia related to General Liam Lynch and the War of Independence and Civil War.
With each event packed to capacity, the people of Newcastle opened its arms to welcome visitors for the three-day commemoration with all events fully booked. Many visitors booked into local accommodation and were blown away by the history of the area, its beauty, and the warm welcome they received in Newcastle.
The organising committee would like to thank all those who assisted in anyway to make the weekend a success, including Muintir na Tire, Knockmealdown Active, Cahir Gardaí, Tipperary County Council, the Liam Lynch Memorial Pipe Band from Anglesboro, the Emaonn Bulfin Legacy Pipe Band, Eamon Ó Cuív TD, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan and Fr. Michael Toomey PP, Clonmel Red Cross, Ardfinnan and Duhill Community Halls for their support, McCarra’s Bus Hire, Rose Condon from Nugent’s Pub, all volunteers and anyone who helped in anyway to make the weekend a success.