Revolutionary people and places for Knocklong
This year, Knocklong History will host their annual seminar on Saturday, May 18th in Knocklong Community Centre, chaired by Dr Pat McCarthy of Waterford, author of the recently published ' Waterford's Two Civil Wars 1922-1924' and 'Waterford The Revolution 1912-23'.
The line-up of speakers consists of Liz Gillis on Rebuilding Dublin after the Civil War, Angus Mitchell on Robert Monteith, John Connors on his book on Dan Breen and Tom O'Neill on ' Spike Island's Republican Prisoners 1921'.
The recently deceased Tom Toomey arranged this line-up of speakers, addressing topics that have not been covered in previous seminars in Knocklong. Tom will be sorely missed throughout Limerick for his immense knowledge and for his support of historians and history groups, a great family man and a gentleman.
Dr McCarthy will introduce the speakers and chair the question and answer session at the end, he will also pay tribute to our dear friend and mentor Tom Toomey. Liz Gillis will speak about the rebuilding of Dublin after the revolutionary period, she is the author of 'The Burning of the Customs House 1921' and 'Women of the Revolution', as well as five other books on the revolution.
Dr Angus Mitchell's talk will be titled 'Remembering Robert Monteith', Angus is author of 'Roger Casement 16 Lives'. Robert Monteith was a decorated British soldier who became an Irish Revolutionary soldier who worked closely with Roger Casement. He trained soldiers in Limerick and recruited prisoners of war in Germany to fight for Ireland and helped organise the German shipment of rifles to Banna Strand.
Is it possible that he recruited Knocklong's Maurice Meade for the Irish Brigade? Why did a revered British soldier join the Irish revolution?
Tom O'Neill will speak on the republican prisoners on Spike Island, where 1,400 prisoners were located in 1921. In particular, he will focus on republican prisoners from Limerick and prisoners from nearby Knocklong. Tom is author of 'The Battle of Clonmult' and 'Spike Island's Republican
Prisoners 1921'.
John Connors will conclude the seminar with a talk on his book 'Dan Breen The Myth Behind the Legend'. John's research led to previously unseen letters which allowed him to give us a more complex view of Breen, the man renowned as a revolutionary fighter.
The Knocklong History Seminar would not be possible without the sponsorship of local businesses. We acknowledge the sup
port of Mitchelstown Credit Union, Dairygold, D-Pack, Tigin Honey, Dan Dooley Car Sales, Kerry Group and Hinchy's Car Sales over the years. Admission on Saturday, May 18th is €10. These are non partisan events and all are welcome to attend. The seminar in
Knocklong Community Centre will commence at 10am and conclude at approximately 14.00. The national strategy of the Decade of Centenaries has completed but this does not mean that we shouldnt continue learning and debating about the revolutionary period in Ireland.