FREE MAPS FOR UK

Courtesy of the Society of Australian Genealogists newsletter...

www.findfreemaps.co.uk

A new, free website, www.findfreemaps.co.uk, has been launched which offers access to a range of regularly updated maps from reputable sources such as the Ordnance Survey and Google. The sites offers a free toolkit which allows you to draw on the maps and to insert text and graphics. It also allows you to measure, style, colour and print finished maps or save them as PDFs.

Having selected a map to view, you can examine an area in which family members lived or create personalised maps showing, for example, the geographical movements of an individual family member, the distribution of different family members or the location of graves. You can also add information to maps from a range of layers grouped under various headings including 'heritage' and 'boundaries'.

COME HERE TILL I TELL YA!

Come here till I tell ya!

Memories from the Cuimhneamh an Chláir Archive

 Have you ever wished that you could sit awhile and listen to the stories of the older and wiser ones? Maybe you can't listen to those from your own family, but there still tales to be heard. Visit the site below and listen to what some of these wonderful folks have to share.

 

Hear the voices of some of Clare's oldest citizens, with recollections of a fading way of life in Clare.   

Cuimhneamh an Chláir 

The Clare Oral History and Folklore Group

www.clarememories.ie

Ph: 087 9160373

"When an old man dies, a library burns" - Senegalese Proverb

Courtesy of Gould Genealogy.......

http://www.gouldgenealogy.com/2011/11/british-newspaper-archive-website-goes-live/

British Newspaper Archive Website Goes Live

The British Newspaper Archive (www.britishnewsaperarchive.co.uk) website is now live. That's right! We've known that it's been coming for ages, and it is finally here … That's 3,000,000 pages of historical British newspapers at your fingertips.

What makes the British Newspaper Archive project so special?
Well for a start it has made viewing old British newpapers accessible a whole lot easier for everyone worldwide. But to quote directly from BNA …

"we have scanned millions of pages of historical newspapers and made them available online for the first time ever. Search millions of articles by keyword, name, location, date or title and watch your results appear in an instant. Compare this with hours of painstaking manual searching through hard copies or microfilm often requiring a visit to the British Library in North London and it is easy to appreciate the ground breaking nature of this project."

Searching the BritishNewspaperArchive.co.uk?
You can search by region, or by keyword.  The types of records you'll find are:
- News Articles:  read about national events, as well as issues of local and regional importance. News articles are your window into daily life in historical Britain.
- Family Notices: search for your family's birth, marriage and death notices plus related announcements including engagements, anniversaries, birthdays and congratulations.
- Letters: read letters to the editor written by the newspaper's readers, including illuminating contemporary debates, aspirations and anxieties.
- Obituaries view a wealth of contemporary information on the lives of notable individuals and ancestors.
- Advertisements: these include classifieds, shipping notices and appointments.
- Illustrations: see photographs, engravings, graphics, maps and editorial cartoons.

How much does it cost to use?
The all important question is how much does it cost to use. And at least in my option the rates look extremely reasonable.

For further details go to the link at the beginning of this article..

or ..              

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/

There is quite a bit on Ireland on this site also.

MOUNT SAINT LAWRENCE CEMETERY LIMERICK

IRISH CHATTER

Subject: Mount Saint Lawrence Cemetery Limerick 

To whom it concerns

 

I am currently working on a project dealing with the evolution, development and social profile of Limerick's Mount Saint Lawrence Cemetery. This cemetery was established in 1849 as an archetypal Victorian garden cemetery. Between 1855 (when burials began) and 2010, c. 70,000 individuals were interred in Mount St Lawrence.  Many were from County Clare.

 

The larger study of the cemetery over the 150+ years of its existence will cast light specifically on the thinking behind the establishment of the cemetery and on attitudes to death and its commemoration in urban Ireland from the mid-nineteenth century onwards and, more generally, on changing social and religious attitudes over time. It examines in the urban Irish context the transition from graveyard to cemetery, a large public park or ground laid out expressly for the interment of the dead. Reflecting developments in the broader western world, the establishment of Mount St. Lawrence represented the Limerick municipality's and local Catholic church's response to the pressure put on existing graveyards by the Famine and cholera epidemic of 1849.

 

Matthew Potter

 

Dr. Matthew Potter, B.A. (London), Ph.D (NUI Galway)

Fellow in the History of Urban Government

Department of History

Mary Immaculate College

South Circular Road

Limerick City

 

Tel:  + 00 (353) (61) 204520

 

Email: Matthew.Potter@mic.ul.ie

N.B. If you have any queries or anything to add to the project, please contact Dr. Potter directly.

http://www.limerickcity.ie/Press/Pressreleasesarchive/2009/LimerickBurialRegisterOnline/ 

GENEALOGY WORKSHOP, LIMERICK

IRISH CHATTER

Irish Water Safety honours for teenage surfers who saved boy

The Irish Times - Wednesday, November 23, 2011
CÍAN NIHILL
"LUCKY TO be alive" was how the father of nine-year-old Gearóid Rogers from Killaloe, Co Clare, described his son, who yesterday watched as two teenage surfers who dramatically saved him from drowning earlier this year were among recipients of Irish Water Safety Awards in Dublin Castle.
Bernard Cahill (17) and Donough Cronin (16), both from Ennis, were wading into shore after surfing at Spanish Point in July when they noticed Gearóid's mother Roz on the beach waving for help. When her son had been swept out by a rip current, Roz's husband Ger swam to save his son before becoming stranded himself.
For the full story, go to    http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1123/1224307999902.html

2012 FÁILTE IRELAND FESTIVAL & EVENTS FUNDING PROGRAMMES

IRISH CHATTER

Does your local community need funds for either Festivals or participative Events?  Then this could help you...

Subject: 2012 Fáilte Ireland Festival & Events Funding Programmes

The call for applications for the 2012 Festivals and Participative Events Initiative has been advertised in yesterday's Irish Times, Irish Independent, Irish Examiner (advert attached).  Please check www.failteireland.ie/festivals for the basic info on the scheme and to download the application guidelines.

·                There are two grant schemes, the National Programme and the Regional Programme.  Difference between two programmes is outlined on www.failteireland.ie/festivals

·                Applications to the National Programme are made online, see www.failteireland.ie/festivals

·                Applications to the Regional Programme must be made by email.  Please find attached the application guidelines and the application form for the Regional Programme.

·                The eligibility criteria and the evaluation criteria for both schemes are outlined on www.failteireland.ie/festivals and described in greater detail in the application guidelines.

ALL APPLICATIONS FOR 2012 EVENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY MIDNIGHT ON FRIDAY 13TH JANUARY 2012.

Siobhan

Siobhan King 
Tourism Executive Co. Clare 

E: kings@shannondevelopment.ie   
W: www.ShortBreaksIreland.ie 
W: www.ShannonRegionTrails.ie 
W: www.discoverireland.ie/clare

A POIGNANT STORY

IRISH CHATTER

From Clara Hoyne, Secretary Clare Roots Society Nov 21 2011

A picture with a poignant story from today's Irish Times.

FAMILIES OF KILMALEY PARISH, CO CLARE

Haven't you wished that Someone would write a history of the Irish parish your family came from?

I sure have, and that Someone, for all of us with family from Kilmaley, Co Clare, is John Mayer... John wasn't satisfied with a small snapshot in time, he has researched and listed a vast number of families from the Kilmaley Parish, dating back over 200 years. This book is a must if you want to follow marriages and baptisms, some immigration and other assorted gems of information, whatever he was able to find in his extensive research. He doesn't pretend to have all the answers, but there sure are a lot of them.

There are photos, excerpts from Census returns, and so many family names with previously hard to find details ... This would be a great addition to any research library. The amount of time John has put into this book is amazing... and will be of great assistance to so many.

FAMILIES OF KILMALEY PARISH... A Two-Hundred Year Review....

 For details on the book and cost within Northern America, please go to www.lulu.com and search for Kilmaley, or use this tiny URL to go directly.

http://tinyurl.com/7jjlxxu


 You may also be able to order for all countries from here.  If not, please contact John at dundeemayer at comcast dot net  He will give you details re PayPal.

For those without Paypal, you can use a cashiers cheque or money order.

For Australia, the cost of this missive is $50 including postage.

 Now, if only all Parishes were so fortunate... be sure to let John know where you heard about his book.

From a very satisfied researcher....

Liz Haren  Nov 27, 2011 "Yay! I just got my Kilmaley book!! It is huge!!! And it has my Haren's all over it. I'm thrilled. "  Let me know what you think of the book...

"The Last Grasp" -- Ireland in 1584 -- video

IRISH CHATTER... this really fits this blog's concept of As They Were

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150398565571460
The Last Grasp
Ireland, 1584: 'In the aftermath of a cattle-raid into enemy territory two Gaelic-Irish warriors - a light infantry kern and a mailed galloglass - are despatched to comb the woods for stragglers…' The primary thinking behind Claíomh making this short film was to showcase the potential of museum-quality archaeological reproductions when utilised with modern media - in this case relating to 16th century Gaelic-Ireland when native Irish traditions were at their zenith. Set against an environment of what was the most commonly pursued 'sport' at the time i.e. cattle-raiding, and while promoting awareness of an archaeologically accurate portrayal of the visual appearance of Late Medieval Gaelic warriors - the production also lightly touches upon the complicated political situation in Ireland at the time. As a zero-budget pilot `The Last Grasp' was shot within a couple of hours on entirely a voluntary basis with the aim to make vividly assessable this fascinating and rich depository of Irish heritage to a wider audience beyond the conventional confines of academia. Claíomh regards film as a forum into which latest archaeological and historical research can be utilised to harness a realistic graphic to provide a window into Ireland's history and in so doing to create an artistic whole. As short films, 'The Last Grasp' as well as our 1640's themed 'The Flag', represent proto-steps in what is hoped will be a long journey of discovery in the medium. Reconstructed artefacts featured in this film include swords from Co Offaly (Ballylin) and Co Galway (one each from the River Corrib – near Galway City - and the River Suck – near Ballinasloe), and a `sparth' axe from Co Tyrone (River Blackwater, Clonteevy). The sets of clothing worn by the characters are copied from contemporary illustrations such as the anonymous `Drawn on the quick' (c.1544) kept in the Ashmoleum Museum in Oxford and Albrecht Dürer's `Thus go the soldiers of Ireland, beyond England…' (1521) at the Kupferstichkabinett, Staatliche Museen in Berlin. The film was shot in Ireland in Autumn 2010 by members of Claíomh with the invaluable assistance of Josh Plunkett, Alan Mac Úa hAlpine, and Rob Hunt. The primeval soundtrack was specially composed and performed by Brian Conniffe. It's first appearance was at the Experimental Cinema of the Hunter Moon Fest in Carrick-on-Shannon in October 2011. Keep the HQ lights on! Sláinte/DS
Length: ‎5:06

UPDATE TO YOUNG IRELANDERS WEBSITE

IRISH CHATTER

A quick note to let you know that we have been able to employ someone to update the Young Irelanders website
and insert the photos of Young Irelander sites around Tasmania.
The photos, taken in the mid-1990s, were kindly provided by Peter O'Shaughnessy.
(The new photos are in the Locations and map section of the website.)

The website is at http://www.youngirelanders.utas.edu.au/
(and the wiki is at http://youngirelanders.wikispaces.com/ )

Beverly Goldfarb
Manager, Faculty of Arts Flexible Education Office
Faculty of Arts
Locked bag 1-340
University of Tasmania
Launceston TAS 7250

Ph: (03) 6324 3646
Fax: (03) 6324 3652

CO MONAGHAN ADDITIONAL RECORDS

CLARE ROOTS SOCIETY Drumcliff Stage 2 (Calvary Section)

Clare Roots Society under the direction of John Bradley are about to commence stage 2 (Calvary) of recording the gravestones.

This will entail:

Receiving a map of your section.

Photographing Gravestones:

Transcribing inscriptions to a word document.

Returning to manually recording unreadable headstones.

We need approximately 11 individual (or couples) willing to take on a section of 50 graves approximately. A brief session will take place for all participants prior to commencing. We would hope to have it completed by the end of January. You would carry out the recording at a suitable time to yourself.

Unfortunately Clare County Council have mislaid 10 years of records within this section of the Cemetery so our work will be of immense value to future generations. 

You can view our previous work with regard to Drumcliff at:

 http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/genealogy/don_tran/graves/drumcliff_old_graveyard_ennis.htm

Thanking all in advance:

Clara Hoyne.

 N.B. Don't forget the fantastic book on Drumcliff Cemetery is available through the Clare Roots Society as per 

http://clareroots.org/index.php/2011-06-29-19-06-17/publications

 You can read all about it on the above link. It is far more than a list of names...

PRESS RELEASE FROM IRISH GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH SOCIETY.

Your thoughts? Please feel free to comment below...

The Irish Genealogical Research Society (IGRS)
Press Release
18 November 2011
Archive and library reform moves worry genealogists
The Irish Genealogical Research Society (IGRS) is concerned that a
so-called merger of the National Archives "into" the National Library
could diminish these vital heritage services.
Steven Smyrl, IGRS chairman, says that while the IGRS recognises the
need for savings across the board in Irish public services, it is
concerned that with two bodies under one director, competition for
resources could be fierce.
"The proposed area of control is simply too vast, whether or not, as the
Government proposes, both institutions are to retain their separate
identities. The Government's plan is further complicated by reference to
the possible sharing of services between the National Library and the
National Museum which could dilute the services still further."
Smyrl acknowledges that there are savings to be made through the pooling
of public services resources. "Conservation and administration are just
two such areas that immediately spring to mind, but while libraries and
museums might appear to be similar they are actually very different
service providers.
"Staff trained in the care and control of archive materials require
quite different skills to those working in a library and economies of
scale will not be found by requiring flexibility from staff to work
across borders in the proposed new set-up. It is crucial that specialist
knowledge and training be recognised as essential in service delivery at
national institutions. The historians, academics, researchers and
genealogists using them rely heavily upon the staff's expertise and
knowledge.
"The IGRS welcomes the Government's initiative to see where savings can
be made but advises caution if irreparable damage to public service is
to be avoided. "

IGP ARCHIVES ADDS MORE FILES, FREE TO ALL

With thanks to Christina Hunt and all her volunteers

New files in IGP Archives in the first half of November. 

This is for all of Ireland and I thought some of you might find something of interest.

*We have also added some transcriptions for grave stone contributions
in Monaghan and Longford.

Antrim Genealogy Archives - Military & Constabulary
1842 Royal Irish Constabulary
www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/antrim/military.htm

Armagh Genealogy Archives - Military & Constabulary
1842 Royal Irish Constabulary
www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/armagh/military.htm

Carlow Genealogy Archives - Military & Constabulary
1842 Royal Irish Constabulary
www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/carlow/military.htm

Cork Genealogy Archives
Cork 1842 Royal Irish Constabulary
www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/cork/military.htm

Clare Genealogy Archives - Military & Constabulary
1842 Royal Irish Constabulary
www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/clare/military.htm

Cavan Genealogy Archives - Military & Constabulary
1842 Royal Irish Constabulary
www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/cavan/military.htm

Dublin Genealogy Archives - Headstones - Glasnevin,
Glasnevin Part 8
www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/dublin/photos/tombstones/glasnevin-ndx.htm

Galway Genealogy Archives - Land
Encumbered Estate property of CHARLES BLAKE, Esq. (Tonroe) 1852
http://www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/galway/land.htm

Mayo Genealogy Archives - Land
Encumbered Estate property of CHARLES BLAKE, Esq. (Tourard,
Killeenrevagh, Gortskehy) 1852
http://www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/mayo/land.htm

Monaghan Genealogy Archives - Headstones.
First Presbyterian Church, Ballybay
www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/monaghan/photos/tombstones/markers.htm

Roscommon Genealogy Archives - Cemetery Records
Walsh Family, old churchyard, Drum, Athlone
www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/roscommon/cem.htm

Tipperary Genealogy Archives - Miscellaneous Records
Pawnbrokers 1827- 1837
www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/tipperary/misc.htm

Tipperary Genealogy Archives - Photos
Monsea Cemetery & Church Ruins
www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/tipperary/photos.htm

Tipperary Genealogy Archives - Headstones
Moycarkey Graveyard (5 images)
Patrick Collins, Davy Thomas, Jeremiah Gleeson - (single headstones)
www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/tipperary/photos/tombstones/markers.htm

Wexford Genealogy Archives - Headstones.
Gorey; Christ Church Graveyard (Church of Ireland)
www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/wexford/photos/tombstones/markers.htm

Wexford Genealogy Archives - Directories
New Ross & Wexford 1820-1822 Directories
www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/wexford/dir.htm

Wexford Genealogy Archives - Military & Constabulary
1845 Royal Irish Constabulary
www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/wexford/military.htm

Wicklow Genealogy Archives - Military
Wicklow 1845 Royal Irish Constabulary
www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/wicklow/military.htm

--
Christina
http://www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ireland-Genealogy-Projects/206512622694663?sk=wall

GRAVESTONE INSCRIPTIONS CLARE CASTLE/ BALLYEA

We often complain about the lack of records for Irish research, but now there is so much being released due to the work of volunteers, as well as some of the paid sites.

As many of you know, I'm involved with Clare Roots Society and am so pleased to be associated with this hard working group. One of the most recent achievements has been the documenting of around 2,000 records from the Clare Castle/Ballyea  churches... see full details below.

This book looks to be going to it's second print, which is fantastic... it sells for €10 plus postage, and was under €5 to post to Australia...

However, to go ahead with the second print, we really need names of those who genuinely would like a copy of the book. If you are one of those, could you please contact Clara Hoyne, secretary of the CRS (Clare Roots Society) at

 Clara  Hoyne <secretary@clareroots.org>

Clara will be able to help you with further details. Perhaps you could also tell Clara where you heard about this book.

Clare Castle / Ballyea – The Parish Remembers

2 November 2011 saw the launch of a book written and compiled by Eric Shaw entitled Clare Castle / Ballyea – The Parish Remembers. In conjunction with Clare Roots Society, Eric has documented all the readable gravestone inscriptions in Clare Abbey, Clare Hill, Killoo, Killone, and Ballyea & Clare Castle Churches. These amount to about 2,000 records, some dating from the late 1600s. The book will help to preserve the inscriptions and to make them available for family history research. It will also help to draw visitors and fits in with development plans to promote the attractions of the Parish.

                                                                           

"UNLOCKED" PRISON REGISTERS HOLD KEY TO SECRETS

A HISTORY OF IRELAND IN 100 OBJECTS

IRISH CHATTER

The Irish Times is running a great series of articles entitled "A History of Ireland in 100 Objects"

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2011/1112/1224307441228.html

You can follow the series from the link above, but this is just a small excerpt I hope you find it as interesting as I do.

A history of Ireland in 100 objects 


The Irish Times - Saturday, September 24, 2011 FINTAN O'TOOLE Moylough Belt Shrine, eighth century

Objects such as the Ardagh Chalice or the Derrynaflan Paten are obviously very special. They belonged to a social and ecclesiastical elite. They were used rarely, if at all. But what was ordinary religion like? How did most people interact with the world of the saints? This unique shrine gives us some sense of popular faith and ritual.

Discovered by turfcutters in a bog in Co Sligo, the shrine is made up of four hinged copper-alloy plates, each enclosing a fragment of a simple leather belt. The belt clear- ly belonged to a popular early saint. The bog at Moylough, where it was found, is not far from the site of an early monastery at Carrowntemple, so there may well be a con- nection to this holy place.

The shrine is itself in the form of a belt: the two front plates form a false "buckle" whose frames are decorated with bird and animal heads and end in elaborate glass pieces. The overall impression is somewhat dulled now: originally, the belt would have been a riot of colour, with shiny silver panels, blue and white glass studs, and red and yellow enamel borders.

What's particularly interesting about the shrine, though, is that it was not kept in some monastic treasury, away from the ordinary believers. The patterns of wear on its surfaces show that it was much used. And what was it used for? Miracles and blessings.

There is something very intimate in the way this relic was deployed. The hinges and the wear and tear show that it was actually placed around the bodies of devotees.

Monks themselves regarded the belts of their holy predecessors as a form of spiritual protection. One Irish monk in Austria wrote that "the girdle of Finnan" protected him "against disease, against anxiety, against the charms of foolish women". Presumably, the devotee hoped to gain this same protection, at least against the first of these evils.

Saints' belts even acquired a frankly magical aura. In a Scots Gaelic legend, the hero MacUalraig uses the "magic belt of Saint Fillan" to capture a water nymph.

The Moylough Belt Shrine was probably placed around the bodies of supplicants who came with all sorts of illnesses, wounds and deformities.

But there is a particularly strong early-mediaeval tradition in western Europe of the belts or girdles of saints being placed around the waist of a woman undergoing a dif- ficult childbirth. There are later records of the purported girdles of Sts Joseph, Mar- garet of Antioch, Brigid and many others being used in this way.

The elaborate nature of the Moylough Belt Shrine makes it highly unlikely that it was actually used for women in labour, but it most probably was placed on pregnant women as a blessing to ensure safe childbirth.

It reminds us that, for all the sophistication of early Irish Christianity, for most people religion still functioned as it always had, as a way of trying to control an unpre- dictable and often frightening world.

Thanks to Raghnall Ó Floinn

Where to see it The Treasury, National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, 01-6777444, museum.ie

'I'M DYING': NUALA O'FAOLAIN

IRISH CHATTER
'I'm dying': Nuala O'Faolain and the interview she wanted to do

"NUALA O’FAOLAIN rang me in March 2008 to arrange a lunch – we were good friends and had a running gag about birthday lunches, which could be had in any month of the year or in many months of the year. We met the following Monday in a busy restaurant in Dublin. She came in using a walking stick and dragging her leg a bit. Other than that, she looked terrific.

Presuming she had sprained her ankle, I asked her what had happened. Her reply, in its directness, was classic Nuala: “I’m dying. I have cancer in my lungs, tumours in my brain, probably elsewhere too. It has metastasised. I will take radiation but not chemotherapy.”

Bam. I felt disbelief, horror. And a great desire that this was some awful, awful mistake. It took several minutes to sink in.

I first met Nuala O’Faolain when she was a contributor to a radio programme about convent education on RTÉ’s Women Today. This must have been in the mid-1970s. Unusually, the programme was prerecorded in the producer’s apartment, so we had some time before and after the interview to get to know each other.

Nuala was brilliant on that programme. It was the first time I experienced close up her unique blend of articulacy and hilarity. We received many letters afterwards, one man writing to say that we had nearly caused him to crash his car into a tree due to the tears of laughter streaming down his face.

We became close friends and occasional colleagues, both of us working on RTÉ’s The Women’s Programme."

For full interview click on the above link

Many of us have had family and friends pass from this dreaded disease. I certainly have, as recently as Oct 29. Among many others, I also farewelled my beloved Mother some 29 years ago, the years go, the pain lingers. The words I remember most from that wonderful, courageous, inspiring woman, and there were so many, especially in the last few weeks she shared with us, were "I am blessed.."
I couldn't breathe for a moment.... how could she be blessed? I certainly didn't feel blessed....I was trying to support my father, my younger brother, my husband, my devastated young children, my mother's sisters and brother, so many others who loved and cared for this amazing lady, who had ever welcoming arms, a ready laugh, and a way of sharing nothing so that all felt as if they had been given the world... blessed???
"Yes, I am blessed, for I have had the chance to say the words I always meant to, and to say farewell, not goodbye, but fare well... till we meet again." Tears flowed freely, as they did when reading about another incredible woman, Nuala O'Faolain. 
 I suspect she and my mother, born of a strong Irish woman from Clare, would share a cuppa, a hug and lots of words... long may they chat.

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Veterans-Day-Lest-we-forget--The-Irish-who-died-in-World-War-One-133702923.html#ixzz1dRX3oG1u

Veteran's Day 'Lest we forget' – The Irish who died in World War One

By
CATHY HAYES,
IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Friday, November 11, 2011, 2:39 PM

 

Photograph taken near the front-line during WWI's Battle of the Somme

It has been calculated that 210,000 Irishmen served in the British forces during World War I, with 140,000 volunteering to fight. In all 35,000 Irishmen died.
The Irish enlisted in the war for various reasons including to fight for the justice of the cause. However, Ireland during 1914 was deeply divided between nationalist and unionist political groups and more local considerations played a role in signing up.
Among those who signed up was Tom Barry, who later became an IRA commander. He enlisted in the British army in June 1915 "to see what war was like, to get a gun, to see new countries and to feel like a grown man" according to the BBC.
For other Irishmen who signed up money was the major motive. James Connolly, the revolutionary, said Irishmen had no choice but to sign up with employment prospects so bleak in Ireland at the time.
---------------------
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Others such as Francis Legwidge, poet, nationalist and trade unionist, signed up in response to an unhappy love affair.
The social range of Irish soldiers amongst the ranks was clear. There was the 10th Division who landed at Suvla Bay, in Gallipoli in August 1915. They were made up of the 7th Royal Dublin Fusiliers, including "D" company, who were nicknamed "The Footballers". Among them were a lot of rugby-playing professional men and a professor of law from Dublin University.
Another battalion was made up of Dublin Dockers many of whom were followers of the radical trade unionist James Larkin. The poet Ledwidge served with this battalion. After one battle he wrote "It was a horrible and a great day. I would not have missed it for worlds."
Two other divisions served in France. Both were part of the bloody Battle of the Somme.
The 36th Ulster Division went over the top on the first day, July 1. From a total of 15,000 men they lost 5,500 over two days.
The 15th Irish Division also saw serious action in September 1916 during the Somme campaign. Up the line, in Belgium, the 16th and 36th Divisions fought side by side at the Battle of Messines. During this battle Willie the brother of Irish nationalist politician John Redmond died. Willie had signed up even though he was over 50-years-old. He wrote "I can't stand asking fellows to go and not offer myself".
---------------------
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John Redmond had called the war one of "Ireland's highest interest" to have a "speedy and overwhelming victory of England and the Allies". He described "a distinctively Irish army, composed of Irishmen, led by Irishmen and trained at home in Ireland".
During the war he said "the achievements of that Irish army have covered Ireland with glory before the world'.
However, due to the fact that the 1916 Easter Rising had taken place during the war, for the most part, these Irish heroes have been forgotten in history.
Tom Kettle, a nationalist politician, killed on the Somme predicted "These men [the 1916 leaders] will go down in history as heroes and martyrs; and I will go down - if I go down at all - as a bloody British officer."
Many of those Irishmen who served in the British army returned to their nationalist neighborhoods greeted with 'begrudgery' and even hostility.
In July 1919, 4,000 people attended an event at Celtic Park in Belfast. It was reported as a "notable demonstration of the part played by Belfast nationalists" in the war.
Joe Devlin, a west Belfast politician, said their fallen comrades had "died not as cowards died, but as soldiers of freedom, with their faces toward the fire, and in the belief that their life-blood was poured out in defense of liberty for the world."
Rare footage of Irish soldiers in the First World War: