Call for material for new book on Kerry and the 1916 Rising

Kerry people’s involvement in the events leading up to and during the 1916 Rising is to be presented in a new book to coincide with the State commemorations next year and the editors are asking anyone whose family members were involved in events during this period to bring relevant material to the Revolutionary Decade Roadshow which takes place from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, October 3^rd at the Kerins O’Rahilly GAA club, Strand Road, Tralee.

Co-editors Bridget McAuliffe and Owen O'Shea

The book will present detailed biographies of the many Kerry people who were involved not only in Kerry, but around the country and in Dublin, in the actual Rising. These biographies will be accompanied, where possible, by photographs of the participants.

The co-editors are local journalists and writers, Owen O’Shea from Milltown and Bridget McAuliffe from Duagh along with history editor, Dr Mary McAuliffe of University College Dublin, a native of Duagh.

They are asking the public to bring along any material - photographs, pamphlets, poems, songs, memoirs, notes - relating to those involved in the Rising, in Dublin, Kerry and elsewhere. Items will be scanned and returned to the owners on the day.

Thomas Ashe

‘Frequently local and national histories intersect,’ Dr McAuliffe said. ‘In order to fully understand the socio-political context of 1916, local histories are vital. We are inviting anybody who has information on their relative’s involvement in this period in Kerry to come along to the Revolutionary Roadshow and bring any relevant items of interest with them on the day.’

Dr McAuliffe, who is an expert on Cumann na mBan and revolutionary women, will be available at the Roadshow on October 3^rd to discuss any queries regarding women and their roles in the Rising period. She is also happy to look at and evaluate the historical association of material and artefacts brought in on the day.

The book, which will be published early next year, will contain essays by historians on Austin Stack, Roger Casement, The O’Rahilly, Thomas Ashe, Fionán Lynch, Thomas MacGreevy, Cumann na mBan, the Kerry GAA and revolution, the drownings at Ballykissane Pier, and the Irish Volunteers in Kerry. The book will contain an overview of the Rising and also of the socio-political and cultural life in Kerry at the time.

Further information is available from kerry1916book@gmail.com and follow Twitter feed @Kerry1916Book for regular updates