The War of Independence in Munster

Inaugural
Knocklong Rescue
Commemorative
Seminar
May 10th 2014
Knocklong, Co. Limerick
The War of
Independence in
Munster
Hosted by Knocklong H.H.T.
Knocklong History, Heritage & Tourism
is a special interest group set up by
Knocklong Development Association.
Our role is to develop the history, heritage
and tourism aspects of the community of
Knocklong.
Knocklong, like many other villages in
rural Ireland, has declined economically
and socially. Today it is hard to imagine
that one hundred years ago Knocklong
was bustling with industry and the scene
of the dramatic rescue of Séan Hogan
during the fight for freedom.
Knocklong HHT want to honour the past
and in doing so we hope to rescue our
village and revitalise it for the future.
Since our inception in November,
2012, we have surveyed the historical
graveyards in the parish, available online
at historicgraves.ie. We have exhibited
memorabilia and hosted a historic walk
for the Knocklong Gathering 2013.
In December, 2013, we hosted an
Afternoon of History with presentations
on the Creamery and the Railway. There
was a lively question and answer session
on the Rescue of Sean Hogan and the
War of Independence: which confirmed
our belief that there is a need to explore
and commemorate this event of local and
national importance. Our aim is not to be
partisan but to understand the sacrifices
and difficulties endured by our ancestors
for the foundation of the republic.
Venue: Knocklong
Community Centre
Date: Saturday 10th May,
2014
9.30 Registration
10.00 Opening address by
Dr. Martin Mansergh
10.30 Dr. John O’Callaghan
11.15 Interval
11.30 Dr. Tim Horgan
12.15 Séan Hogan
13.00 Lunch
14.00 Dr. John Borgonovo
14.45 Pádraig Og O’Ruairc
15.30 Interval
15.45 Question and Answer Session chaired by
Tom Toomey
16.30 Closing of Seminar
Key Speakers
Dr. Martin Mansergh
Dr. Martin Mansergh, philosopher, politician and writer of The Legacy of History. He played
a key role in the Northern Ireland Peace Process over the last twenty years as well as serving
as Minister of State for Department of Finance and for the Department of Arts, Sport and
Tourism.
He has served under three Fianna Fáil leaders as Director of Research, Policy and Special
Advisor on Northern Ireland where he was involved in discussions between the nationalist
parties and the Irish Government and met regularly with intermediary Father Alec Reid. Dr.
Mansergh has played a key role in the Northern Ireland peace process over the last twenty
years.
Dr. John O’Callaghan
John O’Callaghan is a lecturer in modern Irish History based in Sligo. He is a native of
Limerick and he graduated from the University of Limerick with a Phd in History, in 2009.
The topic of his thesis was ‘The Republican Movement in Limerick 1918-1921’. In 2010
‘Revolutionary Limerick’, a major work on the War of Independence in the Limerick area
was published by the Irish Academic Press. In 2011 ‘The Battle for Kilmallock’ a history of
the key battle in the Civil War was published by Mercier, to be followed by ‘Plassey Gaels’
a history of GAA in the University of Limerick which was published by the Collins Press in
2012. John is currently working on a biography of the executed 1916 leader; Con Colbert.
Dr. Tim Horgan
Tim Horgan was born in Tralee County Kerry and he completed his second level education
at the ‘Green’ in Tralee. Tim then went to UCD where he studied medicine. He qualified as
an Opthamologist and he practises in Tralee. His first major work was ‘The men will talk to
me’ a book based on the interviews carried out by Ernie O’Malley in Kerry in the 1930s. This
was the first in a series of books, by various authors, based on O’Malleys interviews. Tim is
a member of the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society and he lectures widely on the
War of Independence in the Kerry area. He is currently working on a study of the dead of
Kerry in the War of Independence and Civil War entitled ‘Dying for the Cause’. Tim comes
from a proud Republican tradition.
Dr. John Borgonovo
John Borgonovo is a lecturer in modern Irish history at University College Cork. John is from
San Francisco in the United States. He is the author of a number of publications the most
important of which is ‘Spies, Informers and the Anti-Sinn Fein Society, The Intelligence War
in Cork City 1919-1921’. This work is widely regarded as one of the most in depth studies on
the intelligence war, in one of the most violent areas of the period. In the controversy arising
from the publications of Dr Peter Hart, John Borgonovo was a voice for reason who distilled
fact from fiction and in the process clarified the issues and made them meaningful to the
public at large.
Key Speakers
continued
Seán Hogan
Seán Hogan is a native of Puckane near Nenagh. He has researched extensively and lectured
on the 1913 -1922 period in North Tipperary. In the 1980’s he recorded valuable historical
recollections of 35 people who participated in the events described in his widely-acclaimed
book “The Black and Tans in North Tipperary – Policing, Revolution and War – 1913 -1922”
which was published in 2013. Sean’s narrative is most unique in that he draws extensively on
a large number of interviews with participants and living witnesses which he carried out over
a thirty year period. In addition he has accessed a large body of archive and other reference
material. Sean has lectured extensively on the period throughout Tipperary, Limerick and
Dublin. He works in the public service in Dublin.
Padraig Óg O’Ruairc
Padraig is a native of Meelick County Clare. He was educated at St Nessan’s College Limerick
and UCD where he graduated with a degree in Archaeology. He is the author of a number
of works on the War of Independence and Civil War. ‘Blood on the Banner,’ dealing with
War of Independence in Clare, is his most famous work. His other major works ‘Revolution’
and the ‘Civil War in Limerick City’ are both very significant works on the period. He has
also been very involved with commemorative groups in south east Clare where he has been
responsible for the erection of a number of very fine monuments in the area. He is currently
studying for a Phd at the University of Limerick and he works in the public service.
Tom Toomey
Tom has been involved in local history for thirty years. In The War of Independence in
Limerick,1919-1921, he provides historical narrative of the period that is informed by the
Witness Statements of many of those who participated in the events that took place. His
further research of Colonial Office and War Office files in the British National Archives at
Kew, London, has ensured that an equally detailed description is given of both the British
military and the Irish police forces. He has published a number of works, including Forgotten
Dreams, the biography of Major Ged O’Dwyer (1995). Along with Harry Greensmith, he coauthored An antique and Storied Land, a history of the parish of Donoughmore (1991). In
2006 he was awarded an MA in Local Studies by the University of Limerick. In addition, he
has written a number of booklets and lectured on local history. Join Us To Celebrate
Contact Details
E: [email protected]
Phone: Dermot (086) 2354917
Admission Fee
Adults 10 euro
Students 5 euro
Payment on the day of the event.
Food
Hot lunch will be available
on the day for 10 euro.
Tea and coffee will be served.
(Pre Booking Essential)
Location
Knocklong, Co. Limerick
52.4333° N, 8.4000° W
Knocklong is on the R513 approximately
20 miles from Limerick city on the
Mitchelstown to Limerick Road.
Twitter: Knocklong History @KnocklongHist
www.knocklong.net
If approaching from Mitchelstown take a left immediately prior to the railway bridge. If approaching
from Limerick take a right immediately after the railway bridge.
Please fill in the Registration Form and email details to:
[email protected]
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