The Liam Lynch Memorial Committee has announced a series of events that will take place between now and April to mark the centenary of the death of the IRA General which brought an effective end to the Irish Civil War.
The Newcastle-based committee will host a special film screening, a book launch, a walking tour, and a significant commemorative event on Easter Weekend this year.
“This April marks the Centenary of the death of General Liam Lynch, Chief of Staff of the Irish Republican Army who was fatally wounded in the Knockmealdown Mountains on April 10th 1923,” the committee said in a statement.
“Lynch was carried from the mountain by a party of Free State Troops under the command of Lt. Laurence Clancy before reaching Nugent’s Pub in Newcastle where he lay wounded. During this time he shared an emotional conversation with Lt. Clancy before he was transferred by ambulance to Clonmel Hospital where he died later that day. Lynch’s death marked the effective end of the Irish Civil War and it is important that we recognise on this centenary the importance of these events, which occurred locally, in our Nation’s history.
The Newcastle Committee has a long tradition of commemorating Lynch, having held an annual commemoration in Newcastle every April since 1934 – with the Committee’s founding fathers fundraising to build the Liam Lynch Monument back in 1934-35.
“This Easter weekend, our committee will hold a special Weekend of Commemorative events to mark the Centenary of Lynch’s death and our schedule of events will be officially launched this Friday 17th February at 11:30am in Newcastle Community Hall,” they said.
“Some of the Highlights of our weekend include a historical bus tour taking in the significant locations across South Tipperary and West Waterford in the final weeks of the Irish Civil War – and a book launch by Irish historian Gerard Shannon on Easter Saturday,” they said.
“A “Follow the Footsteps” walking tour and screening of the recently released film, The Dying Days – The Final Journey of General Liam Lynch 1923, will take place on Easter Sunday with the main commemoration event taking place on Easter Monday, including a wreath Laying ceremony at the Liam Lynch Monument at 9am on Easter Monday morning to coincide with the time of his fatal wounding 100 years ago to the day,” the committee said.
The annual commemoration Mass in memory of General Liam Lynch would also take place that day in Newcastle Village, they said, preceded by the raising of the Tri Colour and a parade through the village to the Church of the Assumption led by the Liam Lynch Pipe Band.
“Following the Mass a Plaque will be unveiled at Nugent’s Pub in recognition of the events that took place in the house on April 10th 1923. This will be followed by the Annual Commemoration event at Newcastle Community Hall where this years Oration will be delivered by Eamon O’Cuiv TD,” they announced.
The committee intends to have a public display of Memorabilia associated with Liam Lynch and the volunteers/ Cumann na mBan during that time and are putting out a public call to all those who may have memorabilia including old letters, equipment, photographs or historical accounts of the men and women who fought for Irish Independence between 1919-1923.
A souvenir calendar has also been developed by the committee in conjunction with the BN&B CE Scheme and this will be also launched this Friday 17th February at 11:30am in Newcastle.
They said that there has been “significant interest in the planned Commemorative events” thus far.
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