Killorglin 1916 Centenary Commemoration

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This ambitious project is organised by the Killorglin 1916 Centenary Committee. A voluntary committee made up from members of the Killorglin History and Folklore Society (chairman Sean O'Súilleabháin), Killorglin Community Council (Billy Browne), and Killorglin Archive Society (Johnny O'Connor). All are voluntary, non-profit, community-based groupings. The aim of these groups is to encourage, enrich and educate the knowledge of local folklore, community and in particular the history of Killorglin for future generations.

The goal of the Killorglin 1916 Centenary Committee is to run a major series of events to commemorate the centenary of the Ballykissane Tragedy of Good Friday 1916.

Our passion for Killorglin has driven us to head this project and we are informed, by the huge interest expressed to date, that these events will fulfil a much needed role in providing a significant marking of the events that took place, and the part Killorglin had to play in the first days of the 1916 rising.

This programme is full of engaging, educational and enlightening events. With the funds raised we will produce four projects:

1. Wall of Remembrance
This large memorial piece, consisting of bronze plaques will be designed by renowned Valentia Island sculptor Alan Ryan Hall. The deep-relief bronze pieces commemorate the first casualties of the 1916 Easter Rising (Con Keating, Charlie Monaghan and Donal Sheehan) who drowned after their car plunged off Ballykissane Pier into the River Laune near Killorglin.

2. Historical Book ‘The Ballykissane Tragedy, 1916’.
Launch of an original historical book ‘The Ballykissane Tragedy, 1916’, written by Killorglin Historian Tom Doyle.

3. A Grand Concert
A Grand Concert with a 1916 theme, will be held over the Easter weekend in Killorglin’s KCYMS Hall. This special once-off ticketed event will be rich in drama, song and poetry performed by local actors, musicians and writers in an exciting two-hour production.

4. Lecture Series
Finally, an educational series of lectures, displays and exhibitions will be held over the weekend across the town. Talks by respected historians will take place, as well as photographic and archival exhibitions that will also be scheduled.

This is truly a rich and diverse series of events that will commemorate Ballykissane Tragedy of 1916 in a fitting manner.
The entire proposed programme of events takes place across the Easter Weekend 2016 (end of March).

As part of our fund-raising efforts, we are inviting you to join with us in achieving this very significant commemoration in Killorglin’s history. Your generosity will go a long way in ensuring that the events organised are a success. The funding will go towards the Wall of Remembrance, the publishing of the book as well as technical equipment, venues, lighting, sound, technicians, printing, advertising and ticketing costs among many other expenses that will be incurred while undertaking a project of this scale.
This campaign will only part fund the project. Local fundraising such as Quiz nights, church gate collections etc.. will make up the remaining balance.