Centenary Exhibition in the Newly Opened Bandon Library Launched / Taispeántas Céad Bliain seolta i Leabharlann Nuaoscailte Dhroichead na Bandan

Cork was a pivotal area in both the War of Independence and the Civil War, being the home, birthplace or residence of many key figures, and well as hosting the locations of events and engagements whose impact would resonate nationwide. The Exhibition looks at notable people like Tom Barry, Seán Moylan, Liam Lynch and Michael Collins, while also examining the important role of women, the community impact and the civilian experience of the turbulent times.

Notable War of Independence engagements are explored such as the Clonmult, Dripsey and Kilmichael Ambushes, as are pivotal moments in the Civil War, such as the Battle for Cork and the killing of Michael Collins at Béal na mBláth.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan said at the launch, “One hundred years on from these conflicts, which reached every town and village on the island of Ireland, we have the opportunity to explore what our statehood means and see how ordinary people like ourselves lived through rapidly changing times. This is thanks in large part to the incredible local efforts of historians, enthusiasts and community groups who have kept our connection to the past alive in Cork County. This is a must see for anyone looking to better understand the conflicts that shaped our nation.”

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey said “Cork County Council has an important duty to preserve, enrich and support local cultural heritage, and this exhibition in Bandon highlights how the work that happens in the sector here, whether community and voluntary led or engaged by professional and academic historians, feeds into the national understanding of the past and our place in relation to it. This is also a fantastic showcase of the range of learning opportunities available in our libraries, sitting in the newly opened state of the art Bandon Library,”

The War of Independence and Civil War Exhibition will be available to view at Newmarket, Bantry and Youghal libraries over the coming months, with additional locations to be announced. Cork County Council’s Commemorations Committee is available to assist with queries on the exhibition and can be reached at commemorations@corkcoco.ie.

Tá Taispeántas Chogadh na Saoirse agus Cogadh na gCarad Chomhairle Contae Chorcaí seolta ag Méara Chontae Chorcaí, an Clr. Gillian Coughlan, i Leabharlann Dhroichead na Bandan. Sa taispeántas, a d’fhorbair an Chomhairle agus a fhaigheann tacaíocht ón Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán, tá 24 painéal a dhéanann cur síos ar na príomheachtraí agus na daoine, agus tá sé ar oscailt don phobal ó Mháirt go Satharn, 9.30 rn go 5.30 in , go dtí an 28 Aibreán.

Bhí Corcaigh ina limistéar ríthábhachtach i gCogadh na Saoirse agus  Cogadh na gCarad araon, mar áit bhreithe nó áit chónaithe do go leor daoine tábhachtacha, agus chomh maith le bheith ina óstach ar láithreacha eachtraí agus comhraic a raibh tionchar náisiúnta acu. Féachann an Taispeántas ar dhaoine suntasacha ar nós Tom Barry, Seán Moylan, Liam Lynch agus Michael Collins, agus ag an am céanna scrúdaítear ról tábhachtach na mban, an tionchar ar an bpobal agus an taithí na gnáthdhaoine sna hamanna achrannacha sin.

Scrúdaítear  comhraic shuntasacha Chogadh na Saoirse ar nós Luíochán Chluain Molt, na Druipsí agus Chill Mhichíl, chomh maith le tráthanna tábhachtacha i gCogadh na gCarad, mar Chath Chorcaí agus marú Mhichíl Uí Choileáin ag Béal na Blá.

Dúirt Méara Chontae Chorcaí, an Clr. Gillian Coughlan an méid seo ag an seoladh, “Céad bliain ar aghaidh ó na coimhlintí seo, a shroich gach baile agus sráidbhaile ar oileán na hÉireann, tá an deis againn iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar cad is brí lenár státacht agus féachaint conas a mhair gnáthdhaoine cosúil linn féin in amanna a bhí ag athrú go tapa.  Is mór an buíochas é seo d’iarrachtaí dochreidte áitiúla na staraithe, díograiseoirí agus grúpaí pobail a choimeád ár gceangal leis an am atá thart beo i gContae Chorcaí. Ba chóir d’aon duine atá ag iarraidh tuiscint níos fearr a fháil ar na coimhlintí a mhúnlaigh ár náisiún an taispeántas seo a fheiscint.”

Dúirt Príomhfheidhmeannach Chomhairle Contae Chorcaí, Tim Lucey, “Tá dualgas tábhachtach ar Chomhairle Contae Chorcaí oidhreacht chultúrtha áitiúil a chaomhnú, a shaibhriú agus a thacú, agus cuireann an taispeántas seo i nDroichead na Bandan béim ar an gcaoi a ndéantar an obair san earnáil seo, cibé go bhfuilid á stiúradh ag an bpobal nó ag staraithe gairmiúla agus acadúla, cuireann sé leis an tuiscint náisiúnta ar an am atá thart agus ár n-ionad ina leith. Is sárthaispeántas é seo freisin ar an raon deiseanna foghlama atá ar fáil inár leabharlanna, agus é suite sa Leabharlann úrscothach nua i  nDroichead na Bandan”

Beidh Taispeántas Chogadh na Saoirse agus Cogadh na gCarad ar fáil le feiscint sna leabharlanna in Áth Trasna, Beanntraí agus Eochaill sna míonna amach romhainn, agus beidh láithreacha breise le fógairt chomh maith. Tá Coiste Cuimhneacháin Chomhairle Contae Chorcaí ar fáil chun cabhrú le daoine a bhfuil ceisteanna acu faoin taispeántas agus is féidir teagmháil a dhéanamh leo ag commemorations@corkcoco.ie.