Donoughmore Welcome Historical Book

By NOLLAIG MURPHY Development officer, IRD Duhallow

On Friday the 24th of May the community hall in Donoughmore was brim-full of energy and vitality. The occasion was the launch by the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Kieran McCarthy of a new publication Land War to Civil War 1900-1924: Donoughmore to Cork and Beyond by Gerard O’ Rourke. The Lord Mayor in a wide-ranging address said that the publication was very impressive at over 100,000 words and one would go far and wide to find a book so detailed. Cllr. Michael Looney deputizing for the County Mayor, also spoke thanking the author for bringing history to the people and more importantly preserving the record.

The author thanked the invited guests and everyone who helped in a great community effort, explaining:

“This book takes us through one of the most turbulent periods in Irish History. Cork at the turn of the century was very much part of the British Empire and when King Edward visited Cork in 1903 it was not rebel flags that flew in the city but Union Jack flags. Gradually, a reawakening of Irish nationalism notably the emergence of the GAA, Gaelic League, and a literary revival energized and transformed the Irish people. National independence was driven by a constitutional process with Irish MPs fighting the cause in the British Houses of Parliament”.

“During the War of Independence, Donoughmore and the greater district became international news with the executions of Mrs Lindsay, Major Compton Smith and the aftermath of the Dripsey Ambush when five volunteers were executed, and one died from wounds received. These fatalities were debated on

the floor of the British parliament and became headlines across the international press. The tremendous contribution of women to the war is epitomized by the Wallace sisters from Kilcullen who from humble beginnings on an evicted farm in Kilcullen fronted a little stationery shop neat St Augustine’s Church in Cork that concealed what was the official headquarters of the Cork No 1 IRA Brigade”.

One person who was remembered specifically on the night was Mr. O’Rourke’s late wife Tricia. Mr. O’Rourke said “This night is bittersweet as we are missing one very dear person, my wife Tricia. She was an inspiration for this production and wanted it to be published and it is fitting that it is now a tribute and legacy to her memory. €15 of each copy sold will be donated to cancer care services in Cork and this is a legacy to her kindness and concern for other

people. It is somewhat ironic when one reflects that this book about war and suffering is now a catalyst for promoting healing”. Proceedings finished with the Lord Mayor singing out the evening with a rendition of Smile

A limited number of the books are available at the offices of IRD Duhallow at the James O’Keeffe Institute Newmarket to purchase along with an array of other outlets, please contact Nollaig Murphy on 029-60633. For Queries, please contact: gerorour@gmail.com

Book available to purchase locally, for details of sales outlets please refer to website www.donoughmore.ie