merrion street

Friday, 28th March 2014—Jimmy Deenihan T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, will be at the School House, Muckross House, Killarney, tomorrow morning, Saturday, 29th March, at 10.30a.m. to launch the Revolutionary Decade Roadshow.

This free event is aimed at anyone who has an interest in the history of the ‘revolutionary decade’ in modern Irish history, 1913–1923, which includes such defining events as the 1916 Rising, the First World War, and the War of Independence, and the great causes of the time, such as the labour movement and female suffrage. Members of the public can bring documents and memorablia and seek the opinion of professional archivists and expert historians in a friendly, informal setting. Also present on the day will be a number of local and national historical groups with a particular specialism in this period. Visitors can browse exhibitions and book stalls while members of historical re-enactment societies will deliver short talks ‘in character’ about the various groups’ aims, their equipment, and so on. There will also be a special participatory session devoted to younger members of the audience.

Previous roadshows in Cork attracted international attention as a result of the discovery of the last known photographs of Michael Collins, taken just minutes before his death in August 1922.

Speaking in advance of the event, Minister Deenihan said: “I would like to thank University College Cork for their initiative in putting together this programme to commemorate the most important decade in modern Irish history. Past events have already unearthed fascinating pictures and letters that had never been seen before and I am greatly looking forward to further insights into Kerry history arising from today's event.”

The event is being organised by the School of History, University College Cork, the Trustees of Muckross House, Kerry County Museum, and Kerry County Council.