Centenary of Newport and Kilcommon shootings
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The late Ned O'LearyImage 2 of 2
Lt Joseph S Meyer, on the right of the above photo, of ‘G’ Company Auxiliary Division, RIC, photographed outside their base in the Lakeside Hotel in Ballina in 1921. He was the man in charge of the ‘Auxies’ who shot dead two 19-year-old youths, Michael Walton of Rossaguile and Patrick Connors of Fiddane, near Newport on December 19th, 1920. The shooting will be remembered on Saturday next in Newport at 12 noon. Sean Hogan (Housing)‘Tipperary in the Decade of Revolution’ Group, together with Newport Historical Society, has arranged two events for Newport at 12 noon and Kilcommon at 2pm this Saturday, December 19th to remember two deadly encounters which occurred one hundred years ago this week.
Centenary booklets will be available at each event, setting out the story of the IRA ambush at Kilcommon on Thursday, December 16th, 1920 and the shooting dead of two local youths at Newport on Sunday, December 19th, 1920.
The first event will start at the creamery in Newport at 12 noon on Saturday and will involve a walk to the site where Patrick Connors of Fiddane and Michael Walton of Rossaguile, two 19-year-olds on their way home from Mass, were shot dead by Auxiliary Police on that date, one hundred years ago. The background to the tragic events of that day will be discussed and the heart-breaking letter written by Patrick Connors’ father, telling another son who was serving with the British Army in Egypt of the killing of his elder brother, will be read.
The second event will take place later that same afternoon, assembling in Kilcommon Village at 2pm.
A walk will take place to the site of the IRA ambush on December 16th, 1920 in which four RIC men, Constables Halford, Harden, Smith and Palmer were killed. The IRA ‘Flying Column’ operation was led by Ned O’Leary of Beechwood, near Nenagh, with some 20 IRA Volunteers from all over North Tipp involved, together with six local men who acted as scouts and guides.
Both events will take approximately an hour and fifteen minutes each. They are free of charge and open to everyone, young and old, who wishes to walk into your local history in Newport and Kilcommon.
Every person attending is requested to wear a face mask and to observe the social distancing guidelines as recommended for Covid prevention.
‘Tipperary in the Decade of Revolution’ is a non-political and non-partisan group of local historians. Our aim is to bring history back to the locations where it was made – to remember the people and events of 100 years ago. We want to remember the generation involved appropriately and with the respect they deserve for what they have given us.
Our motto is ‘Remembering and Sharing our Tipperary History'’
With Newport Historical Society, we look forward to welcoming you to one or both of our events on Saturday.
Wreath-Laying Ceremony
At 12 noon on Sunday, December 20th, a commemorative wreath will be laid at Michael Walton’s grave in Killoscully.
On the same day at 1pm in Kilnarath’s Graveyard, Patrick O’Connor will be remembered in a similar manner.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha uaisle.