Authors Kevin O’Reilly and Neil Ryan, members of the 3rd Brigade Old IRA Commemoration Committee
A crowd of almost 200 people attended the launch of “Memories Etched in Stone” at the Tipperary Excel Centre last night.
The publication is a history of the 3rd Tipperary Brigade Old IRA and the work of the Third Brigade Old IRA Commemoration Committee active since 1921. The book was compiled by Kevin O’Reilly and Neil Ryan. Pat Leahy, the Political Editor of the Irish Times launched the book, as a proud Tipperary man and the son of Ned Leahy, a committee member. Mr Leahy noted that his own employer, had called at the time for the execution of the 1916 Easter Rising leaders but he quipped “we have made some changes since then.” Pat Leahy told the attendees that Commemoration is a collective duty and an act of solidarity, he also acknowledged that with the passing of time it was important to record details of events and participants. The 1916 proclamation is included in the book which runs to 160 pages and was printed at Fitzpatrick’s Printers, Tipperary town.
Cllr Pat English, Committee Chairperson welcomed the attendance to the Excel. Neil Ryan thanked the many people who gave access to their collections of photographs or press cuttings relating to events between 1919 and 1924 – the book is dedicated to “The men and women who dedicated their lives to the cause of Irish Independence.” Neil Ryan co-authored the book with Kevin O’Reilly and outlined how they wanted the book to be informative but also to include photographic images of every monument erected or commemoration the Commemoration Committee has held and to also include image of the gravestones of the people involved in securing Irish Independence. Mr Ryan hopes people will use the book as a guide to exploring their history and also called for the subject to be retained in schools. The event MC was Robert O’Keefe.
The book is now available from members of the Committee and from Fitzpatrick’s Printers on Davis Street, Tipperary town.
