24/08/22 08:20
“Supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries 2012-2023 initiative.”
Author and Historian Eoin Swithin Walsh in this podcast examies the start of the Civil War in Kilkenny.
''This podcast examines the first two months of the Civil War in County Kilkenny. It really was ‘all happening’ and it must have been a tumultuous time for all concerned, civilians and combatants alike. Things were happening on a daily, if not hourly basis. Nearly every corner of the county was affected in some way or other. On 2 July 1922, Anti-Treaty leader Dinny Lacey attacked and captured Urlingford Barracks after a fierce battle. A shootout followed at nearby Mary Willies pub. The Pro-Treaty forces also captured Mullinavat and Thomastown barracks from the anti-Treaty side. Graiguenamanagh and Inistioge witnessed the arrival of a huge column of anti-Treaty soldiers arriving down from the fighting in Dublin and Wicklow. Free States forces eventually took control of Callan, following which the bridge in the town was blown up. In the middle of all of this, the Free State commander in Kilkenny, John Thomas Prout, found time to get married! Then all eyes turned to the big set piece battles in Waterford and afterwards Carrick on Suir, where Prout faced off against his nemesis, Lacey. Ferrybank and Piltown were at the frontline of the ‘Munster Republic’ and so Kilkenny led the Free State charge in the early days of the Civil War. It really was all happening!'
Summer-1922---Civil-War-comes-to-Kilkenny.mp3 (size 33.5 MB)
John Thomas Prout's wedding
Mary Wllies' Pub
