Articles


ARTICLE BY JOHN HALTIGAN Edited By Larry Scallan John Haltigan was a prominent figure in the Irish nationalist revolutionary movement in the two decades following the collapse of the “Young Irelander” 1848-49 revolution and the ending of the  famine in Ireland. He was one of the founding members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) and devoted his entire life to the struggle for Irish independence, including internment in English...

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Writing this article just before the 100th anniversary of the start of The Great War it is impossible to comprehend the effects that Total War had on the lives of Kilkenny people a hundred years ago. The origins of the war are well understood and documented, however the effects that were experienced by men and women joining their local regiment or red cross establishment are less well established. It has been articulated that the...

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The Victoria Cross on Monument Hill PTE JOHN BARRY VC. Larry Scallan Kilkenny man John Barry is one of the five soldiers of the Royal Irish Regiment who were awarded the Victoria Cross. The medal was introduced in 1856 during the Crimean war. Approved by Queen Victoria as the highest British award for gallantry, the Victoria Cross was made available for award to “officers or men who have served the forces in the presence of the enemy,...

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Lt Walter Hamilton VC.  Larry Scallan Kilkenny Military Heritage Project The study of military history allows the reader to analyse and critique the decisions of the commanders of past campaigns with the benefit of hindsight and 360 degree vision; it’s easy to see where fundamental mistakes were made. Unfortunately commanders on the ground rarely have the complete picture of what threats they are facing and an astute enemy will be...

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THE FOUNDING OF THE KILKENNY CITY COMPANY OF THE IRISH NATIONAL VOLUNTEERS AND ITS DEVELOPMENT UNTIL DECEMBER 1915. Larry Scallan KILKENNY MILITARY HERITAGE PROJECT Setting the Scene Ireland towards the end of 1913 was in a very difficult place politically. After the 1910 elections John Redmond’s Irish Parliamentary Party (IPP) held the balance of power in the House of Commons. His eventual reward would be the Third Home Rule Bill....

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An effect of developing military doctrine during the Irish War of Independence Kilkenny Military Heritage Project. The story of the Friary Street ambush starts in Delaney’s Tailoring shop Watergate towards the end of 1920. A much depleted Brigade HQ staff meeting was taking place. The recent arrest of Ernie O Malley  at James Hanrahan’s farm close to Inistioge and the capture of his classified  note book filled with critical...

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