Thurles Event an Outstanding Success

Over one hundred participants turned out on Saturday for the walkabout Thurles, which looked at some of the events in the Cathedral Town in 1919 and 1920. Organised by TiDR and guided by historian and author of The Black and Tans in North Tipperary, Sean Hogan, the walk commenced at the Source, moving then to the site of the RIC barracks at the bottom of Liberty Square, from there to the site of Michael (Mixie) O’Connell’s public house, on to the corner of Liberty Sq and New Street – where D I Michael Hunt was shot in June 1919. From there the tour moved to Friar St, scene of much of the destruction during the Sack of Thurles. We were delighted to have the assistance of local Thurles man, Paddy Loughnane, who provided valuable insights and interesting snippets of local knowledge on the events. Next on the list was No. 5 Derheen Mall, home of Vol. James McCarthy and scene of his fatal shooting, 27 March 1920. The final event recounted was the shooting of RIC Constable Luke Finegan – 20 January 1920 which resulted in his death in Dr Stevens Hospital, Dublin, two days later. It was great to hear some of the family lore which some attendees shared relating to the events we were recalling. Returning to the Source, flowers were cast upon the waters of the River Suir and a minutes silence was observed in memory of all Thurles victims of the War of Independence.