History seminar organised by the late Tom Toomey in Limerick

THE RECENTLY deceased, noted historian Tom Toomey arranged the line-up of speakers and topics for this Saturday’s annual history seminar in Knocklong.

Rosemary Flanagan, of Knocklong History Heritage and Tourism, said Tom should have been in the photo of organisers of the event entitled, Revolutionary People and Places. 

“Tom will be sorely missed throughout Limerick for his immense knowledge and for his support of historians and history groups. He was a great family man and a gentleman. 

“He  arranged this lineup of speakers, addressing topics that have not been covered in previous seminars in Knocklong,” said Rosemary.

The seminar takes place this Saturday, May 18, at 1am in Knocklong Community Centre. 

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The line-up of speakers is Liz Gillis on Rebuilding Dublin after the Civil War, Angus Mitchell on Robert Monteith, John Connors on his book Dan Breen - The Man Behind The Myth, and Tom O’Neill on Spike Island’s Republican Prisoners 1921. 

The seminar will be chaired by Dr Pat McCarthy, of Waterford, author of the recently published Waterford’s Two Civil Wars 1922-1924 and Waterford The Revolution 1912-23.

Rosemary said Dr Pat McCarthy will introduce the speakers and chair the question and answer session at the end.

“He will also pay tribute to our dear friend and mentor Tom Toomey. Liz Gillis will speak about the rebuilding of Dublin after the revolutionary period. She is the author of The Burning of the Customs House 1921 and Women of the Revolution, as well as five other books on the revolution. 

“Dr Angus Mitchell’s talk will be titled Remembering Robert Monteith. Angus is author of Roger Casement 16 Lives. Robert Monteith was a decorated British soldier who became an Irish Revolutionary soldier who worked closely with Roger Casement. 

“Monteith trained soldiers in Limerick and recruited prisoners of war in Germany to fight for Ireland and helped organise the German shipment of rifles to Banna beach. Is it possible that he recruited Knocklong’s Maurice Meade for the Irish Brigade? Why did a revered British soldier join the Irish revolution?” said Rosemary. 

Tom O’Neill will speak on the republican prisoners on Spike Island, where 1400 prisoners were located in 1921.

“In particular, he will focus on republican prisoners from Limerick and prisoners from nearby Knocklong. Tom is author of The Battle of Clonmult and Spike Island’s Republican Prisoners 1921. 

“John Connors will conclude the seminar with a talk on his book Dan Breen - The Man Behind the Myth. John’s research led to previously unseen letters which allowed him to give us a more complex view of Breen, the man renowned as a revolutionary fighter,” said Rosemary. Admission is €10. 

The Knocklong History Seminar would not be possible without the sponsorship of local businesses. They wished to acknowledge the support of Mitchelstown Credit Union, Dairygold, D-Pack, Tigín Honey, Dan Dooley Car Sales, Kerry Group and Hinchy’s Car Sales.  

“These are non-partisan events and all are welcome to attend. The seminar will commence at 10am and conclude at approximately 2pm. The national strategy of the Decade of Centenaries has completed but this does not mean that we shouldn’t continue learning and debating about the revolutionary period in Ireland,” said Rosemary.

Mr Toomey (pictured above) was laid to rest in Bunratty cemetery on  Wednesday, May 1 after his funeral Mass in Monaleen church following his unexpected passing.

A gravestone will be erected in time but a monument to Mr Toomey already exists - his book The War of Independence in Limerick, 1912-1921. 

Fittingly, the great historian went to his final resting place on the 103rd anniversary of the Shraharla Ambush which Tom had researched at length. Eight men died in the space of 24 hours.

Tom Holmes, president of Murroe Historical Society, said Mr Toomey, who was aged in his 70s, is a massive loss to his family and a massive loss to his historical family. This is echoed by the organisers of the Knocklong seminar and so many historical groups in the county and further afield.