Unique exhibition on the Civil War in East Mayo

A unique exhibition will take place during the Síamsa Sráide Festival in Swinford titled ‘The Civil War in East Mayo’, as told through family heirlooms, artefacts and keepsakes.

A Sam Browne belt belonging to civil war fatality Ned Kilroy, killed in Charlestown, will be on display, as will the diary of Comdt. Michael Skelly, killed in the Callow ambush in 1922.

A postcard from Countess Markievicz, Tomás Campbell’s briefcase and a very rare restored film clip depicting life in Swinford a decade after the civil war and much more also feature.

The exhibition follows on from the award-winning Revolutionary Women of East Mayo project, a collaboration between Mayo Genealogy Group and St. Joseph’s Community College, Charlestown.

A presentation will take place on Thursday, July 31, at 8.30 p.m. in the Gateway Hotel, Swinford, and the exhibition will be shown from August 2 to 6 in Swinford National School from 2 to 6 p.m.

With the theme of Honouring Ireland’s History and Culture, a host of historical events will feature during the festival this year.

The festival brochure can be downloaded at siamsasraide.ie.