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Ashe Memorial Hall To Be Rededicated To Thomas Ashe

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Ashe Memorial Hall.

TO mark the centenary year of the death of the Lispole native and Kerry 1916 leader, the Ashe Memorial Hall on Denny Street, Tralee is to be rededicated to Thomas Ashe at a ceremony hosted by Kerry County Council on Monday, May 22 at 11am.

The building, which was first named after the west Kerry man at a meeting of Kerry County Council in May 1928, served as the home of Kerry County Council and Tralee Urban District Council for almost 60 years, and now houses the Kerry County Museum.

At the ceremony on May 22, the iconic building will be rededicated to the memory of Thomas Ashe who died on September 25, 1917 while on hunger strike.

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The event will be led by the Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Michael O’Shea and members of the Ashe family, including his niece, Eileen Quinn, who will address the gathering.

A colour party from the Defence Forces will be in attendance and a flag-raising ceremony will take place.

Actor, Declan McCarthy – who recited Casement’s Speech from the Dock at Banna in April 2016 – will recite Ashe’s poem, ‘Let Me Carry Your Cross for Ireland, Lord.’ Music will be provided by the Tralee Pipe Band.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the event which will take place on the paved area at the front of the Ashe Memorial Hall.

School groups wishing to attend are asked to contact Kerry County Council’s Arts Office in advance on 066 7183541. Those attending are asked to use the Brandon Car Park or other car parks nearby.

Thomas Ashe was born in Kinard, Lispole in 1885 and was a teacher in north County Dublin. He joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood and the Irish Volunteers.

He was commandant of the Fingal Battalion of the Volunteers during the Easter Rising and led his battalion at the Battle of Ashbourne in Co Meath. He was the last of the 1916 battalion commanders to surrender, on April 29, 1916.

While in prison, he composed the poem, Let Me Carry Your Cross for Ireland, Lord. While on hunger strike in Mountjoy Jail, he was force fed and died hours later, on September 25, 1917.