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Martin Moore’s latest book.
A LOCAL writer has just released his latest book which explores events in Kerry during the War of Independence.
Listowel native Martin Moore, who is now based in Tralee, has recently published ‘When Freedom’s Sword Was Drawn’ to examine six linked events in north Kerry, all of which occurred within a 10km radius in a ten week period during the War of Independence.
The work gives an insight into what was a microcosm of the conflict in the north Kerry district at the time.
The examined incidents, are the Kilmorna Ambush of April 1921 where a young Volunteer named Michael Galvin lost his life when Republican forces attacked a military cycle patrol.
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One week later, the Great House at Kilmorna, which its priceless contents was burned down and Sir Arthur Vicars was shot dead.
The terror continued when three unarmed Volunteers, Patrick Dalton, Jeremiah Lyons and Patrick Walsh were killed at Gortaglanna, an even remembered in the popular ballad ‘The Valley of Knockanure’.
On the heels of this, their comrade Jack Sheehan was killed at Coilbee on 26 May 1921. The last incident examined in the book is the killing of ex-RIC sergeant James Kane at Shanacool, in June 1921.
Moore’s book brings a new and refreshing review of these incidents which are still very much in the folk memory of events in Kerry during the ‘Troubled Times’. Also included are many previously unpublished photographs from that time.
When Freedom’s Sword Was Drawn is available at Polymath Bookshop, Tralee, Woulfe’s Bookshop and The Kerry Writers’ Museum, Listowel and at Collins’, Athea. This welcome addition from
Martin Moore is priced at €15.
