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 Also included are many previously unpublished photographs from that time.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.

A TRALEE-BASED author has just released a new book in time for Christmas.

Listowel native Martin Moore now lives in Tralee where he has an accountancy business, but he also has a passion for local history.

He has already written ‘The Call To Arms’  which examined the military career of Thomas McEllistrim, but he now turned his attention to another famous Kerry family in ‘Deeds Not Words’.

The quest for knowledge of our place has enduring fascination and add in a time of turbulent military, political and religious flux and you have the ingredients for compelling history.

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In ‘Deeds Not Words’, the role of the Fitzmaurices, Lords of Kerry, in the Tudor Years is reviewed, updated and presented in a most refreshing and readable manner.

This book looks at Kerry, principally from the years 1550 to 1603 and over a span of three generations.

These were times of Renaissance, Reformation and Counter-Reformation and the author brings his skills to weave a story as to how the Lords of Kerry dealt with local, national and international events of those times.

‘Deeds Not Words’ gives the background to the Fitzmaurice family, and how they fitted into the complex political world of sixteenth century Ireland. Their sphere of influence extended from Fenit to Abbeyfeale and northwards to include, Ardfert, Ballybunion, Beale, Listowel and Lixnaw.

Thomas Fitzmaurice, was an unlikely successor to the title Lord of Kerry, being the youngest of four sons.

The story of his succession is timeless, not least as he was then serving as a mercenary in Milan.

With his marriage to the daughter of the Earl of Desmond, it seemed that the family was destined to live out a quiet life. But these were eventful times and Thomas clashed with his neighbours, the O’Connor-Kerry family and with the Earls of Desmond.

The book is full of compelling interest and Thomas came to the attention of contemporaries such as Walter Raleigh, Holinshed the historian and indeed to Queen Elizabth I.

The highlights include a detailed re-appraisal of the Battle of Lixnaw, (1568), the Kerry involvement in the Desmond Rebellions (1569-1583), the Spanish Armada (1588) and the Nine Years’ War (1594-1603). In these years Thomas was succeeded by his son, Patrick, (1550-1600) and grand-son, Thomas (1574-1630). Other notable events covered include the escape of Thomas’ sons from Limerick Jail and the involvement of double agents with the Fitzmaurices.

‘Deeds Not Words’ gives a terrific summary of all these events, and much more. The book is available in O’Mahonys, Polymath and Manor News in Tralee, Woulfes of Listowel, Stacks of Lixnaw and Horgans of Ardfert.