Tipperary Museum to showcase stories of Tipperary's Civil War

Tipperary Museum of Hidden History is one Clonmel Junction Arts Festival's key partnerships  in preparing its  Decade of Centenaries ART:2023 outdoor theatre production, From Out The Land, that will be staged at Kickham Barracks this autumn       

The museum has been at the forefront of Tipperary’s commemorations throughout the last decade, particularly with  exhibitions on Tipperary people’s involvement in national events.

Untold Stories is the Museum’s Civil War exhibition tracing the historic and contentious period of Civil War in Ireland and highlights aspects of Tipperary’s involvement through the men and women on the ground. 

The exhibition features an explosion of colourised photographs from 1921 - 1924, expertly and accurately remastered.

Clonmel Junction Arts Festival’s Artistic Director Cliona Maher said    the uniqueness of this exhibitionis  that it transports you back in time and brings out the personal stories of Tipperary people. 

“It was a huge part of our application that we would be able to lean into the research and stories that the Museum has been gathering over the last few years for our theatre production. So much happened of note in Tipperary and around Clonmel, and our show will use all of this as its source material,” she said.

In the museum’s exhibition, which runs until May, there is new material associated with Liam Lynch and stories pertaining to Michael Collins’ visits to Tipperary. 

Never before seen artefacts on loan from private collectors and families are  on display. These unique and often morbid pieces paint a picture of an unsettling disconnect from comradery and family, but narrate the harsh realities of Civil War for those who supported or  those who opposed the  Treaty. 

Another distinguishing feature of Tipperary Museum of Hidden History’s Civil War exhibition is the ‘Untold Stories’ section, which is magnificently presented, and was created with folklorist Michael Fortune.

 FAMILY ASSOCIATIONS

Local historians and relatives were interviewed and spoke about their family associations during the War of Independence and latterly the Civil War. The emotional and dramatic footage is still raw even after 100 years. The families will never forget these events. However, the exhibition concludes with hope. 

Dr Martin Mansergh, in his interview, discusses the impact of the Truce, the Civil War and impact it had on the  State’s development. 

He brings hope through the Northern Ireland Peace process and imparts his experience on the power of negotiation, dialogue and patience.

As well as the theatre production in September, Clonmel Junction Arts Festival will host a series of talks and workshops, and give the public an opportunity to perform in its citizen’s ensemble. There will be a public meeting to give all the details on the project on Wednesday,  March 29 at 7pm.

“We’re really grateful to Clonmel Borough District and  Mayor Cllr Pat English for allowing us to hold the meeting at the Town Hall – itself a site of many historical events.