Last chance to see Civil War Exhibition at Tipperary Museum of Hidden History

The highly-rated Civil War Exhibition at the Tipperary Museum of Hidden History in Mick Delahunty Square, Clonmel, closes this weekend, with a talk on The Art of Colourisation at 2pm on Saturday June 3.

The exhibition traces the historic and contentious period of the Civil War in Ireland and highlights aspects of Tipperary's involvement through the men and women on the ground.

The exhibition is an explosion of colourised photographs by John Breslin and Matt Loughrey from 1921-1924, expertly and accurately remastered. The uniqueness of this exhibition is that it transports you back in time. There's the opportunity to view astonishing new material associated with Liam Lynch and stories about Michael Collins' visits to Tipperary.

While you stroll around the gallery, imagine you are standing side by side with these men and women who are living through harsh and secretive times. Spot a young Dan Breen carrying timber planks to build a makeshift bridge to allow a taxi carry arms to evade a blockade in a nearby local town. Examine images of volunteers who were photographed at Tipperary training camps and help the museum to name them for its archives. 

Artefacts, never before seen, are also on display. These unique and often morbid pieces paint a picture of an unsettling disconnect from camaraderie and family, but narrate the harsh realities of Civil War for the men and women who supported the Treaty or for those who were against the Treaty. 

Another distinguishing feature of the exhibition is the Untold Stories section, which is magnificently presented. Images of life-sized local historians and relatives were interviewed, and through this footage they speak about their family associations during the War of Independence and 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 the impact it had on the development of the state. He brings hope through the Northern Ireland Peace process and imparts his experience in the power of negotiation, dialogue and patience. 

The exhibition is funded by Tipperary County Council and the Department of Media, Culture, Tourism, Sport and the Gaeltacht, and Creative Ireland Funding.

The museum is located at Mick Delahunty Square, Clonmel, E91 Y891.