‘Don’t Forget me now’ – Stories from the Irish War of Independence in Kinsale.

It might seem strange that Future Kinsale is supporting a history project, but we’re delighted to be working with Kinsale Heritage and Genealogy - a new local enterprise being set up by historian, Shannon Forde. Future Kinsale supports new businesses which are based in the area, and especially those which have a community focus. Shannon is an historian who has specialised in studying Kinsale and the Famine, but is also researching the War of Independence in a local context. This project is to produce a publication commemorating the involvement of Kinsale in the War of Independence. The publication will closely examine the contributions made by 10-15 men and women and include membership lists of local IRA Companies and Branches of Cumann na mBan. The publication will also include an overview of the War of Independence, with specific regard to Kinsale. Shannon and Future Kinsale have received some funding from Creative Ireland towards this publication which is scheduled for launch in March 2021, though Creative Ireland originally aimed to distribute grants in time to meet the 2020 commemoration events. Shannon will be interviewing those with family stories relevant to the book, and if you would like to contribute, please email futurekinsale@gmail.com and we’ll make sure she receives your details.

Further publications are planned for 2021 as well, with a view to providing local people and the returning ‘culturally curious tourist’ with detailed local history books. We’re hoping that a genealogy service can also be provided to visitors seeking information on their roots.