The Ballybough/North Strand Local History Group and the North Inner City Folklore Project have joined up with local artist Fionnuala Halpin to put together an event to mark the centenary of the ending of the Irish Civil War on 24th May 1923.
“Local renowned sculptor Joe Moran from East Wall has produced a wonderful “peace” sculpture for the occasion which, in this area, we want to commemorate,” local Councillor Nial Ring said today.
“It will be unveiled at a special commemorative event to be held tomorrow (Wednesday 24th May) in the Mud Island Community garden, North Strand Road at 7pm, which will include an historical talk, poetry reading and music.” .
“It seems extraordinary that there is no publicised Government event tomorrow, as one hundred years ago, on May 24th 1923, IRA leader Frank Aiken followed the declaration of a suspension of military activities on 30th April with the issue of a ceasefire order to IRA volunteers on 24th May 1923, including an order to dump rather than surrender arms.
“Our event will mark the end of a civil war which cannot and will not be forgotten as the atrocities carried out on both sides scarred this nation for many years.
“Historian Gerry Shannon will be on hand to give a talk on the end of the civil war and its aftermath, after which Joe Moran will unveil his “peace” sculpture”
“The North Inner City has a proud record of celebrating our participation in the 1916 Rising and the war of independence and it is only fitting that the end of the civil war be commemorated by us too” he concluded.