Cormac Ó Comhraí, historian and author of Sa Bhearna Bhaoil: Gaillimh 1913-1923, will give two talks on the civil war in Galway as part of Galway City Museum’s programme of events for 2023. Cormac will discuss the executions which took place in Tuam and Athlone, the end of the civil war and the legacy it left behind. Booking for both events is essential, see below for more information.
The first of the talks, ‘The Civil War in Galway & the executions at Athlone Barracks’ will take place on Saturday 21 January, 2.30pm to 3.30pm at the museum. On 20 January 1923, six months into the civil war, four anti-treaty IRA Volunteers from Galway – Martin J. Burke (25), Hubert Collins (23), Stephen Joyce (29), and Michael Walsh (26) – were executed at Athlone Barracks, having been found guilty by a Free State Military Court of the unlawful possession of arms and ammunition.
The second talk on ‘The End of the Civil War & the executions at Tuam Barracks’ is scheduled to take place on Saturday 15 April from 2.30pm to 3.30pm at the museum. On 11 April 1923, five anti-treaty IRA Volunteers from Galway – Francis Cunnane (23), Michael Monaghan (22), Martin Moylan (24), John Newell (29) and James O’Malley (25) – were executed at Tuam Barracks, having been found guilty by a Free State Military Court of the unlawful possession of arms and ammunition.
To book your place on either talk, call the museum at 091 532460 or email museum@galwaycity.ie. Suitable for ages 12+ and admission is FREE!
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For more information on the civil war period of Galway’s history visit Revolution in Galway, 1913-23 exhibition and ‘War of Friends, 1922-23: the civil war story of Pádraic Ó Máille and Liam Mellows. These exhibitions are located on the First Floor and Ground Floor at Galway City Museum, open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm and admission is FREE!
