Collection of medals which belonged to Michael Furey, Colesgrove Craughwell, Co. Galway who fought in the 1916 Rising and War of Independence:
1916 medal – issued to participants in the 1916 Rising
Service medal 1917-21 – includes Comrac bar which indicates active service
1916 Survivors medal dated 1966 issued to commemorate 50th anniversary of the Rising. 968 veterans received this medal.
Furey was involved in active service from the start of the 1916 Rising and was present at Moyode Castle and the Agriculture Station, Athenry under the command of Mellows and Monahan. Following the Rising, he was arrested and interned in prison in Frongoch, Wales, released in September 1916. He continued to be active until 1923.
In a report in the Connacht Tribune on his death in 1967, Michael was described as ‘a well-known figure in the fight for freedom and during the War of Independence suffered more than one term of imprisonment for his activities’
