By Dan Walsh at Wexford Library
An exciting new 66-page publication entitled Wexford County Archive: 25 objects from the Irish Revolution, 1916-23 was officially launched by the Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Pip Breen at a well-attended presentation held in Wexford Library last night.
Cllr Breen thanked everybody associated with the publication and said he delighted to perform the official launch. “Local authority archives have been crucial in promoting a deeper understanding of the significant historical events of the period through the local government response, and how such events impacted on County Wexford from a political, economic and social perspective,” he stated.
“The history of County Wexford between 1916 and 1923 is one of turbulence and transition,” said the author, Aaron Ó Maonaigh, who added; “Readers will notice a slight emphasis on items relating to the 1916 period. On one hand, this simply reflects the sheer volume of material relating to that event held by the archive, but it also highlights the importance of the event in the context of County Wexford’s experience of the Irish Revolution.
“Enniscorthy was one of the few places outside Dublin where a successful rebellion took place, a point of pride which Wexford’s revolutionary generation held dearly, stated an tÚas. Ó Maonaigh who concluded; “In this respect, 1916 entered the revolutionary canon of local history alongside County Wexford’s proud legacy of 1798.”
Archivist at Wexford County Council, Gráinne Doran, who was also project co-ordinator went though the pictorial display slide by slide and gave an overview of the contents of the publication and paid tribute to everybody associated with assembling the history and bringing it to publication fruition.
“The selection of items for this publication aims to provide a broad overview of the extensive range of materials held by Wexford County Archive for the revolutionary years, 1916-1923,” said Ms. Doran, who continued; “As a fitting conclusion to the Decade of Centenaries in County Wexford, this legacy project has been invaluable in showcasing the unique role of archives and objects in informing historical debate and in facilitating a better understanding of this complex period in County Wexford’s history.”
Wexford County Archive: 25 objects from the Irish Revolution, 1916-23 by Aaron Ó Maonaigh, edited by Ciarán Deane, 66 pages, illustrated, published by Wexford County Council available through Wexford County Archive. ISBN 978-1-9162523-5-6.
WexfordLocal.com 