The centenary of the birth of Thomas Ashe is marked in his native Kerry with a programme of events.
Thomas Ashe (Tomás Ághas) was born in Kinard, Lispole, County Kerry on the 12 January 1885. He played an active part in the Easter Rising and died in 1917 due to forced feeding after a hunger strike.
The people of Lispole have organised many activities to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Thomas Ashe. A varied programme of events overseen by a remembrance committee is taking place from 25 - 28 July 1985.
Head of the committee Father Thomas Houlihan launches an exhibition on Thomas Ashe in the temporary library in the Temperance Hall, Dingle. Among the rare items on display are Tomas Ashe's poem 'Let Me Carry Your Cross for Ireland, Lord', his bagpipes and numerous personal possessions. The exhibition is to remain open for the summer months courtesy of Kerry County Library.
In 1928 the headquarters of Kerry County Council was called the Ashe Memorial Hall. At the exhibition opening, Chairman of Kerry County Council Noel Brassil from Ballyheigue says of Thomas Ashe,
Let us hope that his idealism, his love for his country and his dedication to Irish culture and traditions will inspire our young people of today.
As well as the exhibition, a bilingual pamphlet on Thomas Ashe by Lispole teacher Micheál Ó Móráin is published. Nobel prizewinner Séan MacBride is to unveil a memorial sculpture of Thomas Ashe at Kinard.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 30 July 1985. The reporter is Tom MacSweeney.
