One year after the anti-Soviet rising refugees from Hungary are living at a former army camp in Clare.
In November 1956, the Soviet Union used tanks to crush a national uprising in Hungary. Thousands of people fled Hungary in fear. Ireland was among the countries who agreed to accept refugees. Many of the around 500 individuals who left Hungary and ended up in Ireland were housed temporarily in an old army camp in Kncokalisheen, County Clare.
The 200 refugees from Hungary still living at Kncokalisheen marked the first anniversary of the anti-Soviet rising.
The desperate, spontaneous and bloody revolution that uprooted the Knockalisheen refugees and tens of thousands of their fellow countrymen from their homes in Hungary and scattered them throughout the world.
The commemoration began with a requiem mass celebrated by the Very Rev Fr Kiss, the Hungarian Chaplain at the camp. The mass was presided over by the Bishop of Limerick, the Most Rev Dr O'Neill. The Hungarian congregation sang hymns in their own language.
Camp leader Joseph Kukk addressed his fellow refugees and guests. His address recalled the first hours of the revolution and was translated by the camp interpreter Mrs Kovary.
Their blood was not shed in vain.
Red Cross camp controller Mr Murphy describes the situation for those who fled Hungary, without a home or a homeland.
I really think myself that these people have suffered, are suffering and will continue to suffer until such time as they can get back to their homeland.
This episode of 'Provincial News Roundup' was broadcast on 27 October 1957. The reporter is PP O'Reilly.
From the RTÉ Archives Acetate Disc Collection which has been digitised with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) Archiving Scheme.
