Chuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus gabhaim mo bhuíochas pearsanta leí toisc gur chuir sí an stro uirthi fhéin teacht isteach chun éisteacht leis an rún seo.
I thank the Minister for making herself available to reply to this matter. It came to my notice that the Tipperary Historical Society recently passed a resolution requesting the Government to take a building in Farrenrory, Ballingarry, Thurles, County Tipperary, into State care. The building in question is known as the Warhouse and also the Widow McCormack's house. It is already a listed building but that is no guarantee of survival. The building is important because it is one of the key sites related to the failed Young Ireland rebellion in 1848. Many illustrious names were connected with the battle which took place there, including William Smith O'Brien, Thomas Francis Meagher, Charles Gavin Duffy, John Blake Dillon and others. The battle, if one could call it that because it had no impact in terms of military history, was really a minor scuffle and it was as much concerned with the Irish psyche as it was with military achievement.
This year is the 150th anniversary of the Young Ireland rebellion which occurred during a particularly sad period in Irish history that witnessed the end of the repeal movement and the Young Irelanders themselves. To provide some background information, these fine intellectuals were not aggressive in any sense of the word. One could say that they were exceptionally romantic figures and they are still seen in that way by history and folklore.
The Young Irelanders converged on the part of County Tipperary to which I referred with the intention of creating a rebellion and promoting the concept of national independence. This occurred at a time when new legislation had been introduced to allow the authorities arrest and imprison people for a period of six months without trial. The Young Irelanders said they opposed that but it was obvious they were dedicated to starting a rising. The security forces travelled out from Callan to the area in question and took the Young Irelanders by surprise. Various scuffles ensued but the main site of the battle was a relatively new house owned by the Widow McCormack in which she and her family were living at the time. No member of the security forces was killed during the battle but two Young Ireland supporters died.
After the rebellion, many of the Young Irelanders, who were fine intellectuals, either left Ireland or were transported and many of them made a major impact on public life in the Australian state of Tasmania. I recall reading that a large number of them rose to positions as governors, heads of police, etc. This underlines the ability, vision and intellectual capacity that was lost to Ireland because of our unfortunate history.
There has been much discussion in certain parts of the country about the 1798 Rebellion. It is right that we should commemorate that event. However, a small community in the Slieve Ardagh area, which runs from Kilkenny towards Cashel and Killenaul, has decided to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Young Ireland rebellion. I understand the Taoiseach will attend the commemoration and 250 people are to travel from Tasmania because of the connection of the Young Irelanders with that state. An extensive event has been planned and I compliment the organising committee in that regard. A huge pageant involving 200 participants will take place, major lecturers from around the country will attend and there will be many musical events.
It would be nice to think that the Warhouse could, in conjunction with the commemoration, be taken into State care. We must remember that it is not always the major battles that are of great importance, the significance of events is often more important. When one bears in mind that at the time of the Young Ireland rebellion — which occurred during the Famine — people's spirits would have been exceptionally low. This group of men, who held respectable positions and stations in life, were not seeking anything for themselves. The Young Irelanders remotivated and inspired the Irish people and helped them rise from the dungeon of depression imposed by the Famine. It is for that reason that the Young Ireland movement is significant.
The risings of 1867 and 1916 would never have taken place but for the Young Irelanders' deep intellectual assessment of the Irish psyche and their right to full sovereignty. It was they who established the agenda and set down the parameters of nationhood. It is sad to think of the Warhouse, or the Widow McCormack's House as it is known locally, empty and forlorn. I regard it as being as important a national monument as any other.
When the Cathaoirleach read out this matter and mentioned the Widow McCormack's house I saw many Senators wondering who was the Widow McCormack. In local history and folklore the Warhouse is regarded as being as important as Bodenstown or any other shrine to Irish nationalism. I recommend to the Minister that she considers the request from the Tipperary Historical Society. I compliment the local newspapers —The Nationalist Clonmel, the TipperaryStar and the Nenagh Guardian— which have been to the fore in presenting this case. I was glad to see today's The Irish Times feature the 150th anniversary and the forthcoming festival at Slieveardagh. I ask the Minister to consider this matter. There may be difficulties but we must find a way to overcome them.
