Our unfortunate sons

A group of local history enthusiasts and descendants of men who fought in World War One held a meeting in February to discuss how to organise a commemoration of the lives and times of the ordinary men who left this town one hundred years ago to fight a war in Europe, writes Julie O'Donoghue. According to initial research, 24 of them never returned.

The history of Ireland in the years following the Great War has overshadowed and silenced the legacy of Irish war veterans. Their stories, and the story of our town in 1914, have remained untold until now. This year — the centenary year of the start of WW1 — is an opportunity to explore and remember this forgotten chapter of our colonial past and our shared history. We do not seek to glorify or condemn but to share our families' stories and to remember.

If you are interested in becoming involved in the commemoration or if you have any medals, letters, photographs, or other memorabilia from the era that you would be willing to display in an exhibition please email: kilcullen1914@gmail.com or call or visit Kilcullen Community Library (482193 and kilcullenlib@kildarecoco.ie).

The next meeting of the group, to which everybody with an interest is welcome, is on Wednesday 12 March, at 8pm in Fallons.