Kilcullen Diary: Christy unveils Frank Conroy plaque

Christy Moore unveiling the plaque with Nessa Dunlea of the Kilcullen 700 Committee.

A plaque to Frank Conroy, a Kilcullen-born man killed in the Spanish Civil War, was unveiled last evening in the Town Hall by Christy Moore, who immortalised the International Brigade with his song Viva La Quinta Brigada.

Christy also sang for the occasion, along with the Kilcullen Gospel Choir. Paul McCormack also performed.

This report for the Diary is from Noel Clare, who also provided the photographs.

It was a special and unique night in Kilcullen Town Hall Theatre when a forgotten Kilcullen native was brought back centre stage and remembered in a most dignified and celebratory manner.

Frank Conroy was born in Kilcullen in 1914 and went to fight in the Spanish Civil war with the 15th International Brigade in 1936. Within days he was killed in the fighting against the fascists of Franco. A small number of people have worked over the years to keep alive the memory of the Irish men who died with the International Brigade, including Frank Conroy from Kilcullen. A year ago a plaque in Frank’s memory was unveiled in Spain and on Saturday night a replica of that plaque was unveiled by Christy Moore in the Town Hall in Kilcullen. Christy has immortalised the International Brigade with his very popular song Viva La Quinta Brigada, in which Frank Conroy is specifically remembered.

It was particularly fitting that the ceremony took place as part of the Kilcullen 700 activities. Support for the event also came from the June Fest Committee in Newbridge and the Friends of the International Brigade (FIBI) and members of both were in attendance.

The evening began with James Durney giving a talk on Frank Conroy. That was followed by Newbridge man Paul McCormack singing a specially written song about Frank. Kilcullen Gospel Choir then provided entertainment with songs sung to their usual high standard. The special plaque in Frank Conroy’s memory was then unveiled by Christy Moore.

“I was educated by the nuns the brothers and the Dominicans in Newbridge,” he recalled, “and no one over those years ever mentioned Frank Conroy or the International Brigade."

Christy also recalled his fond memories of Kilcullen visits when he was growing up, particularly to the home of Brian Byrne.

Following the unveiling Christy gave a moving rendition of Viva La Quinta Brigada and then invited the Kilcullen Gospel Choir onto the stage with him and together they gave amazing performances of Ride On and Nancy Spain. “I’ll have to get a bigger van,” said Christy as the night came to an end.

Nessa Dunlea was MC on the night and did a great job on bringing it all together. Nessa also gave a talk on the history of the Town Hall and told of her family connection with Frank Conroy. Frank’s father had come to Kilcullen to work as a baker in O’Connell’s Bakery right next to the town hall.

In her talk Nessa recalled many of the great acts and shows in the town hall including the Batchelors and the Capers. Saturday night June 22nd 2019, remembering Frank Conroy with Christy Moore will certainly be added to those hugely significant and memorable nights.

The campaign to have Frank Conroy's bravery recognised in his native Kildare was led by Newbridge man Alan O'Neill, who helped hugely in organising the event.

For more information on Frank Conroy see James Durney’s piece on the web.

(ED NOTE — For clarification, we received this comment on the above: Donal Higgins Hi Kilcullen Diary, you credit an Alan O'Neill as being the organiser of this event, but all the work was carried out by Mick Healy (also Newbridge). It was Mick who organised the plaque with FIBI and got Christy to agree to unveil it. I don't know Alan so I can't speak on what he has done about Frank Conroy, but Mick has been the organiser of commemoration events that have been held down the years. Initially these were held in Kildare town, for as James Durney pointed out on the night, we initially thought Frank may have been from Kildare and his links to Kilcullen only became apparent in the last two years or so. James also spoke at one of the commemorations in Kildare town a number of years ago. As I say I don't know Alan, or what work he has done in promoting Frank Conroy, and it's great that more people are aware of Frank and his (all too brief) role in the Spanish Civil War, but I think it only right to give credit where it is due and in this instance it belongs to Mick Healy. Thanks.)