On this day in 1916, Eamon de Valera led a force into Boland’s Mill as part of the Easter Rising. They lasted a week before surrendering. De Valera was sentenced to death but had his sentence commuted. He would later become Taoiseach of Ireland and, later, President.
Though born in the United States [being a US citizen may have contributed to his commuted sentence], he was brought home to his mother’s village of Bruree in Co. Limerick when his father died when de Valera was just two. The picture above is of a mill in Bruree, taken in 2007, located close to the National School where De Valera was educated.
Hi John
Just stopping by re a photo posted on February 18th of a memorial to Clare Walls at Slea Head in Co Kerry. One of my brothers came across it on your blog.
The memorial was erected by her 12 children (I’m one of them). It’s just a few yards from the house she lived in for her retirement years. Her neighbour farmers who own that land where the Dingle Way passes gave us permission to put the memorial up there looking out at her favourite view. There’s an inscription to our father on the reverse side.
Curious that this post is about De Valera and 1916. My mother’s father Harry Colley took part in the events of 1916. In fact on his way home he was bayonted when he came upon a checkpoint and lived the rest of his life with only one fully functioning lung. He later became a TD as did her brother George Colley. In later years my mother left the Fianna Fail party founded by Dev and joint the Progressive Democrats.
The Irish Times published an appreciation the Christmas week after she died. This is the link, but it’s now classified under subscription only… http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/letters/2006/1227/1166138495683.html.
Anyway – just to say lovely picture and thanks
Siobhán
Beautiful colours and reflection here.
Came across your blog while doing a google search for ‘G9 tips’. Very nice photos and helpful tips on how to ‘survive’ when attempting hiking/photo excursions. Last year I brought along one too many extra lenses…. This year, I’ll stick to your advice and pack just one (OK, maybe two, if you don’t tell anyone!) Gotta go now, the weather is starting to warm up here in Southern Ontario, Canada.