By Michael John O’Mahony, Kilmurry Historical and Archaeological Association
Due to these unprecedented times the battle for survival begins for many organisations within Ireland. Independence Museum Kilmurry’s (IMK) life has been turned upside down in recent months. Now begins a new way in which organisations have to learn, adapt and react. For many organisations like Independence Museum Kilmurry, the main source of revenue pre Covid-19 was from gatherings of people i.e. fundraising concerts, evening classes and lectures. These were the main fundraising events that were to the core of running and maintaining the museum and community room within IMK. With the outbreak of Covid 19, these events ceased due to the restrictions on public gatherings. A museum might not be the top of the list of peoples priorities at the start of the pandemic. But now begins the battle for survival.
So the Museum at Kilmurry begins to make tiny steps into the light and hopefully return to some sort of normality.
Firstly, a vintage car run is planned on August 16, starting in Kilmurry village and visiting historic landmarks Crossbarry, Upton, Dripsey, Inchigeela. If that is well attended, another interesting field trip will take place in September. In August, the Museum will host an exhibition on the 100th anniversary of Lissarda ambush in which local Irish Volunteer Michael Galvin was fatally wounded. There will also be a book launch, which Mary O’Mahony has worked tirelessly to put together with the help of a hard working committee. In October, the committee hopes to host the 100th anniversary of Terence MacSwiney’s death, where he died on hunger strike in search for Irish freedom and Independence. There will also be a hunger strike exhibition honouring the hunger strikers who went on hunger strike during the struggle for Independence.
As an organisation, the main goal of the Kilmurry museum is to preserve and protect historical and archaeological sites and artefacts. A large range of items are held in the collection at the museum. The committee hopes to start a journal on the historical sites and place names in Kilmurry parish.
The above events will hope to honour our fallen heroes, who fought so bravely for Irish Independence. And when we look to the countries to the right and left of us during Covid-19, we thank our lucky stars that we gained independence 100 years ago. So please keep this museum in the middle of Rebel Cork in your hearts and thoughts in the weeks and months ahead.
Independence Museum Kilmurry is open Thursday-Sunday, 2pm-5pm and the community room can be booked for classes like yoga, pilates and art etc. All events will be advertised on Facebook and on www.kilmurrymuseum.ie. The museum showcases the revolutionary period, it covers materials from Kilmichael ambush , Beal Na Blath, Lissarda ambush and Terence MacSwiney. The Atlas of the Irish Revolution is currently on display at Independence Museum Kilmurry.
Public safety is of the utmost importance, so the museum reopens with careful adherence to government Covid 19 guidelines. Accordingly, stringent social distancing and sanitisation measures will be in place to ensure the safest environment possible for visitors.
