Tipperary Museum of Hidden History is delighted to reopen for the summer season and present their new exhibition on the ‘War of Independence’ running from May 2021 to September 2022. The exhibition is a feast of incredible photographs, artefacts and stories of ambushes, rescues and political instability. The timeline of events commences with the Soloheadbeg Ambush in January 1919 and ends with the Anglo-Irish Treaty ratification in December 1921.
The Museum also covers the global pandemic, known as the Spanish Flu of 1918 which was estimated to have killed 100 million people worldwide. They describe the Suffragettes and the ‘Cat & Mouse’ Act as well as the many methods of intimidation against women during the war.
Many of the photographs are on loan from the National Library and RTE archives. These images, never before seen in an exhibition, were professionally colourised by John Breslin and Matt Loughrey. The size and grandeur of these images create a visual sensation and help to bring the characters and stories to life.
The artefacts featured throughout are a stark reminder of the consequences of war. A number of key artefacts came from Seamus Leahy, whose father James (Jimmy) Leahy was an Irish Volunteer and interred in Belfast Jail in 1918. The Bloody Sunday Hogan Jersey takes centre stage in the Museum’s new gallery and the signed Tipperary Commemorative Football Jersey highlights the incredible achievements of the Tipperary Football Team of 2020.
Tipperary Museum’s exhibition was funded by Tipperary County Council, with support from the Heritage Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The Museum engaged an ‘Historian in Residence’, Kelly O’ Murcada who researched and sourced images pertaining to the War of Independence in Tipperary and across Ireland. This successful collaboration has resulted in a unique and accurate account of this major historical event in Irish history.
Based in Mick Delahunty Square, Clonmel, the Tipperary Museum of Hidden History is a state-of-the-art interactive visitor experience located in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East. The Museum brings Tipperary’s rich hidden history vividly to life through memorable historic characters and amazing stories. With over 25,000 artefacts, it is one of the largest Local Authority Museum collections in Ireland. The museum caters for domestic and international visitors, with audio guides in six languages. They have also been awarded their COVID-19 Safety Charter awarded for 2021 – 2022, you can be guaranteed your visit will be safe and enjoyable!
