Photos by Tony Gavin Life goes on ...A multimedia exhibition marking the centenary of the withdrawal of the British Army from Co. Kildare in 1922, by SULT Artists and Newbridge Local History Group.Phoenix Park Visitor Centre, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8.Saturday 29th October – Tuesday 29th November. Open daily 9.30am to 5.00pm Senator Fiona O'Loughlin and artist Anne McKenna OFFICIAL OPENING: Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht,Sports and Media will open the exhibition on Wednesday 9th November at 10.00am. “This exhibition ‘Life Goes On’ was created in remembrance of an event of great local historicalsignificance in County Kildare - the handing over of Kildare barracks from the British Army to the newFree State Army. I want to congratulate the SULT artists, who worked in collaboration with NewbridgeLocal History Group and Kildare County Council’s Decade of Centenaries Programme to create a fittingand moving artistic response to these events, complete with historical context. The opening of ‘LifeGoes On’ in this second location of the Phoenix Park visitor centre, gives a wonderful opportunity fornew audiences to engage with the exhibition and reflect upon a time, both locally and nationally, ofgreat social and political change.” Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht,Sport and MediaContext:During early 1922 the British Army withdrew their forces from the Free State. On 16th Maythey withdrew simultaneously from barracks in Naas, Newbridge, Kildare and the Curraghwhere at one stage over 20,000 troops were stationed. The departure of the army from Co.Kildare was greeted with both joy and sadness. Joy because their departure brought an endto 800 years of British occupation; sadness because the local economy had greatlybenefitted from serving the needs of so many people.The withdrawal was a momentous occasion watched by locals as the constant stream oflorries and troops passed through the Kildare towns on their way to Dublin
PHOTO GALLERY: Kildare-based artists host exhibition in Dublin
