Book launch in McGirl’s, Ballinamore tonight

Proinsias O Rathaille, heritage campaigner and grandson of The O'Rahilly, the only leader to die in action during the 1916 Rising, will officially launch the book ‘Under an Irish Sky' by Nicola Kearns this Thursday, August 31, at 7pm in McGirl's Pub, Ballinamore.

The book is Cumann na mBan based and tells the story of a young Leitrim girl joining and fighting during the Civil War.

One of the guests on the night will be Dave Swift who knowledge of uniforms and arms used by the Irish Volunteers and Cumann na mBan is vast.

He will be giving a talk on Cumann na mBan on the night and will be displaying both their costumes and accessories including arms used at the time.

O Rathaille's own mother Bridie Clyne fought in the Four Courts and is mentioned in the book. She was from Rooskey where he erected a plaque on the bridge back in 2018 and an information panel was erected by historian Turtle Bunbury and Iarnrod Eireann in Dromod Station a couple of years ago as well. O Rathaille has also been involved in saving the 1916 Moore Street Battlefield Site for past 23 years.

“I congratulate Nicola on her excellent new publication and feel very privileged that she asked me to write the foreword and to also launch same,” Proinsias said.

To top off the evening, legendary songstress Evelyn Campbell will be appropriately singing her self-penned song Fenian Women Blues.