Landscapes of Revolution Archaeology Project; Tipperary's Kilcommon Ambush

The Landscapes of Revolution Project (led by Dr Damian Shiels of Abarta Heritage) is delighted to have teamed up with Tipperary County Council to map the archaeological landscape of the Kilcommon Ambush in partnership with the local community.

The attack occurred on 16 December 1920, when the IRA Active Service Unit of the No. 1 (North) Tipperary Brigade launched an attack on an RIC patrol that had just left their barracks at Kilcommon Cross. Although the ambush was initiated prematurely, the firefight that followed resulted in the deaths of four members of the RIC. In the aftermath, the homes of a number of local IRA volunteers were targeted for reprisal.

Tipperary County Council have commissioned the Landscapes of Revolution Project to examine and map the archaeological landscape of the Kilcommon Ambush. A key component of the work will be to involve the local community in the process, and the first public talk of the project will take place on Wednesday 21st of July at 19.00.

All are welcome to attend. This is a FREE online talk via zoom. A link to the talk will be issued the day before the event with a reminder on the morning of the event.

ABOUT THE LANDSCAPES OF REVOUTION PROJECT:

The Landscapes of Revolution Project was established by Dr Damian Shiels and is supported by Abarta Heritage Ltd. Its aim is to develop and share techniques for the identification, interpretation and mapping of archaeological sites associated with Ireland’s Revolutionary Period.

The project was devised in response to an urgent need to identify, analyse, interpret and map the sites and landscapes relating to Ireland’s Revolutionary decade. Surprising as it may seem, as post-medieval sites, locations relating to the War of Independence and Civil War in Ireland generally enjoy no archaeological protection, are poorly understood as heritage landscapes, and are often significantly rarer and more vulnerable than much of the medieval and prehistoric archaeology that surrounds us. Because so little is known about what elements of these landscapes survive, they are difficult to manage and increasingly vulnerable to being damaged and destroyed. Somewhat ironically, this threat has increased during the Decade of Centenaries, as well-intentioned efforts to memorialise the events of a century ago lead to the construction of new memorials and improved access to some of our more iconic Revolutionary-era landscapes. This project hopes to highlight the importance and value of developing an improved understanding and appropriate management plan for these landscapes as a key part of our centenary commemorations.