1798 commemoration to be launched in Castlebar Library this evening

Mayo County Library is hosting a major commemoration of the 225th anniversary of the 1798 rebellion in Ireland - also known as ‘The Year of the French or Bliain na bhFrancach’. The programme coincides with 1798 Music Festival which will be held in the town over the weekend and its focus on history and heritage complements the more public events of the festival.

The commemoration event will consist of: ‘In Humbert’s Footsteps – Mayo 1798’ an exhibition telling the story of the rebellion in Mayo. The exhibition which was created in conjunction with late Steve Dunford tells the story of the French campaign in Mayo in a colourful story board format.

There will also be a diorama telling the story of The Races of Castlebar. To commemorate the 225th   anniversary, Mayo County Library commissioned a unique re-creation of the battle in a diorama format.

The diorama tells the story of the battle between the troops led by General Humbert and General Lake on August 22in Castlebar. There will be a screening of the six part RTE series. The Year of The French and 'Humbert' – a bilingual exhibition in English and French on the life of General Humbert who led the French forces in Ireland.

Important episode

COUNTY Librarian Austin Vaughan stated: “What happened in Ireland in 1798 is an important episode in Irish history but the events in Mayo are part of our folk memory, and to commemorate these events Mayo County Library has organised this programme to bring an important part of our local history to life.”

On August 22, 1798 Humbert’s small expeditionary force, numbering 1000 men, arrived at Kilcummin. The fighting that ensued was played out over four counties and had many successes, including the famous 'Races of Castlebar', which occupied for a month the attention of all the available soldiers of a British army 100,000 strong, and ended back in Killala, a month later with the massacre of hundreds of Irish citizens.

Mayo County Library Service sincerely thank the late Steve Dunford, author of the book ‘In Humbert’s Footsteps – Mayo 1798’ which was the inspiration for the exhibition and for his advice and assistance in researching the original exhibition and sourcing the material on display. They have plans to republish his book, which is still much in demand, this year. They also wish to thank Colman Ó Raghallaigh and Pat Gleeson who conceived, designed and created the diorama.

The exhibition will be officially opened by the Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Michael Loftus and French Honorary Consul for Connacht and Donegal Catherine Gagneux on Thursday, August 24, at 7pm and all are welcome. We would encourage people to come and see the exhibitions as they will only be on display for a month and the diorama is a creation unique to County Mayo of which we can all be proud.