Westmeath County Council will mark the centenary occasion of the burning of Moydrum Castle subject to public health guidelines, local Fianna Fáil Councillor, Frankie Keena, confirmed to the Athlone Advertiser this week.
“One hundred years ago on the July 3 1921, Moydrum Castle was burnt to the ground by a group of local IRA volunteers. This followed a series of reprisals by both the Black and Tans who burnt out houses in Coosan and Mount Temple and the subsequent actions of the local IRA branch.
“There were thirty four individual rooms in the Castle and its surrounding sizeable acre estate consisted of prime agricultural land, forest and bogland. The majority of the estate was enclosed by a large stone wall parts of which are still intact today.
“Lord Castlemaine, his wife and family lived in the castle up to the time of the burning where afterwards he moved to England and died in 1937. He sold the Castle estate to the Irish Land Commission in 1924 which in turn was divided up among the local people.
“The burning of this majestic castle was one of the most infamous incidents of the War of Independence and it has long since become part of Athlone’s history. Added to this, U2 used the backdrop of the Castle on their album ‘Unforgettable Fire’ which continues to generate much interest in the structure. The ruins of the Castle, which is located about four kilometres outside Athlone is now unfortunately barely visible as it is completely overgrown with ivy,” Cllr Keena reflected.
Now, as the centenary date fast approaches, Westmeath County Council will seek to formally acknowledge this particular occasion of local history.
“Westmeath County Council intends to mark the centenary of the burning of the castle in an appropriate way, by virtual platform means or alternatively, subject to public health guidelines.
“To help co-ordinate the decade of centenaries events countywide, Paul Hughes and Ian Keneally have been engaged by the council as historians in residence and the local authority will also be taking on a Creative Practitioner to engage with communities and gather stories.
“I look forward to this work taking place as it is so important to hear the stories of local people about their knowledge of life prior to the burning of Moydrum Castle and indeed the aftermath of the incident and the impact, if any, on local families.
“There is a wealth of knowledge to be heard as individuals recall the stories of past generations and over the next couple of weeks it is hoped to tap into that historical resource. So, if anyone has a story to tell about Moydrum Castle and the time period following the burning please do not hesitate to get in touch,” Cllr Keena concluded.
