2022 Decade of Centenaries Programme

• ‘Ordinary People, Ordinary Lives: Cork 1922’ - ongoing;
• Michael Collins - running for month of August 2022;
• Garda Exhibition’ from October to mid-November with the Gardaí;
• Commemoration of Establishment of Saorstát Éireann’ to run from mid-November to mid-December.

There are three key events/occasions that the museum will mark during 2022. The first is Civil War, the second is the formation of the Free State and the third is the disbandment of the Royal Munster Fusiliers in 1922 with the formation of the Free State.

• The formation of the Free State and the Civil War will be dealt with in an exhibition that is tentatively titled ‘By A Treaty Divided’. We will aim to open this in mid-June to run alongside the National Irish Civil War Conference at UCC (June 15 – 18 2022). There will also be several other online events that we will launch throughout the year such as the digital release of our collection of 300 letters/telegrams between Collins and Kitty Kiernan.
• The Disbandment of the RMF will be another exhibition that will combine an onsite and online element to explore the history of the regiment and its connections with Co. Cork. It is estimated that nearly half of the Free State National army were made up of former members of the RMF. The museum already has a substantial collection of RMF material and could be able to receive more next year, making this an important and interesting series of exhibitions and events. It is the aim of the museum to become the leading RMF archive in Ireland. It is hoped to work closely with the Cork Branch of the Western Front Association and the Royal Munster Fusiliers Association to commemorate the regiment.

Dividing the Nation’ – An adaptation of the Dáil Éireann Treaty Debates by the Acting for Stage and Screen Course of Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa, Cork.

Between 14th December 1921 and 7th January 1922, members of Dáil Éireann met in private and public session to debate the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty between Great Britain and Ireland. The debates divided the Dáil and led to the Civil War a conflict that divided the nation.

This adaptation by the Acting for Stage and Screen Course of Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa, covered key moments in the debates through the words of the participants and also featured contributions by Cork TDs.

The historical debates are adapted by historian Gerry White and directed by Jon Whitty, Drama Teacher with Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa. A recording of the debates was produced and available on Cork City Council’s commemoration website in order to engage with a wider audience.

The Changing of the Guard’- The British Evacuation of Victoria Barracks Cork on 18 May 1922 Exhibition.

One hundred years ago, on the 18 May 1922, the British Army evacuated Victoria (now Collins) Barracks in Cork and it was occupied by members of Cork No. 1 Brigade of the IRA.

This was a defining moment in the history of Cork as it marked the end of the British occupation of the city. The free exhibition will aim at the general public, using real photographs from a variety of sources and will link the events that led up to that historic day, the key individuals involved and the importance of the barracks to the city of Cork at the time.  Free Lunchtime & Evening lectures for schools & general public will also be arranged.

The Battle of Cork’ Aug 1922 – Hogan-Wilson Collection from the National Library of Ireland Exhibition

The battle for Cork, fought between the National Army and Anti-Treaty IRA in August 1922, was one of the most significant military operations in the Irish Civil War. This exhibition will capture scenes from that battle taken by photographer William David Hogan.

Born in Quartertown, Mallow, Co. Cork, Hogan was a commercial and press photographer who had a studio in Henry Street in Dublin. During the Civil War he became what today would be known as an ‘embedded’ photographer with the National Army and he accompanied that force during the Battle for Cork. The photographs he took during that time were subsequently arranged by National Army Chaplain, Fr. Denis J. Wilson. Today they are known as the Hogan-Wilson Collection and are held in the National Library of Ireland.

The free public access exhibition will be of great interest to the  public, local history groups & schools.

This exhibition will launch to coincide & support the UCC conference on the National Irish Civil War in June 2022.

The Treaty, 1921: Records from the Archives:

 St. Peter’s Cork supported by Cork City Council will facilitate The National Archives National tour of The Treaty, 1921: Records from the Archives exhibition. The exhibition is part of a National Tour by the National Archives.

The touring exhibition will be hosted by St. Peter’s Cork during June 2022.

The Council will support the project “The Irish Revolution (1919-1923)” In its International Context - Diaspora, Diplomacy and Solidarity. 

The Project to be carried out in cooperation with Professor Dermot Keogh, Dr Mervyn O'Driscoll, Head of School of History, UCC and Historian, Dr Owen McGee.   The project involves the international reaction (China, India, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, France, Italy, The Vatican) to the death of Lord Mayor Terence MacSwiney.

An illustrated book of essay entitled: The Irish Revolution in a global Context, Diaspora, Diplomacy and International Solidarity will be published.

Launch of the Descriptive list of Diarmaid L Fawsitt’s personal archive.

To launch in February 2022. This is a selection of key items from the collection that will also be put online.

Launch of the Descriptive list of Liam de Roiste’s personal archive.

Some key items from the collection will also be put online.

Publication of online digital collections relating to Revolutionary Period on www.corkarchives.ie

Launching in April 2022, this will include:

• St. Finbarr’s Cemetery Registers 1986-1930 (text searchable)
• Liam de Roiste TD, Diaries 1914-1923
• Terence MacSwiney Lord Mayor files 1920

Tadgh Barry, Rebel and Revolutionary Exhibition

Running from November 2021 – May 2022. 

Former Lord Mayor, Terence MacSwiney was one of the most important intellectual voices of the Irish Revolution.  The Council will collate and publish, in an attractive and authoritative edition, MacSwiney’s collected works, both literary and polemical.  The joint editors will be Dr. Gabriel Doherty, an historian of the period, and Dr. Fiona Brennan, an historian of Irish theatre history.  Cost covers compilation and editing, design, printing.

During the Commemorative period of 1921, a time of great challenges and strife, Cork City played a pivotal role in our country’s fight for freedom.

It has been Cork City Council’s aim to commemorate the centenary for the people of Cork, Ireland, it’s diaspora and International interests to gain a deeper understanding of how Irish society has been shaped by our past, to walk for a moment in the footsteps of our ancestors and learn from the men and women of this era who fought for the freedom that can be taken for granted today.  It is Cork City Council aim to bring the story of Commemoration to life through collaboration with communities, historical associations, post primary and primary schools etc though art, music and exhibitions.

Cork City Council’s  Commemoration Fund was advertised on the 1st December 2021, seeking applications with a closing date of 31st January, 2022. Communities, schools,  organisations etc, across Cork City were invited to avail of Cork City Council’s Cork Commemoration Fund to support commemoration of events.

The Principles and Values which the Council will seek to enshrine as part of the fund, are as follows:

• Reflect the pride in Cork and its people and the roles they played in the events of 100 years ago, pride in their heroic efforts, and their resilience in rebuilding their city.
• Honour the courage of the so-called ‘ordinary’ people who took part in the struggle, and their perseverance in the face of adversity.
• Honour the reasons why they took part in the struggle and continue to seek to bring about the type of Ireland the Volunteers envisaged – equality, fairness, women’s rights and access to jobs.
• Reflect on the experiences of women during this period and their contribution to the events that occurred, including their changing role in society.
• Recognize that history is not black and white, that stories most be told from all sides to allow for reconciliation and healing, and that the trauma of the period needs to be addressed, perhaps through the schools as an educational programme on the effects of conflict.