Mayo's link to 1798 Rebellion is remembered 

The French landing in County Mayo in August 1798 and the subsequent military campaign were commemorated at a gathering in Belcarra Community Centre on August 27th last. The event was organised by Dr Michael O’Connor and Caroline O’Connor of County Mayo History and Heritage Group; Jim O’Connor, Local Studies, Mayo County Library in Castlebar and members of the Belcarra community, including Mary Fitzgerald, Mary B. Prendergast, and Mary Joe Cannon. The guest of honour was French Honorary Consul Ms Catherine Gagneux.

At the centre of the event was an extensive exhibition of historical manuscripts, maps, photographs, drawings, songs, poems, books, and memorabilia that told the story of the 1798 Rebellion in Mayo from the perspective of the principal participants. The exhibition included rare items from private collections, as well as an extensive display of material from the archives of Mayo County Library. There were also images from the 1982 RTÉ television series, The Year of the French. Speeches were delivered by Fionnan Nestor, who chaired the event, Dr Michael O’Connor, Honorary Consul Gagneux and Jim O’Connor.

Mr Nestor emphasised the importance of the 1798 Rebellion in Irish history while Ms. Gagneux spoke about the long and close ties between Ireland and France, the commemoration of the rebellion and the principles of liberté, égalité and fraternité that underpin the French Republic. 

Dr O’Connor spoke about the military significance of the Battle of Castlebar and the short-lived Republic of Connaught, which was, generations later, followed by a more enduring and no less hard-won Irish Republic. He thanked Catherine Gagneux for attending and noted the significance of the presence of a representative of the French Government in Belcarra exactly 227 years after the engagement at nearby French Hill that took the lives of several French soldiers. 

Dr O'Connor emphasised the importance of keeping alive the memory of those who died for a noble cause during the rebellion. He stressed that the republic that was born out of this and subsequent conflicts is a place we can be proud of, where people can live freely and safely. He said he was encouraged by the fact that the vast majority of Irish people believe in the principles of respect, inclusivity, and tolerance, and he reminded those present of the importance of factual and evidence-based accounts of our history.

Jim O’Connor outlined the resources available at Mayo County Library for those researching the history of the rebellion and those involved, including in-library and online sources. He also emphasised the importance of local folklore, oral histories, and efforts underway to preserve and make these critical sources accessible. 

The congenial ambience of the gathering, which was attended by people from Ireland and abroad, was greatly enhanced by a selection of French food and wine and the sublime music of harpists Kate Heaney and Caoimhe Kilkenny.