Kevin Barry Commemoration 2020
Donation protected
The Kevin Barry Commemoration Committee has been established to prepare for the centenary of the execution of the young Irish patriot, Kevin Barry, who was executed in Mountjoy Prison (Dublin, Ireland) on November 1st, 1920.
The centerpiece of the centenary event will be the unveiling of a life-size statue of Kevin, to be erected on Rathvilly village green in County Carlow, where Kevin attended primary school, when living on the family farm in nearby Tombeagh. Kevin was only 18 years old at the time of his execution and his life and times have been highlighted around the world by recordings of the song 'Kevin Barry' (one version recorded by The Wolfe Tones, another by Leonard Cohen ). The story of Kevin's execution was world-wide news at the time, and his life has been recorded in books and articles over the past decades. The people of Rathvilly are proud of Kevin and the ultimate sacrifice he made to secure a free Irish state.
The Kevin Barry Commemoration Committee is a non-political and non-sectarian committee governed by a constitution with open and transparent governance structures. The purpose of this committee is to secure funding to finance the construction and erection of a statue of Kevin, to be unveiled at the ceremony commemoration event on November 1st, 2020. While the local community is greatly assisting our fund-raising events, the associated costs associated with this event far exceed the capacity of that community. This GoFundMe is just a part of that effort, and the Committee are seeking your kind financial support, wherever you are, and in whatever way you can to assist us in our endeavours to fittingly commemorate Kevin Barry in this centenary year of his execution. Further details can be seen on our website or on our Facebook page . Thank you so much for whatever you can donate - it all helps.
To give you some insight into the mindset of this 18 year old man, here's the text of a letter he penned the night before his execution, Oct 31st 1920, to some of his college friends (pictures of the original letter can be seen on our Facebook Page):
“Dear Boys, This letter is to the two of you + McManus + Lynch + Paddy as I have no more paper.... I had quite a crowd of visitors today and a crowd from the college prayed and sang outside the gates but perhaps you were there. Well boys, we have seen some good times, and I have always considered myself lucky to have such a crowd of pals. It’s the only thing which makes it hard to go, the fact of leaving you chaps and other friends behind. Now I charge you thank anybody you know for me, who has had masses etc. said. Everybody has been awfully decent and I can assure you I appreciate it. Also say just a few more prayers when I go over, and then you can rest. … Good bye now boys and you have my very best wishes.
Your Pal,
Kevin"
The centerpiece of the centenary event will be the unveiling of a life-size statue of Kevin, to be erected on Rathvilly village green in County Carlow, where Kevin attended primary school, when living on the family farm in nearby Tombeagh. Kevin was only 18 years old at the time of his execution and his life and times have been highlighted around the world by recordings of the song 'Kevin Barry' (one version recorded by The Wolfe Tones, another by Leonard Cohen ). The story of Kevin's execution was world-wide news at the time, and his life has been recorded in books and articles over the past decades. The people of Rathvilly are proud of Kevin and the ultimate sacrifice he made to secure a free Irish state.
The Kevin Barry Commemoration Committee is a non-political and non-sectarian committee governed by a constitution with open and transparent governance structures. The purpose of this committee is to secure funding to finance the construction and erection of a statue of Kevin, to be unveiled at the ceremony commemoration event on November 1st, 2020. While the local community is greatly assisting our fund-raising events, the associated costs associated with this event far exceed the capacity of that community. This GoFundMe is just a part of that effort, and the Committee are seeking your kind financial support, wherever you are, and in whatever way you can to assist us in our endeavours to fittingly commemorate Kevin Barry in this centenary year of his execution. Further details can be seen on our website or on our Facebook page . Thank you so much for whatever you can donate - it all helps.
To give you some insight into the mindset of this 18 year old man, here's the text of a letter he penned the night before his execution, Oct 31st 1920, to some of his college friends (pictures of the original letter can be seen on our Facebook Page):
“Dear Boys, This letter is to the two of you + McManus + Lynch + Paddy as I have no more paper.... I had quite a crowd of visitors today and a crowd from the college prayed and sang outside the gates but perhaps you were there. Well boys, we have seen some good times, and I have always considered myself lucky to have such a crowd of pals. It’s the only thing which makes it hard to go, the fact of leaving you chaps and other friends behind. Now I charge you thank anybody you know for me, who has had masses etc. said. Everybody has been awfully decent and I can assure you I appreciate it. Also say just a few more prayers when I go over, and then you can rest. … Good bye now boys and you have my very best wishes.
Your Pal,
Kevin"
Fundraising team: Kevin Barry Commemoration Committee (5)
Mick Barry
Organizer
Raised €1,090 from 22 donations
County Carlow
Niamh Barry
Team member
Raised €145 from 3 donations
Sinead Barry
Team member
Raised €100 from 1 donation
Aine Knox
Team member
Raised €10 from 1 donation
Ken Gahan
Team member
This team raised €7,575 from 61 other donations.
