Clare Museum has announced that it is to hold an exhibition marking the involvement of over 7,000 Clare men in the First World War.“90 Years On - County Clare and The Great War” will feature artefacts relating to the county’s participation in the 1914-1918 conflict. Among the items being placed on display are a Bayonet and Scabbard, 1914-1918 War Service Medal, Ypres Banner, a British Army trenching tool used by a Clareman during the First World War and an Irish War Hospital Supply Depot Pin. The exhibition would be launched on November 11 next, the 90th anniversary of the ending of the war.
Clare Museum Curator, Mr. John Rattigan explained that the majority of the 700 men from County Clare killed during the fighting were serving for the American, Canadian or British armies. He added, “Many Clare people are unaware of the considerable contribution made by their fellow county men to sign up and fight in the army of foreign country. It is widely accepted that a combination of unemployment, idealism and adventure probably accounted for most of the enlistment.”
350,000 Irishmen volunteered for service during WW1 in addition to the 50,000 Irishmen already serving in the regular army and reserve at the outbreak of the war. Most of the Clare men who enlisted to fight during the war served with Irish infantry regiments of the British Army, including The Royal Irish Regiment, The Connaught Rangers, The Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians), The Royal Munster Fusiliers and The Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Others served in British Regiments including the Tyneside, Liverpool and London Irish Battalions.
Meanwhile, Clare Museum is appealing to members of the public possessing relevant artefacts to consider their inclusion in the upcoming exhibition. According to Mr. Rattigan, “Artefacts of interest can include documents, uniforms, insignia, souvenirs, memorabilia and photographs. Any donated artefacts will be returned to their owner at the conclusion of the six week long exhibition.”
“90 Years On - County Clare and The Great War” will be launched on November 11th and will continue until Christmas. Clare Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday and admission is free of charge. Persons wishing to donate artefacts to the upcoming exhibition should contact John Rattigan at 065-6823382 or claremuseum@clarecoco.ie.
IMAGE 1
Irish War Hospital Supply Depot Pin, 1914-18. The Irish War Supply Depot was located at 40 Merrion Square, Dublin and had eight sub-depots in the three southern provinces. The First World War medical supply organisation provided the war effort with vital hospital equipment including splints, crutches and surgical supplies.
IMAGE 2
Bayonet and Scabbard. Dating from the early 20th Century, the bayonet and scabbard are of British Army issue
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British Army issue. Used by a Clareman during the First World War, it consists of a pick and shovel and was used for digging trenches.
