Heritage Week in Longford to have event in Ballymahon with lecture on history

On Wednesday, August 20, 2025 during National Heritage Week Ireland, the Ballymahon Leo Casey Historical Society will host a lecture by Seán Ó Súilleabháin on the Assault and Capture on the R.I.C. Barracks during the Irish War of Independence, and how this single brave act helped to shape the nation’s future.

It was instrumental in driving success in becoming an independent nation, after 800 years of oppression, under British Rule.

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Seán Ó Súilleabháin is a native of Aughakine, Aughnacliffe, Co Longford. He went to Aughnacliffe NS and Moyne Latin School. His working life was spent in libraries; with Dublin City Libraries from 1968-1978 and with Leitrim County Library from 1978-2012. He has a deep interest in everything Irish, including the GAA, Irish language and Irish Republicanism.

On August 20, 2022, a plaque was erected on the Old R.I.C. Barracks building on Main Street Ballymahon, sponsored by John Nally of Nally’s Courtyard, by local historian Ronan O Ceallaigh, to mark this huge event in South Longford, and the nation’s history. This was followed by a filmed reenactment of the same event, directed by him in 2023.

“It’s important that we commemorate these historic events for future generations to come,” says Ronan O Ceallaigh.

To mark the 105th anniversary, of this Raid on the R.I.C. Barracks in Ballymahon, Co. Longford, Ballymahon Leo Casey Historical Society are hosting a lecture, to be delivered by Seán Ó Súilleabháin, in Ballymahon Community Library, on Wednesday, August 20 at 7pm. Ballymahon Community Library is located on Main Street, Ballymahon town. Everyone is welcome, and promises to be a very informative evening.

This is a free event. Tá fáilte roimh gach duine.

Some context was provided behind the event:

The Assault; Capture of the Ballymahon R.I.C. Barracks, came at a crucial time in the War of Independence, 1919 - 1921. Following assaults on Drumlish and Ballinamuck Barracks led by Seán Connolly and Seán Mac Eoin the local resistance campaign was gaining momentum.

A daring raid by Mac Eoin and five others on the Upper Military Barracks in Longford (now Pearse Park) on August 18th yielded 11 rifles, 550 rounds of ammunition, grenades and other equipment.

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Not a man to rest on his laurels, Seán Mac Eoin met Seán Connolly and finalised arrangements for an assault on Ballymahon to take place the following night, August 19. Ballymahon Barracks, on the town's Main Street, was manned by 15-20 RIC/Tans.

“As they approached the barracks, Sean Connolly warned the men, that they on a dangerous mission, and suggested that each of them make an Act of Contrition.”