After the end of the Civil War in May 1923 Ireland was not a friendly place for any person who took an Anti-Treaty stance. Many were repeatedly arrested badly mistreated while in custody and were released without charge. Others were dismissed from State positions under the first Free State government.
It was not until Fianna Fail took office nine years later in 1932 that it was even conceivable that any permanent monument could be erected to honour the memory of General Liam Lynch. Lynch’s former comrades, in consultation with his family, set about constructing a magnificent memorial in the Knockmealdown Mountains where he was mortally wounded.
Only Daniel O’Connell has a more impressive structure built in his memory anywhere on the island of Ireland. What is most impressive is that a small local committee of his loyal supporters, mainly from Newcastle, Goatenbridge, Ardfinnan and Knocklofty succeeded in getting architects drawings produced, fundraised far and wide, including in the USA, and then constructed the monument all in less than three years and unveiled it in April 1935.
Each and every monetary contribution was logged and a receipt was issued to all by one of the two joint treasurers of the first committee, James McGrath, Killeigh, Newcastle and Maurice O’Gorman Ardfinnan. It was built solely by voluntary labour as all involved had either served as soldiers under Liam Lynch’s command or given the Anti Treaty forces their full support in the Civil War.
Today the monument stands tall, constructed of sandstone rocks gathered on the surrounding mountain side. A Commemoration Committee has continued in existence in Newcastle since that date and has proudly ensured that Mass is celebrated in Newcastle in April each year in memory of their fallen hero the late General Liam Lynch.
