The Jackie Clarke Collection is truly honoured to receive a most unique and beautiful donation.
The Thomas Ashe Banner was handmade by the Sisters of Charity at Banada Abbey in 1918 for Kilkelly Sinn Féin Club. It made its first public appearance at a mass anti-conscription rally in Ballaghadreen at which Éamon De Valera and John Dillon addressed the large crowds assembled.
The intricate banner cost £35 to make at the time and was restored in more recent years thanks to the tireless efforts a group led by author, historian and distinguished Kilkelly native, Mr. Jimmy Duffy (RIP).
The banner was displayed in the former Kilkelly Library. It has now been rehomed in the Jackie Clarke Collection thanks to the foresight & coordination of Cllr. John Caufield, Dara Calleary TD and Mr.Jimmy Maloney.
The banner is currently on public display in the Collection, flanked by the tricolor which was draped on Ashe’s coffin, generously donated by Mr. Michael Grealy in 2017.