Thomas Ashe’s death removed charismatic leader

The tactics used by the Fingal battalion foreshadowed those used in the War of Independence, writes Paul Maguire

THOMAS Ashe was born in Lispole, Co Kerry on January 12, 1885, the seventh child in an Irish-speaking farming family.

A fluent and enthusiastic gaeilgeoir, he was an excellent traditional singer and piper involved in virtually every aspect of the Gaelic revival. He was also a committed republican dedicated to the cause of Irish independence and these passions shaped his life.