Appeal for photos to mark anniversary of hero Moylan

A MAJOR celebration is planned this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of former cabinet minister and Republican hero Seán Moylan.

Members of the Seán Moylan Commemoration Committee said they are planning a very special event this year and have set up a special sub-committee which appealed to the public yesterday for any old records or photos to help the commemoration.

“Records and photos which would be useful could include those of Seán Moylan, his life and times, and the old group photos of the commemorations of past years,” a spokesman said.

Seán Moylan was born in Kilmallock in 1889. He was Commandant of the Cork No 2 Battalion of the IRA. He was captured and interned on Spike Island in May 1921.

He was elected to Dáil Éireann while in prison as a Sinn Féin TD. Moylan fought on the Republican side in the Civil War.

In 1926 Moylan originally opposed the setting up of Fianna Fáil but joined the new party later that year.

He was elected TD for Cork North in 1932. He was appointed to the Cabinet in 1943 as Minister for Lands. Moylan remained in this office until 1948.

He served as Minister for Education from 1951 until 1954. He lost his seat in 1957 but was elected to the Senate later that year.

Seán Moylan died suddenly on November 16, 1957.

Any information or photos should be sent to Christy O’Keeffe, Glounreigh, Kiskeam, Richard Dennehy, Reallen, Kiskeam (chairman), Vincent Guiney, Knocknanaugh, Kiskeam (secretary), Bernard Moynihan, Meens, Kiskeam, or Jerry Cahill, Knocknanaugh, Kiskeam.