Thomas Ashe Display
Thomas Ashe was born at Kinard near Dingle in Co. Kerry on 12 January 1885. On display is his portrait, which was given to the school by Fr. Dempsey.
He completed his teacher education at the De La Salle College in Waterford in 1906 and took up a position as Principal of Corduff NS in Lusk, Co. Dublin in 1908. On display is a copy of the letter of recommendation he received before his appointment and his letter of acceptance (courtesy of Maurice Mathews).
Thomas Ashe lived in the house behind the school where our neighbours the Kirwans now live in Ashe House. He was a popular teacher and was very active in the community. He was a great supporter of the Round Towers GAA club, which had been founded in 1906. He was a co-founder of The Black Raven Pipe Band in 1910. He was involved with Conradh na Gaeilge and was the President of the Supreme Council of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB).
Ashe was an Irish Volunteer and an active participant in the 1916 Easter Rising. He commanded the 5th Battalion of The Irish Volunteers – The Fingal Battalion. Their successful campaign included capturing the Royal Irish Constabulary barracks in Swords, Garristown and Ashbourne. Upon his arrest, he was sentenced to death on 11 May 1916, but this sentence was commuted to penal servitude for life. He was imprisoned in Lewes Gaol in England where he became one of the leaders alongside Eamon de Valera. On display is a copy of a letter he wrote to his father during his time in prison (courtesy of the Mathews-Gallagher family). During this time he wrote his poem "Let Me Carry Your Cross for Ireland, Lord!", which is on display here. His post at Corduff was held open for him by Fr Hoey.
In June 1917, the prisoners were released in a general amnesty. Ashe resumed his political activities in Ireland. In August 1917 he was re-arrested while making a speech in Co. Longford, where Michael Collins was also speaking. He was sentenced to two years hard labour in Mountjoy Gaol. Ashe and other prisoners went on hunger strike on 20 September 1917 to demand political prisoner status. On 25 September he died age 32 years in the Mater Hospital as a result of brutal force feeding at the prison. “If I die, I die in a good cause,” he proclaimed before his death. His body lay in state in City Hall and he was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.
In 1966, on the 50th anniversary of the 1916 Rising, President Eamon de Valera attended a parish mass requested by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) and visited our school. Around this time, a plaque to Thomas Ashe was erected, which was made of Connemara marble and gold. The plaque is on display as well as a photograph of de Valera’s visit.
On 12th January 1985 on the centenary of his birth, an Arbutus tree (Strawberry Tree) was planted in the school’s front garden by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO). A commemorative stone was erected. A photograph of the event is on display. The Arbutus tree normally grows in Mediterranean countries, but because of the mild Gulf Stream it also grows in the wild in Kerry. We thought a Strawberry tree in the school garden would be a suitable way to commemorate the brave Kerry patriot who taught in our school and lived in our community.
During the 1916-2016 Centenary year and the 2017 Centenary commemorations of his death in 1917, we have remembered this great educator and patriot with pride. The 1916 Proclamation and the school’s Proclamation for a New Generation 2016 are on display. The Thomas Ashe Centenary March 1916-2016 composted by Black Raven piper Liam Clare is also on display. The photographs on display demonstrate how Thomas Ashe is being honoured once again by the whole school community, by the INTO and by local groups such as The Lusk Community Council, The Lusk Heritage Group, The Round Towers GHFC and The Black Raven Pipe Band.