Grandpa the Sniper lecture

As part of the 1916 Centenary Programme, Mullingar Library is hosting author and broadcaster Frank Shouldice, who will deliver a talk on his book “Grandpa the sniper”.

The event takes place this Tuesday, April 12, at 6.30 pm.

This is the fascinating story of his grandfather (also Frank Shouldice) who though born in

Ballaghaderreen lined up (with his brother Jack) for the Dublin football team in the final of the

GAA’s ‘Croke Cup’ in 1916. Shortly after the Shouldice brothers lined out for Dublin in Croke Park they found themselves embroiled in the Easter Rising in the city.

Frank Shouldice was a sniper based in the Malthouse attached to the Jameson distillery at North King street. The veteran marksman kept many personal letters received during his various periods of incarceration in Ireland, England and Wales. The author in researching his book examined these personal records and also trawled through the national archives and military records – in the course of his research he un-earthed an MI5 surveillance file on the “most disloyal” Shouldice family!

Frank Shouldice Jnr is a producer / director with RTE’s Investigations Unit and has produced a number of in-depth documentaries, both for television and radio. He has also written extensively about social issues and sport for the national press. This will also be the official launch of a 1916 centenary exhibition in Mullingar Library.

‘A Terrible Beauty is Born’ deals with the national figures of the Rising including the seven signatories of the Proclamation and the nine others who were executed during 1916. This exhibition includes rare material from the Library Collection including a half-sheet printing of the Proclamation and a conjuring book which once belonged to Thomas Clarke.

The exhibition will also feature a number of gems from the Aidan Heavey Collection, normally held in Athlone. Aidan Heavey (1927-2015) had a particular interest in the history and literature of the Easter Rising and the exhibition will include several unique items: books and memorabilia relating to such figures as Padraig Pearse, Roger Casement, Thomas Mac- Donagh, Eamonn Ceannt and Joseph Mary Plunkett. One particularly poignant item is a copy of Joseph Plunkett’s poetry collection ‘The Circle and the sword’ which he inscribed to his fiancée, Grace Gifford, and is dated New Year 1916.

Admission is free but booking is advisable. For further details contact Mullingar Library on 044 9332161. Follow Westmeath Libraries on twitter, facebook or tumblr. Check out the Westmeath Centenary programme on www.westmeathcoco.ie