Presentation last year to Jacob and Elisa Kennedy by Jane O’Reilly (second left) and Michael O’Connor (right). Jane was the host of the event at Fore Abbey Coffee Shop. Michael is the author of ‘From Sligo to Stringybark’, which tells the story of the murders and looks at the lives of the policemen of Stringybark, who were all born in Ireland.

Fore launch for book on Ned Kelly's murder of Westmeath policeman in Oz

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The launch of a book with immense local interest for the people of Fore and Ballinacree takes place this Saturday, November 1.

'From Sligo to Stringybark' by Michael O’Connor tells the story of the murder by the infamous Australian Bushranger Edward Ned Kelly of three Irish born policemen at Stringybark Creek, Victoria, Australia in October 1878.

One of the murdered men was Michael Kennedy, who was born in Tonaghmore, Fore.

He emigrated to Australia in 1864.

The book tells the story of the three murdered policemen from their birth in Ireland to their death at the hands of the Kelly Gang in Australia.

Michael Kennedy’s home still stands in Tonaghmore and a number of his descendants have made the trip to Fore to visit their ancestral home.

The book launch will take place at Fore Abbey Coffee shop on Saturday November 1 at 5pm.

A memorial plaque to Michael Kennedy was unveiled at the coffee shop in 2023.

This is an event of important local heritage and the author cordially invites those interested to attend the launch.

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