Lyn Ebenezer's talk on Frongoch and the Birth of the IRA

News from An Conradh Ceilteach (Irish Branch of The Celtic League)

Bhí an seomra in Ionad an Phiarsaigh lán go doras aréir le chaint Lyn Ebenezer ar Frongoch agus tús an IRA a chloisteáil. Buíochas le Lyn agus na Breathnaigh ó S4C a thaisteail transa. Beidh clár faisnéise faoin gcomóradh, an chaint agus saol Lyn á thaispeáint ar S4C i Mí Meán Fómhair. Idir an dá linn beidh baill an Conradh Ceiltigh ag tabhairt cuairt ar Frongoch ar an 11ú Meitheamh.

The Pearse Centre was packed to capacity to hear Lyn Ebenezer's talk on Frongoch and the Birth of the IRA.  Lyn outlined the events of 1916 running up to the opening  of Frongoch internment camp in North Wales in early June 2016. With some 1800 prisoners. He outlined the harsh conditions and terrible food the internees had to endure. He spoke of the many disputes the prisoners had with the camp authorities, particularly their refusal to answer a roll call identifying prisoners in order to protect those who had lived or worked in Britain which made them liable for conscription. After a hunger strike and individual questioning of many at a kangaroo court in the south of England the authorities had to abandon the attempt.

He mentioned how the Irish were impressed with the everyday use of the Welsh by the workmen in the camp. Classes were organised not only for Irish but for Welsh. He said many locals in the Frongoch area were sympathetic to the Irish.

The Irish prisoners took the opportunity to exchange information and plan tactics for the next phase of the armed struggle.

Issued by Alastair Kneale: The Celtic League