Legacies of Conflict Project aims to capture the Fingal stories of the era 1914-1945

Fingal County Council Heritage Office in partnership with Archaeology and Built Heritage are working on an important Legacies of Conflict project and would love your help. There are many stories relating to the era of conflict in Fingal between 1914 and 1945. Some are widely known and commemorated, other stories may just be known within families or communities. Legacies of Conflict Fingal 1914-1945 is a project that endeavours to capture and share those stories.

Fingal Heritage Office has been working with members of the Fingal Heritage Network to identify themes, places, events, artefacts and memorials from World War I, the 1916 Rising, the War of Independence, the Civil War and World War II or the Emergency in Fingal. Those members of the Network which include historical societies and heritage groups across the County have been investigating their archives for documents, photos and memorabilia relating to events in their areas.

The project will focus on recording conflict remains in the landscape, from the concrete defences installed near the airport during World War II, to the ambush sites during the revolutionary period. Many of these site leave little trace so it is important for them to be mapped for future generations. Another important focus is the production of a memory map where stories, films, photos and knowledge of the conflicts in Fingal can be shared.

‘There has been amazing work undertaken by Fingal’s historical societies and heritage groups to date, but there are many more stories out there. I am particularly interested in capturing the social effects of these conflicts’ said Fingal Heritage Officer, Christine Baker ‘What were the experiences of those who stayed behind? What are the women’s stories? It is important to give a voice to those often overlooked when we record these events’.

Franc Myles, project director for Archaeology and Built Heritage adds 'The principal outcome of the Legacies of Conflict project will be an innovative memory map which will visually represent this crucial period in the history of the state and enable researchers and interested members of the public to appreciate and locate what survives in the historical environment around them.'

If you have photos, stories, artefacts or memories relating to the 1914-1945 or know or sites or remains that should be recorded please contact us at [email protected]

For more information contact [email protected] / 086 7784669