Book is perfect end to centenary

Alan Bogan, Marcus Howard and Padraic Agnew - the young Dundalk man who designed the only commemorative medal for relatives in Ireland in 2016 - came together earlier this year to put together the book, 'The Louth Volunteers 1916'. All three are related to people who played roles in the Rising in Dundalk.

The project is the result of seven months of painstaking research and writing and it has been funded by the men themselves, with no outside cash provided.

Padraic said: 'We met through the setting up of the relatives' committee and Alan had done a lot of the research. He invited Marcus and I to come on board with the book'.

It was a question of formalising the stories that had been handed down through families for 100 years. The release of the witness statements and pension applications, giving many of the men's accounts in their own words, are the backbone of this book and the events described by them are contextualised by the writers against what was happening in Dublin and the rest of the country. In addition, the role of Louth women in Cumann na nBan is also examined and revealed.

Marcus said: 'We didn't just want to remember the 1916 volunteers, but also to give families something to show future generations'. It details the meticulous planning that went into the Rising not only in Dublin but in Dundalk, Drogheda and Mid Louth and what happened when the orders were countermanded. The writers were greatly assisted by Noel Agnew and they have done the relatives proud. The book is available from writespace.ie website or by calling 0877694872.