An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 35 By DAVID o'BRIEn, LIMERICk CIVIC tRuSt A campaign by Limerick Civic trust to repatriate military and other unique artefacts back to Ireland, that have a connection to Limerick, is gaining momentum. the campaign coincides with the trust's plans to convert a deconse- crated church into a Museum. St Munchin's Church on Church Street in King's Island, Limerick was built in 1827 and was renovated in 1980 by Limerick Civic Trust. When the conversion to a museum is complete, the Trust plans to exhibit two military collections already in its care - the Carrol Collection, which is currently housed in Trust's headquar- ters at Bishop's Palace, and the Armstrong collection. To expand the museum's offering, the voluntary organisation is working with several interested parties on the repatriation of other arte- facts of Irish historical significance from the UK, Europe and USA back to Ireland. Since the start of the year, the Trust has received two signifi- cant donations. In January, the Cotswold District Council in the UK confirmed it will fund the removal of an historic oak staircase from the Cotswold's Old Memorial Hospital and transfer it to the custodianship of the Limerick Civic Trust. The staircase – which is regarded as an official war memorial - was originally donated to the hospital by the Limerick-based family of Major Edgar James Bannatyne, who was a member of the Royal Flying Corps during World War 1 and died at Rendcomb airfield in the Cotswolds in 1917. Limerick Civic Trust will honour the memory of the Bannatyne's by installing the staircase into St Munchin's Church which con- tains a number of graves and monuments commemorating the Bannatyne family. During April the centenary of the death of Viscount Glent- worth was commemorated at St Mary's Cathedral, Limerick. Originally from Pallaskenry, he died when his plane was shot down during World War 1. At the commemoration, a wooden propeller fashioned into a cross was presented by the Pery family, who have strong ties to Limerick, to the Limerick Civic Trust. The propeller will also be put on display in the new museum. David O'Brien, CEO, Limerick Civic Trust, explained, "Our vision for the museum is to tell the military history of Limerick from the time of the Siege of Limerick forward. The Carrol Collection gives us one vista into this colourful military history. This collection was gifted to the Limerick Civic Trust by June O'Carroll Robertson, a descendant of the Carrol's of Tulla and Lissenhall in Co Tipperary. We believe there are other families now living abroad who would consider donating items of historical interest. Artefacts related to the military history of the region are of particular interest to us." The Trust recently launched an "Open Doors" campaign to help raise €350,000 so it can complete the conversion of St Munchin's Church into a Military Museum. Work completed since 2016 has been self-funded and this pot is almost completely expended. "We are happy with our progress to date but it has been slow because of the lack of funds, we need financial support if we are to open this museum by our target date of 2019. As with all large historic building projects, the conversion is costly and Limerick Civic Trust, as a voluntary organisation, is dependent on external sup- port," said David O'Brien. The non-political Museum, will commemorate the regiments of Limerick since the Siege in 1691 and provide a home for three historically significant collections; the Armstrong Collection, the Carrol Collection and the Patrick Casey Collection. "The question is, 'Does Limerick need a military museum?' and I think overwhelmingly the answer is, 'yes', for two reasons," said Brian McLoghlin, Chairman, Limerick Civic Trust. "Firstly, the mili- tary history of Limerick from the time of the Siege of Limerick right up to the world war needs to be properly recorded and told. Sec- ondly, this will become a unique visitor attraction that will greatly enhance the tourist offering in Limerick's medieval quarter." Limerick Civic Trust was formed in 1983, is an independent, non- profit making voluntary society. It is mainly supported through donations from local government, industry, business, and individu- als. Its mission is to protect and enhance Limerick's heritage and environment through conserva- tion and preservation, improving civic amenities and education and research. www.limerickcivictrust.ie www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 35 miliTary TreasUres being repaTriaTed baCk To ireland Stories of Limerick's Military Past to be Told in New Museum The Carrol Collection Viscount Glentworth's commemorative wooden propeller Inside St. Munchin's Church, Limerick St. Munchin's Church

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