On 2 September 2025 a large crowd assembled at the Lalor Centre in Baltinglass for Liam Kenny’s lecture about the Glen of Imaal’s association with both the British and Irish Armies. The talk marked the 100th anniversary of the first ceremonial use of the Artillery Range by the Army of the Irish Free State in September 1925. This lecture was in fact a reprieve of Liam’s earlier talk given at Coolmoney camp and Leitrim on 23 May 2024 which marked the 125th anniversary of the firing of the first salvo at the range by the British Army.
Liam recounted the background to the purchase of the first tranche of lands in the Glen of Imaal by the British War Department, the terms of which were eventually agreed with the tenants (large and small farmers) in 1898. Some of Liam’s extensive research was conducted at The National Archives, Kew Gardens, London. When combined with The Irish Census records for 1901 and 1911, Liam was able to track how several townlands became devoid of people. The townlands impacted were Ballyvoghan, Camera, Camerahill North, Cannow, Knickeen, Knockamunnion and to a lesser extent Leitrim.
In time, the summer months would bring up to 2,500 British soldiers and 500 horses to the Glen, with all the accompanying logistical and other challenges. The British Army formally handed-over Coolmoney and Leitrim Houses and camps and the Artillery Range to the Irish Free State in early 1923. Since 1925 the Glen of Imaal has hosted all branches of our Defence Forces, with soldiers and reservists from every county coming to know this corner of West Wicklow.
We are very grateful to Liam Kenny for facilitating the marking of two key dates in the story of the Glen of Imaal’s association with the British and Irish armies.
Photo: The Royal Horse Artillery coming into the ‘Artillery Practice Camp, Glen of Imaal, Co. Wicklow’ in June 1904. The location was identified as Snugboro Bridge on the night of Liam’s lecture. The photo is provided courtesy of Lt. Col. Bernard Behan and Liam Kenny.