The Courthouse Arts Centre in Tinahely was the venue for a lecture on Wednesday 9th April 2025 entitled ‘Tom Kehoe: the man from two counties’ . Christopher Power provided us with an captivating account of the life of Tom Kehoe who was born in 1899 on the Wicklow/Carlow border close to Knockananna. Kehoe was a direct participant in the 1916 Rising and also actively involved in the War of Independence. As a member of Michael Collin’s counterintelligence unit known as ‘The Squad’ he played a role in several grim and ruthless counterespionage operations. He was also a player in the traumatic events of Bloody Sunday.
After Independence Kehoe remained loyal to Collins and became a colonel in the newly formed Free State Army. He was just 23 years old when on 15 September 1922 when he and five other soldiers were killed in an IRA booby-trap ambush at Carrigaphooca near Macroom in West Cork.
We are indebted to Christopher Power for this well-researched and interesting lecture. The venue was ideal and a number of Tom Kehoe’s relatives attended on the night.
Christopher Power, a native of north county Wexford, has written a number of local histories on a variety of subjects. He has a keen interest in history and literature in general. His books include a biography of Tom Kehoe and the history of the Carlow Sugar Industry. He works in Carlow Local Studies and is secretary for the Parnell Society.
Photo (L to R): Patrick Power, Chris Lawlor and Christopher Power