A memorial to Kevin Barry was unveiled in Rathvilly this week.
The life-size statue honours Barry who was hanged on November 1, 2020 at the age of 18. He was the first and youngest person hanged during the War of Independence.
The memorial was unveiled by the Barry family, with Kevin Barry s nephew Kevin Barry Jr and his wife Evelyn doing the honours. In line with Covid-19 restrictions, no ceremony took place and the unveiling was attended privately by members of the Barry family. The date of January 20 is significant as Barry was born on that date in 1902.
Although born in Dublin, Barry had strong connections to Hacketstown and Rathvilly. As a child, he spent time at the family farm in Hacketstown and initially attended primary school in Rathvilly.