Enniscorthy Castle Museum, and a Surprise #FCA #Dad

A couple of weeks ago I visited the Castle Museum in Enniscorthy which has been renovated over the past few years. We used to go there quite a bit when I was a youngster and I have to say that there seems to be a lot less material on display from what I remember in the past. I do recall the dampness and I'm sure that the renovation works will make the building last another few hundred years. While I was there, some of the rooms were closed due to floors being re-polished. Even the 1916 room seemed to have very little on display, and overall I was very disappointed with my visit - there is not really a lot on view though the dungeon and its medieval graffiti, was fascinating.

However, I was in for a surprise when I stopped by to check out the room in the round tower dedicated to 1916 commemorations!

On the 14th September 1958 there was an unveiling of a statue to Seámus Rafter, one of the leaders of the 1916 uprising in Enniscorthy. Part of the ceremony was a parade by the local North Wexford FCA (reserve defence forces), and there are a few photographs of the event in the Castle Museum. In one photo, I noticed a long line of marching FCA men, and decided for the hell of it to see if my Dad, who I knew was in the FCA at that time, was in the photo. Much to my surprise, I spotted someone who looked like him, can you see him in the photo below (click to enlarge)?

Photo taken with my iPhone in the Enniscorthy Castle Museum.
Copyright of Ger Carty. 

My Dad has confirmed that the guy under the "O" in the Joseph Doyle shop sign is him! What a surprise for us both! He had not seen this photo before, though guessed that it might have been in The Wexford Echo newspaper at the time. In another photo, my Uncle Pat is featured, and in another my grandfather PJ O'Loughlin may also be present. I have ordered copies from Ger Carty Photographers of Enniscorthy who own the copyright and I'm guessing whose ancestors were also responsible for taking the original photos.

A dull visit ended up to be quite exciting!