Tracing Corporal Ryan With Borrisoleigh Historical Society

“Now every April I sit on my porch and I watch the parade pass before me.
I see my old comrades, how proudly they march, renewing their dreams of past glories.
I see the old men all tired, stiff and worn, those weary old heroes of a forgotten war.
And the young people ask “What are they marching for?” and I ask myself the same question.
And the band plays Waltzing Matilda and the old men still answer the call
But year after year, their numbers get fewer, someday, no one will march there at all.”  (Lyrics Eric Bogle.)

On Wednesday November 20th, the newly formed Borrisoleigh Historical Society will hold a lecture in the local Community Centre, beside the Church, in Borrisoleigh, Co Tipperary. Borrisoleigh Historical Society was formed, for the first time, back in May of this year and already boasts a local membership of over 20 lovers of Irish history. The Annual Membership fee to join this society is just €10 and the Society extend a “Céad Mile Fáilte” to everyone or anyone interested in history and researching not just local history, of which there is an enormous legacy, but Irish history in general.

Corporal Lewis Ryan – Meuse-Argonne Offensive in the Argonne Forest region of France.

The Societies next meeting, on November 20th and commencing at 8.30pm sharp, promises to be interesting, and will take a close look at the life and times of Corporal Lewis Ryan, who was born in Coarsepark, Borrisoleigh, Co Tipperary in 1890, under the heading; ” Corporal Lewis Ryan, US Army – Forgotten Soldier of WWI.”

This lecture will attempt to trace Corporal Ryan’s family links and his early life in Borrisoleigh, prior to emigrating to America in 1912, and also his life as an emigrant serving with the 77th Division of the American Army. Corporal Ryan lost his life in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in the Argonne forest, latter a long strip of rocky mountain and wild woodland in north-eastern France, whilst leading a reconnaissance against German machine gun posts, on the 7th Oct 1918. Corporal Ryan’s body today lies buried in the Meuse-Argonne US Military Cemetery, France.

The lecture will be delivered by Mr John Flannery, latter President of Ormond Historical Society, Nenagh. Entry to this lecture is just €5 and so if you are free on the night the Society, under the Chairmanship of Michael Delaney, would love if you could attend.

Note: In another very important lecture, planned for December 10th, it is hoped to feature Mr Sean Hogan, author of the recently published “The Black and Tans in North Tipperary.” Further details of this latter event are expected to be announced later.

So make those long winter night’s shorter in the company of Borrisoleigh Historical Society, beginning on Wednesday November 20th.