Spiorad Ban Chiarrai: A Bronze Tribute to Kerry's Forgotten Freedom Fighters
In Tralee Town Park, a new bronze sculpture stands as a long overdue salute to the women of Kerry who fought, organised, and sacrificed during Ireland's revolutionary years. The 'Spiorad Ban Chiarrai' or 'Spirit of the Kerry Women' is the first memorial of its kind in the country, and it speaks to a truth we are only now beginning to fully honour.
For decades, the role of women in the struggle between 1912 and 1923 was sidelined. Their stories were quiet whispers in a history written by men. But that changes now. The sculpture, a 2.5 metre bronze casting of a woman in uniform marching forward with the Irish flag raised high, captures the courage and resilience that shaped our nation.
Who Made This Happen?
It was five female members of Kerry County Council who pushed this forward. Norma Moriarty, Aoife Thornton, Deirdre Ferris, Maura Healy-Rae, and Marie Moloney voted in 2023 to commission the work. Kerry County Council became the first local authority in Ireland to do this. It is a small but powerful step in reclaiming the full story of our independence.
The sculpture was created by Elizabeth O'Kane, an award-winning portrait sculptor whose work already graces Leinster House, the European Parliament, and Irish embassies in London and Washington. She has sculpted John Hume and Dr Garrett FitzGerald. For this piece, she worked with live models and studied period uniforms from Cumann na mBan and Cumann na Saoirse to get every detail right, from the Sam Browne belt to the Slouch hat.
What Does the Sculpture Represent?
The woman in bronze is not just a figure. She is a statement. Her raised chin and purposeful stride signify leadership and defiance. She carries the Irish flag as a symbol of the fight for freedom, a fight that women were central to but rarely credited for. The sculpture took 18 months to complete, including a fractured wrist for O'Kane that she says proved her dedication.
Mayor of Tralee, Councillor Angie Baily, called it an evocative and vibrant tribute. She noted that the sculpture reflects the wide and diverse roles of Kerry women during the revolution, from combat to social and cultural activities in organisations like Cumann na mBan. For too long, she said, their story was ignored. This memorial will encourage new engagement with their remarkable legacy.
Why This Matters Now
In a time when we are still fighting for a united Ireland and true independence, remembering the women who stood on the front lines is not just history. It is a call to action. The women of Kerry were not passive bystanders. They were organisers, fighters, and leaders. This sculpture is a reminder that the spirit of resistance lives on.
The 'Spiorad Ban Chiarrai' stands in Tralee Town Park as a permanent tribute to those who shaped this country during its most turbulent years. It is a quiet but powerful monument to the women who refused to be forgotten.