KILCULLEN, 9 September 2002: by Trish Whelan. Kilcullen celebrated the return of an ‘exile’ at a special Heritage Week presentation in the Town Hall last week.
Thanks to local businessman Pat Dunlea (above), a portrait of John La Touche by Swiss portrait painter Angelica Kauffmann returned to his native area.
Pat discovered the portrait of the former Harristown estate owner was for auction at Sotheby’s of London and promptly put in his bid for the portrait which was unveiled by journalist and art historical Robert O’Byrne, in the Kilcullen Heritage Centre on Wednesday last.
Nearby Harristown Estate came into the possession of the La Touche family in 1768. Turlough O’Riordan, who has written his Masters thesis on the La Touche Family spoke on the family before they came to Harristown. Pastor Dunlop, from Brannockstown, also provided a talk on the family’s time in Harristown.
Guests were welcomed by Nessa Dunlea (pictured on left with Pastor Robert Dunlop from Brannockstown), chairperson of Kilcullen Heritage Group. The evening programme also included the official opening of the Heritage Centre Office and a presentation of the Pender Papers and memorabilia including medals. The collection details his role in the formation of the State.
Col
Des Travers (above) gave a brief talk on the importance of this collection. James Pender’s son Michael and daughter Molly were special guests.
Born in Dublin James Pender 1896-1938 joined the Irish Volunteers where he served in the 2nd Battalion, Dublin Brigade. As a Volunteer he was his Unit’s standard-bearer and fought in the 1916 Rising. Taken prisoner, he was jailed and as a POW served time in Wakefield and Frongoch prisons.
Returning home he joined An Garda Siochana where he served in Kill, Ballingarry (Co Tipperary), Robertstown and in Kilcullen where he died at the age of 42.
Kilcullen Heritage Office at the Town Hall is opened to the public five days a week from 8.45am to 12pm.
