A CASTLEDERMOT man with a lifelong interest in and passion for history and atrchaeology was honoured recently by his peers in the County Kildare Archaeological Society.

Eamon Kane was presented with the prestigious Lord Walter Fitzgerald Medal for his life-long commitment to researching and communicating the history of County Kildare, and for his many years ‘as a very active council member of the society’ that included being asssistant editor of the society’s journal since 2003.

Eamon and Nábla Kane

Professor Raymond Gillespie, History Department Maynooth University, and Editor of the Society’s Journal made the formal presentation of the Lord Walter to Eamon at an honorary dinner in the Killashee House Hotel.

President of the society Hugh Crawford, presided over the event which included a large attendance including special guests Professor Marian Lyons, Head of the History Department, Maynooth University and Dr Bernadette Cunningham, Royal Irish Academy, together with many members of the society and Eamon’s wife Nábla and family members from as far away as the United States.

The president said the society had first visited Killashee House in 1892 and that Lord Walter had been present that day.

Presenting the award Professor Gillespie said Eamon’s role as an active member of County Kildare Archaeological Society for almost 50 years was a remarkable achievement. He also cited Eamon’s active involvement in the Kildare Heritage Forum and the Historic Monuments Advisory Council of Kildare Co Council.

”Eamon is very proud of the place where he lives and is always proud to show it off to others. He has left his mark through the detail of what he has written on ‘Laurence O’ Toole’, ‘The Battle of Ballaghmoon’ and ‘The Cause of 1798 rebellion in Co Kildare’ and he has also left his mark in a more tangible way on the landscape with commemorations at Mullaghreelan, Mullaghmast and Ballaghmoon. The monuments Eamon erected at these sites ensure that things that would have otherwise been forgotten are known and will be remembered well into the future.”

Professor Lyons also highlighted Eamon’s long serving commitment and loyalty to history in Co Kildare and recalled his time as one of her mature history students, and of him being a proud graduate of the university. She said the university at Maynooth was proud of its unique relationship with the society and she would do everything possible to continue this partnership.

In a passionate speech Eamon Kane thanked everybody associated with “bestowing this great honour on him”. He said he had met many wonderful people and had great friends in the society and he enjoyed every moment of his association with it over the years.

Mr Crawford appealed to all present to pass on to their friends the great work being conducted by the society which had started away back in 1891 and that anyone wishing to join would receive a warm welcome.

He invited all to follow the society’s website for upcoming events and announced that plans were at an advanced stage for a seminar to commemorate the 1916 Rising to be held on 12 March 2016 at which the international acclaimed historian Professor Roy Foster will be the keynote speaker.