AMERICAN Civil War hero Colonel Patrick Kelly, a native of Castlehacket, Tuam was commemorated by the unveiling of a plaque at Knockma. Francis Bligh, Col Kelly's grandnephew and local historian Anna McHugh are pictured at the unveiling. Photo: Ray Ryan

Stone to Civil War hero at Knockma

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THE sun shone over the battlefield of Petersburg on June 16, 1864, and 150 years later it shone over Knockma when a man who died at Petersburg during the American Civil War was commemorated on his native heath.
The Castlehacket native, Colonel Patrick Kelly, was only 42 when he was killed serving his adopted country, and though he left no children, his family was represented by his grandnephew and nieces.
The stone commemorating him is only a few yards from the original Castle Hacket School and it was appropriate that schoolchildren from the new school should sing the US and Irish national anthems at the unveiling.
Lieut Col Sean Cosden, US Air Force, who is the Defence and Air Attaché at the US Embassy, performed the unveiling ceremony. The Army was represented by Comdt Cathal Esler and Capt Brian Connolly of An Céad Cath, Dun Ui Mhaoiliosa.

David Burke
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