Historian to give Naas talk on dramatic Curragh escape

An extraordinary wartime escape from the Curragh Camp will be brought to life at an illustrated talk in Naas next week.

Historian Michael Rowley will present ‘The Great Curragh Escape’, recounting the dramatic story of British airmen who were interned in the Curragh during the Second World War before staging a daring escape.

Drawing on official documents from the period, as well as local knowledge and research, Mr Rowley will examine the circumstances surrounding the escape and the wider security situation facing Ireland at a time when the country was under serious threat.

The talk will offer an insight into the experience of wartime internees in the Curragh and the events that led to their escape.

Mr Rowley holds an MA in Military History and has a particular interest in wartime air crashes in Ireland and the subsequent detention of air crews in the Curragh.

‘The Great Curragh Escape’ will take place on Tuesday, September 1, at 8pm in the Town House Hotel in Naas.

The event is being hosted by the Naas Local History Group and is open to everyone.

The talk promises to shed new light on a little-known episode from the Curragh’s wartime history, combining documentary evidence with local knowledge to tell the story of one of the camp’s most dramatic incidents.