Athenry News & Views Summer 2026

Athenry News & Views

GAA wreath laying ceremony honouring Larry Lardner at Athenry Commemorative Garden A patriot and sportsman, he had a huge influence on the GAA, politics and National Movements. By Jarlath Cloonan

Larry Lardner

Larry Lardner embodied the ideals of patriotism, public service, and community spirit. As a patriot, soldier, and sportsman, he stands as a model citizen whose life’s work inspired a generation. A member of the successful Athenry De-Wetts football team, from an early age Larry demonstrated exceptional organisational abilities in particularly within the Gaelic Athletic Association (G.A.A.). So evident was his talent that, while still in his teens, he gained the recognition of the Galway County Board. He went on to serve as secretary to the County Board for eight years - a period during which records show a notable increase in the number of newly formed clubs. His passion extended beyond sport; he was also

deeply involved in the Language Movement, serving for many years as secretary of the local branch of the Gaelic League. Lardner’s leadership and dedication became especially prominent with the founding of the Irish Volunteer Movement in Galway in 1913 by Patrick Pearse and Roger Casement. He was entrusted with the task of organising Athenry and its surrounding areas. His organisational talents were again apparent when, in 1915, the late Liam Mellows made Athenry his headquarters. By then, Lardner had already helped lay the groundwork for the local uprising of 1916. In that pivotal year, he was appointed Commandant of the Galway Brigade of the Irish Volunteers. Following the Easter

Rising, Lardner was forced into hiding as he became a wanted man. In 1917, he was arrested and deported to England. He was again arrested in 1918 and sentenced to three months in Belfast Gaol. Upon completion of this sentence, he was re-arrested at the prison gates and charged in connection with the alleged “German Plot.” He was deported once more and served a twelve-month sentence in Lincoln Prison. Notably, he was among a group of prisoners that included Éamon de Valera, whose escape from Lincoln Lardner helped facilitate. At the Galway GAA County Convention held in Athenry on March 25th, County Secretary Stephen Jordan hailed the previous year as “a record one for the Association,” citing growing

At the wreath laying ceremony were, left to right, John Kennedy, Leo Coffey, Edward Conway, Tom Carr, Thomas Conway, Tadhg Costello, Paddy Farrell, Michael Crimmins, Joe Kelly, Jim Reidy and Norman Farrell.

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