The Cathaoirleach of the Killarney Municipal District, Cllr Marie Moloney, today (Friday) unveiled a plaque in the memory of Hannah Carey, the last person to die during the War of Independence.

PLAQUE: Owen O'Shea Historian Author and Communications Officer with Kerry County Council at the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to Hannah Carey the last person to die in Ireland's War of Independence on July 11 1921. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

HONOUR: Owen O'Shea (left) Historian Author and Communications Officer with Kerry County Council pictured at the unveiling of the plaque in honour of Hannah Carey by Cathaoirleach of Killarney Municipal District Cllr Marie Moloney which took place at O’Donoghue’s Bar Tower's Hotel College Street Killarney formally The Imperial Hotel. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Hannah Carey was killed outside the Imperial Hotel on College Street a few minutes before noon on July 11 1921, when the truce that ended the war came into effect.

The RIC and Black and Tans were firing indiscriminately as they drove down College Street. Carey was struck by a stray bullet. She was going about her day's work at the Imperial Hotel, now known as the Killarney Towers Hotel.

The unveiling took place at O’Donoghue’s Bar, Tower's Hotel, College Street, formally The Imperial Hotel.

It was hoped to unveil the plaque in July last year to coincide with the centenary but COVID-19 crowd gathering rules at that time put a stop to it.

Ms Carey was from the Scart Cross area and Mayor Moloney has been trying to make contact with her descendants.

“Local historian Owen O’Shea has helped a lot with this project. So far we have been unable to find a direct descendant but the Careys that live in the area are trying to find out too,” the Mayor told the Killarney Advertiser.

“Maybe today's event will spark some interest. I first mooted this idea a long time ago – it is so important to mark local history."