Up The Republic, She Raised The Battle Cry: Kathleen (Largey) Thompson

Léargas: A Podcast by Gerry Adams

It is my great privilege to have met many fine women and men over the years. The Léargas series of books is a record of some of these I came to know or to know of along life’s journey. It is very personal to me.
This week I published the latest of these. The seventh book in the series is titled; ‘Kathleen Thompson – Up The Republic, She Raised The Battle Cry’. It is a tribute to my good friend Kathleen Thompson and it includes a limited edition of one of her most popular CDs – Legion of the Rearguard.
Kathleen is for many of my generation the voice we most associate with the republican songs of the 1970s but she was not just a fabulous singer. She was also a committed republican activist. She understood that her music could move audiences and remind them of the importance of Ireland’s long struggle for freedom. Kathleen was a member of Cumann na mBan, of Green Cross and the National Graves. She was a strong supporter of the political prisoners and their families.
Kathleen was also one of the most giving people I know. She gave freely of her talents and her time for the Irish cause. She stood up for herself and for us all. All these years later I still miss her. Ireland and her family lost a bright shining star when she left us. Go ndeanfaidh Dia trocaire uirthi. Many thanks to everyone who shared their memories of Kathleen with us and special thanks to Richard McAuley for his input.