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History and Historical Sites

The Humbert Monument

The monument was erected in 1898 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French landing at Killala in 1798. A Dublin craftsman originally sculpured the monument but in recent years it has been beautifully restored locally by G.J. Ginty & Sons. The figure on the monument is not Humbert but Mother Ireland. It was moved to its present position in 1987.

Maud Gonne unveiled the monument as part of the centenary celebrations in 1887 and it was re-dedicated by her son Sean McBride in 1987. This is an annual gathering of interested people from around the world in Ballina in July to discuss topics that impact on ordinary people in the Humber Summer School. Six government ministers addressed the school in 2001 and the theme for this year's school will be "September 11th - How the world has changed."