Web layout by SAOIRSE -- Irish Freedom
May 14, 1998
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The parade formed up at Abbey Street and marched to the GPO where the proceedings were chaired by Andy Connolly, Cathaoirleach, Comhairle Ceantair Átha Cliath. The Easter Statement from the Leadership of the Republican Movement was read by Líta Ní Chathmhaoil. Peig King read the 1916 Proclamation. A wreath was laid by Dermot Gannon, Dublin and a stirring oration was delivered by Liam Cotter, Tralee, Co Kerry. The ceremony ended with the playing of Amhrán na bhFiann.
The proceedings were chaired by Andy Connolly and a wreath was laid on behalf of the Republican Movement by John Horan. A minute’s silence was observed in memory of all those who died for Irish Freedom and the National Flag was dipped. The Proclamation was read by John Horan. The Easter Statement was read by Líta Ní Chathmhaoil. Tom Ryan, Dublin, delivered the oration. The ceremony concluded with Amhrán na bhFiann played by Seán Ó Sé ar an bhfeadóg stáin.
The commemoration took place at 12 noon on Easter Sunday with Matt Conway, Kilcullen chairing the proceedings. A wreath was laid on behalf of the Republican Movement by Paul Stanley, Straffan. A decade of the Rosary was then recited as Ghaeilge. The 1916 Proclamation was read by Carmel Meehan, Newbridge. Kitty Hawkins, Ballymore Eustace, read the Easter Statement from the Leadership of the Republican Movement.
Ard Chomhairle member Des Dalton, Athy, called for a NO vote in the forthcoming referendum on the Stormont Agreement. “Containing as it does provisions for a ‘Council of the British Isles’ this Agreement would see the entire island of Ireland re-absorbed into the British United Kingdom,” he said.
A wreath was also laid at the memorial to the seven Kildare Republicans executed by Free State forces on the Curragh in 1923. Wreaths were also laid at the following: Milltown Bridge, St Conleth's Cemetery, Newbridge at the graves of Joe Bergin, Bob Mulally and Eugene O'Rourke, the 1798 monument, Old Kilcullen, the Republican Plot, Naas, the grave of the O'Reilly Brothers, Hollywood, Co Wicklow, the grave of Frank Driver, Ballymore Eustace, the graves of John O'Shea and Tom O'Connor, Bodenstown, the graves of Sean Grealy and Jim Dalton, Rathcoffey and wreaths were also laid in Maynooth and Celbridge.
Councillor Seán Lynch presided at the ceremonies which were organised by the Co Longford Easter Commemoration Committee. Maeve Sharkey, niece of Comdt Barney Casey, IRA, led the crowd in the recitation of a decade of the Rosary in Irish.
Wreaths were then laid by Stephen Fulham, Mostrim, on behalf of the organising committee, by Frank Quinn, Ballinalee, on behalf of the Republican Movement and by Patsy Farrell, Mostrim, on behalf of CABHAIR (Irish Republican Prisoners’ Dependants Fund).
The Proclamation of the All-Ireland Republic, Easter 1916 was read by Patsy Kiernan, Mullinalaghta and Pat Dolan, Longford read the Co Longford Roll of Honour.
Declan Curneen, Leitrim read the Easter 1998 Statement from the Leadership of the Republican Movement. Music was provided by the Connolly Folk Group and a group of young tin whistle players from Killoe headed the parade after the Tricolour flag-bearer, Mattie Casey, Drumlish.
The chairperson announced that ceremonies in commemoration of the Bicentenary of the 1798 Rising will be held in Ballinalee and Granard on Sunday, September 6. The 1999 Easter commemoration will take place in Killoe Cemetery at the grave of Comdt Barney Casey who was shot while an internee in the Curragh in 1940.
Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, a native of Longford and President of Republican Sinn Féin delivered the oration. The proceedings ended with the playing and singing of the National Anthem in Irish.
The Tricolour was carried by Seán Gallagher and the Fianna flag was carried by Michael Donegan. Pádraig Mac Mathúna chaired the proceedings. A wreath was laid by Mrs Callan, sister of the late Willie Stewart. Paddy Kerr read the Easter Statement. Joe Cunningham read the 1916 Proclamation and Pat Daly recited a decade of the Rosary in Irish. The bugler sounded the Last Post and Reveille, Seán Ó Sé gave a very inspiring oration. He compared the present deal to the Treaty of 1921.
The commemoration ended with the chairperson thanking all those in attendance and with the playing of the National Anthem.
A decade of the Rosary was recited and wreaths were laid by Tom Sloan, nephew of Patrick Sloan; Brian McCormack, a nephew of Barney McCormack and by Cathleen Bannon (nee Tormey), a relative of James Tormey. James Tormey and Patrick Sloan were shot dead by a sentry's bullet in Ballykinlar Camp in 1921. The oration was delivered by Frank Graham, Dublin. Wreaths were also laid at the memorial in Moate and at other locations throughout the county over the Easter period.
The commemoration began with a march from the Crescent Quay in Wexford town to the Republican Garden of Remembrance. Here a salute was fired from a cannon by the Carrig On Bannow Pikemen and a Tree of Liberty was planted by Séamus Mac Suain and Margaret Kavanagh to mark the Bicentenary of the 1798 Rising.
Participants were then taken by bus to St Ibar's Cemetery, Crosstown where a commemoration was held at the Republican Plot. Proceedings were chaired by Richard Bierney. Wreaths were laid at the Plot and at the graves of Paddy Parle, Mathew Furlong and Pat Lacey. The Proclamation was read by Séamus Mac Suain. Following the reading of the Easter Statement the oration was delivered by Bearchairt Ó Casaide of Dublin Republican Sinn Féin.
The preceedings concluded with the playing of the Last Post and a further firing of the cannon as a salute to the dead.
Following a decade of the Rosary in Irish, which was recited by Leo Martin, the Leadership Statement was read by Geraldine Taylor. The chairperson then asked Ciaran Cunningham to read the 1916 Proclamation and then called on Deaglán Ó Donghaile to give the oration in the course of which he said that the Irish freedom struggle faced its greatest challenge with the signing of the Stormont Agreement. He said that its very survival depended on “continuity of the principles, aims and of the determination of our fallen comrades to see the campaign through until victory. Just as the Treaty of Surrender was met by Republicans with scorn and derision in 1921, so too the Second Treaty of Surrender, which has just been launched at Stormont should be treated as a sell-out and a betrayal.” In conclusion the Chairperson thanked those in attendance and ended proceedings by stating that Republican Sinn Féin will continue its work in the Belfast area.
The Proclamation was read by Malachy Trainor. The Easter Statement from the Republican Leadership was read by Kevin Trainor and the Roll of Honour was read by Anthony Breen.
Wreaths were laid on behalf of the local Cumann by Deirdre Dalton. A wreath was laid on behalf of the Continuity IRA. Des Cox laid a wreath on behalf of the National Graves Association. Saoirse Breatnach, Baile Átha Cliath gave an inspiring oration. A minute’s silence was observed and a decade of the Rosary in Irish was recited by Des Cox.
Brief wreath-laying ceremonies were held on Easter Saturday evening at the patriot graves of, and memorials to, South Armagh Republicans who fought relentlessly against the obscenity of Partition and British Stormont-rule in the Six Counties. Wreaths were laid at the Volunteer Michael McVerry Memorial at Cullyhanna; at the grave of Volunteer Francis Jordan in Jonesborough’s Republican Plot; at the grave of Volunteer Gerry McKiernan in Mullaghbawn Cemetery; and at the Edentubber Martyrs’ Memorial on the site of Michael Watters’ cottage.
A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Republican Plot in Newry’s St Mary’s Cemetery at 6pm on Saturday evening. A group of Republicans, monitored closely by the British colonial police force (RUC), marched behind the National Flag to honour the Republican men of Newry who never bent the knee to British rule in Ireland. After the laying of wreaths on behalf of Republican Sinn Féin and the National Graves Association and the reading of the 1916 Proclamation of an Irish Republic, the Chairperson, Éamon Larkin, former elected member for Newry and Mourne District Council, applauded those men who gave their all for the 32-County All-Ireland Republic.
A further wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Republican Plot in Carrickcruppin Cemetery in Camloch, where four Republican soldiers, including hunger striker Raymond McCreesh, are buried. Republican Sinn Féin continued its programme of events at Killeen Cemetery, South Armagh, on Easter Sunday morning at 10.30am in commemoration of three young men — brothers John and Thomas O'Reilly and Peter McGennity — who were killed by British forces in 1921. After the recitation of the Rosary in Irish, reading of the Easter Proclamation and the laying of wreaths, the assembled Republicans heard an oration delivered by Sarah Murphy. In the course of her remarks she called for willing hands and active minds to complete the task for which such enormous sacrifices have been made down the years.
Bearna Uladh concluded its Easter commemorations at Dromintee’s St Patrick’s Cemetery after second Mass. A wreath was laid at the grave of a Republican Veteran, in honour of the men of the Dromintee and Killeavy Companies IRA who made a stand against the Treaty of 1921-22.
Then, marching behind the National Flag, Republicans went to the nearby Republican Plot and the grave of Jim Lochrie, Dromintee, OC First Battalion, South Armagh, Óglaigh na hÉireann, who was killed on active service in a premature explosion on December 6, 1975 alongside his lifelong friend and comrade Volunteer Seán Campbell, Faughart, who lies in the Republican Plot at Kilcurry, Co Louth. After the usual ceremonials the oration was delivered by Éamon Larkin, Ard Chomhairle, Republican Sinn Féin.
The parade was led by John Glancy who carried the National Flag. Hugh McGovern chaired the ceremony and also read the Easter Statement from the Leadership. The Cavan Roll of Honour was read by Ollie Prunty and the 1916 Proclamation was read by Brendan Mulvaney. Wreaths were laid by Bosco McBrien and PA McGovern.In atrocious weather a very fitting oration was delivered by John Joe McCusker.
Prior to a one minute’s silence being observed, wreaths placed at the Republican Monument included those from the Sean Keenan/Tommy Toner Cumann, Republican Sinn Féin, Derry city, from the Leadership of the Republican Movement and from the Derrry Brigade Staff and Volunteers, Continuity IRA.The Easter Statement was read and a decade of the Rosary was recited in Irish. The oration was delivered by Niall Fagan, Meath.
Wreath-laying ceremonies took place on Easter Sunday morning at the Loop, Co Derry at the grave of Brigadier Seán Larkin, and at the graves of Volunteers Kevin Lynch, O’Carolan, Kilmartin, James Kealey and Tommy Toner in Dungiven Cemetery.
Speaking in Carrickmore, Jimmy McElhinney, Chairman of the Seán South Cumann extended greetings to all Irish political prisoners everywhere who stand for British withdrawal and a new Ireland.
The Statement from the Leadership was read and the oration was given by Martin Calligan who said that the so-called peace plan was a sell-out and that it contradicted the Proclamation of 1916.
The Chairperson then introduced the speaker Jimmy Kavanagh who delivered a very stirring oration which was very much appreciated by the gathering. After the Chairperson’s concluding remarks the ceremony ended with the piper playing Amhrán na bhFiann and the entire attendance joined in singing it as Ghaeilge.
At the Church Street monument the Roll of Honour was read by Derrick McKenna, who presided. He then called on Michael O'Sullivan, a survivor of de Valera’s 1940s Concentration Camp in the Curragh, to lay the wreath. The piper then played a lament following which Dónal O'Neill, Wexford and Letter, said a decade of the Rosary as Gaeilge for the repose of the souls of all those whose names were on the monument. These included that of his brother, Staff Captain Maurice O'Neill, done to death by Dev’s ‘green-and-tans’ in 1942.
Mary Ward, Burtonport, Co Donegal, Vice-President of Republican Sinn Féin, then gave the commemorative address in which she said that this year we were remembering especially the insurgents of 1798 and the gallant fight that they made, while of course remembering 1916 and all the local Volunteers who died to break the connection with England. The oration was very well received.
In the morning wreaths and flowers were laid on the graves of all Volunteers buried in Killavarnogue Cemetery, the graves had all been attended to earlier in the week by Cumann members. Despite very inclement and unseasonable weather it remained dry all through the march and ceremonies. The piper just concluded the National Anthem when a very heavy shower came down.
The proceedings were chaired by Des Long, Vice-President, Republican Sinn on behalf of the Republican Movement. To start the ceremony Colm Ó Floinn recited a decade of the Rosary. Tara Keys then read the Easter Statement. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Republican Movement by Bernard Brew and on behalf of the Commemoration Committee by Gerald Mulcahy.
The oration was given by Seán McGoldrick, Dublin.
The parade then proceeded to the grave of Seán Glynn, the first Republican to die under the Fianna Fáil administration in 1936. Colm Ó Floinn delivered a short oration and a wreath was laid on behalf of Na Fianna Éireann by Margaret Ryan. The Fianna slua in Limerick is called after Seán Glynn. Seasoned Republicans expressed their pleasure at this year’s ceremony stating that this was by far the biggest commemoration since 1986.
The ceremony was chaired by Geraldine McNamara, Ard Chomhairle, Republican Sinn Féin, who in her address paid tribute to the men who were murdered in the barracks and to all the men and women who gave their lives for Irish freedom. Des Long, Vice-President of Republican Sinn Féin, then gave the oration in which he criticised the present sell-out of Republican principles and said that there could never be real peace in our country while the British presence remained. A wreath was laid on behalf of the Seán Treacy Cumann was then laid by Joe Costello. The parade then walked back to town led by a Colour Party of Na Fianna Éireann.
The commemoration was held at the site of the proposed war memorial to those who fought on the side of the British who occupied the barracks.
Later on Easter Sunday Ruairí Óg Ó Brádaigh also spoke at the main County Galway Commemoration at the Republican Plot in Donaghpatrick Cemetery, Headford.
He paid tribute to the Veteran Galway Republican John Joe Ruane of Athenry who died in Merlin Park Hospital on Saturday, April 11.
In Manorhamilton a wreath was laid at the restored memorial to Commandant Phil Gilgun who was killed by Free State forces in the town on November 18, 1922. It was announced that this would now be an annual part of the Easter Sunday ceremonies in Co Leitrim.
In south Leitrim a ceremony was held at the grave of Jack McLaughlin in Fenagh. Jack died as a result of the inhuman conditions and treatment he experienced under the Fianna Fail regime of de Valera while a POW in the Curragh Concentration Camp. Several members of Jack’s family were in attendance and a wreath was laid on their behalf by a family member. Michael Kennedy, Gorvagh, chaired the proceedings. Michael McDonagh laid a wreath on behalf of Republican Sinn Féin. Thomas Kelly read the 1916 proclamation and Declan Curneen, Glenade, read the Statement from the Leadership.
In his oration Seán Ó Brádaigh, Dublin said that “The Mayo Republicans who died on hunger strike, Seán McNeela, Michael Gaughan, Frank Stagg and Bobby Sands and his nine comrades in Long Kesh, who also died the slow, agonising death by fasting, did not die for a New Stormont and updated British rule in the Six Counties.”
Following 11.30am Mass in Elphin a parade took place to the County IRA Memorial at Shankill Cross. There Pádraic Cryan, Cortober, chairman of the County Committee presided and Addie Clarke read the 1916 Proclamation. Dermot Mulloly, Strokestown, read the County Roscommon Roll of Honour, Patsy O’Connell, Elphin, secretary of the County Committee recited a decade of the Rosary in Irish. Tom Joe Flanagan, Kilglass laid a wreath on behalf of the organising committee. At the IRA Memorial in Ballinlough at 12 noon flags were dipped in salute as the Last Post and Reveille were sounded by bugler Bobby Cooper, Castlerea. Joe Murphy, Ballinlough presided and Michael Mitchell laid a wreath.
Stephen French, Lisacul read the 1916 Proclamation and Enda Carty, Ballinlough the County Roll of Honour. Tomás Ó Curraoin, Bearna, Gaillimh, read the Easter Statement from the Leadership of the Republican Movement, following which he gave a short oration.
In the afternoon, the county commemoration took place in Baslick Cemetery, Castlerea at the grave of Stephen McDermott of Ballinagare who was killed by British troops in the Woodlands of Loughglynn with Seán Bergin of Tipperary in 1921.
A parade headed by a Colour Party and the Raheen Pipe Band formed up in Cloonbard and marched to the Cemetery, Michael Hannily, Ballinagare presided at the graveside.
Following the reading of the 1916 Proclamation the Easter Statement from the Leadership was read by Maurice Corrigan, Boyle.
Wreaths were laid on the grave by Padraic Cryan, Cortober on behalf of the organising committee, by Farrell Conry, Elphin on behalf of the Republican prisoners, by Joe Kelly, Kilglass on behalf of Roscommon Comhairle Ceantair, Republican Sinn Féin and by Annie McDermott, Tully on behalf of Stephen McDermott’s relatives.
Annie McDermott also led those present in the recitation of a decade of the Rosary in Irish. The oration was delivered by Tomós Ó Curraoin, Gaillimh.
Eamon Healy read the Statement from the Leadership and the Proclamation was read by Val Harnon.
In his oration Con Darcy, Sligo, reminded those present of the massacre of Sligo’s Noble Six at the hands of Free State Forces on Ben Bulben mountain. They died in the defence of the All-Ireland Republic, shot down like dogs by former comrades who had sold out the Republic. Irish Republicanism was being sold out again by new age treachery and comprpmise.He called for renewed effort in the Sligo area in countering the current sell-out process. The Roll of Honour of Sligo’s patriot dead was read and a minute’s silence observed before concluding events.
GLASGOW
The faithful Republicans of
Glasgow gathered at Pearse
Park GAA ground in Cambuslang for this year’s commemoration.
The ceremony was chaired by Stephen Coyle of the Francis Hughes Cumann of Sinn Féin Poblachtach. He called on veteran Republican and GAA activist Ruairí Campbell to read the Easter Proclamation, Ruairí’s father, Charles, was one of eight Republicans to be imprisoned in Scotland in 1939 for his involvement in the S-Plan.
The Roll of Honour for Scotland was read by Martin Docherty of the Francis Hughes Cumann. The acclaimed poet and novelist, Freddy Anderson who is a native of Ballybay in Co Monaghan, recited several Republican poems. The Leadership Statement was then read by Brian O hAnluain. This was followed by the dipping of the Flags and a minute’s silence was observed for all those who gave their lives for Ireland’s freedom.
The main speaker was Máirtín Ó Catháin of Derry Sinn Féin Poblachtach. A statement of solidarity with the Republican Movement was made by Gerry Cairns of the SRSP on behalf of Scottish Republicans. The ceremony concluded with the playing of Amhrán na bhFiann by Dáithí Mac Cú Uladh on the tin whistle.
The attendance was twice that of the previous year and can be seen as a demonstration of disgust at the outcome of the talks. Republican sympathisers from the Merseyside area came out in support and the Michael Flannery Cumann of Republican Sinn Féin (Herts) sent a strong contingent. Also represented were Republicans who will shortly form a new Republcian Sinn Féin Cumann in London. Rachel of the Liverpool Cumann read the Proclamation and this was followed by a reading from Pádraig Pearse, “They think they have purchased the half of us and intimidated the other half . . .” by Veteran Republican Liam. A sheaf of lilies was then laid at the monument by another Cumann member, and Pat McDonnell of the John Whelan Cumann read the Easter Statement which was loudly applauded at its conclusion.
Chairperson Assemblyman Joseph Crowley introduced the speaker from Ireland, Derek Warfield of the Wolfe Tones ballad group. The Easter Proclamation was read in Irish and English by Helen Dillon Cregan and James McDermott. Special guests of honour were Veteran Republicans Seosamh Bré, Limerick and New York and James McDermott, nephew of Seán Mac Diarmada.
The Statement from the Leadership of the Republican Movement in Ireland was read by Cumann na Saoirse member Tom McGrath.
A Republican commemoration was also held on Easter Sunday at O'Lunneys, Time Square, New York. Tim Garvey, Boston and Kerry was Fear a’ Tí. The 1916 Proclamation was read in Irish and English by Séamus O’Dowd, Kerry and Áine Ní Grálaigh.
The Easter Statement was read by Evelyn Morgan and the oration was given by Seán Ó Grálaigh. The National Anthem concluded the ceremony. Also present was special envoy from Clann na Gael, Felix McCluskey.
An Easter message was read from Republican Sinn Féin Patron Geroge Harrison and messages from the families of hunger strikers Franchis Hughes and Patsy O'Hara and from Frank O'Neill, Chicago.
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Web layout by SAOIRSE -- Irish Freedom May 14, 1998 Send links, events notifications, articles, comments etc, to the editor at: saoirse@iol.ie marked "attention web-editor". |