This article is from page 20 of the 2006-04-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
CLARE may not have risen up in revolution back in 1916, but 90 years on, public bodies in the county capital of Ennis and in Kilrush are gearing up to remember those who took up arms to strike for Irish freedom.
Wreaths of commemoration will be laid at the 1916 memorials in both towns, while ceremonies are also earmarked for Tuamgraney and the Republican plot in Drumcliffe Cemetery.
Mayor of Ennis, Frankie Neylon (Ind), will perform the honours at the ‘Laochra na Cásca’ plaque on the Club Bridge at 12 noon, while the Ennis Brass Band and the Army Reserve will be present for the occasion.
The commemoration plaque was unveiled for the golden jubilee Easter celebrations in 1966, by the then Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Joseph Rodgers and Clare County Council vicechairman, Michael Considine.
Forty years on, Mayor Neylon says it’s only right that the men of 1916 were remembered.
“These are the men who fought for our country and if we don’t remember the past, we don’t know how to shape our future,” he told The Clare People.
The ceremonies in Kilrush will be more lavish and are timed for 1pm. The commemoration wreath will be laid by Mayor Christy O’Malley (FF) while the guest of honour will be Independent TD James Breen.
“Everything will take place outside the Town Council offices where the plaque to the men of 1916 lies,” Councillor Tom Prendeville (FF) revealed.
“The Proclamation will be read in both Irish and English, while Padraig Pearse’s poem, The Wayfarer, will also be recited.
It’s only right that we are honouring the men of 1916 in this way,” added Councillor Prendeville.
Politicians local to east Clare are expected to be out in force for a wreath laying ceremony in the Republican park in Tuamgraney, which is known as the Garden of Remembrance.
Sinn Féin activists in the county will head for the Republican plot in Drumcliffe for their celebration of the Rising.
It expected that a leading official from the party in the Munster region will be present to perform the wreath laying ceremony and graveside oration.
Meanwhile, the Fleadh Nua which takes place in Ennis in May, will also mark the rising. This will take the form of a musical celebration in Glór on May 26.
“It will tell the story of 1916,” revealed Fleadh Nua chairman, Dónal Ó Loinsigh.