Mr. Martin O'Donnell from Old Parish prepares the Wreaths
Rays of Sunshine mark the event
This gentleman came from the USA, to honor his 1922 ancestor
Marie Keating, niece of the famous rebels Pat & Thomas Keating, both of whom lost their lives during the fight for freedom. Speaking at the event, she said that she recalled stories of her relations exploits during the war. She said that 'these were ordinary young men that played hurling and football, had girlfriends, and enjoyed life but they were prepared to to give all this up and take to the Comeraghs to lead the fight for freedom.
Mr. David Cullinane Sinn Fein,& Waterford County Councilor lays a Wreath
Seanna Walsh of Sinn Fein. This was the man who read the IRA statement on July 28th, 2005 which ended the armed conflict of the past 35 years. Seanna spent 21 years of his life in British prisons. he was a very close friend of the hero Bobby sands who was the first hunger striker to die. Seanna was a cell mate of Bobby's back in 1981 when ten young Irishmen died in the fight for political status. Another interesting thing about Seanna, was that because of his impeccable republican credentials that he was asked to be the first person since 1972 to represent the organisation without wearing the black mask.he also paid a vital role in the peace talks. Seanna, currently heads up the Sinn Fein Irish language Department.
Speaking at the event ,Seanna, said that 'he was honored and privileged to have been asked to say a cupla focial here to day. the fight these men began here 88 years ago is the same fight I was involved in. Unfortunately, not all our country was freed from British occupation and Republicans in the six counties had no option but to rise and fight this occupation. Today we see the British Army hold a march in Belfast, this is a disgrace and should not have been allowed. We must continue to push for a United Ireland. We owe it to all those who died fighting for it.' Speaking about the film 'The Hunger' he said, ' I would encourage people to go and see it. The film depicts life in the H-Blocks during the hunger strike, this movie shows what we went through during that period.' He went on to say, 'All true Republicans must continue to fight for the Ireland as is laid out in the 1916 proclamation and must remember that historic document applies to all in the six Counties as well.
All the Wreaths are laid out
Senator Labhras O’ Murchu (Center) Was the other main speaker who address the crowd was the South Tipperary based Senator Labhras O’ Murchu. Addressing those present he said,’ the fight for unity must continue, we must retain our national heritage, our language, our games and our music. The men and women who rose in the 1920s were our heroes. I hope as many children as possible visit marvellous monument and learn what our forefathers achieved for us. We must not forget either our nationalist and republican comrades in the six counties or what they went through and still endure under British occupation. I wish to commend the local committee for the work they have done here. It shows that the traditional committee spirit is alive and well. I particularly wish to mention the way they have got all the strands of republicanism working together with no political point scoring taking place. If republicans of all colours joined together more often we could achieve a lot more’. The Cork Hill Pipe band. Martin O’Donnell of An Sean Phobail sang closed the event by singing the Cross of old Piltown
Time for some photo shoots, Seanna was kept quite busy with people shaking his hand and requesting photos. A quite unassuming man who was modestly quite willing to oblige all requests.
Chairman, Liam Allen of Piltown
It estimated that 500 were present on the day
Mr. Martin O'Donnell from Old Parish prepares the Wreaths
Rays of Sunshine mark the event
This gentleman came from the USA, to honor his 1922 ancestor
Marie Keating, niece of the famous rebels Pat & Thomas Keating, both of whom lost their lives during the fight for freedom. Speaking at the event, she said that she recalled stories of her relations exploits during the war. She said that 'these were ordinary young men that played hurling and football, had girlfriends, and enjoyed life but they were prepared to to give all this up and take to the Comeraghs to lead the fight for freedom.
Mr. David Cullinane Sinn Fein,& Waterford County Councilor lays a Wreath
Seanna Walsh of Sinn Fein. This was the man who read the IRA statement on July 28th, 2005 which ended the armed conflict of the past 35 years. Seanna spent 21 years of his life in British prisons. he was a very close friend of the hero Bobby sands who was the first hunger striker to die. Seanna was a cell mate of Bobby's back in 1981 when ten young Irishmen died in the fight for political status. Another interesting thing about Seanna, was that because of his impeccable republican credentials that he was asked to be the first person since 1972 to represent the organisation without wearing the black mask.he also paid a vital role in the peace talks. Seanna, currently heads up the Sinn Fein Irish language Department.
Speaking at the event ,Seanna, said that 'he was honored and privileged to have been asked to say a cupla focial here to day. the fight these men began here 88 years ago is the same fight I was involved in. Unfortunately, not all our country was freed from British occupation and Republicans in the six counties had no option but to rise and fight this occupation. Today we see the British Army hold a march in Belfast, this is a disgrace and should not have been allowed. We must continue to push for a United Ireland. We owe it to all those who died fighting for it.' Speaking about the film 'The Hunger' he said, ' I would encourage people to go and see it. The film depicts life in the H-Blocks during the hunger strike, this movie shows what we went through during that period.' He went on to say, 'All true Republicans must continue to fight for the Ireland as is laid out in the 1916 proclamation and must remember that historic document applies to all in the six Counties as well.
All the Wreaths are laid out
Senator Labhras O’ Murchu (Center) Was the other main speaker who address the crowd was the South Tipperary based Senator Labhras O’ Murchu. Addressing those present he said,’ the fight for unity must continue, we must retain our national heritage, our language, our games and our music. The men and women who rose in the 1920s were our heroes. I hope as many children as possible visit marvellous monument and learn what our forefathers achieved for us. We must not forget either our nationalist and republican comrades in the six counties or what they went through and still endure under British occupation. I wish to commend the local committee for the work they have done here. It shows that the traditional committee spirit is alive and well. I particularly wish to mention the way they have got all the strands of republicanism working together with no political point scoring taking place. If republicans of all colours joined together more often we could achieve a lot more’. The Cork Hill Pipe band. Martin O’Donnell of An Sean Phobail sang closed the event by singing the Cross of old Piltown
Time for some photo shoots, Seanna was kept quite busy with people shaking his hand and requesting photos. A quite unassuming man who was modestly quite willing to oblige all requests.
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